The ceremony celebrating the completion of the city gate and the city road went off without a hitch.

The relationship with the 41st district, which had been so complicated by the installation of the city gate, was resolved, and there was a historic scene of the lords of the three districts cutting the ribbon together.
The fact that I was somehow mixed up in it is a mystery to me, though.

The construction of the city gate was delayed due to the swarm of hexenbiests, problems with the 41st district, and other factors, but in the end, thanks to the cooperation of the three districts, it was only about a month later than originally planned.
Considering the fact that the extension of the street to the 40th district, which was not in the original plan, was also completed in this period, it can be said that the work done was more than enough.

The ceremony took place on April 6th.

I recall in my mind the flow of events from the beginning of the year until now.

Oh, yeah, it's already been a year since then.

I pull out my watch. I try not to wear it in public because it is too over-technological. At times like this, I appreciate oscillating watches. You don't have to change the battery, just shake it a certain number of times every day and it will never stop.

And ......

'Ten seconds to go............5......4......3... ...two...... one............ zero'

The date changed--April 7th.

The anniversary of my death.
And it's been exactly one year since I came to this world.

And it's also my birthday.

'Well, when I first came here, I was made to walk a lot...'

I was left in the wilderness a long way from the city by an uncaring god, nearly died, was picked up by a corrupt merchant, and came to this city. ...... God is not a good guy, is he? Yeah.

'Let's go for a walk.

Maybe they were tired from the ceremony, but Jeannette and Magda both fell asleep early today.
So I slipped out of the room ...... quietly so as not to wake them.

As soon as I stepped out into the hallway, I suddenly felt a ...... stirring in my heart.

It's okay. I'm just going for a little walk. I'll be back.

The door to the shop was locked.
The door to the store is locked. ...... I should go out the kitchen door.
............ No, there's no one wandering around at this hour, is there? If there was, it would be me.

So why don't we go out the door like we did that time.

I walked through the kitchen, past the counter, and out onto the floor, where I chose the chair with the strongest legs and sat down on it. None of the current chairs would wobble, though.
Then he stood up and put his wallet in front of the counter. ......

'I'm off then.

I mutter to myself, then open the door and walk out.

'Oh yeah. At first there was a bathroom on the other side of this ...... and it was pitch black. ......'

The area in front of the sunlit pavilion is very bright, with the glowing bricks emitting a beautiful warm light.
If it had been this bright from the start, the toilet outside would not have been so scary. ...... Well, it's better to have the toilet indoors, though.

Oh, yes.

I cleared my throat and muttered to myself, making the worst face I've made in a long time.
Towards the sunlit pavilion: ......

'There are far more bad people in the world than there are good people. You've learned your lesson.'

.......
As I recall, I left the sunny pavilion with this line. I remember quite well.

'Well, ......, let's go.

I left the Sundaari-tei and started walking towards the main street, just as I did that day.
The road to the main street was much wider and more beautifully transformed than it had been a year ago.
After all, this is a big street that stretches from the 42nd district to the 40th district. There was still plenty of room for two carriages to pass each other.
On both sides of the road, glowing bricks were placed to light the way safely at night.


A year ago, the road was too rickety for a carriage to pass, and the width was much narrower.
And above all, it was pitch black. ............ It was seriously pitch black, to the point that I had a phobia of the streets at night.
If you think about it, we were at the bottom of a cliff adjacent to the 30th and 29th wards. It is a location where the moonlight does not penetrate well. It was dark.

On the way, there is a corner that leads to New Town.
It used to be called a slum, but now it's an upscale residential area.
I don't feel the fear of the approaching darkness anymore.

Then I went out to the main street and wandered around.
In the middle of the night, I am frightened by the eyes of a cat, and at dawn, I am amazed by the sight of chickens harvesting chickens' eggs when I see Nepheli. ...... After dawn, I go to Cantalucia and have some trouble with a scary man who collects debts... ...

'A lot of things happened. ......'

At the end of the main street is the Hardware Street, where Hamm and his friends built a flood prevention system when they were not yet recognized by the people. It was also the place where Magda escaped as a cat.
Recently, it had become a place where Norma would get tangled up with a bunch of old men who used fancy words whenever she came to ask for help. 'Don't like it, don't like me, don't like me.

'If you go this way, you'll find the Graduates ...... and beyond that, the central square and further on, Becco's house ......'.

There was the hero statue fiasco, the Graduates food poisoning incident ...... and a big fight with Assunto on the main street.
Popcorn vending is now a common sight, but we had a hard time in the beginning.

'Whoa!BBS'.

A bulletin board at the intersection of the road leading to the Sunlit Pavilion near Ukrines' store.
It's easy to miss if you're coming from Sunlit Pavilion, but it's very noticeable when you're leaving.
This is where my handbill was posted. I scribbled on it.


Even now, it is clearly written that 'the curse of the spirit god will fall on those who remove the notice without permission. The spirit gods are always putting their energy into strange things like this, aren't they? Why don't you use your power to make it easier for people to live here?

And we head for the lord's mansion.
It's as big as ever.
When I first saw it, I never thought I'd be invited to this house. I never thought I'd be invited to this house when I first saw it, much less to cut the ribbon in a ceremony alongside the lord. ..................... ...I guess ribbon-cutting is a thing in every world.
There are some strange similarities.
That's why I sometimes forget about it.

I'm in a different world now.

No. ......


That I'm from another world.



I'll never be able to go back to my world.
Then this is my world. Japan is a different world to me now.

I guess that's partly because I hadn't settled that part of my life.
I've always felt that while I'm in this world, I'm also a resident of the other world, and while I live in the 42nd district, I feel like a guest ......, so I can go and stay as I please.

I thought this was a place I would leave someday.

'...... a year, huh?

I think it's about time.
On the night before the ceremony, I thought too much and went around in circles, but during the ...... ceremony, I was able to think about it from a different perspective.
All the people I've been involved with so far came to see the ceremony, and they all looked so happy with their stupid faces and were really happy about the development of their city.

When I saw that, I thought.

I thought, "Oh, my role is already over.

Well, my role isn't that important, but I realized that I didn't need to worry about the part that had been stuck in my mind for a long time, 'Will they be okay without me?

They'll be fine.
They won't be beaten down by a little thing.
They're reliable people who've learned to stand on their own two feet.

I've probably done all I can do.
Anything more advanced than this is beyond the knowledge of an amateur. Professional skills will be needed.

You've already taken care of all the work that needs to be done, haven't you?
The sunlit pavilion has returned to the lively dining room it once was, and you've made some reliable friends.
The hamsters, who were having trouble working because of their many children, are now working busily, the tiger cub, who was all alone, has found a place for himself, and the ...... lord is now on his own.

That's enough.

I forgive myself for my sins. ...... I don't know if I can do that. I don't know if I can do it. But I'm going to give it a try.
But I have to reset ......

I've 'tricked' all these people into staying here.
That's not fair.

If you introduce yourself from the beginning as 'I was a fraud in the other world, nice to meet you! I'm sure they wouldn't have welcomed me like this if I had introduced myself.

That's why I'm resetting myself here.
Otherwise, I'll never be able to forgive me.

When I found out that Jeannette was at the sunny-side up with such determination, I honestly thought I couldn't win.
Her earnestness. Her determination. His unshakable faith.

Compared to him, I'm like a shriveled sprout.
I'm limp, sticking to someone else, trying to conform my form to theirs.
No core.

It made me realize that I'm living in a very uncool way.


There is a saying that con artists often say.

"The people who are fooled are the fools.

And ......

The people who can't be fooled are even more stupid than that.

I can't help it.
A sycophantic con artist.

There's no reason for you to stay here as such a dilettante.
I don't have the courage to continue calling myself a con man, and I don't have the courage to be a sycophant. ...... I'm not even sure I'm ready to do that, and there's no way I can stay here like this. ......



So I'm leaving this town.



I'm not sure what to do.
Let's leave the sunken pavilion as soon as the sun rises.
Of course, I'll greet them properly.
That's the best I can do for them right now.

With that thought in mind, I walked towards the sunlit pavilion.

It's been a long walk.
I've walked all over the forty-two districts, so it's probably been a few hours already.
Let's go back now and get some rest. Tomorrow we may have to walk again.

'The rest can be found at ......'.

I take out the 20Rb in my pocket.
The dull copper coin clinks.

'Pay for your escape and ...... it's all over.'

After all, I've been staying at the Sunken Pavilion to earn this money, haven't I?
I've kept you waiting a long time. I hope I didn't get any interest.

Walk down the street and you'll see a brighter corner.
The Sunken Pavilion.

We've come back.
I feel as if I'm watching the ending of a story.
Open this door, go inside, and ...... that's it.


No matter whether you cry or laugh, that's the end of the story.

Then at least be positive. ......

I proudly opened the door with the intention of paying my respects to the sunshine pavilion that had taken care of me for a year.

'This is where Yashiro-san comes in!
'......What?'

When I opened the door, I found Jeannette.
She stretched out her arms toward the door and froze in a pose that looked like 'Do it! She was frozen in a pose that looked like, 'Hello!

'........................What?

Ginette said the same thing to me, and we both froze.
'......What are you doing?

'...... What are you doing?

No, that's my line. ...... Now, you're frozen in a very funny outfit, aren't you?
I'm not sure what to say.
What is this, prophecy magic?
Or is it ......

I took my gaze off the ginette and looked around the room.
On the wall, there is a piece of paper with something written on it. ............ Well, ............ "This place is I'm sure you've seen it.This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.
There were lamps on the counter.
And the position of the table has been greatly changed, and the center of the table is wide open. In the center of this open space, four desks are placed close together.
On the desks are fluffy, cylindrical objects that look like ............ cake sponges?
And next to the cake sponge, there was an unused, thin candle.

I'm not sure if this is a ...... thing or a ............ thing, but it is a thing, isn't it?

'Ginette'.
I don't know.

I don't know what it is, but he seems to be very tense.
I'm not sure what it is, but he seems very nervous. (sweat)' is written on his face.

'You, how do you know that?
'To ......?
'Today is my birthday.'
'What?I didn't know that!

Ginette, who had been frozen with her arms outstretched, suddenly began to move, holding her mouth with both hands, jumping lightly, clapping her hands and muttering, 'Yes, get ready ......', and was about to head for the kitchen, 'Oh, before that, clean up... But I still have a rehearsal to do ......', he thought, 'Oh, but I can't do that in front of Yashiro-san, and ......... ...Oh, that's right, it's my birthday!I can't stay like this! I almost went to the kitchen again and said, 'Oh, but!No, but...' But!

No, just calm down.

'You didn't know about this, did you?
'Yes. ............ I just found out about it. I'm sorry, I didn't learn enough. ............ Oh, you celebrated your birthday. ...... Why didn't I think of that? I'm sorry. ............
'Oh, no, can we do this later?

Ginette kneels on the floor and thrusts her folded hands toward the sky, stopping for now.

But the cake, the candles, the 'decorations,' and 'Yashiro-san is here,' right?
If it's not a birthday party, what is this event?

'Oh, ......, because of me, I'm not going to be able to ............ face you all...' .........'

To all of you, it seems that he was planning something with other people. ...... He probably doesn't realize that he's leaking information one after another.

'So, what's this all about?
'No, it's ............'.

'Huh ......,' sighed Jeannette, and began to speak in hushed tones, as if she had given up.

'Tomorrow, it will be exactly one year since Yashiro-san came to the sunny pavilion. ......'
'What ......?
'Oh, by the way, the day after tomorrow is when you became an employee of the Sun Goddess Pavilion, and I had a hard time deciding which day would be the anniversary, but when I asked everyone's opinion, I thought it would be better to celebrate the day when we met ...... I'm sure you'll agree that it's better to have it at the time you met. ...... I'm sure you'll agree that it's better to have it at the time you met. ............'
'......'
In addition to that, I hope that ...... this will help Yashiro-san's spirits, even if only a little. ......That's what I was thinking. ......'


I'm sure he's been trying his best to keep it a secret until now.
I'm sure you've been doing your best to keep it a secret from me. ...... You're an idiot. You're not good at hiding things, scheming, or deceitful things like that. ...... Look at it, you've been straining and holding back all this time and you can't stop, can you?
The things that you've been keeping bottled up in your chest for so long, the words that you've been struggling to keep bottled up, are pouring out. It won't stop until the guilt is gone.

And so, when Jeannette's stopping power finally failed,............

'Oh,......, I know this is a bit of a rude thing to say,............, but I wanted Yashiro to always be smiling. I'm sure you'll be glad you came here,......, and I'm sure you'll be glad you came here,............, someday. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, you can contact us at ....... ...But Yashiro has his own thoughts and circumstances,...... and it's not for me to interfere with them,...... but still. ............ If I can, ...... I will ......... ...I want to be ............ with ...... Yashiro for ...... ever. I want to be ...... with you ...................'

Jeannette's nose makes a 'swooshing' sound.

'...... No matter how many times I tell myself that it can't be helped,...... I'm still anxious,............ anxious. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. ...... But because I'm like that, I'm causing Yashiro unnecessary worry. ...... And yet I'm not ...... sure that Yashiro will be kind to me. I'm ............ happy that ...... Yashiro is being so kind to me. ......... I've been so spoiled that ............ I've been so... ...as in the case of the "Let's eat a lot of food" contest. ............ I forced myself to do it. ...... ......'

I'm not sure if it's because I was thinking about that that my lonely mode suddenly ended.
...... Also, you can at least say the gluttony contest as it is, can't you?

'I've always ............ been ...... spoiled by Yashiro's ...... shop. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. ...... I've been spoiled by that kindness ............ and ......... ...about Yashiro's ...... nothing ............ to think about ...... ............The night before last, too ......more ...... if I could. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... But that's not a word I'm allowed to say. ............ But still... ...But still!

A large tear rolled down Ginette's cheek as she pushed her eyelids closed tightly.
She folded her hands as if in prayer, and whispered in a trembling voice, without effort.

'...... I want to be with ...... Yashiro-san and ............ be by his side forever. I've been thinking about how happy I'd be if I could ...... be with you ............ just for that ...... ............

I guess this is a confession.
I'm sure Jeannette is filled with guilt right now.

It's ............ stupid, isn't it?

'............'.

Biting her lips tightly, Jeannette is trembling a little.
The eyes that should be staring into the future have closed their eyelids in fear of the future that is soon to come.

Really, I'm an idiot,.......

'Ginette.
'............?

Ginette's shoulders bounced as I called her name.
Then, she slowly raised her head and looked up at me with big eyes moistened with tears.



I silently took out 20Rb from my pocket and gently placed it in Ginette's hand.

Looking at the 20Rb in her palm,......, Jeannette's eyes widened,............, and her shoulders slumped.

Without a sound, tears fell down her cheeks.

'This is my closure.

I was finally able to pay for the meal I had put on hold for so long.
Now, there's nothing left to tie me down.

'............ Yes'.

Ginette seemed to accept it, though she looked fragile, as if she was about to disappear.
She lifted her face and forced herself to smile.

'Thank you ............ every ...... time, thank you ....... ......'.

As a shopkeeper, he does his job well.
He is a true example of a shopkeeper.


...... You really are an idiot.
I don't know why I didn't notice this simple thing.

It's my past, it's my sins, it's unforgivable, it's better off without me, it's not my place, I don't deserve it, I'm, I'm, I'm, to me, to me, to me and ......... ...
All I ever cared about was me.
All I ever thought about was me.

That's why I'm an idiot.


There's a guy who's been watching over me all this time, and I've never even thought about him. ......

"Jeannette will be happier without me." ...... Who said that? I did.
"There's no way someone like me can be around Jeannette." ...... That's my opinion too.
If you think I'm a fraud and have no right to be happy ......, then don't be one!In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.If you're so worried about guilt and forgiveness, at least try to make the most important person in front of you happy by dying hard, spending your life, and doing it!If you can't do that, what's with the "I'm a fraud ......"?

I'm sure you'll be able to find an excuse in the future.

Don't think you'll be forgiven. Your crimes will never be erased!
But that doesn't mean you can throw away the rest of your life!
Don't treat your life so shabbily while ruining other people's lives!

If you want forgiveness so badly, I'll sentence you to a lifetime of service!



Don't do anything to make Jeannette cry any more. ......?



'Jeannette.
'...... yes ............'
'Can you hire me in this store?
'..................What?'
'Not to pay off my outstanding bills, but officially, authentically, as an employee here, please ............ hire me!Please!''

She bent at the waist 90 degrees and bowed deeply.

Jeannette's breathing became erratic.
Her confusion is palpable.

And ......

'............ is .......'

Hearing her reply, I look up.
And there she is.


There was a beautiful smile like a goddess.


Ginette was staring at me with a gentle smile on her face.
And again, this time she looked me in the eye and replied clearly.

'It's nice to meet you too. Yashiro-san!

He took my hand and squeezed it tightly.
Her cheeks flushed red as if she was a little embarrassed, but she didn't let go of my hand and we looked at each other for a while.

--And then...

You can find a lot more information on the web at .......

'............ ah'.

It was a dirty, blackened, thin ............ string, a promise ring that had been tied to my arm for years.



Suddenly, all sorts of memories flooded into my head.
I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it. ...... ...... Everything I've ever seen, heard, and felt comes and goes in my mind at a dizzying pace.

It was as if there was a movie screen in front of me and I was being shown a fast-moving image. ............ Finally, the image stopped.

The sound disappeared and the world went blank.
There was nothing ...... to feel ...... and I was standing alone in a strange world.

In such a strange world, ......

'Yashiro'.
'Yashiro'.

Two voices call out to me. ............

'............ ah'

Tears naturally well up in my eyes.

Standing there was the ............

'Master ............, landlady ......, .......'


It was the master and proprietress I had thought I would never see again.
They were standing side by side, looking at me with the same kind smile they had back then.

'Oh, that ...... that, I ............!

I wanted to apologize.

For not recognizing you.
For not being able to help you.
For ignoring your feelings and becoming a fraud. ......
And for dying. ......

But I couldn't find any words to say. ...... I couldn't say anything. ......
When I looked at their faces, I knew that ...... wasn't the word I needed to say. ......

So, I just told them what came to my mind honestly.



'Me ....... I'll be happy.

Then they nodded slowly with happy faces, and gave a small wave.
The colors of the world are becoming fainter.
Existence is fading.
I'm going to disappear. When I was sure of this, I had one more thing I really wanted to say, and I shouted with all my might, praying that I would make it.



'I loved you so much!I was so lucky to be your child!Dad, Mom!



The world went dark and I heard a gentle voice calling me to .......

'Yashiro-san. Mr. Yashiro, ...... are you okay?'

There, in front of me, was Jeannette.
She's looking up at me with a worried look on her face.

'This ...... was important, wasn't it?'

Ginette picks up the broken Promise Ring and holds it out to me.

'It's okay. This one is fine.'
'Is that so?'
'Yeah. It's supposed to snap like this. Wishes come true on ............ ...... and ......... ...Huh.'
'......Yashiro-san?'
'Wishes come true ............ for my ............ dad and mom. ...... wishes ............ me to live a happy life ...... ............ wish ............... .........'
'Oh, that ...... Yashiro... ......?

I couldn't do it anymore.
I crouched and sobbed.
Even though I knew it was embarrassing, I couldn't hold back the sound that escaped me.

'...... Yashiro-san'.

There was something gently touching his back.
The warmth of it slowly caressed my back.

I can't stop crying.
I can't control my emotions.
I cried so hard that I felt like I was going to lose my ...... mind and let it all out. ......
I felt like I could finally ............ change .......

'...... Manager?'

I heard Magda's voice.
Then a startled gasp ......

'Mr. Magda. Could you please gather everyone together ASAP?It's Yashiro's birthday today.'
'............ Got it. Leave it to Magda.'

In such a short conversation, he must have realized everything.
The witty Jeannette and the perceptive Magda ...... have made me care for them again, haven't they?

'......Yashiro'.

Magda's footsteps were approaching me.
His footsteps pass by me without slowing down.

The moment he passes, Magda mutters to herself.

'............ Thank you.

His voice sounded just a little bit happier.

The door opened and ...... closed, and the footsteps moved away.

Silence returned to the dining room.
My sobbing finally stopped, and the air in our private space became gentler.

'Yashiro-san......'

In such a calm air, I heard Jeannette's voice whispering: ............


'Welcome to the sunlit pavilion.


I was convinced that this was where I belonged.