Her eyelids twitched and trembled.

'Hmm--'

　I slowly raise my eyelids.

"Morning, huh?

　I sit up.
　I look around in a daze.
　A purple room with a calm atmosphere.

''Where ... where is this ...?''

　The room was silent.
　Soft light was shining through the large double-opened window.
　My eyelids were heavy, probably due to the drowsiness I was reeling from.
　Huh, a yawn escaped me.
　And then, there.

Oh, I see...

　One by one, the things that happened to me came back to me in vivid detail.
　That's right.
　Did I come to another world....
　I'm going to be able to see it.

"Another world, huh?

　It was a strange feeling.
　A different world than the one before.
　I am there now.

'Huh?'

　I notice that a blanket is draped over my body.

''Is this by any chance, Makina-san...?''

　............
　This kind of attention to detail makes me feel pretty goofy, in my opinion.
　I can't help but fall in love with it.

''Come to think of it, where did Makina-san go?

　There was no sign of her in the canopied bed.
　Had she gotten up and gone somewhere?
　If she was left alone, this would be difficult to move....

'I guess we'll just have to wait.'

　And.

Mm.

　It came with a bang.
　Well that is to say, I had to urinate.
　Fortunately, I've never had to use a toilet since I came to this world until now, but I wonder how they handle the act of excretion here.
　Do we have infrastructure such as water and sewage systems in place in the first place?

　d*mn.
　Anyway, I failed.
　I should have at least checked last night to see if I was going to be able to do that in case I had a hiccup.
　It's a simple thing, but very important.

"..........

　Anyway, I had to find the bathroom.
　I dusted off the blanket and ran out of the room.
　I left the room and found the headmaster's office.
　There was no sign of Makina-san here either.

　I look at the entrance of the room.
　I heard that this is a school.
　If that's the case, it's not surprising that there are one or two toilets.
　It's a little awkward to leave the room without saying anything, but that's the thing.
　And ........there's surprisingly not much time left.
　It can't be helped--

Hmm?

　As I was about to head for the entrance door, my eyes suddenly caught sight of the door on the other side of the headmaster's desk.
　Come to think of it, other than the room that just popped up, there's another room connected to the headmaster's office.
　The possibility that that's the restroom is.......not zero.

''Alright!

　I opened the door of hope and stepped inside.

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

　As it turns out, there was a toilet.
　And it was quite similar to the Western-style toilets we had in the previous world.
　It was a great pleasure to find a toilet in the form he was familiar with.
　But that didn't matter now.

　I 'we' were frozen in place, looking at each other.

'....You.

　The one who broke the silence first was sitting on the toilet seat with the lower half of her body exposed (okay, the important part was not visible at an exquisite angle) - Makina-san.
　............
　By the way, her clothes are still in her negligee.

''Soo, soo, I'm sorry!

　Slam.
　I rush out of the room and shut the door behind me.
　Then I sit down heaving as I slide my back against the door.
　Disgusting sweat is pouring down my spine.
　My heart can't stop beating.

Hi--

　Oh, God, no.

　What the hell am I doing?
　Even though I didn't know she was there, I didn't know I was going to step into a bathroom with a girl in it...

It's done.

　Even though he was in a hurry, why hadn't he made one of his knocks?
　But it's too late to regret it now.
　I really can't complain about this time, even if I'm put to death.

　I heard the sound of running water.
　My heart was beating even harder as I realized that this was the end of the road.

　Oh, there's no face to match.

　I moved away from the door and prepared to get down on my knees.
　I put both knees on the ground and align them together.
　At the very least, I'll tell him I'm sincere and apologize.
　Even if I'm not allowed to, I should apologize first.
　With a creak, the door opens.

''What ... what is going on here?''
This was called getting down on one's knees, which in my country was the greatest expression of gratitude - but nowadays it's more of an act of apology of the greatest magnitude.
So?
'I know it may not be enough to apologize but I am very sorry for any discomfort I may have caused you.
'Oh I don't mind too much if it's about now, so it's fine.

　Without seeming to be particularly sarcastic, Makina-san said as if to flush it out plainly.

''Heh?''

　I look up at her unexpected attitude and words.
　While wiping her hands with a white cloth - probably a handkerchief - Makina-san takes a small breath.

''It's my usual habit, and it's my fault for not locking the door, too.
But, sir,
'And the fact that I forgot to tell you that the room was a washroom was, well, to say I was negligent would be an understatement.
Huh....
And it doesn't diminish when people see it.
In your case, I'm sure it will be less.
Oh, my God, is that right?

　With a clear smile, Makina folded her handkerchief neatly and put it in her pocket.
　Then she indicated the bathroom door with her thumb.

'Anyway, come in?'
?
What's going on?　You wanted to use it too, didn't you?
Oh.

　It was.
　Gulp.
　When I remembered, my bladder suddenly became active--

And excuse me!

　I rushed to the door.

　　　　　　　　　　*

So, what are your plans for the future?

　I had somehow avoided the worst of it (which was the worst of it in another way), and I was facing Makina-san across the table from her in what looked like the reception area of the headmaster's office.
　It seems that she changed her clothes while I was doing my business, and Makina-san was in a slightly different gothic loli outfit than the one she was wearing yesterday.
　I wonder if those are normal clothes.
　Well, it's cute, so it's a feast for the eyes.

''You're starting school today?''
'No, I believe enrollment starts tomorrow. We haven't processed anything yet, and we have to arrange for your uniform.
'Oh, of course.'

　If you think about it, it's not like I'm starting school today.
　Between last night and today, we probably didn't have time to go through the formalities.

For now, I'll tell you about the policies that have been decided at this point.
Yes, sir.
You are about to enter an institution that trains holy warriors.
Can I ask you something?

　I raised a small hand.

'Yes,'
What exactly is this 'holy warrior' thing about?
''Well it would be easier to understand if you think of it as being like a knight serving the king and the holy tree. Would it make sense to call him a knight?
Rather, the word gave me a vague idea of what to expect.

　She added that the details would be taught early on in class, so that's about all I need to understand for now.

''So, I'm going to enroll in this academy and work hard to study to become that holy warrior?
That's what it comes down to. It's just--
"Just?
"You are an otherworlder who knows very little about this world. But if you say, 'I'm an otherworlder from another world,' no one will believe you at first.
...right?

　It's easy to understand if you replace it with the previous world.
　Even if a new student suddenly introduced himself as 'I am an alien', no one would believe him at first.
　Even if it's because he linked it to being able to read the forbidden spellbook, Makina-san who believed him would certainly be more special.

''Nevertheless, 'origins' will be necessary, I suppose.
Origins, sir?
'Yes. You may be asked about where you're from during your time at the school. We'll need a provisional origin.

　Hmm.
　Temporary origins.
　Ahem, said Machina, clearing her throat.

'So I've got a better idea.

　As expected of the headmaster.
　He seems to have already thought of a plan.
　But........what kind of origins are they from, even though they are temporary?
　As expected, this is "A boy with the blood of an ancient hero is expected by the headmaster to have the power of a hero, and he is specially recruited! I wonder if it will be something like that.
　I can't help but grin a little.
　Oh dear.
　I can't help but feel that I'm the main character.

It's just the way it is.

　After straightening up her residence, Makina began to speak.

You came to this country from the east, deep in the mountains where few people come to live.
"Mmm-hmm.

　I lean forward and listen in anticipation.

'You've been raised in the mountains all your life, so you can carry on a conversation, but you don't know much about the world at all.
"Hmm.
Once, a holy warrior was visiting a mountain in the East on a special mission. However, he was unexpectedly seriously injured in the mountains. He was incapacitated by his injuries and was on the verge of giving up when you happened to save him.
...hmm.
Then the holy warrior, who had fallen in love with your wild talents cultivated in mountain life, asked you if you would be interested in becoming a holy warrior. And he wrote you a letter of recommendation for a holy warrior candidate.
"....wild, talented.
'That was accepted by me. The reason I didn't see your name on the list of candidates - well, let's just say that I forgot to process those letters of recommendation. As for the exam, I'll make an exception and say that I took it there.
...I see.
Oh, are you sure?　I'll ask someone I trust to play the role of the holy warrior, and then I'll make sure they agree with me. I'm going to explain to the three people who were present at the time of the invocation of the ban, and ask them to agree to the same thing later. Of course, I won't tell anyone that you are an otherworldly person.
Yeah, I see.
As for the fact that you collapsed near the academy on the day of the entrance ceremony... well, let's just say that you're so hungry that you passed out from hunger.
Hungry attribute....
What do you think?　As far as I'm concerned, it's an impeccably perfect setup.

　........................
　What is it?
　A hungry, wild, natural, and wild child, Sagara Kurohiko, who came from a foreign country.
　I feel like the heroic feeling I was expecting has already faded into the distance.

　And besides....what do you think?
　To begin with, the East is a foreign country by the feel of it, right?
　Is it okay for a holy jeweler to scout people from other countries for ingratitude?

　However, looking at the confident Makina-san, it was also true that she felt somehow bad and couldn't bring herself to interrupt the question.
　But I wonder if the face was unconsciously unconvinced.
　A piercing gaze flew from Makina-san.

''Do you have some kind of dissatisfaction with my thoughts?''
I'm not impressed. As expected of the headmaster.
Good.

　If I had to be honest, though, I would have liked to feel a little more like the chosen one.
　No, I guess I'm the chosen one in a way....
　Well, it's no use complaining here.
　It's a good thing that she knows more about this world and the surroundings of this school than I do.
　So I think we should leave it to her.

I'm not going to be able to tell you where I'm from. Now, then, about today, you're going to have to--

　It was then.
　My stomach screamed as my hunger got the better of me.

'I'm sorry...'
Oh, are you hungry?
'Yeah, well I mean, I haven't eaten anything since yesterday.

　I haven't had anything to eat since I came here.
　As I recall, our last meal was a tuna onigiri and yakisoba bread that we bought at a convenience store after we left home.

Well, then, let's have a meal first.

　Makina-san looks up at the clock on the wall.

'It's about time, too.

　Clocks seem to exist in this world too.
　A short hand and a long hand.
　The twelve symbols that draw a circle.
　The calculation of time seems to be thought of in much the same way.
　That's right.
　If that's the case, it would be easier to convert it into the units of the previous world on its own in my brain.

　Just then, the hands of the clock ticked 'seven o'clock'.

　In other words, it would be safe to think of it as seven o'clock in the morning now.
　There was a knock on the door as if they were waiting for seven o'clock to arrive.

'Breakfast is brought to you, Makina-sama.

　A woman's voice.

'Come in.'

　The door opens.
　The girl on the other side of it bowed reverently.

'Excuse me, sir.'

　A dark indigo dress, an apron dress, and a ruffled catsuit.

''........Meh, maid?''

　Is it real?
　A real ... maid, sir?

Hmm?

　Suddenly I realize something.
　That?
　You know what that head thing is?

　And the maid smiled at me.
　Smiling.

''Oh--doesn't it?''

　I bail back, sluggishly.
　I could see the heat on his face rising rapidly.
　
　And I, who was less than an ordinary man, naturally fell off easily.

　The maid let out a giggle and then came into the room pushing a wagon with wheels.
　I wonder if that's the kind of service wagon used to carry room service in hotels and the like.
　The plate on it has a lid that looks like a silver bowl.

　The maid expertly lays out the breakfast on the table.
　Salads, sandwiches, warm soup....
　Milk poured from a silver pot into a glass.
　Makina-san's face was clear as if to say that this was the usual scene.
　Is she a person of great power after all?

Oh, um, Master Machina.

　The maid who had been glancing at me from earlier called out to Makina-san in a cursory manner.

''What?''
Sir?　If you need it, I can serve breakfast over here as well.
No, thanks. I always leave half of it on the table anyway so I'll let him take care of the rest of it.
I'm sorry, sir.

　I bowed, and the maid stepped back.

'I'll introduce her to you before we eat.

　Makina indicated the maid with her hand.
　She put her hands together and once again the maid straightened her posture.

'She's a maid of honor with me, her name is Mia.
My name is Mia Posta. It's a pleasure to meet you.

　Maid-san--Mia-san bowed her head politely.

''Oh, um, my name is Sagara Kurohiko. Well, Makina-san........Mia-san is--
That reaction makes it sound like you've never seen a sub-race in your life.

　I guess she must have anticipated the question from my gaze, because after taking a sip of milk, Makina said.

'She's a sub-race, the Feryl,'
Feryl?

　I looked at Mia again.

　Yes.
　From Mia-san's head, which was wearing a catsuit, grew ears that were clearly not human.
　Long violet hair and ears that reminded me of a beast of the same color.
　Those ears were vaguely reminiscent of a wolf.
　If you look closely, what looked like a pale violet tail was also peeking out from under her skirt.

　And I notice Mia-san's shoulders shrinking and fluttering.

''Ah ... sorry. I just kind of stared at you.

　You're right.
　It's rude to stare at it too long, isn't it?

It's just a matter of time before you find yourself in a situation where you're not familiar with the sub-race, so it's only natural that you'd find it unusual....

　What was on her face as she smiled was caring.
　............
　A maid with animal ears.

　Somehow, she seemed like a very nice person.