As I entered the bar, the hustle and bustle increased.
　Customers were enjoying their food and drink merrily.
　It seems to be quite a busy place.
　With a hand over her eyes, Mia looks around the restaurant.

''Ah!　That place is empty!

　We settled into an empty table by the wall.
　We took a breath and looked around the restaurant.
　The owner is at a wooden counter like a bar.
　Behind it, there are bottles lined up (most of them probably liquor).
　Further back, I could see the kitchen.
　The interior of the restaurant is about twice the size of an average middle or high school classroom.

'Hmm,'

　The atmosphere is not so different from that of an izakaya in Japan.
　However, I wasn't the kind of person who had a good time in real life, so I didn't have much of a connection with izakaya....
　After a while, a female waiter - more like a waiter - came over.

Welcome. What would you like?

　A red-haired waiter in a black apron asks me.
　And Mia, she says.

Oh, could I have two pieces of thin bread with tomato and cheese, please?　And ... and ... two milks with honey, please.

　He mouthed his order.
　The waiter glanced at Mia-san and then went back to the counter, saying, "Shikashimasu~".

''.........''
Mr. Kurohiko?
What?
How can I help you?

　Mia's face, sitting face to face across the square table, was in front of me.

'Oh, no, it's nothing,'
Don't tell me you're not sure, Mr. Kurohiko.
Yes, sir.
Are you tired in Oita?
What?
I mean, you must be exhausted from all the times I've dragged you around all day...
'No, no, that's okay!　After all, I'm young!
'Yes, of course!　Kurohiko-sama, you're very young!
It's nice to be young...
Yes, it's a good one.

　As we were exchanging what an exchange was going on, the milk poured into a ceramic cup was brought in.
　A pale yellow color.
　Well, it was with honey.
　Mia gestures to me as I stare into the cup, 'Come on, here you go.
　I took hold of the handle and gulped down the milk.
　Mu!
　This!

Oh, so good.

　The milk is thick and thick, with a hint of sweetness from the honey.
　The sugar content slowly seeps into my body and seems to soothe my fatigue.

How do you like it?

　Mia smiles at me and asks if I'm smiling at her.

It's fabulously good!

　I replied.
　Mia, who has a happy look on her face, puts her chin in her hands and stares at me as I compliment her on the milk with honey.

''Fufu........I'm very happy to hear that you are pleased with me like this.
No, because I've never had such a good one in my life!

　It's not a lie, either.
　I've never tasted such a good drink in my life.

What place did you grow up in, Mr. Kurohiko?
What?
Oh.

　Mia huffed and put her hand over her mouth.
　I misspoke, as if to say.
　Then she bowed her head begrudgingly.

'I'm sorry, too!　How rude I am, how rude I am........but please forgive me!
No, no, no, you don't have to apologize!

　Or rather, I'd be more upset.
　Huh?
　Did she say something weird?

It's a relief to speak with Kurohiko-sama, or the pronunciation of his words is somehow comfortable....well, you see, that's why......... .........I'd like to get to know you better, Mr. Kurohiko.......
You mean me?

　Lowering her ears, Mia-san looks down.

''Yes........but there are certain things that I would not want people to touch others too much. If Kurohiko-sama doesn't want to talk about himself........for example, his origins, then I, for one, have been terribly rude to you........

　What's that?
　I couldn't help but wipe it out.

"Kurohiko, sir?
That's a bit overly cautious of you, Miss Mia.
What?

　It's as if I'm always scared that there will be mines buried in the ground where I'm going.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's not a good idea to have a good time. But I'm just a simple country bumpkin who grew up deep in the mountains of the east country, you know?
I can't believe you're a hick...
I'm rather grateful to you, Mia.

　Mia's eyes blink.

'Gratitude, is it?'
Yes. The fact that you're not a bad person for me to be with you today without a single bad look on your face. I can't thank you enough for that.
Mr. Kurohiko...
So, how do you say........let's just take it a little easier. Besides, I don't have any acquaintances here yet, so I'd be happy if you could become my friend. I'd be happy if you became my friend, Mia, for that reason.

　And this is indeed too good to be true.
　Mia took my hands and squeezed them, "I'd love to be your friend!

I'd love to have you as my friend, then!
"Huh?
"Oh--

　Instantly, Mia-san turns her face away, blushing.

I'm sorry........I've done something outrageous again.......
Let's be!
What?

　Mia looks up.
　By the way, my face was also blanched.

I'd rather have you be.
Are you sure?
Of course--or rather, I'll take care of it.

　I found myself unconsciously squeezing Mia-san's hand back.
　It's not a good idea to squeezed back, but Mia didn't seem bothered by it - she smiled happily back at me.

'.........Yes, I am the one who looks forward to working with you!

　...........
　Hey, it's a nice vibe.........
　And such a cute girl and a friend....
　A miracle!
　There are miracles happening!
　What if this is similar to the phenomenon of women who are unattractive in Japan but are surprisingly popular in other countries?

..........

　Wait, wait, wait.
　It's not about the opposite s*x, it's about me and Mia just being friends.
　That's right.
　I'm not immune to girls, so I can't help but get carried away, but I have to be careful not to make the mistake.
　To begin with, I was all alone in my previous world, so just making a friend is already more than enough of an accomplishment!
　Oh!
　Anyway, you're my friend!
　Friends!
　Yeah!
　Sounds great!

　How I was shaking with emotion, the food was brought to me.

''Oh, this is........!

　What was on the plate put in front of me was a pizza.
　Tomato and cheese thin bread was a pizza.
　On top of the tomato sauce spread on the surface of the bread were thinly sliced tomatoes, grilled thin slices of meat, and an abundance of cheese....

This is our signature dish. Please try it.

　Mia recommends it with a gesture that says, "Come on in.
　If you look closely, you can see that most of the other customers are also eating the same food.
　But the smell is really appetizing.
　I used the knife provided at the table to cut up the food, and I picked up a slice and took a bite.

"..........
Do you like it?
Oh, it's good--

　I feel like every time I say something anymore, I only say 'good' or words of admiration.
　Feeling ashamed of my lack of vocabulary, I proceeded to eat more.
　A thin piece of browned, thin bread that made a pleasant crispy sound in my mouth.
　The fresh tomatoes' moderate sweetness and tartness could be felt at the same time, mixed with the unique taste of melted cheese, which was rich but not tasteless, and accentuated by the persistent fat of the seared meat...I can't stand it!
　The tomato sauce on which it is based is also perfectly salted.
　It might be because it's freshly made, but it's seriously too good to be true despite the simple ingredients.

Do you like it?

　Mia asks with a smile.

'It's good!　I've never had such a good pizza in my life!
Pi-za?
'Oh no, well, I have a similar dish back home, right?　That's what it was called. But this one is many times better!
'Well, that's good to hear!　It was worth it for me too!

　I guess it was partly because I was hungry, but I forgot about the conversation as I popped one pizza after another into my mouth, thoroughly enjoying the strongest tag-team harmony between the subtle sweetness of the honeyed milk and the fresh, mouth-watering pizza.

'Mmm ... that was delicious,'

　After finishing my meal and taking a breath, I rubbed my belly and looked up at the ceiling.
　Well, that was good.
　After all, if the food is good, it makes you feel that life is richer just by being good at cooking.

''Hmm?''

　I only looked up casually, but there was a lamp with something like a crystal inlaid hanging from the ceiling of the shop.
　That glowing crystal........the one that was in the corridor of the school and the headmaster's bedroom, right?
　Now's your chance to ask her.

Uh, Miss Mia.

　I waited for Mia to chew the pizza in a cute way and called out to her.
　By the way, the reason I waited is because I thought it was wrong to call out to her while she was eating, of course, but there's also a theory that the reason I waited was actually to enjoy the feeling of comfort and peace of mind as she ate the pizza.
　

　I wipe my mouth with my handkerchief and Mia responds with a smile.

'Yes, what can I help you with?'
You see that lamp hanging from the ceiling?
Yes, thank you.
It doesn't look like they're lighting a fire.
Oh, you mean the crystal?
Crystal?
'So, then, Kurohiko-sama saw the crystal for the first time in this country, too?
It's a shame,
'Huh, nothing to be ashamed of.　Well.........crystals are a special type of ore that is mainly found here in Renowthread.
Special ore?
Yes. The crystal can be made into many things--

　Mia points to the lamps on the ceiling.

'That lamp is one of them, isn't it?
Um, I'm sorry to be a dickhead, but...
Ask any question you want.
What's so great about crystals?
'That's it!　Although there is no other ore in the world that contains holy elements other than crystal, for now.
By the way, I don't even know what that 'holy element' is, but...
''Well... the holy element is like the energy that fills this world, if you want to call it that...''
Energy I see.

　In other words, the "holy element" is a supernatural source of power, like "magic" or "mana" in fantasy.
　If you're referring to the "Crystal", it's like a magical stone that contains magic power.
　Ah, I'm starting to get it.

''Oh, and, actually, 'holy element' is the name used by the people of Renousled, but in other countries it's mainly called 'magic element'.
Wow.
The magic formulae that Machina-sama uses are also activated by incorporating this holy element into the magic script.

　It was then.
　A big, wet shadow appeared in front of me.

"Hey, girl.

　I look up.
　A big guy with a rugged look on his face is standing next to our table.

"..........

　I had a bad premonition.
　........No, I already had a bad premonition even before.
　When I finished my order, Mia-san said, ''How can I help you? I was looking at the guys in the corner of the shop counter looking at me with a disgusted smile.

　The atmosphere they were giving off was very unpleasant from the first moment I saw them.
　I glanced at the big man's face and then took a glance at the men behind him, who looked very Mitsushita.

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

　Now, what's going on?