Perhaps because of the conversations I've had with Acht, I feel like I'm more comfortable talking to the others.
　I also felt a little sorry that I was leaving the general cooking to Ain-san, but when I talked about the topic, before I knew it, I was participating in the conversation, and the cooking and refilling of drinks during that time was perfect... I decided not to think about it after the middle of the day.
　When the sunset has set and the night has fallen around the area, the light emitted by the magic tool floating in the air. It's not dazzling, but when I was watching the magic power that brightened the surroundings with interest, Noin-san spoke to me.

''Miyama-san seems to have become quite comfortable with you all.
Yes, they're all good people. Ein-san and Zechs-san are unique and elusive, but Raz-san and Acht are very easy to talk to.
Hmm, I think I understand... it's about time.
Yeah?

　Noin-san still spoke to me in an unnaturally high-pitched sounding voice, and then muttered softly upon hearing my words.
　When I was tilting my head to wonder what the right time was, Noin-san turned to me and uttered some surprising words.

''........How is 'Japan' right now?　Is it time for a new name for the emperor and a new era?
What?

　The word "Japan" told as a matter of course, if that's all it is, Noin-san also knows about the existence of the emperor.
　Could it be that this person..............

"...as you can imagine. I am also a 'Japanese' who was previously summoned to this world. Well, I'll get my money's worth.
''So..........''
I think it's natural to be surprised. That's why I didn't tell anyone about it until Miyama-san got used to the atmosphere.

　In front of me, surprised and unable to speak, Noin-san touches the full-face armor that covered her face. Then the helmet of the armor disappeared as black smoke, and the face of a woman with long, glossy black hair and eyes of the same color appears.
　She is a Japanese beauty with a combination of cuteness and beauty that can be best described as "Yamato Nadeshiko". She looks about the same age as me, but the atmosphere she wears is somewhat powerful.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it. ...To Miyama-san, you could say he's a man from a past era.
Taisho............

　If explained, it might indeed be natural to have that possibility. In this world, summoning heroes has been done many times for a thousand years. A simple calculation shows that there are about 100 people who have been summoned to play the role of heroes so far, and it's not surprising that some of them wanted to live in this world permanently.

''Oh, don't worry. It is true that I was a person from the Taisho era, but due to the characteristics of the summoning magicians, they can properly return right after the time of the summoning as far as repatriation after a year. Even if you miss that repatriation, if you ask the Creation God, he will repatriate you. However, in that case, the time in the other world seems to have progressed a little bit, but it doesn't go through many decades at once. In my case, it has been hundreds of years since I was summoned.
....
'I know what it feels like to have trouble understanding. I know what it's like when I first came to this world.

　When I was unable to respond to Noyn-san's words, which she explained in a calm female voice instead of the strangely high-pitched voice she had used earlier, Noyn-san smiled and told me she could understand how I felt.


Huh, huh...

　As it was, Noin-san told me in a calm tone of voice about her experiences.
　The story of her sudden arrival in a different world, the differences in culture and common sense between Japan and the rest of the world, the things that have been handed down to her from the other world since she was summoned, etc... she told me a lot of stories.
　The words of an expert who actually experienced life in the other world since the summoning of the hero, there are many things that will be helpful to me in the future, and I found myself forgetting to listen to them.

　After the conversation was over, Noin-san stood up from his chair and threw words at me while smiling.

''I don't know if I'm empty and gone. But.........the wish that was in my heart - the 'treasure' was able to be found in this world. Therefore, I am sure that Miyama-san will be able to find it too. I'm sure there will be confusion and confusion, but please try to enjoy this year.
Yes.

　I understood from those words. The person who resembles me that Kuro was talking about before is probably Noin-san... and Noin-san was able to find it. That's why I think she chose to remain in this world and was reincarnated as a demon.
　And the fact that she came to this place today and told me about her experience...may be a gentle gift from Kuro. It may be a roundabout way of advising me, who doesn't even have an answer to my own feelings yet.
　I don't know what's going to happen to me in the future. Whether I will find what I want to do or end up not being able to find it, I don't think I'll get an answer by thinking about it now. Just a little bit, maybe just a little bit, but.......seeing Noin-san smiling without hesitation, I wish I could be like that too......I felt that.





















　After setting down the cup in my hand, I stood up and moved my gaze around and quickly found the person I was looking for.
　They should have been talking here and there with a skewer in hand just a moment ago, but before I knew it, they were away from the others and sitting down right beside the flowing river.
　I didn't have to think too hard to understand that it was probably waiting for me. The evidence of this is the space next to where she is sitting, and the others have not approached her, perhaps sensing this.

''........or rather, why the tatami?''
Yeah?　That's it. It's called horseradish!
Wabi-sabi...?
'Huh?　Nice try~

　I'm not sure if it's a little late for that, but it's a little late for that.
　I sat down next to Kuro, who was tapping the tatami space with a smile on his face.
　The sound of the river flowing quietly and the faint scent of leaves wafting through the air, the air is quiet and calm as if the hubbub of the previous day is a lie.

'....Is it about time?
Yeah?

　As Black muttered this, the lights went out, and for a moment the vision went dark, but it quickly changed to another color.

''Oh.....

　It was a fantastic scene. The trees on the other side of the river emit a faint light, as if the entire forest was lit up.

'The trees around here are called light trees. The trees around here are called light trees," he said, "and they store a little bit of magic in the air and emit light every month or so.
'It's amazing, I don't know how to describe it, it's just so overwhelming...'
Isn't it beautiful?
Yeah.

　The light is not strong enough to sting your eyes, but is gentle and pale like the luminescence of a firefly, and combined with the light reflected off the surface of the water, it makes you feel as if you are in a sea of stars.

''If it's this beautiful, it must be a very popular place...''
They're very popular. But I've rented out the whole place in the back to a bunch of people!
Wow, that sounds bad.
"Ha-ha.

　As you can see from this scene, this place seems to be quite a famous tourist spot. However, it seems to be a shrewd Black, although I don't know what kind of method he used, but he seems to have reserved it for himself.
　It seems that he has connections with the chairman of the big business association, so maybe he can do most of the things if he puts his mind to it. Hmmm, I was reminded once again that Kuro is a great opponent. Should I use honorifics too?

Mmmm, I hate it when you don't talk to me the way you used to.
Copy that.
Good.
Ha-ha-ha.

　My thoughts, which according to him are too expressive, seem to have gotten through right away, and Black turns his eyes to me in protest, his cheeks puffed up in an adorable way. You're so cute, man.
　But it's good to have this kind of conversation. It's very calming, or rather comforting, as if the strength in your shoulders is released along with your fatigue.

Thank you, Black.
Yeah?
No, it's not. He's just been very supportive...
I'm just doing what I want to do, okay?
Still, I wanted to thank you properly.
Well you're welcome then. I guess?

　Even the silence that comes after a brief conversation is not unpleasant, but feels calm and comfortable.

'Yes!'
'What?　Wha--?

　As I surrendered to the gentle atmosphere, suddenly Kuro pulled me down with a force unimaginable from his small body, and I felt a soft touch on my head and was speechless.
　You'll be able to find yourself in a position to look up at Black's face, so to speak, in a knee-pillar position, but even more than that, you can't help but gasp at the expression on Black's face as he smiles at you, illuminated by the pale light.
　It's not the usual innocent smile like a child's, it's like a mother looking at her child - how would you describe it as motherhood?　He's just smiling, but he's gentle enough to be wrapped up in you. And the feel of a soft, warm knee on the back of my head.

"........

　As it is, Kuro doesn't say anything, she just smiles and strokes my hair with a gentle hand.
　Even though she's much older than me, I'm in a situation where I'm being knee-folded by a perfectly beautiful girl, Kuro. Normally, I would be jumping up and down with embarrassment, but the golden eyes that seem to see everything and the comfort of being held in a hug keep my body and head still.

"........Do you feel a little less tired?
What?
Kite is a very sweet boy, you know. He just thinks about the people around him.
....
"Of all the children summoned this time, Kaito-kun is the oldest. If Kaito-kun looks anxious, the children around him will get anxious too. They will swallow their anxiety and impatience and think they need to calm down.
....

　Oh, I see - should I say "I knew it" or "I knew it" or "it's what you do" - but Kuro sees everything.
　I've had that feeling for some time. I've been like that since the day I met you, whenever I was about to think too much about something, you would say the most outrageous thing and blow away all my unnecessary thoughts, and when I was feeling insecure, you would listen to my complaints and affirm them. That's why I feel comfortable talking to Black.

I think it's really cool that a girl can do that naturally. But fatigue is not just a physical phenomenon, it's also a mental one. You don't even notice it, but little by little...
Yeah ... maybe.
Kite, did you have a good time today?
'Yeah, I feel like it's been a long time since I've been surprised by so many things and had an easy conversation without fitting in with my surroundings. Thanks to Black.....
Yeah, that makes me very happy.

　The pale, fantastic light, the gentle touch of a head caress, the compassionate smile that looks straight at me. Really, Black was right, maybe I had been storing up my fatigue for some time. Ever since I came to the other world, or perhaps long before that........

'Kite, now, just for a little bit, just for a little bit of time you can indulge me. Why don't we take a little break?　To start again tomorrow... right?
Yeah.

　I hear a gentle voice like a lullaby, and my eyelids drop with a sense of relief that I can't put into words.
　I can feel the warmth and sweetness of the scent, and a voice that seems to soak into me gently....

That's okay. I'm here for you...

　Hearing such words, my consciousness sank into slumber as I remembered the past.

　Dear Mother and Father - come to think of it, this may be the first time 'since you guys disappeared'. The first time I was able to truly - spoil someone........