*

　Yuka woke up in her own room - the bed of the Lion's Fur Pavilion.
　The Lion's Furry Pavilion is an inn that faces the front street.
　Technically, the inn is at the end of the street - but it's an inn at the end of the street.
　The layout of the rooms is very similar to the Golden Fleece Pavilion, but it's gorgeous because it faces the main street.
　The ceiling is high and there is not a stain on it.
　The furnishings have a luxurious feel to them.
　The headboard portion of the bed is also a high point.
　Best of all, I love the bath - the fact that it has a tub instead of a shower.
　Unfortunately, I can't check out the room at the moment.
　My vision is blurry.
　It's my short-sightedness.
　I can't even read a book without my glasses.

'Huh...'

　Yuka stretches absent, looking up at the ceiling, and reaches above her head.
　She wanders her hand to the right and left, her fingertips finally touching her glasses.
　She grabs the glasses and holds them up to the ceiling.
　It's still blurry and I can't see very well.
　I suddenly remember the time when Futoshi caught me.
　He hit me, broke my bones, and I was in the worst pain of my life.
　It was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life.
　I don't want to go through that again if I can help it.
　d*mn it, he mutters.
　At that moment, Yuka had given up on the idea.
　That's a shame.
　Next time, never - and Yuka gritted her teeth and put on her glasses.
　Her vision remained blurry.
　It was blurry for a while, but suddenly it became clearer.
　It's a dramatic change, like coming out of the shade into the sun.
　It was obvious, but it was impossible to do that with ordinary glasses.
　It's a magic item even though it looks like glasses.

I like the design and it's convenient, but does it correct my eyesight with the theory of glasses?

　Yuka sat up and touched the frames of her glasses.
　It would be fine if the lenses automatically changed the refractive index, but other than that - like directly projecting images onto the retina - it would be too scary.

'You can't use them in the original world, as you say.

　Yuka let out a small sigh.
　Her short-sightedness is gradually progressing.
　It's also called progressive degree.
　It's not surprising, but if the degree progresses, you'll have to buy a new pair of glasses.

''........aside from the frames, the lenses are expensive.

　Regular lenses would be thicker and protrude from the frame.
　That's why I use lenses with a high refractive index, but they are a bit expensive.
　My mother says I don't need to worry about it, but it doesn't feel good to be forced to spend nearly 30,000 yen a year on them.
　But these glasses - a magic item - don't need to be replaced.

I hope my mother is doing well.

　It's my mother, and she might be half-madly looking for me.
　My heart aches when I imagine my mother like that.
　If I couldn't go home like this--''

'Oh, stop it!　I'll be back for sure!

　Yuka got off the bed and slapped her cheek.
　She went to the bathroom and took a glance at the mirror on the way.
　The reflection there was Yuka in a slip.
　In her former world, she wore pajamas to bed, but this wasn't so bad.
　I open the bathroom door and shake my body with a buzz.
　The air in the bathroom was freezing, probably due to the fact that it was winter.

'Ugh, it's cold, cold.'

　I turn on the faucet.
　The water gushes out vigorously, and after a moment, steam rises.
　I close the bathroom door and return to my room.

'....and get dressed, get dressed...'

　You choose a change of clothes from the underwear and clothes stacked on the desk.
　You don't have to worry about them because they are all simple designs.
　Underwear is more expensive, even if the design is simple.
　Especially shorts - shorts made of a certain material to be precise - are expensive.



　It's a different world, so it's natural for things to have a different value, but even though I know that, I can't explain it.

''Well, there's no point in complaining about it.

　Yuka sat on the bed and picked up the grimoire.
　Today is off.
　Everyone said they were going to church--.

I don't know what to do.

　Yuka looked up at the ceiling.

*

　When Yuka got out of the bath, she changed into her normal clothes - I'm not sure if I can call them normal clothes since she only wears them when she's off - and headed to the front desk.
　The first floor of the Lion's Furry Pavilion is about half of the restaurant.
　Even if I say half, it is larger than the dining room of the Golden Sheep Pavilion.
　The woman at the front desk, with whom I had become acquainted, hung her head reverently.

You're going out? Are you going out?
I'll wait until after I've had my breakfast.

　Yuka placed her uniform, a cloth bag containing her uniform and underwear, and her room key at the front desk.

'Washing, if you don't mind?'
Yeah, nice to meet you.
You'll be in 10A.
I know.

　The woman at the front desk operated a palm-sized tablet and held it out to Yuka.
　On it is displayed '10A as laundry fee'.
　When she placed her left hand on it, a window popped up and the amount decreased.

'Thank you. What about your meal?''
Same old menu.
Yes, sir.
Well, nice to meet you.

　Yuka moves to the restaurant and takes a seat by the window.
　We don't always sit in the same seat, but I like the window seat.
　Can we say that it is a moderate distance?
　The moderate indifference is pleasant.

'Geez!'

　He sees a familiar face among the people on the street and turns away in a hurry.
　Don't come, don't come, don't come this way, I repeat in my mind.
　After a while--.

'I knew it was Yuka!
Huh!

　A brainy voice sounded and Yuka moaned.
　The moment of rest was ruined.
　Worse.
　The owner of the voice - Fujika sat down in a seat facing him.
　I don't know what she was thinking, but she was dressed the same way she was dressed when she went on her adventure.

'Would you like to stay here?'
What, are you sitting on your own?
It's a restaurant.
Isn't it proper to ask if I can join you?
I don't want to ask because I know he'll say no.
If you know that, why are you sitting here?
I'm on the same team.
That's not an answer.

　I don't understand why he's approaching me when he knows I don't like him.
　Is he a masochist?
　Or do they think that they can really be friends - that they can understand each other?
　This is a woman to be congratulated.
　You must have lived a happy life.

"Thank you for your patience. The morning set is ready.

　The waitress places a tray of food on the table.
　The menu consists of toast, salad, bacon and eggs, and bean tea.
　The bean tea is a drink the color of coffee.

'Who's with you, sir?
Like I'd like a wake-up call, too.
I'm sorry, sir.
On the house.
I'm sorry, sir.

　The waitress gave a wry expression at Yuka's words.
　She bowed her head lightly and moved away from the table.

''Huh, that's going to ruin our break.

　I complain and bring the bean tea to my mouth.
　The aromatic smell of it irritates my nostrils, but it's not as bitter as coffee.

'Does it taste good?'
I won't drink it if it doesn't taste good. You know, you asked me a similar question when I was reading my book.　Are you incapable of learning?
That's just a pillow for a story.
And if I say it's good, what will you do?
Like asking a waitress for the same thing.
I'm asking you already.
'Yuka, the conversation is like a catch-all.
Well, then, why don't you go ahead and throw me a fastball I can catch easily?
I want me to throw a catchable pitch, too.
I can't.
It seems like a compromise is in order.
Compromise.

　Yuka sets the cup on the table, shreds a small piece of toast and brings it to her mouth.
　A salty and sweet taste spreads in your mouth.

Why do you want to stay here, Yuka?
What do you mean by "bushes and sticks"?
'If we're a team, we'd be better off staying at the same inn.
You're not a child. You could at least choose your own place to stay.

　The idea that we're a team, so we should stay at the same hotel is strange.

I'm not sure I want to be involved, after all, Makoto-san.
'Don't tie everything to love,'
I didn't say anything about a relationship.
It's as good as done.

　Yuka eats her salad.

'And I'm wondering why you left the inn.
He left the inn because Mako and Shelly were sulking.
Sulky?

　Fujika leans forward.
　Her eyes sparkle with curiosity.

'Shelly had an argument with her ex about getting back together or not.
And then?
"By the way, Shelly's ex-boyfriend is a DQN who went out and said I was going to be a big, criminal.
That was an unexpected development.

　Fujica blinked with a crackle and a crackle.

'You said something like you broke into the inn with your friends, I believe.
More and more unexpected.
Yeah?　It's not like you can predict when you go out there that you're going to be big.

　The guy who says he's going to be big is a bastard, of course.

'Granted, you haven't given me a call in years, but I don't understand the thought that your girlfriend would wait for you.
I'm sure it was because he believed in his girlfriend...
He's just being selfish.
I think he likes a happy ending.
I didn't ask what you liked.

　I return with a disgusted mood.
　He welcomes his lover back after a few years with a smile.
　If there were unavoidable circumstances, but he left for his own sake.
　You can't even ask to be greeted with a smile.

'I wonder why that would lead to leaving the inn.
I don't understand why you're wondering why.
That's because I know him.
'That's it. I'm paying to stay here and I don't want to be swayed by a love affair.
Is Yuka not good at talking about love?
I like it for entertainment. It's like a fire in the opposite direction. You wouldn't be able to have any fun if the sparks were flying in this direction.
I don't like the term "fire on the ground".
You're about as close as you're going to get.

　What's the difference between Yuka, who enjoys it as a matter of course, and Fujika, who is happy and sad about someone else's love life?

I'm not that dry.
I mean, if it was a bloodbath, you'd run.
No, it's just, like, you know, you have to run away.

　Fujica clammed up.

'I knew it wasn't the same.

　Yuka brings the cut up bacon and eggs to her mouth.

'Here you go. It's going to be mornin'.
Like, "Thank you.

　The waitress placed the tray with the food on the table and Fujica happily thanked her.
　She looks as innocent as a child.

''Enjoy your time,''

　The waitress bowed lightly and headed for another table.

'I'll take it!'
Can't you get an amen?
We're not that noisy.
Is that what it is?
It's all about gratitude.

　Fujica bit into her toast with a puck.
　I'm a little curious if we're Fujica's house or a sect.

''Mmm~ Like it's slightly sweet and delicious!
You're a reporter for a food show?
This salad is so fresh and delicious!

　Fujica eats her salad and smiles broadly.

'I envy you that a salad can make you happy.
I'm happy to eat meat and fish.
'Yes, yes, that's how you end up being a pig.

　Yuka sips her bean tea.
　It's all warmed up by Fujica.

'.........Pigs.
I hope you don't call me a pig when I'm through with it!
My bacon is crying out in pain.
He's not one of us!

　Fujika ate her bacon and eggs--

"Phew!

　He bit the inside of my mouth and his eyes were black and white.

'Hey, it's super painful,'
It's about revenge.
So I'm not one of them.

　Fujica dexterously cut up the bacon and eggs with a knife and fork and brought them to her mouth.

'By the way, what are your plans for today?'
It's none of your business.
If you're not busy...
I have a lot of work to do.
Like, do you want me to go with you to practice my magic?

　I'll answer ahead of time, but Fujica didn't blame me.

'I'm busy,'
'I know that Yuka didn't want to be with me and I can see why she said that.
Give up on the prospect.
There's no point in giving up.
"Fine, fine, the game's over. I mean, why would I ever have to do that?
I'm on the same team.
You're gonna need help.
The fighting style is too different from the others.
....

　Yuka looked at Fujika in disgust.

*

I don't know why I'm here.

　Yuka blurted out and looked around.
　It was a vacant lot near the castle gate.

''After all, the thing to have is a friend--''
Friends?
I mean, they're like teammates.

　When Yuka glared at her, Fujica said while turning away.

'Well, we won't bother anyone here. Maybe it's that magic...''

　Yuka rolls up the notepad she took out of the pouch and stops it with the desired page - the clay wall (Create Wall) magic.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, thwart, thwart, like a wall, a wall against my enemies!　Reveal, clay wall!

　As the chanting ends, a pillar of earth juts out in a triangle.
　Somewhat later, a pillar of earth is born in the center of it.
　Yuka stops about ten meters away from the triangle and draws a line with her foot.

'Shoot the central pillar from here.
No, I can't.

　Fujica waved her hands from side to side.

'Why?'
The target is on top of the other pillars.
A little off, don't you think?
It's barely visible.
Stop complaining and do it.
Okay, okay.

　Fujika stood at the line with a sense of reluctance.
　Yuka sat down on a nearby rock.

'Like, Lord Periolis, give me the power to repel evil!　Like Holy Brits!

　Fujica unleashed her magic.
　The white light went straight ahead and shattered the pillar of earth.
　However, it was the pillar in front that was shattered.

'Re-chanting (Repeat)'

　He pointed to the shattered pillar of earth.
　Then, as if rewinding time, the pillar of earth returned to normal.

'Again.'
It will never hit you.
I'm going out with you, so don't complain about it.
All right!　Holy Grail!

　Fujika unleashes her magic again, but the result is the same.
　The pillar in front of him just shatters.

'Re-chanting.'
So I couldn't do it.
Just do it!
All right!　Holy Grail!

　Fujica unleashes her magic, but the result is still the same.

'Re-chanting.'
Ugh, I can't do it.

　Fujica roared as the pillar of earth returned to normal.

'Just do it!'
Holy Grail!

　He unleashes his magic in desperation, but the result is the same.
　Then he repeats the same thing twenty times--.

''I can't even get this thing to hit me.
Give up already?
I need a break!

　Fujika crouched down as she came next to Yuka, dragging her tin cane with her.

'I'll never get hit by this stuff and...'
Of course you do.
"-Oh!

　Fujika looked up at me with a horrified look on her face.

''Even I couldn't have guessed that one.
I know it won't work, but it's too much!

　Fujica stood up and stepped on the ground like a spoiled child.

'So it's part of your training to figure out how to hit it, right?
And if you don't tell me, I won't know!
That's why I drew a long line under your feet.
....

　Fujica stared at the line.

'Do you understand?'
I don't know.
It's you.

　Yuka let out a deep sigh.

'Do you know what a firing line is?'
?

　Fujica tilted her head as if she didn't understand the reason.

'A projectile line is, to put it crudely, a magical trajectory, a line that connects you to your target.
Like what's wrong with that?
'So!　We have to move to secure that line of fire!
Like, "Move to make it easier to shoot?
I'm telling you that.

　Yuka let out a sigh.

'It's hopelessly unsurprising.
It's just normal.

　Fujika sat there again, mumbling to herself.

'Like Yuka found out she was alone?
I learned that in training.
I don't appreciate the way you've been treating me.

　Fujika's lips twitched as if she was miffed.

'I realized the importance of it when I was fighting the actual battle ... against Mako. But there are things you just can't understand just from what you've been taught.''
I understand that.
Once you understand the importance of securing the line of fire, get on with the practice.
I need a little more rest.

　Fujica said, clinging to her tin cane.

'You have no guts,'
I'd like to see a few more levels of differentiation.
All right.

　Since I'm wasting time, I read the magic I wrote on my notepad.

'....Yuka.
What?
Who does Yuka like?
I'm gonna put you down.
I knew you'd love her, Makoto.
You have a love affair with all things romantic, a love brain.

　Yuka let out a deep sigh.

When Makoto-san told me he liked me, I was in girly-mode.
That was ... a surprise to me.
What do you mean by that?

　Fujika looked at me provocatively.

'I'm going to crack your head open,'
I don't like that.

　As Yuka clenched her fists, Fujica hurriedly backed away.

''Wait, aren't you stupid to talk about love stories at a time like this?''
Love is important.
You're more concerned with getting back to your world.
Mm-hmm, like it's OK for me to go out with Makoto-san?
You can do what you want. I mean, what's the point of a Christian harem?
It's not like we're on Earth.
So not only was she a f*cking b*tc*, but she was also a f*cking Christian.

　Fujika's chest heaved as if she had reopened it, and Yuka let out a sigh.

'Well, not good enough for a limited time partner. But just make sure you're on birth control. If you get pregnant and come back to Earth, you'll panic.
I think I'd like to stay with you.
Do you have any idea what you're talking about?
I know.

　Fujica's lips quirked up in a sulk.

'You're one hell of a filial piñata.'
'I have my brother and sister, so I don't think that's a problem.
That's not the point.

　Does this guy have no idea how sad his family will be when he's gone?

'I've thought about it my way,'
Think straight. Think straight.
And if you go back to your old world, you'll still have your life on the rails.

　Fujica let out a sigh and looked up at the sky.

'What's wrong with life on the rails?'
'There's no point in my life to switch points and
Isn't that just what you think?
It's not an assumption.
Yeah.

　Yuka has given up trying to convince Fujica to stay.
　Her family, her former life, her future - what was valuable to her was worthless to the two of them.
　No, it wasn't.
　It has become worthless to them.
　After all, it was impossible to understand Fujica.
　When I became convinced of this, I was shocked to my surprise.
　Somewhere in the back of my mind, I may have thought that my comrade - I wanted to return to the original world.

''.........I'm....

　Stupid, I add in my mind.
　I always find out after I'm wrong.

'Make sure you take birth control, just in case.
Yuka's meddling.
You can't have an adventure with a baby.
He has a point.
You are 100 percent correct.

　'Also,' continued Yuka.

'You should write a letter to your family. I'll deliver it to you.
'Yuka...'
I'm going back to where I came from, for sure.

　Yuka spoke of her decision again.