GalaxyTL
After crying and venting, I felt much better and continued to enjoy the meal. We talked about trivial things, laughed together. Kei-san’s aftercare is perfect, they’re so admirable. I’m so grateful!
“Well then, we’ve had dessert, should we head back? It’s not good to stay out too late.”
Kei-san said this and then handed me the flowers, in the vase. Eh, even the vase!?
“As a memento of today.”
They said this with a wink, and needless to say, it pierced my heart. To hide my embarrassment, I quickly put the flowers in my storage bracelet. I’ll decorate my room when we get back!
The moment we arrived at the guild hall, Gil-san came out of my shadow. Apparently, his contract was until we got back to the guild. Incredibly faithful.
“Thank you, Gilnandio. Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy the date without a care.”
“Meg also looked like she was having fun. There were no issues.”
“Your standards are always Meg-chan, Gil… I knew that, though.”
“Welcome back”, Saura-san said, joining us. I responded to her question of, “Did you have fun?”, with a huge grin and a, “Yeah!” The food was delicious, the conversation was fun! I did cry a little though, but that’s fine.
“So, what kind of date did you go on, Kei?”
“Hmm, are you curious, Sauradite? If so, how about you go on a date with me next time?”
“Just tell me where the good restaurants are. I’ll go myself.”
Kei-san laughed, saying how mean Saura-san was being. Saura-san’s then trying to ask Gil-san what it was like. Saura-san seemed dissatisfied with Gil-san’s answer of, “It was normal.” …Well, it was “normal,” by Kei-san’s standards. He wasn’t lying.
“So? How was it normal?”
“Seriously, Don? Everyone’s so nosy.”
And Dad, who’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere, started questioning Kei-san. The people who were around also gathered, curious… Everyone’s so interested.
The guild hall was getting lively. I was thinking about heading back to my room, taking a bath, and going to bed, when I suddenly noticed the shadow at my feet moving. It’s the one Gil-san came out of, right?
…My curiosity is piqued, just a little. I wonder what it’s like inside. It’s something I’ve always been curious about. Everyone’s engrossed in their conversation. Could this be my chance?
“…Pitch black.”
I crouched down to observe the shadow. It looked like a black water surface, and the shadows swaying were like they were beckoning me.
It’s okay to… take a peek, right? Because it’s Gil-san’s shadow. I’m sure there’s no danger at all. But he might get mad, so I’ll just take a quick peek. With that in mind, I stuck my face in the shadow and looked inside.
“—!?”
“Eh, what? Gil, what’s wrong!?”
“Wh-What? Gil, what happened? You suddenly froze… Meg!? What are you doing!?”
I could faintly hear Saura-san and Dad’s panicked voices. Eh, something’s wrong with Gil-san!? Thinking that, I hurriedly pulled my head out of the shadow. I didn’t expect him to notice so quickly.
“H-Hey! Meg, are you okay!? You idiot, are you trying to get yourself killed, entering Gil’s shadow like that!?”
“Eh? I’m fine, but… I-I didn’t think it was that dangerous. I-I’m sorry.”
Dad, looking horrified, was shaking me by the shoulders. Did I do something that bad? I answered, bewildered, and then Dad was the one looking dumbfounded. Looking around, Saura-san, Kei-san, and everyone else seemed to be just as startled. Eh? What?
“Y-You… peeked into Gil’s shadow… and you’re okay…?”
“Eh? Yeah, I only stuck my face in for a bit. It was pitch black, but it was warm, but… that’s all?”
Huh? So it’s not normally okay? Hmm, hmm, I tilted my head. Dad, who had been frozen in shock for a while, snapped out of it, and then started questioning Gil-san.
“H-Hey, Gil! Are you okay!?”
“Ah, yeah… I’m also… surprised.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is there even anyone who can enter your shadow without any issues? Do you have any idea why!?”
“An idea…?”
Gil-san looked troubled at Dad’s question.
And then, after a few seconds, his face turned bright red.
…He’s blushing!? Gil-san is!?
“Eh?”
“Eh…”
“Eh!? Gil!?”
“D-Don’t tell me, Gil…”
Gil-san, his face so red it looked like it might explode, covered his lower face with one hand and turned away. Eh, what? What? Could it be… that I stuck my nose into Gil-san’s personal business!?
The guild hall’s in an uproar. Because Gil-san, that Gil-san… is panicking.
“Gil-san…?”
I cautiously called out to him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was still covering his face, muttering things like, “No way”, and, “It can’t be.” I’m so sorry!
“………………It’s nothing.”
The hall was in chaos for a while. But as expected of Gil-san. By the time he turned around, he’d regained his composure, and his expression was back to normal. Well, he might still be a bit red. Ah, thank goodness. I’m relieved!
“Th-That’s not nothing! You’re definitely going to tell us what’s going on, Gil!”
“Yeah, I’m also really curious. Fufu, I’ll listen if you want to talk?”
“I’ll never, ever forgive you, Gil, you bastard!”
But… there were still some who weren’t calm. Or rather, triggered by those three, everyone in the guild was looking at Gil-san. …This seems like it’ll take a while. And I’m at my limit of sleepiness.
I guess I have no choice but to apologize to Gil-san later. I’ll be heading to bed now. I yawned loudly and left the noisy hall.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
It’s a peaceful morning, just like always.
I’m exchanging greetings at my exclusive reception desk.
I’m doing my best to smile and work, work! As all kinds of faces—familiar, unfamiliar, and faces I’m seeing for the first time—come and go.
—Suddenly, a woman with long hair appeared before me. Soft, light pink hair.
Mom? I thought that, but it wasn’t her. Because her eyes are a deep blue.
Ah, I see, this is a precognitive dream. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one while awake. Then that means this woman is…
“Me…?”
When I muttered that, the woman turned towards me. This is supposed to be a precognitive dream, and yet… her gaze is on me.
And then… she…
My future self—smiled.
An incredibly happy smile.
“I see… I get it… I get it!”
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Meg?”
I shook my head, smiling at Gil-san, who was looking at me curiously, and told him it was nothing. My future self was already gone.
But just seeing that smile, all the worries that had been festering deep inside vanished, as if they were all lies.
Because I know that my future self will be happy.
I might become the Demon King. I might be in Ortus.
But that doesn’t matter anymore. No matter what future I choose, I’m sure I’ll be happy.
“Well then, I’ll be heading to work.”
“Okay! Be careful, Gil-san!”
I saw off Gil-san, who’d smiled gently and said, “I’ll be back,” and then got back to work.
There’s no need to worry at all. All I have to do is say my usual line, with a smile.
“Welcome to the Special-grade Guild, Ortus!”