Chapter 7 - Baby Castella Fell from the Sky

Safely meeting up with Lunamaria-san again, by the time we returned to Lilia-san’s mansion, I think you could say it’s around dinner time already. It was completely my carelessness that I got lost, but Lilia-san seemed very concerned that I was lost in the city and asked me a lot of questions about whether I was all right. I described what happened along that incident, where I was saved thanks to the kindness of the demon girl.

However, it seems that Lilia-san is a bit too much of a worrywart. She wanted to look after the necklace that Kuro gave me, saying that she wants to check if there was some kind of strange magic cast on it. I don’t really have any reason to say no, so I gave it to her.

In the dinner afterward —- I was a little afraid of what the Duchess’ dinner would be like. I don’t know if Lilia-san is being attentive, but it wasn’t in the form of a full-course dinner. I was able to have a delicious meal served in the form of a meal served in restaurants.

After that, we are briefly shown around the mansion, given a room that is too large for one person to use and given an explanation of bath times. It should have been obvious to say that there are no other men in this mansion at the moment other than me. Inevitably, the bathing times need to be shifted and they would need to firmly specify the time where I would use the bath.

In novels, this where that common trope of Lucky Pervert event occurs. Fortunately or unfortunately, I don’t seem to have that so-called Protagonist Correction. I took a bath alone in a bathroom that was way larger than normal and returned to my room after bathing without any incident happening.

[……uuuwwuu…… -san……]

Maybe it’s because of the silence of the night, or perhaps, it’s because this is the first night that we’ve been here in the other world, my sense has become keener due to my vigilance, I could hear the sobbing even through the heavy doors that seemed to be soundproof.

Suddenly, I found myself unconsciously halting in my steps. If I remember it correctly, isn’t this the room that was assigned to Yuzuki-san? Is she crying? Well, it’s not that strange though. Suddenly being transported to a different world, and told that you wouldn’t be able to leave for a year… Once your confusion has been settled with, it’s natural to feel anxious and lonely.

……But even when I said that, it doesn’t mean I can do something about it. I’m just another person from the same world to her, and I’ve never really talked to her before. The only thing I can do is pretend I didn’t hear her and walk away.

Taking a deep breath, I walk away again as if nothing happened. After walking 10 steps forward, I couldn’t her voice any longer and the silence returns.

However, it somehow looks like bad luck has been following me—- This time, I could see Kusonoki-san walking in front of me. Somehow, when the medieval women’s nightwear was mention, I had a narrow view of them and think that they were something like negligees, but the one Kusunoki-san is wearing is an ordinary white nightgown that kind of looks like something a little old.

[………….]

[………….]

I don’t mean to be repetitive, but I may be acquainted with Kusonoki-san and Yuzuki-san, but that doesn’t mean we’re close. They are just strangers who happened to be in the same situation as I am. We exchanged a simple greeting without saying anything in particular, just passing each other.

[……Miyama-san.]

[Unn?]

That’s why I was a little surprised that I was suddenly called out. Turning around to look at where the voice came from, Kusunoki-san was still looking at the end of the corridor. I could see her beautiful black hair and her back that looked slimmer than when she was wearing her school uniform.

[……Miyama-san, you’re very calm, aren’t you?]

[Do I look that way?]

[……Did you believe what Lilia-san and the others said?]

Not responding to my reply, Kusonoki-san continued speaking. It was too dim for me to see clearly even though there’s some light shining into the corridor, but her small shoulders seemed to be shaking.

However, she’s asking me if I believed Lilia-san’s story or not? Is she talking about her assurance that we’re safe or about when she said she would be taking care of us? In that case, my reply would be—-

[No, I don’t know. At least, I still don’t know.]

[……Eh?]

[She’s been good to me, so I would think that she’s a kind person, but if you’re asking if I trust her or not, I can’t just say yes to that. I can’t just fully trust someone I’ve only known for less than half a day…… But I don’t think there’s anyone else I can rely on right now.]

[…… You…… may be right.]

That’s right, It’s not like I’m saying that Lilia-san or Lunamaria-san are bad people or that they’re lying to us. I’m well aware that I’m being taken care of and I appreciate it. However, if I’m being asked if I trust them, I can only answer that I don’t know.

I mean, we haven’t really spoken with anyone other than Lilia-san and the others in this other world yet. At the end of the day, we’re in a situation where there’s nothing for me to judge. I don’t think I’m optimistic enough to be unconditionally relieved just by being under their care.

[…………..]

[…………..]

A silence that feels awkward. What in the world does Kusonoki-san want to say anyway?

[……Why did you so readily agree to go shopping with Lunamaria-san?]

[Isn’t it because it was necessary for us to shop?]

[……I’m scared. I can’t help but be scared of the kindness offered to me in an unfamiliar place by someone I’ve never spoken to before, asking nothing in return.]

[That there’s nothing more expensive than something free? I think it’s right to be vigilant though?]

[……Then, why do you seem to be okay with it? Even though I have some people I know here like Hina-chan and Mitsunaga-kun, I’m so anxious that I feel like I’m going to start crying if I’m not being careful…… I don’t mean to say that Lilia-san and the others are planning to harm us, but you got lost in the city, didn’t you? You’re suddenly alone in a different world, aren’t you? How can you remain so calm?]

[No, it’s not like I’m not worried about it……]

[……Haven’t you ever thought…… that you could have gotten injured or died……]

Fumu, it appears that Kusonoki-san isn’t happy that I didn’t seem to be particularly concerned about our situation, even having experienced being suddenly lost on the first day. No, it wasn’t that I’m calm about it…… I wonder if that’s what it looks like to others?

In fact, I’m well aware that I’m basically a weak-willed person. When we got separated from each other, I became really flustered and anxious…… But it’s already been resolved, so I don’t think it’s worth dragging it out……

But now that I’ve said it again, it’s true that in some cases, I could have been injured or worse, die.

[Well, it’s all over now anyway…… Besides, even if I had gotten injured or died—– Well, that would be “because I was unlucky.”.]

[……Unlucky?]

Thereupon, Kusonoki-san finally looked back at me. Her shaking eyes seem to be tinged with a hint of fear.

[Even if it wasn’t in another world, when it’s your time, you’ll die. No matter how much you protect yourself or take care of your health, whether you’re a good person or a bad person, if you’re unlucky, you will die early. Ah, it’s not like I’m saying that I want to die. I’m afraid of dying and I don’t want to die but…… Well, I guess I can’t help it when that time comes, can I?]

[…………..]

[Ah, err…… Sorry. The way I said it might have not been right. I don’t mean to impose my ideas on you or anything, but I’m just trying not to think too much about stuff that has already happened……]

[……No, it was my fault since I had asked such a strange question.]

Hnnn, it’s no good. I guess I’ve been living alone for so long that my communipower is too low, I can’t skillfully followup what she’s saying. This is bad… Even so, we’ll be in the same situation for the upcoming year and I don’t really want any strange conflict happening between us……

[……Can I ask you another question?]

[Unn?]

[……Miyama-san’s one year in this world. How would you like to spend that time?]

[………………]

In front of an oversized desk in the office, the master of this residence, Lilia had her arms crossed as she has a frown on her face.

[……I was worried about the possibility itself happening, but this happened too early, didn’t it?]

[……My apologies. It was my blunder.]

[No, it wasn’t Luna’s fault. To be honest, I didn’t expect that you and “shadow” would lose sight of Kaito-san at the same time. No, that’s not something that could happen if you both were just being negligent…… We haven’t received the detailed results of the investigations yet, but it’s safe to assume that “Recognition Inhibition Magic” was placed on Kaito-san.]

They were talking about that incident where she has lost sight of Miyama Kaito on the streets this evening. The person himself doesn’t seem to mind about that incident—- No, he had only recognized it as him getting lost in the crowd, but it was a grave incident for the two of them.

[Agriculture, industry, food culture…… Up until now, the things that Hero-samas, the otherworlders have brought us have caused various revolutions. There are some people whose interests have connections with the otherworldly knowledge but the protection for Hero-sama is extremely strict. It’s difficult to use him for personal gain.]

[……However, this time, “otherworlders other than the Hero” have appeared. That’s why My Lady took custody of the three of them as soon as possible.]

[Yes. If information about them gets out, some people may even use drastic measures. However, I never expected that they would suddenly use magic on the first day…… We have to assume that there’s an “insect” among those who witnessed the summoning.]

The people who Lilia commanded to accompany Kaito when they went out wasn’t just Lunamaria, there were also several guards who were skilled in stealth following them as well. The knowledge from another world, they were sent to make sure those who want it don’t act strangely…… However, it was unexpected that all of them lost sight of Kaito at the same time.

[……Should we tell those three?]

[There’s no way I can say that to them. They should still be anxious after being summoned to a different world, how can I tell them that they might be targeted?…… I think we’re going to have to settle this case ourselves. I want you to immediately secure enough “Recognition Inhibition Magic” magic tools for the shadows and contact older brother—– His Majesty, the King.]

[I respectfully obey. However, I don’t get it. For someone who’s gone to such great lengths to use Recognition Inhibition Magic that would leave traces of its usage, yet hasn’t taken any action……]

[……It may have been that they couldn’t take any action. What about that demon that Kaito-san said he encountered?]

[As we had expected, “he wasn’t able to catch the demon’s name.”. It must have been the Information Concealment Magic that the upper-level demons often used, if you think about the fact that this demon had “forcibly canceled” the Recognition Inhibition Magic that was supposed to be applied to Miyama-sama, it’s easy to predict that he must be a high-ranking demon. Moreover, this too……]

While speaking in a serious tone, Lunamaria placed the Kaito’s necklace that she had kept custody on the table.

[……What are the inspection results?]

[The purity of the magic crystal is estimated to be at least 90%, and the magic technique imbued on it…… Unfortunately, our dukedom’s mage couldn’t decipher it, but it’s said to be at least level 10.]

[…… It’s already on the level of a “National Treasure” huh…… Although we still don’t know the purpose of this demon, I honestly don’t want to imagine a clash with a demon of this level.]

[Yes, if you’re not at least of the court mage class, you can’t even be considered it’s opponent……]

[Anyway, let’s be vigilant for now. What about the mansion?

[We’ve deployed a detection barrier as well as several detection magic techniques. The shadows have also been deployed in case of an emergency, ordering them not to let even a single rat pass.]

[……We have to settle this problem immediately.]

In the silence of the night, I went out to the veranda—- or more like, the balcony of my room to gaze at the stars and the moon in the night sky.

The sky in the other world appears to be the same as what we see on Earth. The stars and the constellations may be different, but I wouldn’t know.

With my hair ruffled by the occasional breeze, I think back to Kusonoki’s question earlier.

———-How would you like to spend that time?]

What do I want to do, what do I want to be in the future, or what my future’s objective is…… I’ve always had the hardest time being asked that kind of question. I’ve heard of the saying that “you know yourself best”, but I don’t know myself the best.

Even after thinking about it again, I still don’t understand. Do I have any expectations for being summoned to this other world? Or is it that I’m just discouraged? Both feel like the right answer, but both answers also feel wrong at the same time.

I chose the high school I went to because it was close to home. It’s not like I didn’t want to pursue any particular career, I just didn’t want to be a working man right away, so I went to college. I vaguely thought that I would become somehow become a salaryman after moderately enjoying my student life.

I love playing games. Especially RPGs…… Even if I don’t think for myself, there are enemies to defeat and equipment to aim at. And when I’m prepared, I could moderately get a sense of accomplishment after I clear the game.

I also like to read light novels. Especially those royal road stories who gives me peace of mind. And as I empathize with the protagonist, when the protagonist thinks through about the hardships he’s confronting, I would feel like I’ve accomplished through the difficulties myself.

(T/N: royal road stories are those stories where there’s an easy or direct way to achieve the desired ending)

In the face of difficulties, I think it’s great to achieve your goals despite your struggles. I think it’s admirable to have a goal or a dream, and work towards it. In that case, am I in the wrong for not having it? I wonder if I’m just running away from reality? Do I really have to do that? I don’t know, and I still don’t have the answer to this.

I think I can change myself if I work hard, but I don’t think it has to be now. Some of us want to change, while others want to stay the same and live comfortably.

This has been the case since I was summoned to this world. While I was relieved that the world was at peace and that the Hero wasn’t a nuisance—– I was also disappointed that I wasn’t the Hero of the story. I think I’m filled with contradictions.

Not making any effort of changing the habit of “wanting to change”, no courage to try to change yourself, I just stare at the empty sky with my mouth wide open, hoping that even a botamochi will conveniently fall from somewhere.

(T/N: adzuki bean mochi)

It’s a really ridiculous story. And now, as I gaze at the night sky with my mouth open wide—- Even after knowing that botamochis won’t fall from the sky……

[Then, what about a baby castella!?]

[Gobuuaaahh!?!?]

Into my mouth that was opened wide while I’m in a daze, a pile of baby castellas was suddenly thrown, looking like fireworks that were about to burst out.

Good children must never imitate this at home, or even if you’re not at home. I never thought that I’d experience my first life-threatening crisis in another world would be caused by baby castellas—- I never expected something like this would happen, you know!?

Dear Mother, Father—– there are no botamochis falling down from the sky. However—– Baby castellas fell from the sky.

**********

Baby Castella-senpai: Seriously though. Don’t do something like that.