Vol-04 Ch 4 – Sharing the secret

Part 1

"──Rhaegar. I hereby confiscate your territory, and you will not be charged with this matter."

"…Ha!"

Although Lexia-san's impassioned plea allowed Rhaegar-sama to avoid the death penalty, the crime of attacking the royalty…well, the current king, did not disappear so easily, resulting in the confiscation of the territory that Rhaegar-sama had owned.

Although the territory was given to Rhaegar-sama, originally, there were no residents. It was treated as a so-called villa; even if it were confiscated, it wouldn't hurt Rhaegar-sama too much.

…Or rather, it's pretty stubborn to have given that whole territory to build a villa.

After the decision on Rhaegar-sama's treatment was thus made, the surrounding aristocratic-looking people left, but me, Night, Akatsuki, Lexia-san, Luna, Owen-san, and Rhaegar-sama were left in the audience room.

I was worried that there was still some problem since I was also left behind during this audience when Arnold-sama tells me with a serious expression.

"Yuuya-dono. This time… thanks to you, I was saved. Truly, thank you…!"

And Arnold-sama bowed his head to me without any hesitation. Eh…?

"N-no! Please raise your head! I was just fortunate enough to be useful…!"

"That's not true. Even though I treated you unkindly, you did all you could for us…Yuuya-dono, and I'm very grateful to you. I'm truly grateful."

"Let me thank you too. The wounds I thought would never heal again are now healed… thank you so much."

Rhaegar-sama also speaks words of thanks with a serious expression. Eh, um…

"Well… I'm glad that I was able to help you."

"It's more than helpful! Thanks to Yuuya-sama, I was able to get a little closer to my brother."

"U-un…"

"…Leave him out of it already. Yuuya's looking embarrassed and confused and doesn't know what to do."

Lexia-san thanked me for it, and when I was confused because I didn't know what to do in earnest, Luna told them exactly what I was feeling. It's really true. Thanks to Luna, they managed to raise their heads, and I was relieved for now.

Then, Arnold-sama comes looking at me.

"Well… I have to reward Yuuya-dono for this matter, but…"

"Oh, no! I didn't do it for a reward, so it's okay…!"

Really, I was able to help because I happened to be able to help, not because I wanted something in return. However, Owen-san smiles bitterly at me.

"Yuuya-dono… it can't be like that."

"Eh?"

"The noblemen who were there already know that His Highness' wounds have been healed thanks to Yuuya-dono, and that it was also Yuuya-dono who captured the assassin His Highness had sent out. Therefore, if a reward is not given to Yuuya-dono, the nobles who were there will think that no matter how hard they work for their country, they will not be rewarded."

"Eh!"

It's hard to tell my intentions when they bring out the situation in this country like that… For me personally, I really don't need a reward; I just happened to be able to help.

"…I understand."

"Umu, you'll accept your reward. Now, what shall I give you…"

"Yes, yes! What about me?"

"Rejected."

"Why?!"

Lexia-san suddenly raised her hand and said something outrageous, but Arnold-sama and Luna stopped her without pause.

"A marriage with me? Isn't that reward enough?"

"Marriage to you is a reward? Are you kidding me?"

"Hey, Luna! What do you mean by that!"

Luna snorted when Lexia-san prodded her in frustration at Luna's words.

"It's just what it means. When a person marries you, that means they're going to join the royal family."

"Yes. That's good, isn't it?"

"Are you sure about that? What do you think? Yuuya."

"Ueehh? Eh, uh, well, I'd rather not be a royalty…"

"Whaaaat!"

I've never been in a relationship with a girl before, but I don't understand if they suddenly call it marriage, and most of all, I don't feel like I, a petty citizen, can endure royalty or anything like that. Mainly mentally.

Then Owen-san, who was nodding in response to my reply, adds something else.

"Umu. Besides, Yuuya-dono is a foreign nobleman or royalty. It would be difficult for him to marry someone from another country so easily."

Huh? I said I'm not an aristocrat or anything, and yet they still misunderstood me?　Why are Arnold-sama and Rhaegar-sama also nodding there like "Oh, I see"?

"Umm… but when you say marriage, you mean I'm marrying you, and I don't think it will affect Yuuya-sama's country or position that much?"

"I see. So what are the advantages of marrying you?"

"Huh?"

"Cooking, laundry, cleaning… can you do all the housework?"

"W-why don't you have a maid to do it?"

"As I thought, that was not good."

"What does that mean?"

She was so cool and dignified when she decided on Rhaegar-sama's treatment, but now Lexia-san was completely played by everyone. Despite Lexia-san's shouting, Luna turned her gaze to Arnold-sama.

"So, how about rewarding him this time by having me be Yuuya's wife?"

"What?"

"H-hey, Luna! No, no, no! That's not gooodd!"

When the words were too unexpected to freeze, Luna victoriously told Lexia-san.

"Unlike Lexia, I am an orphan and have no status. So I can marry regardless of this country. Besides, I'm very good at housework. For all intents and purposes, I'm better suited to be Yuuya's wife than you are, right?"

"A-and what about protecting me?"

"Thanks for everything."

"I won't forgive you!"

No, I think you're right, Luna. Why does marriage come up in the first place when you're talking about rewards? Of course, I'm happy about that, but I don't know if I want to do that until I've had more time to think about it, or rather, why do you want me in the first place? I'm sure there are people of better status in Lexia-san's case… and Luna is beautiful, so I'm sure she can find someone better than me…

When I was thinking about that, before I knew it, Lexia-san and Luna were giving me half-eyes.

"…Luna, I wonder why. Right now, it seemed like Yuuya-sama was thinking something very out of line…"

"…Well, that's odd. I just felt the same way."

Eh, they're reading my thoughts…?

I don't know why, but Luna and Lexia-san both looked at me suspiciously. Oh, that's strange… even though I didn't say it out loud…

Even though it was in front of Arnold-sama and the others, as we were having such an exchange, Rhaegar-sama slowly raised his hand.

"Uh… well, father…"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"About the reward…"

"Hmm?"

When Arnold-sama raised one eyebrow at Rheagar-sama's words, Rhaegar-sama stood up and whispered in Arnold-sama's ear.

"How about we just hand over my mansion and land that was confiscated this time?"

"What?"

"…Yuuya-dono's power and the items he has, those are very valuable. Rather than going to another country here, it would be more beneficial to have him stay here, right?"

"Well, you're right…"

"That's why I thought if you gave him the land I had, it would at least give him more connection to this country…"

"Umu… that's a good idea, but isn't it a bit weak?"

"Then how about a title? This work should certainly be honored."

"That's true, but the other aristocrats must be annoyed. Besides, Yuuya-dono is a foreign nobleman."

"No, if it's a "knight peerage" with strong title implications, that problem will be fine. Unlike other nobles, there is no salary from the state, but he will be treated as a noble in this country for a change…"

"Fumu…"

I can't hear what they're talking about because they're talking within the ear, but Arnold-sama is repeatedly nodding with a serious expression.

And then──.

"Umu. As for the reward, I will grant Rhaegar's land, which was confiscated due to this matter, to you."

"Huh?"

"I, therefore, do hereby confer upon Yuuya-dono a knighthood in my kingdom."

"Yes!?"

Not only me, but also Lexia-san and Luna were surprised by the unexpected words, but for some reason, Owen-san was the only one nodding in agreement.

U-uum… what does that mean? Eh? And a knighthood!

Even though I'm still not fully understanding, due to my surprise, Arnold-sama goes on and on with his story.

"The land that Rhaegar owned is a complete vacation home where no citizens live. That's why I thought it would be just right to give it to Yuuya-dono."

"H-huh… but I don't know what I'll do with the land if I get it…"

"Yuuya-dono. Don't worry. It was my land, but I also have my own mansion, and more importantly, the ocean is right in front of it. Just think of it as one of your vacation homes, as my father says, and that's all you need to know."

"Huh… yes, no, the land thing too, but what on earth is up with the knighthood…?"

"Aah, I thought that land alone was too little to reward Lord Yuuya, so I decided to knight him. But you don't have to worry about it. The title to be given to Yuuya-dono is knight-peerage. The knight's title is an honorary title given to the person who has contributed greatly to the Alceria Kingdom. But even if you are a nobleman, you are not obligated to do anything, so there should be no problem for Yuuya-dono either."

Apparently, I've got a villa and a title. No, no, no, really?

I don't feel like I'm going to be given a villa or a knighthood suddenly, but it's no more troubling than being told I'm married to Lexia-san and the others. I mean, if something were to happen on Earth in earnest, I could live in this country… no, I'm not going to cause anything or do anything, right?

Anyway, it's not like I'm under any obligation or anything, but it seems I'm going to be a nobleman in this country.

"Saving the First Prince Rhaegar is such a serious matter. Therefore, I want you to receive the land and the title."

"W-well, in that case…"

If they say that much already, even for me, I can't say anything.

"Umu… well, if that's the result…"

"That would be the most reasonable option."

"…Yes. And I remember brother's land was an amazingly beautiful place… and in a way, this is…"

Lexia-san and the others are also somewhat dissatisfied, but they seem to have agreed to a point. …Huh? This is talking about my reward, right? Why are you two so unhappy? And Lexia-san, do you have any more ideas? Are you okay?

When Arnold-sama puts his head in such a position, as if to say that his head hurts, he regains his mind and turns his gaze to me.

"Well, I'd like to show you the land as soon as possible… Speaking of which, is Yuuya-dono's time okay?"

"Eh? Oh, well, if that land is so far away, then it's a tough one this time…"

"Eh!? Yuuya-sama, will you be going home already?"

"W-well. To begin with, I won't be able to stay for that long…"

"Eeehh!"

Lexia-san is blatantly disappointed. I'm really glad that she enjoys being with me that much, but it's all this. After the holidays, there's a normal school day.

"So, I'm sorry."

"Umu. I suppose there's nothing I can do then. If you can come back to the royal castle when you have time, I'll show you around. Until then, we'll take care of things for you."

"Thank you."

"Yuuya-sama! You're staying the night, right?"

"Eh? Well… yes. If I could get somewhere to stay…"

"Then let's stay here! It's a waste of space, and we have a lot of extra room anyway!"

"…Lexia. Even if it's true, there's no way you could say that… it's a necessary dignity for us royalty…"

"Oh, yeah. I'm not interested. That dignity doesn't make more money or less poor people."

When I was surprised at Lexia-san's divided mindset to any extent, Arnold-sama let out a deep sigh.

"Sigh… When it comes to this, I feel like it would have been better to let Yuuya-dono marry Lexia…"

"Eh, just get it done right now!?"

"No, I'm not changing my mind. Yuuya-dono. You may stay in the castle today, as Lexia insists. We would be happy to entertain you at our own expense."

"Y-yes…"

Thus, Night, Akatsuki, and I were going to stay at the castle with Arnold-sama and others' kindness.

＊＊＊

"What can I say, I was so tired the other day…"

"Woof?"

"Fugo~."

After they let me stay at the castle, I managed to quiet down Lexia-san and the others who said they would follow me home, and somehow I made it back to my home on Earth safely, but I didn't have much time to rest my mind since I was in the castle.

The food was so fancy that I was always nervous, as I don't know any table manners at all, and when I tried to go into the bath in the castle, the maids came in with me to wash me, and I was tired of trying to stop them.

This one day alone made me think that royalty is really hard work, but at the same time, I knew I couldn't do it.

"And I'm also tired of Lexia-san and Luna barging in on me when I'm going to bed, and I'm tired of holding them back…"

I managed to stop Lexia-san and Luna that day, and I was able to get under the blankets safely… yeah. It was a little hard in the morning because I was mentally exhausted and wanted to go to bed right away, but I couldn't sleep well due to my suspicions that there was still something wrong with me.

Then I made it through another breakfast that required table manners and made it home to Earth safely.

Well… it's best to sleep at home after all. It was already a good night's sleep.

As I was thinking about that, I suddenly remembered what Lexia-san had said before I left.

"Yuuya-sama! Yuuya-sama is here this time, and next time I'm going to visit Yuuya-sama's house!"

"Eh?"

"You idiot. Don't you have any idea how hard it is to get to Yuuya's house?"

"Oh, so Luna doesn't want to see Yuuya-sama then?"

"T-that's not what I said!"

"That's good. It'll give Luna and Owen a chance to train!"

"It's not like we're in an environment where we can just get away with training, you know!"

This is how Lexia-san said she's coming to my house again…I wonder if it's okay. Luna had trained with me for a little while, but isn't it hard for all the soldiers, including Owen-san…? I mean, can a princess come to such a danger zone so easily? Well, I'll treat them right when they come.

Anyway, today is the start of school again, so I need to get my mind off of it.

"I'll see you later, Night, Akatsuki. I'm off."

"Woof!"

"Buhi!"

I said goodbye to them both and left the house.

Part 2

"It's almost time for exams. Are you studying for them?"

"Gyaaaa! Don't mention to us about the teeessst!"

"Isn't that obvious! There is no blind spot for this 'Young noble of countermeasures'! …I hope not!"

When Sawada-sensei mentioned the test during homeroom before leaving, Kaede and Akira had reacted in an easy-to-understand way. I-I guess they didn't remember, those two…

It's going to be a full-fledged exam period from now on, so those of us who are doing club activities will have a break from them, and the time to play after school will decrease. It's going to be tough for Kaede and the others if they don't study soon…

As I looked at them like that, Shingo-kun and Ryo also approached me, turning their dumbfounded gazes towards them.

"Akira and the others, they wouldn't have to be in a panic if they studied regularly…"

"Ahahaha… K-Kaede-san and Akira-kun are both bad at studying, right?"

"It looks that way… are Shingo-kun and Ryo doing well in their studies?"

"It's all right, I guess. I've been studying for the test."

"I-I'm fine too. I've been studying for the test in addition to my regular revision."

I looked around for some reason, but I didn't see anyone else making any noise, and I thought that Kaede and Akira were really the only people who were not studying for the test and were in trouble. Ryo and the others and I were usually going to go home to study for the test now, but today they seemed to have something to do and went back first.

"This is the first test I've taken since I came to this school… I wonder how it will turn out…"

I'm doing the proper prep and review, but I'm still worried. I'm especially bad at math and physics, which is moderately difficult. And when I level up, my brain doesn't suddenly get better. However, my thinking speed has completely increased, so I think I'm able to think overwhelmingly better than I used to.

As I was returning home with my mind occupied with the regular exams, I was unexpectedly approached by someone.

"Huh? Yuuya-san?"

"Eh? Ah, Kaori!"

The one who called out to me was Kaori, the daughter of the chairman of the school I attend. Kaori ran a little faster to come to me and tilted her head curiously.

"Are you alone today?"

"Yeah. It seems like Ryo and the others have their own things to do."

"I see…"

After that exchange, we naturally started walking side by side. We talked about trivial things to each other from then on, but eventually, the topic of conversation turned to the upcoming regular exam.

"───And the next regular exam is coming, but I'm not very good at math."

"Heeh… even Yuuya-san has things he's not good at, huh?"

"Eh? I mean, does it look like there's nothing I'm not good at?"

"Yes. I had the image of you being able to do almost anything."

"Seriously…"

Hearing Kaori's impression of me, I was a little taken aback. I didn't know if she thought of me that way. But I'm not as good at everything as Kaori thinks I am, and I'm not smart enough to get a good score on a test without studying.

"As for me, I'm not good at English and the classics…"

"Really?"

That was exactly what was unexpected. I had taken the liberty of thinking that Kaori seemed to be perfect in relation to her studies. …When I think about it, we're both in the same boat.

As I was thinking about that, Kaori seemed to notice something and suddenly began to fidget next to me.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"Eh? No, I was just, uh…"

When I twisted my head at Kaori, whom I was becoming more and more suspicious of her behavior, she eventually looked at me with some kind of determination.

"Yu-Yuuya-san!"

"Y-yes!?"

"───Would you like to study for the test with me?"

"Eh?"

She looked so serious that I wondered what she was going to say…

"Um… studying for the test?"

"Yes! I'm very good at math, so I think I can teach Yuuya-san a thing or two!"

"I-I appreciate that, and I suppose I could teach you English and the classics too, but…"

"So why don't we study together?"

"O-oh."

Kaori was getting closer and closer to me, and eventually, she looked up at me from directly below and said so, but… well, she was too close to me, and her b-breasts were hitting me right in the front…!

"K-Kaori-san… uh, I mean, you're too close, I suppose…"

"Eh? …Aaaahh! I-I'm sorry!"

Kaori's face turned bright red as she moved away and looked at me as if she were peeking at me.

"So… that… what do you think?"

"Uhm… Well then, I'm counting on you."

As I bowed my head, Kaori's face brightened.

"T-thank goodness! So, um… can we study at Yuuya-san's house…?"

"Eeh?"

I was then frozen from the words that came out of Kaori's mouth.

"My… house, is it…?"

"Yes. Is it no good…?"

"N-no! It's okay!"

I thought it was at the library or something, but my house…

To be honest, the only thing I don't want people to see is the door to another world… well, I guess it's okay.

"Then, let's study together tomorrow!"

──It was finally decided that we would study at my house, and this day would be dismissed.

＊＊＊

"──You have to use this formula for that, you know."

"I-I see…"

The next day.

As promised, Kaori came to my house and started studying for the test straight away. And as Kaori herself said, she was not good at the classics and English, but she taught me math in a very easy to understand way, so I could learn a lot. With this, the test will be safe this time.

"As expected of Kaori… I was bad at maths and such, so it's really helpful."

"N-no! M-me too… and besides, Yuuya-san is amazing at classics and English!"

"H-hmm, I guess so."

Sorry, it's because of the skill [Language Comprehension]…

"Woof?"

"Fugo."

As I was thinking about that, Akatsuki and Night were also tilting their heads at my situation. That's right; I can understand their language somehow, thanks to this skill.

This is how we proceeded with our studies, teaching each other our weaknesses.

Although I had invited Lexia-san and the others from the other world, I was a little nervous because it was the first time I had invited a girl from the real world, but thanks to Night and Akatsuki, that gradually faded away. Since it had been a long time since we started studying, we decided to take a short break, and Kaori stroked Night, who was nearby while she stretched.

"Hmmm… but then again… I knew Night-san, but there was an increased number in your family named Akatsuki-san, too."

"Yeah. We just recently became a family."

"I see…. again, nice to meet you, Akatsuki-san."

"Fugo."

Akatsuki raised one leg while being stroked and greeted her casually.

"Ah, excuse me… can I borrow your bathroom?"

"Eh? Ah, sure, go ahead."

When Kaori asked me that, I gave her permission, and she left the room. The room we are in now is a tatami room, which is not usually used, but it is very convenient for such occasions. The house is quite large, so there is more room left than my living space.

While we were waiting for Kaori to come back, I noticed something.

"Ah. Come to think of it; I didn't tell Kaori where the bathroom is!"

As I hurriedly left the room and followed Kaori, my eyes suddenly fell on the place where there was the [Door to Another World]. This is because the door was at the end of the broken wall, the wall itself was not repaired, and people who see it for the first time may possibly enter it.

When I entered while thinking, it was impossible to imagine that──.

"Um… Yuuya-san? This is…?"

──Kaori was stunned in front of the [Door to Another World].

Moreover, since Kaori is opening that door, she can see the world beyond… in other words, the view of the room in the other world.

"Ah… um… that…"

I didn't expect Kaori to find the door to the other world, and I couldn't speak back as a matter of fact. Then, Kaori immediately sighed and made an apologetic expression.

"Ah! Um… I'm sorry. I didn't know where the bathroom was, and I happened to find this room… I felt something calling me, and then the door…"

"Um…"

The fact that she entered the room itself was not a problem, but the fact that Kaori had opened the [Door to Another World] that was placed there was a problem. However, due to the effect of the [Door to Another World], you can't go to the other side without permission, but that means that you can't go to the other side even though the door is open, which is an experience that would be impossible in the normal course of events.

After thinking about many things and hesitating about what to say, I decided to be honest with her. One of the reasons was that it was nothing to be ashamed of in the first place, but I thought it would be even more difficult to lie and tell lies in this situation.

I hesitated a bit, but I told Kaori the truth.

"Well… you may not believe it, but that door… is connected to a different world."

"D-different world…you said?"

"Come here…"

Kaori's eyes widened even more as I let her go through the door.

"I also opened the door and was surprised by the view I saw… I was just about to go into the room, but I couldn't get in…"

"I'm sorry. It seems like this door is only accessible to people I approve of."

"I-I see…"

Kaori was stunned and managed to squeeze out the words.

"Uhm… you said it was a different world, but what do you mean by that…?"

"It is just what it sounds like. It's a different world than Earth."

"Different from Earth?"

"Yeah. For example, there's magic on the other side, and I got to be able to use it."

"Magic?"

In front of Kaori's eyes, who was still amazed by the scene, I formed a mass of water in my palm.

"Eeh?"

"That's what I'm talking about. I can do things that would never happen on Earth."

"I-is that… real…?"

"Do you want to touch it?"

"Y-yes…"

Kaori fearfully touched the mass of water I held out to her, and a look of surprise appeared on her face, which I don't know how many times already.

"I-it's real water…"

"This is how I acquired various powers, including magic, that would never have been possible on Earth. This is the reason why I was able to save Kaori and the others when the delinquents came to the school or when the department store caught fire."

"….."

From Kaori's point of view, it was an unbelievable series of things that made her eyes glaze over, but eventually, she seemed to remember something and asked shyly, with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Uhm… I'm sorry. I want to ask you a lot of questions… but first, can you tell me where the bathroom is…?"

"Ah."

I quickly led Kaori to the bathroom.

Part 3

"Wow… it's really different from Earth…"

When Kaori returned from the bathroom, she wanted to go straight to the other world immediately, so we went through the door of another world together. At that time, Night and Akatsuki also followed along and relaxed in the different world house together.

"──So, Night-san and Akatsuki-san are also from this world?"

"Yeah. Night is a wolf called [Black Fenrir], and Akatsuki is… [Mouju]? That's the kind of pig… I guess"

"Woof."

"Fugo? Fugofugo!"

Night nodded once, but Akatsuki seemed annoyed that I didn't know better, and he tapped the floor with his little legs. I'm sorry. But I've never heard of Mouju before, and if it's anything, I honestly can't even tell if it's a pig or a boar… maybe it's a pig…but…

Kaori's eyes widened at such a reaction as if they understood my words.

"You really are a creature from this world… as expected, it's not normal when you can communicate to this extent…"

"Ah… as you expected?"

"Yes… and I'm telling Yuuya-san this now that I know who Night-san and Akatsuki-san are, as expected, it's best to refrain from taking a walk…"

"Eh?"

"People who see it might be able to tell it's a wolf, and I've never seen such a beautiful red pig before, you know?"

"I wonder…"

But I hope Night and Akatsuki will have a normal life on Earth, if possible. I hope that they can see things on Earth and have a good experience, just like I did in the other world. Well, considering the bad air on Earth, I don't think it's a good idea to stay on Earth too much…

Then, just as Kaori thought the same thing, she took a deep breath in the room.

"Shuuu…haaahhh. By the way, the air here is so good…"

"If you look out the window, you'll see that we're in the forest… and there's no car exhaust or anything like that in this world."

"It's a strange world without cars… and since there's no place around Yuuya-san's house that has a forest like this, it must be true that it's a different world."

As Kaori laughed bitterly, the next moment, a translucent board suddenly appeared in front of Kaori's eyes.

"Kyaaa! W-what is this?"

"! That's…"

Kaori seemed surprised by the board that appeared in front of her, but she immediately read the contents.

"Title [Otherworldly Person]…?"

"In this world, there's a concept of status, and apparently, various parameters are quantified. One of them is a title, which has various effects on…"

"I-I see… it's a world where everything is different from Earth… and this status, huh?"

Then Kaori muttered the word status, and now a board with Kaori's status on it appeared.

"T-this is…"

"That's Kaori's status in this world."

"Uhm… Yuuya-san. May I have you to look at it for me?"

"Eh? That's fine, but… are you sure?"

"Yes. I don't really know what this is all about, so…"

As Kaori told me that, I looked at Kaori's status.

[Kaori Houjou]

Occupation: none

Level: 1

Magic: 10

Attack: 10

Defense: 10

Agility: 10

Intelligence: 10

Luck: 100

BP: 0

Skills: none.

Title: [Otherworldly Person]

"Oooh…"

"H-how's it?"

Kaori asked me anxiously, but by all accounts, she's stronger than me at the beginning. The only thing I won when I was at the same level 1 was my magic power. No, I had some skills too, however…

"Yeah… Kaori is stronger than me when I first came here."

"R-really?"

"I was a small-fry too, you know…"

I still continue the training that Master Usagi taught me, and I do other muscle training as well, but at first, I was so weak that I couldn't even wield a weapon. While remembering those days, I boldly tell Kaori.

"…Well, just as Kaori experienced in her own eyes right now, I came to this world for the first time and improved my level."

"Eh?"

"Then somehow I lost weight, and I looked different… yeah. What I'm trying to say is, I cheated."

"Cheat?"

"Now, although people look at me now, I'm really not the great person they say I am. So──."

"No, it's not!"

"Eh?"

Kaori said, glaring at me.

"Yuuya-san, nothing has changed. Since the first time you saved me…"

"N-no, but my appearance has completely changed…"

"I've been watching Yuuya-san from the beginning!"

"Huh?"

My eyes widened at Kaori's words.

"It doesn't matter what you look like or how you look. Yuuya-san hasn't changed just because he got a special power in this world. Isn't that right?"

"It's…"

"…Yuuya-san may indeed have obtained a special power in this world. But that power has always helped me. Since that day when we first met… Yuuya-san has helped me a lot."

"….."

"So don't despise yourself like that anymore."

"…I'm sorry."

I apologized to Kaori. But I was even happier than that. The fact that she said I hadn't changed, and that she was looking at me properly…

"Uhm… thank you."

"No, don't mention it. I'm just telling the truth."

The sight of Kaori smiling at me as she said that is a sight to behold. Then suddenly, Kaori's face turned red, and she began to panic.

"Ah, t-that… The best thing about this place is that it has such a good atmosphere, so why don't we continue our studies here?"

"Y-you're right! Since I have a desk here, too, let's just do that. I'll bring our study tools and stuff."

As I said that and was about to go get the study tools, Kaori turned her attention to a part of the other world's room.

"Ah, um, Yuuya-san. What is placed in there…"

"Eh?"

When I followed Kaori's gaze, there was the [Bloody War Demon Series] armor that I had put there so that I could wear it at any time.

"Ah, um… this is the one I wear when I'm active in this other world…"

"Really? I want to see it!"

"I-is that so? Then let me go change into this armor."

In order to respond to Kaori's request, while going to pick up the study tools, I returned to the Earth house to change into [Bloody War Demon Series].

＊＊＊

Kaori's POV

"Phew…"

I looked around the house. At first, when I found and opened the door to this world, I thought it was a painting that looked like the real thing, but then I felt a faint breeze from behind the door.

Besides, when I touched it, a strange feeling ran through my hand, which confused me even more. When Yuuya-san came over and told me the secret of this room… I was surprised and happy at the same time.

It was for the fact that he revealed such an amazing secret to me. …Well, if I was in the same position as Yuuya-san, I could say that it was a situation that could not be excused no matter what I thought…

Then I was told about this world, and in front of extraordinary phenomena such as magic, my heart danced with embarrassment. I also realized that Yuuya-san saved me with the power he had acquired in this world.

But Yuuya-san said that his current appearance was not his true appearance. He said that his current appearance was the result of his level-up. But that doesn't make any difference from my point of view.

Yuuya-san helped me. That's all there is to it and nothing else.

"…Has this made me a little closer to Yuuya-san?"

With that thought in mind, I went out into the garden of this house. And there was a small field. I wondered what it was growing. Maybe it's a vegetable that is unique to this world.

Even so, I strongly feel that this is a different world.

That's what I felt inside the house as well, but the air is very good. Moreover, the area around the house is covered with trees I've never seen before, and no matter how I look at it, it doesn't look like the Earth.

"Such a world really exists…"

As I uttered that while looking around, I suddenly found a strange black lump behind the fence that covered this house.

"That's…?"

It looks like it's somehow pulling and quivering and looks very pretty. I was curious about the object, and I couldn't help but approach it.

"What is it?"

Then the object leaped wide open over the fence!

"I-it's alive?!"

Incredibly, the black, pulpy object moved as if it were alive. Its movements are so cute that I couldn't help but step out over the fence.

"Hello. What are you──."

"──Kaori!"

"Eh?"

The moment I suddenly heard Yuuya-san's panicked voice, the black object that was swinging adorably in front of me… swelled up like a monster's mouth and tried to wrap itself around me.

"Ah…"

I was unable to move at that scene, and as I watched in a daze…

"Haaahh!"

──Unlike the uniformed figure from earlier, Yuuya-san, who was wearing the black armor that was placed in the room earlier, appeared and held me in the form of a… princess carry and kicked the black object away.

As I watched the figure in a daze, Yuuya-san asked me with an impatient look.

"Are you alright! Are you hurt?"

"Ah, y-yes…"

"Really? Well, I'll get this over within a minute, just give me a minute."

"Eh?"

"Night, Akatsuki. Protect Kaori."

"Woof!"

"Buhi!"

Yuuya-san said and slowly lowered me to the ground and instructed Night-san and Akatsuki-san to do so. However, the moment I was lowered to the ground, I felt a little lonely. I wish we had a little more time now… no, no, it's nothing.

As I was thinking about that, even though I felt it was a trivial matter, it seems that the black object I saw earlier was not alone, and a number of them appeared from the surrounding bushes.

"N-no way…"

"I'm sorry, I should have warned you in the beginning. …Unlike Earth, in this world, there are monsters who will mercilessly try to kill you."

"T-to kill…?"

"Yeah. Besides, the place where this house is located seems to be a particular place for those strong monsters… I should have told you properly before this happened."

While saying that, Yuuya-san made an apologetic expression and then quickly turned his head to the black objects.

"Well then… I'll finish it right away."

As he said that, Yuuya-san took out a spear from an empty space. The black object, which seemed to be watching to see how things would go with Yuuya-san's arrival, suddenly attacked Yuuya-san.

The speed is not something that I would be able to avoid by myself, and moreover, I could tell from the fact that the ground was gouged out at the moment of the jump that it was a tremendous impact.

But…

"Phew!"

Yuuya-san effortlessly received the attack with his spear, and then swept it away as if to let the pressure escape, and with that momentum, he fired a spinning kick at another individual.

The force of the attack was so great that the black object flew off in an instant. From then on, Yuuya-san was able to take advantage of the black object alone, and in the end, he defeated all the black objects.

Then the remnants of the black objects turned into particles of light, and afterward, some strange objects fell down.

…This must be Yuuya-san's true power. I realized once again, that until now, Yuuya-san's activities at school and other places had really suppressed his power.

As I watched in amazement as Yuuya-san stored his weapons in an empty space, Night-san and Akatsuki-san, who had been told to protect me, looked up at me with concern.

"Kyun…"

"Fugo?"

"…I'm sorry. I was just a little startled, but I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

"Woof!"

"Buhi!"

As I'm stroking them while thanking them both, Yuuya-san approaches me with a somewhat awkward expression on his face. Then he says to me with a look of having made up his mind about something.

"…Is it strange for me to kill a creature so easily, even if it's to survive in this world?"

Seeing Yuuya-san laughing sadly, I couldn't help but lose my temper and shout out.

"There's no way that's possible!"

"Eh?"

Then Yuuya-san's eyes widened as if he didn't expect my reaction. When I manage to calm myself down at the sight of him, I continue.

"…Yuuya-san has saved me again. That's all that matters."

"Ah…"

"As expected, nothing has changed about Yuuya-san. Since that day when we first met."

"…Thank you."

When I told him that again, Yuuya-san smiled shyly.

"…Well, let's go back to the house for now. It's not safe to stay here, you know."

Yuuya-san had said that in a cheerful tone as if to change the subject, and I asked him a question that I suddenly felt.

"Come to think of it… the house is in such a dangerous place, is it safe? I mean, the monsters can come on their own, right? Or if something like that comes in…"

"It's all right. The previous owner of this house is apparently an amazing person, and thanks to him, the monsters can't get past this fence and into the garden. And maybe it's not just monsters, but enemies… well, hostile people can't get in either, I guess."

"Wow… that's a lot more impressive than Earth's security equipment…"

Since there are always people from the security company in my house, I think the security measures are much stricter than in other people's houses, but even so, it is never a sure thing.

However, if Yuuya-san's words are true, there will be no more security companies in Japan if we can do the same thing.

Once again, I was reminded of the mysterious power of magic and skill in this world.

"Come to think of it, that outfit… it looks great on you!"

"R-really? Thank you. Like I said before, I wear it when I fight monsters and stuff in this world. It's still dangerous."

"Uhm… Yuuya-san used to fight as you did earlier…?"

Yuuya-san chuckles at my question.

"That's true. Because when you're looking around this world, you'll inevitably need a certain amount of self-defense. Besides… like the first time I met Kaori, being unable to do anything about it… is just painful."

"…I see."

Yuuya-san said he couldn't do anything about it, but I was very happy with the fact that he just took the initiative. But I thought that even if Yuuya-san said that, he would probably… continue to look for the best he could do.

Thinking like that, Yuuya-san smiled bitterly as he remembered something.

"Uh… well… it's selfish of me, but… I don't want you to tell anyone about this world."

"Eh? Y-you mean that's a secret between us…?"

"Well… I guess so?"

I couldn't stop myself from smiling naturally at Yuuya-san's words.

"It's okay! I won't tell anyone!"

"R-really?"

"Yes! …And since we're sharing our secrets with each other, I think it's fair to say that… we… have a special relationship…?"

"Eh?"

"Ah, i-it's nothing! Yes!"

"I-is that so? …Well, let's just go back for now. We have some time to study for our tests."

"…Yes!"

This is the reason why I've come to know one of Yuuya-san's secrets, and I feel that I've gotten a little closer to him.