Chapter 4: The Great Forest of Another World : Meal

　He was pushed down very easily.

　The pain was in the back of his head, but the sweet smell of Phyllis body was pressing down on him from above to ease the pain, which in turn made Sota feel strangely tense.

"Oh, um, ...?"

　Sota asked Phyllis, who was once more astride him, with reserve.

Ah, ...."

"oooo, I'm sorry!　I didn't know you were a man!　Oh, no, it's true!　Oh, I'm an unfit knight of the kingdom to straddle a man. ...　Oh, I'm so sorry ...!"

"No, no, no need to apologise so much,.... I was surprised because I didn't know that you were skilled in self-defence.　I'm afraid it's my poor treatment. ..."

"What?　Ah, ah ... Wa, I'm fine, but ...."

　Phyllis was horrified by Sota sincerity as she answered.

　No wonder. A woman with a shallow and intense sexual appetite is an object of scorn for men, but she can't help licking his body with her lustful gaze.

　The man hates the woman and the woman is hungry for the man body.

　In this world where such relationships are the norm, Sota fresh and gentlemanly manner is nothing but uncomfortable for Phyllis.

　However, Sota smile to Phyllis is carefree and not at all calculating.

　Phyllis was, to put it bluntly, confused.

"Oh, no, I'm ...."

"Please wait a moment. I'll talk to you about it over dinner."

　Sota said that much and walked out of the cave.

　Phyllis is motionless, with her thoughts stopped. No, she cannot move.

　This was her first dinner with a man in such a forest.

"I'm sorry ... I really am a fool for letting a man cook for me ...."

　While accepting the paper plate, Phyllis uttered the line as if repenting.

　 He was not the most popular man in Japan, but he was not actually unattractive either.

　With his clean-cut appearance and friendly smile, Sota was often liked by men and women of all ages.

　However, because of his shyness, the opposite sex regarded him as someone they would be happy to go out with, but would prefer to keep by their side as a good friend.

　That is why he has such fresh feelings for Phyllis, who stands up to him as a man and is depressed that she has to cook for him as a woman. It is a somewhat anachronistic offer for him, but the presence of a woman - and such a beautiful one at that - who sees him as a man is embarrassing.

　However, Phyllis regrets were somewhat different from Sota.

　She does not regret the anachronistic value that women should cook ....

　She is shocked that she has allowed a man to handle the "fire".

　As mentioned before, the Kingdom of Vedna treats men as sacred.

　They do not allow them to carry fire or knives, or even baggage, and there is a tradition of keeping danger as far away from men as possible so that they can spend their time in comfort. If a man is injured, or even killed in an accident, it is a great loss to the country. It is not something that can be compensated for with money.

　It is up to men to impregnate women and to use them as sleeves. That is why women from the kingdom do not give men a hard time. It is common knowledge that ....

(My fool. ...!　What a blunder to make men do the cooking ...!　Aaahhh, my own lack of consideration due to my virginity stench is foolish ...!)

　Phyllis kept apologising to Sota.

　The two people, who have lived in too many different cultures and worlds, bowed to each other as if they were competing to see how low each other's heads would go.

The two of them bowed down to each other as if they were competing with each other for the lowest head.

"I'm going to eat porridge now," he said.

"I made it for you. You must be hungry, right?""

"Ugh ... thanks ... I even pushed you down ..."

"I was surprised at how fluent you speaking Nihongo"

"...Nihongo?　What's that?　I'm using a common Gertian language, but ... your language is also Gertian, isn't it?"

"Eh, but Japanese ... eh?"

　Phyllis tilts her head slightly.

　Sota was confused by the unfamiliar word Gertian language.

"Do you know Japan? ...."

"Sorry, .... Is it a country?　This is a large forest located to the west of the Kingdom of Vedna on the continent of Gertia. ... I was more curious as to why you are here? And that too, alone, a man. ..."

(... Gertia continent ...?　Kingdom ...?How can that be ... no, ...)

　Phyllis, whose brow is wrinkled, is seriously listening to Sota's story. It doesn't look as if he is joking or playing around.

"Actually, the boat got caught in a storm and I came here ... adrift. So it's like what the ...."

　The first time the two were together, they were both in the same boat.

Don't worry, Phyllis Aigur will be responsible for taking you back to Royal Capital. I am sure that the princess will give you a warm welcome."

(Ah, she must think I'm a poor guy with a head injury and a muddled memory. ...)

　Sota feels unfulfilled towards Phyllis, who nods his head yes.

(... but what if Phyllis is right and this is neither Japan nor Earth, but the Kingdom of Vedna in another world?)

　Sota cannot yet guess whether it is true or false.

(Suppose ... it's another world, what should ... I do?)

　The taste of salt porridge, which you eat vaguely, vaguely and anxiously, was not like that at all.

　For the time being, I've just made up my mind to listen to this woman Phyllis - and I've just decided to listen to her.

"... not good."

　--Phyllis's tense voice echoed in Sota's eardrums.

　For a moment, Sota wondered if the porridge tasted bad, but apparently not.

　Phyllis whispered to Sota in a low voice: "Did you put out the fire?" He nodded.

"Damn it, ...."

　Phyllis expression is distorted in anguish.

　It was long after Phyllis had noticed that Sota could hear the sound of Imperial soldiers marching.