The Man In Glasses

We spent most of our free time in this world, with Charlotte buying even more things for me. It was mostly more clothes, but she did buy me food as well. It was a strange feeling to eat for the first time, but just like the alcohol I had before, the flavor of the food she had me try made me go for more. Charlotte however, looked at me with a bitter-sweet smile. I tried to offer her the food, but she dismissed that idea, saying that she won't be able to taste it anyways, keeping a smile on her face as she watches me eat. For some reason though, I felt conflicted whether it was actually okay for me to enjoy this food, knowing that Charlotte can't enjoy it like I can. So after taking a few more bites, I stopped eating and we proceeded to make our way back home.

"You know you didn't have to leave that early." Of course Charlotte, seeing that I didn't finish my food, would be a bit concerned about it though.

"I just didn't want to be the only one enjoying it..."

"Well, we can't help it, hehe. Besides, it was fun enough for me to watch you eat." She says that, yet I can still recall her face when we were sitting at the table...

"Anyways, did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes!"

"Hehe, that's good. I'll let Lisa know the good news about your training."

Soon enough, we arrive back inside her auntie's place, however she's nowhere to be seen. So instead, we slowly make our way into the room with the magic circle before once again, Charlotte takes my hand in hers and my surroundings begin to distort once more.

However, thanks to Charlotte telling me about the difference between this world and the other world, I pay close attention to the air around me. And the moment I do so, I feel as though the air around me is a bit heavier.

"You feel it?"

"Yeah... It's a little bit harder to breathe."

"Mhmm. You only really notice it the moment we switch worlds. Your body will get used to it pretty quickly." Even as she explains that, I start to feel the air begin to feel a bit more normal. So my body's already accustomed to it this quickly? "See? You feel better, right?"

"Yes."

"-Hahh! Like I said, we're still in the process of training her." Suddenly, I hear Lisa's voice coming though the door. Her voice is muffled but it does seem like she's talking with someone. Charlotte and I both gingerly open the door before making our way to where Lisa is.

It was then that we stumbled upon Lisa, who looks as though she's not wearing any pants, only wearing a long shirt that reaches her knees. But in front of her just outside the front door was a man. He's much taller than Lisa, wearing a white suit with glasses over his eyes. Despite him smiling, I get an unpleasant feeling when I look at him.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, the man notices us as his eyes focus in on me. "Ahh~ There you are."

"Ch-Charlotte? You two are back?" Noticing the man's gaze, Lisa turns around, spotting the both of us. But in the next moment, taking advantage of Lisa being distracted, the man walks past her, making his way inside, walking straight to us. "H-hey!"

I'm not sure why I feel this intense pressure, but he continues to make his way slowly towards us. I end up grabbing hold of Charlotte's hand by reflex as I take a step back, away from the man. Charlotte having noticed this, steps forward, putting herself between me him.

"You're fine right there. Don't take another step." Charlotte's words were sharp as she gently held my hand while I peek out from behind her.

"My my, what's with all this hostility?" His voice sounds nice on the surface, but that only makes me feel more conflicted.

"Hey!" Suddenly, coming up from behind, Lisa forcefully grab him by the shoulder. "I don't know how you found this place, but I need you to leave."

"But the girl is right here is she not? She looks good enough to me." What in the world does his words mean? I'm good enough? "Besides. Do you really want to take that tone with me, Major?" His smile refused to leave his face, but as he turned his head to the side, looking at Lisa, she slowly let go of his shoulder with a displeased look.

"Good. Now I believe you did say a week, did you not?"

"Yes, but it's only been two days. You're far too early for-"

"Oh but it has. I do recall you saying 'one week' to me during that meeting. You didn't specify the details." His words only seemed to upset both Lisa and Charlotte, which seemed to have only made the man more pleased as I notice the corners of his mouth rise ever so slightly.

"Now, if you don't mind. I'll be taking the girl-"

Suddenly, as the man was reaching towards me, Charlotte, in a blink of an eye, grabbed hold of the man's wrist, stopping it in it's tracks. The man however didn't flinch in the slightest, keeping his composure, almost like he anticipated it.

"Ohh?"

"Charlotte!" Lisa suddenly raises her voice at the sight of the two of them. She almost looks panicked in a way as I start looking between both Charlotte and the man.

"I don't answer to you. You're not taking her."

"Oh trust me, I'm not just taking her. You're coming as well. Isn't that right, Major?"

The Major falls silent as Charlotte continues to hold the man by his wrist. Just what is going on? What does he mean that he's taking Charlotte and I away?

"So be it." Charlotte utters those words as she lets go of my hand.