Chapter 139: Encounter with the Girl in the Straw Hat

"I’m satisfied," Tsubaki declared, a look of utter contentment on her face.

"Our wallets..." Shiki groaned.

"My first day's allowance... gone..." Kaiser added.

When Ayane and I finally regrouped with our Summoned Beasts, we were met with the sight of Tsubaki stroking her stomach with a serene smile, while my best friend and Kaiser looked like they’d just witnessed the end of the world.

I pulled Laura aside to ask what had happened. Apparently, the three of them had engaged in some simple game where the winner's total expenses were covered by the losers. Shiki and Kaiser had lost spectacularly, and a staggering amount of cash had vanished into Tsubaki’s stomach.

"What exactly did those two do?" I asked.

"They were idiots," Laura replied flatly. "They challenged Tsubaki to rock-paper-scissors. There’s no way they could beat her kinetic vision."

"Does that even count as rock-paper-scissors anymore?"

"Laura and I do it all the time," Tsubaki chimed in. "It’s movement-prediction rock-paper-scissors."

What kind of high-level nonsense is that?

Given Tsubaki’s physical specs, I didn't doubt she could pull it off. And if someone asked if Laura was the type to engage in such things, the answer was a definite yes, so it wasn't exactly out of character. I just had serious doubts about whether they were actually playing the same game as the rest of humanity.

"Seriously, what are you guys even doing?" I sighed.

"I... I don't even know anymore," Shiki muttered.

"It was a festival," Kaiser whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I thought a little game would be fun. I was wrong. So very wrong..."

I didn't know what to say to my friends as they stood there radiating pure melancholy. I settled for a half-hearted "Don't let it get to you."

"Oh, right. What were you two up to, Reima?" Shiki asked, trying to shake off his despair.

"Just walking around. We hit the shooting gallery."

"Figures. Is that why Ayane’s lugging that massive box?"

"I haven't seen what's inside yet, but I'm excited," Ayane said, hugging the prize. "It’s so big, I can’t wait to find out."

I was curious too, but we couldn't exactly unbox it in the middle of this crowd. I figured I'd ask her for a photo of it later. For a moment, I simply watched them all laugh and bicker.

They were having fun, playing without a care in the world.

It was a slice of daily life I’d long since resigned myself to never tasting again in the other world. This was a parallel world where Dungeons existed, yet moments like these were remarkably peaceful.

"...This is nice," I breathed.

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Strictly speaking, I shouldn't have been thinking like that. To this world, I was an anomaly. A foreign object. I was merely borrowing the body of the Reima who belonged here.

The days leading up to this mundane moment had been incredibly intense. I’d only spent about two months in this world, but these people were my companions. They were precious friends I wanted to stay with.

But... I have to give it back, don't I?

It was a thought I tried to suppress every single day. My goals were clear: find a place where my Summoned Beasts could live in peace, and then return this body to the original Reima. That was the only reason I was pushing myself so hard.

As I wrestled with my conscience, Ayane looked over at me.

"Something wrong, Reima?"

"No... nothing. I'm just gonna go grab some drinks."

I slipped away before she could notice the crack in my expression, or worse, see right through me. I headed toward the coolers near the entrance, but then I found myself wanting to be alone. I kept walking until I reached the deserted edge of the shore.

"God, this is exhausting," I muttered to nobody.

I slumped down with my back against the breakwater. I knew my exit had been blatant, but I couldn't stand the thought of them worrying about me. Negative thoughts swirled in my head, refuse in an eddy.

I try not to let it get to me, but still...

It was a reality I eventually had to face. Everyone else was kind enough not to blame me, which made it easy to forget, but the truth always came clawing back in moments of silence.

The person who was supposed to be standing here, enjoying this festival, was the other Reima.

"It’s a bit of a waste to wear such a gloomy face during a summer festival, don't you think?"

"Gah! Cold!"

I was so deep in my own head that I didn't notice someone approaching until something icy was pressed against my cheek. I jumped, startled, and looked up to see a girl standing there. She wore a straw hat that shadowed her face, but her eyes—a striking gold—seemed to glow even in the darkness. Her hair was a deep indigo-violet, a shade close to cyan.

"...Who are you?" I asked, still shaken. Her gaze was piercing, like a pair of jewels that could see straight into my soul.

"I’m the Straw Hat Big Sister. Nice to meet you."

"That doesn't tell me anything."

"Heh heh. Your affection level isn't high enough yet, so my name is still locked. Sorry!"

"You don't have affection levels with total strangers."

"Ah, good point. That's a bit of a blind spot," she conceded, waving a hand dismissively. "Anyway, putting that aside... why is a boy like you all alone on a night like this?"

"Why do you care?"

We were in a secluded corner of Enoshima. The sun had set, and the veil of night had draped itself over the island. I couldn't fathom why she’d gone out of her way to leave the crowd just to pester a moping guy.

"Hmm. I was just taking a walk and saw a lonely-looking boy. I’m not the type to just leave you like that, so I thought I’d listen to your story."

"I'm going back to my friends soon. Don't worry about it."

"No can do. If you go back with a face that miserable, it’d be an insult to the festival."

"...You’re weird."

"Hey! That’s mean!"

I hadn't intended to say that out loud, but she slumped her shoulders with exaggerated hurt the moment the words left my lips.

"I’m wounded. I don't think I can recover unless you tell me what’s wrong... So, out with it. I’ll listen to whatever you’ve got. Gripes, groans, anything."

"You’re way too pushy..."

It had been a long time since I’d dealt with someone this assertive. It was clear she was an extreme meddler—a "do-gooder" in the truest sense. I mean, who else would spend their festival time trying to solve a stranger's problems in the middle of nowhere?

Besides, she didn't look like she was going to leave until I spoke. For some reason, I felt like I could actually trust her.

"Fine. It’s a bit heavy for someone I just met, but... I’m wondering if I really have the right to be with my friends."

"And why wouldn't you?"

"Because... well, I’m not the one who’s supposed to be here. There’s someone else who’s a better fit for my place."

The words felt clumsy. I wasn't used to baring my soul, and I couldn't quite articulate the nuances of my situation. The moment I said it, I regretted it. It was definitely too heavy for casual conversation.

"Hmm. Well, I’m not one of those friends, so I can’t give you a definitive answer," she said thoughtfully. "But let me ask you one thing: Is your friend the kind of person who would actually say that to you?"

"No," I answered immediately. "They definitely wouldn't."

"Then I think you should just believe in them. Besides... do you actually want to leave them?"

I felt a sharp jolt in my chest.

I’d already decided I would give this body back one day. But that didn't mean I had a reason to distance myself right now.

She’s right.

The others had told me it was okay for me to be there. They were the kind of people who would get angry on my behalf.

"Hehe. There we go. Your face looks a lot clearer now," she said with a satisfied nod. "Now, you should get back. I’m sure your friends are waiting."

"Yeah... Thanks. That actually helped. Uh... can I ask again? Who are you?"

"I suppose if you’re that curious, I can’t help it. My name is Levi. Since we didn't have enough affection points to unlock it properly, you’ll have to make up the difference tomorrow."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I listened to your story, didn't I? As payment, you’re going to walk around the festival with me tomorrow."

I stared at her, wondering what "affection compensation" could possibly entail, only to be hit with that. It felt a bit lopsided. She’d offered to listen, but now she was demanding a fee?

"Why me?"

"Just consider it my reward. Deal with it."

"You really are a weirdo."

"Again! Why are you so cruel!?"

Still, she had taken a weight off my shoulders. It felt wrong to just take her help for free, anyway. I gave her my word. And just like that, my plans for the second day of the festival were set. I was spending it with her.