Chapter 3: Childhood Friend

The Griffon’s lethal claws bore down on me. In a few seconds, they would tear me apart.

I knew I wouldn’t die from the strike. In fact, at this range, I could have easily countered. But my experiences in that other world—those memories—made my body feel heavy and sluggish. Jumping out had been a foolish move; if I had just abandoned the child, I would have been safe. I wouldn't have had to use my power at all. I could have just run away and remained a bystander.

I only had two choices: defeat it or take the hit. There was no time to deliberate. I just had to choose.

"—Reima!"

I heard Mom’s voice. It sounded like she was on the verge of tears. Seeing her face made my thoughts freeze even more.

You idiot. There’s no point in all this if I just make them worry again.

I made a split-second decision. If I could use magic, then... I spoke the words.

"[Summon]!"

I didn't have time to designate a specific target. I just needed one of my contractors to show up. A shadow leaped from the magic circle in my hand. I felt a familiar presence and a sudden, biting chill. The environment transformed in an instant as the cold overflowed.

"[Shihyou]."

I felt the trace of a different spell from somewhere else, and the Griffon froze solid. A third party had intervened. This was bad. I immediately gave an order to the being I’d just called.

Sorry. I can’t explain right now, but hide.

I looked ahead. The monster had become an ice statue in an instant. It looked as if it had been made of ice from the very beginning. Within seconds, it shattered into pieces.

"That technique just now..."

"It's the Ice Princess! The Ice Princess is here!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, praising her arrival.

"Um... are you okay?"

I was still shielding the child, stunned, when a girl with white hair approached me. Her hair was as white as fresh snow, and her eyes were a deep red—she reminded me of a rabbit. Her face was strangely familiar. It tugged at the edges of my memory.

While I was trying to place her, the girl’s red eyes suddenly widened.

"—Reima? Why are you here?"

She spoke my name with a look of pure, unadulterated shock.

"Thank you, Ayane-chan. Thank you for saving Reima!"

"It was the natural thing to do. I'm just glad you're safe too, Soya-san."

We were away from the scene now, the incident with the monster escaping the Dungeon having been suppressed. Dad was thanking the white-haired girl. She looked troubled, glancing at me repeatedly while she accepted his gratitude.

Master, when should I come out?

The telepathy came from my Summoned Beast, who was still hiding.

Sorry... stay hidden a bit longer. This box—the car—is going to move soon. Just follow us.

Understood, Master.

I looked at the girl again. Ayane. The name finally clicked. She was Ayane Yukisaki, my childhood friend. The last person I’d seen before I vanished to the other world.

"Soya-san... so Reima really did wake up."

"Yeah. I was planning on letting you see him once we got home."

"I couldn't wait... but I'm glad I came."

She smiled. She had grown since I last saw her, but it was definitely her. The sight of her—unchanged except for the fact that she could now use magic—only made the sense of wrongness I’d been feeling since I woke up grow stronger.

"Hey, Reima... it's been a long time."

"..................I'm sorry."

While being tormented by the premonition I’d been carrying all along, I offered a short apology.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Sorry, Ayane-chan... there's something we haven't told you yet," Dad started. "Reima is currently—"

"I'll tell her, Dad." I cut him off. "Look... I have amnesia. I don't know who you are."

I didn't want to say it to her. But until I figured out what was going on with this world—and because I’d already committed to the lie—I had to stick with it for my parents' sake.

"You're... joking, right? Is that true?"

Her voice trembled, a complete shift from a moment ago. When Dad nodded solemnly, Ayane looked down, her expression pained.

"I see... sorry for being so familiar. I'm Ayane. Ayane Yukisaki. I'm your childhood friend."

The guilt gnawed at me. I hated making her say that, but I had to maintain the act for now.

"Anyway... Soya-san, you're heading home now, right? Can I hitch a ride?"

"Of course, but... are you sure you're up for it?"

"Yeah. Just knowing Reima is alive is enough for me."

An awkward silence settled over us as we got into the car. We drove home without another word.