Perhaps it was because of my talk with Acht, but I found it much easier to converse with the others after that.
I felt a twinge of guilt leaving all the cooking to Ein, but she was incredible. Whenever I threw a topic her way, she would join the conversation seamlessly, all while perfectly managing the grill and keeping everyone’s drinks topped off. After a while, I simply stopped trying to figure out how she did it and enjoyed the food.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the veil of night draped over the landscape, magic tools floating in the air began to glow. I watched with fascination as the magical light dyed our surroundings in a bright, warm hue without ever feeling blinding. While I was preoccupied with the display, Noin approached me.
"You seem to have settled in quite well with everyone, Miyama-san."
"Yeah, they’re all wonderful people. Ein-san and Zex-san are a bit hard to pin down, but Raz-san and Acht are very easy to talk to."
"Hehe, I can see that. I suppose the timing is right, then."
"Hm?"
Noin spoke in that same unnaturally high-pitched voice, then murmured something softly to herself after hearing my response.
I tilted my head, wondering what she meant by "timing," when she turned toward me and said something that left me speechless.
"...How is Japan faring these days? I imagine the Emperor has changed and the era has a new name by now?"
"What—!?"
She spoke the word "Japan" as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But more than that, Noin knew about the Emperor.
Could it be that she was... no, she had to be...
"It’s just as you suspect. I, too, was once summoned to this world from Japan. Though I suppose I should say I’m an 'ex-Japanese' person now."
"Is that... true?"
"It’s only natural that you’re surprised. That’s why I stayed silent until you grew comfortable with the atmosphere here."
As I stood there, stunned into silence, Noin reached up to the full-faced helmet covering her features. With a touch, the metal dissolved into black smoke, revealing the face of a woman with glossy, long black hair and eyes of the same deep hue.
She was a quintessential Japanese beauty, possessing a grace and loveliness that fit the term Yamato Nadeshiko perfectly. She looked to be roughly my age, but she carried an undeniable aura of strength.
"I should introduce myself properly. I was a student in Taisho-era Japan when I was summoned to this world. I eventually refused to return to my original world, and through Chrome-sama’s power, I was reincarnated from a human into a demon. To you, Miyama-san, I suppose I am a figure from a distant past."
"The Taisho era..."
Thinking about it, I realized that such a possibility should have been obvious. Hero Summonings had been occurring for a thousand years. By a simple estimate, around a hundred people had been brought here in the role of the Hero. It wasn't strange at all to think that some might have chosen to stay.
"Oh, please don't worry. I may be from the Taisho era, but the nature of the Summoning Magic Circle allows you to return to your world at the exact moment you left, even after a year has passed. Even if you miss that window, the Creator God can send you back if you ask. In that case, a little time will have passed back home, but it won't be decades all at once. My situation is unique because I was summoned hundreds of years ago."
"..."
"I understand if this is a lot to take in. I felt the same when I first arrived."
Noin’s voice was no longer that strange, high-pitched tone; it was now a calm, steady womanly voice. When I failed to find the words to respond, she gave me a knowing smile.
"As I said, I'm a special case. But since I'm technically your senior in terms of being summoned, I thought I might be able to answer some of your questions."
"I... I see..."
Noin continued in a gentle tone, sharing her own experiences with me.
She told me about the sheer confusion of suddenly being thrust into another world, the cultural clashes, and the various things that had been introduced to this world from Japan since her arrival. She shared so much.
Hearing from a predecessor who had actually lived through a Hero Summoning was incredibly helpful for my own future. Before I knew it, I was hanging on her every word, completely losing track of time.
Once she finished her story, Noin stood up from her chair and smiled warmly.
"I still don't know if I've managed to fill the void that was inside me. But... I did find the 'treasure' my heart was searching for in this world. I'm certain you can find yours, too, Miyama-san. You might be lost or confused right now, but please, try to enjoy this one year."
"...I will."
At those words, it clicked. The person Kuro had mentioned—the one who was like me—must have been Noin. And Noin had found what she was looking for. That was why she had chosen to stay and become a demon.
I realized then that her coming here today to share her story was likely another gentle gift from Kuro. It was a subtle bit of guidance for me, someone who still didn't have answers for his own feelings.
I don't know what lies ahead for me. I don't know if I'll find something I want to do or if I'll reach the end of the year still empty-handed. I couldn't find those answers today. But seeing Noin’s certain, unhesitating smile, I felt a small spark of hope... a wish that I could one day smile like that too.
I set my cup down and stood up, scanning the area. I found the person I was looking for immediately.
She had been wandering around with a skewer in hand, chatting with everyone until a moment ago, but now she had moved away from the group to sit by the edge of the flowing river.
I knew instinctively that she was waiting for me. There was an open space right next to her, and the others seemed to have sensed the mood, as no one else was approaching.
"...Wait, why is there a tatami mat here?"
"Hmm? It's that thing, right? Wasabi!"
"I think you mean... wabi-sabi?"
"Oh? Was I close?"
The sight of a tatami mat on a riverbank felt absurd, but it was a bit late to start questioning things now.
I felt a smile tug at my lips at Kuro’s usual antics. I followed her lead as she patted the spot next to her and sat down.
The sound of the river was peaceful, accompanied by the faint scent of leaves in the air. The atmosphere was so quiet and calm it was hard to believe how rowdy it had been just minutes before.
"Is it... about time?"
"Huh?"
As Kuro whispered those words, the magical lights went out. For a heartbeat, the world went pitch black, but it was immediately replaced by a different kind of glow.
"Whoa..."
It was an ethereal sight. On the opposite bank, every single leaf on the trees began to emit a soft, pale light. It looked as if the entire forest had been illuminated from within.
"The trees around here are called Light Trees. They slowly absorb magic power from the air and glow about once a month."
"It's incredible. I don't even know what to say... it’s just overwhelming."
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
The light wasn't harsh or piercing; it was a gentle, flickering glow, much like fireflies. Reflected in the surface of the river, it felt as if we were floating in a sea of stars.
"With a view like this, this place must be incredibly popular."
"Oh, it's a huge hit. But I pulled some strings behind the scenes to reserve the whole place for us!"
"Wow, you sound like a real villain when you put it that way."
"Ahaha!"
Looking at the scenery, I could easily believe this was a famous tourist spot. Kuro might look flighty, but she was surprisingly shrewd. I didn't know how she’d pulled it off, but apparently, the place was all ours.
Well, she did have connections with the chairman of a massive trading company. She could probably do anything she set her mind to. It struck me all over again just how powerful she was. I wondered if I should start using formal speech with her.
"Muu, I'll be upset if you stop talking to me like you always do!"
"...Understood."
"Good."
"Hahaha."
Apparently, my thoughts were written all over my face again. Kuro puffed out her cheeks in a cute pout. She really was adorable.
But more than that... this was nice. This kind of conversation was so relaxing. It felt as though all the tension and fatigue were finally draining out of my shoulders.
"...Kuro, thank you."
"Hmm?"
"You know, for taking so much care of me."
"I'm just doing what I want to do, okay?"
"Even so, I wanted to say it properly."
"I see... Then, you're welcome, I guess?"
The silence that followed wasn't awkward at all; it was peaceful and comfortable.
"Hup!"
"Eh? Wait—!?"
Just as I was losing myself in the gentle atmosphere, Kuro pulled me down with strength I wouldn't have expected from her small frame. Before I could process what was happening, I felt something soft beneath my head and lost the ability to speak.
It took me a second to realize I was in a lap pillow. Looking up at Kuro’s face, illuminated by the faint, magical light, I found myself holding my breath.
It wasn't her usual innocent, childlike grin. It was a smile full of—how should I put it?—motherly affection. Just by looking at me, she seemed to radiate a kindness that enveloped everything. That, combined with the warm, soft sensation of her lap...
"..."
Kuro didn't say a word. She simply stroked my hair with a gentle touch, that smile never wavering.
Even if she was much older than she looked, Kuro still had the appearance of a beautiful young girl. Normally, I would have been dying of embarrassment and scrambled to get up, but under the gaze of those golden eyes that seemed to see everything, I felt a sense of comfort that was like being hugged. I couldn't move.
"Is the fatigue starting to fade a little?"
"Eh?"
"You're a kind boy, Kaito-kun. You're always thinking about the people around you."
"..."
"Among the group summoned this time, you're the oldest. You felt like if you looked anxious, the others would get scared too, didn't you? You felt like you had to swallow your own fear and impatience and stay composed."
"..."
Ah, I should have known. Kuro really did see through everything.
I’d had a feeling. Ever since the moment we met, whenever I was about to spiral into overthinking, she would say something ridiculous to blow those thoughts away. Whenever I was feeling insecure, she would listen to my venting and validate me. That was why I felt so safe when I was with her.
"I think a person who can do that naturally is very cool. But you know, fatigue doesn't just pile up in your body; it settles in your heart too. Bit by bit, before you even notice it’s there."
"Maybe... you're right."
"Kaito-kun, did you have fun today?"
"Yeah. Between all the surprises and just being able to talk freely without worrying about appearances... it’s been a long time since I felt this relaxed. It’s all thanks to you, Kuro."
"I'm glad. That makes me happy too."
The faint, dreamlike light, the gentle touch on my head, and that smile full of unconditional love... Kuro was right. I had been carrying a lot of weight. Ever since I came to this world—no, maybe even long before that.
"Kaito-kun, just for now, even if it’s only for a little while... you can lean on me. Let yourself rest, okay? So you can give it your best again tomorrow."
"...Yeah."
Her voice was like a lullaby. With a profound sense of relief I couldn't put into words, my eyelids grew heavy.
I felt a warm touch, a sweet scent, and a voice that seemed to soak into my soul...
"It's okay. I'm right here with you..."
With those words ringing in my ears, my consciousness drifted toward the past and sank into a peaceful slumber.
Dear Mom, Dad—come to think of it, this might be the first time since I lost you both that I've truly been able to let someone take care of me...