In a park tucked away from the main streets, I’d come across a woman dancing. I had introduced myself to her—a woman who claimed to be a friend of a friend of Raz-san—and when I asked for her name in return, she somehow interpreted it as a formal marriage proposal.
…I didn’t understand her logic at all. I didn't think there was anything strange about my behavior. I had simply introduced myself first, then asked for her name. That was really all there was to it.
…Wait, hold on.
Certainly, in my world, asking for someone’s name didn't equate to a proposal. But that didn't necessarily mean it was a universal truth. Based on her connection to Raz-san and the characteristics of her magic power—which I’d finally started to recognize a bit lately—it was highly likely that this woman was a Demon.
Demons were incredibly diverse, and different races meant different cultures. In other words, it wouldn't be unusual for a specific race to have a custom where asking a name served as a proposal!
"I’m sorry for my lack of research," I said. "I asked for your name based on my own common sense, but I take it you belong to a race where that constitutes a proposal?"
"A shocking revelation… in other words, there really are races with such strange customs. The world is a vast place… in other words, I thought I’d lived a long time, but that’s the first I’ve ever heard of that."
"……"
So that wasn't it either?! Then what was it? If that wasn't the case, the only remaining explanation for her misunderstanding was… that this woman was just a little eccentric.
I had no idea how to handle this. Just as I was about to give up on the name entirely, the woman gave a soft, quiet chuckle.
"An apology… in other words, that was meant to be a light joke. I’m sorry for confusing you. A total lack of talent… in other words, I seem to have no sense of humor. This has happened several times before… in other words, I’ve failed to make people realize I was joking on multiple occasions."
"Huh? It… it was a joke?"
I’d felt a strangely joyful emotion radiating from her, so I guess she really was just teasing me. Rather than a lack of sense, I suspected the real problem was her cool, composed expression; it made it impossible to tell when she was being serious.
But why the sudden joke? Just as that question crossed my mind, she moved her hand with a swift, unexpected motion, lightly touching my temple with her index finger.
"A small furrow between your brows… in other words, I’ve detected a bit of stress. Relaxation is paramount… in other words, you looked tired, so I thought you might unwind if I lightened the mood. Sadly, a failure… in other words, I momentarily forgot my own lack of comedic timing."
It seemed her sudden joke had been an attempt to help me relax because I looked exhausted. Now that she mentioned it, after meeting several members of the Ten Demons in such quick succession, I probably was a little drained.
"A formal introduction once more… in other words, my name is Erial. A pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, yes. Likewise. Um, is it alright if I call you Erial-san?"
"A nickname is also acceptable… in other words, something like E-chan would be fine too. No prior record… in other words, I’ve never actually been called that before, though."
"……I’ll stick with Erial-san."
She was a truly unique person. She wasn't exactly 'natural' in the usual sense, but she felt as elusive as a cloud.
"A question… in other words, I’m sorry to ask right after introducing myself, but may I ask Kaito a question?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Gratitude… in other words, thank you. An errand… in other words, a friend asked me to do some shopping, so I came to the Sinfonia Royal Capital. Currently a lost child… in other words, I’m not familiar with the geography here, and I don’t really know where the shop I’m looking for is. Requesting rescue… in other words, I have a map, so I’d like you to tell me the way if you know it."
Erial-san pulled out a slip of paper that looked like a memo, so I checked the address.
"…It’s a bit of a distance from here. I haven’t been there much myself, but it’s on a fairly large street, so I have a general idea of where it is. If you’d like, I can guide you there."
"Extremely helpful… in other words, I would be grateful for the assistance."
It was too far to explain easily with words, and since I didn't have any other plans, I volunteered to lead the way. As we left the park and walked down the street, I engaged in light conversation with her.
"…By the way, why were you dancing back there, Erial-san?"
Her dance had been magnificent, but the connection between being lost and dancing escaped me. Erial-san nodded once before offering an explanation.
"Got lost… in other words, I was a lost child and didn't know what to do. A lack of means to break the deadlock… in other words, I didn't know anyone familiar with the geography, so my hands were tied. The only remaining option was to dance… in other words, most things in life can be resolved if you just dance, so that's what I was doing."
"…No, wait! The logic doesn't follow at all! That wouldn't solve anything!"
Some kind of outrageous theory was being unfolded. I understood the part about being lost and having no options. Being in an unfamiliar place is unsettling, and sometimes you don't even know who to ask for help.
However, how that led to "Okay, time to dance" was an absolute mystery. Besides, she had been inside a magical barrier in that park, so the odds of her dancing causing someone to appear and help were nearly zero.
"The results prove the theory… in other words, look at us now. Things have 'worked out' just fine."
"Ugh… w-well, when you put it like that… I suppose so."
She had a point. If I traced back the reason I was guiding her now, it was because I’d been captivated by her dance. In a way, her dancing really had solved the problem.
As I wrestled with a vague sense of dissatisfaction, Erial-san smiled with genuine amusement.
"Don't think too hard… in other words, sometimes it’s better to be spontaneous and go with the flow. A secret to enjoying each day… in other words, advice from your senior."
"How should I put it… you seem to be having fun."
"A fortuitous encounter… in other words, I’m glad to have met you, Kaito, even if it was by chance."
"I-Is that so…"
She really was a difficult person to pin down, especially when she said things that made me blush with such total composure. Still, if someone were to ask if she was a good person or a bad one, I was certain she was a good one.