A shoreline somewhere.
A vast blue sky stretched overhead, and the ocean shimmered just a short distance away.
There was a road paved with asphalt and standard traffic signs. Rest sat on a bench at a bus stop, listening to the rhythmic pulse of the tide and the distant cries of gulls.
"Man, takoyaki really hits the spot. Hey, can you make me Hiroshimayaki next time?"
"...Forget it. That’s too much work."
Sitting beside him on the bench was a girl in a familiar sailor uniform—Shoko Sanada. Rest glared at her with half-lidded eyes as she made her shameless request.
"Your villagers pestered me into making a mountain of takoyaki," he grumbled. "My fingers are still sore from all the flipping."
"Then use your healing magic. That’s your specialty, isn't it?"
Shoko let out a cheerful, trilling laugh and produced a plastic bottle of cola. When she twisted the cap, the beverage let out the sharp hiss unique to carbonated drinks, and white foam fizzed up inside the container.
"You can eat whatever you want in a dream... but in the end, a dream is all it is. It lacks substance. It’s just not satisfying."
After drinking about half the bottle, Shoko handed it to him. He took a swallow, and it was exactly as she said. It had the nostalgic flavor of soda, yet it felt hollow, somehow flavorless.
It was a dream. Yes... only a dream.
This was Rest's dream world, a space shaped by his own psyche. In reality, the woman named Shoko Sanada did not exist. Both she and the Queen Dowager were long dead.
"Still, I'm glad you made the takoyaki," Shoko continued. "I tried to make it back when I was alive, but I never could get it right. It looks simple, but it’s actually pretty tricky, right?"
"I don't think it requires that much technique... You were probably just clumsy."
"Hey, that's mean! If you're going to be like that, I won't share my special tip with you!"
"Special tip?"
"Curious, are we? Well, I guess I can’t help myself. I’ll tell you, just for my dear Rest."
"..."
How irritating.
Feeling a prickle of annoyance, Rest merely gestured with his eyes for her to get on with it.
"You're looking for ingredients to serve at your housewarming party, right? If so... how about Diamond Bear?"
"Diamond... Bear?"
He assumed it was some kind of bear. He’d heard that bear paws were considered a luxury ingredient, but he didn't have much of an appetite for it.
"The Diamond Bear is a monster that lives in the eastern reaches of the kingdom. It’s not exactly a common ingredient, but it became quite the topic of conversation after Margrave Lavender presented it to the Royal Family as a tribute. I had some myself once. It has a unique flavor—nothing like what you’d expect from a bear."
"Huh... I didn't know such a thing existed."
"You're quite close with the daughter of the Margrave Lavender house, aren't you? Why not ask her about it?"
"..."
She was likely referring to Ulula Lavender. He was certainly on good terms with her. Just recently, they had descended into a centipede nest together, and for some reason, he had even promised to give her a ring.
"I suppose I could ask her."
He hadn't decided on his next move yet anyway. He’d never tasted bear meat—even in his previous life—and the idea piqued his interest.
"All right... I think I'll head for the Margrave Lavender territory next."
"Good luck. Just make sure that while you're looking for food, you don't end up getting eaten yourself! Hehe!"
"...?"
As Shoko broke into a mischievous, knowing grin, Rest could only look back at her with a thoroughly puzzled expression.