"These are... letters... right?"

One day, after spending about a month listlessly since the mirror broke—

Endless regret.

Rage.

Hatred.

Frustration.

Pain.

Resignation.

Grief.

Emptiness...

I had been tossed about by every possible emotion until my brain felt scorched shut. I'd spent my time in a half-slumber, trying not to think, trying not to feel, just waiting for time to dull the edge of the ache.

Then, when I reached my hand through the mirror today, I was handed a stack of papers and a stone.

The papers were familiar—A4 copy paper, neatly folded into quarters.

The stone was about the size of a fist, transparent and raw, reminiscent of a quartz crystal.

A letter and a Spirit Stone.

Aurica had certainly been studying Japanese, but I didn't think she was at a level where she could write a full letter yet. And yet...

My fingers trembled as I hesitated to open it.

Honestly, I was afraid of what was written inside.

—We don't need you anymore.

—Dida-san is treating us well.

—We're fine without you.

—Goodbye.

If I found words like that... what would become of me?

Would I just give up, accepting it as inevitable?

Would I be able to wipe away every memory of that world and start over here with a fresh heart?

My hands shook as if they didn't belong to me. I pressed the letter against the floor, slowly peeling the folds back. My heart hammered against my ribs like a bell.

There's no way I could...

There's no way I could just forget them and move on so easily.

My hand stopped again.

I was afraid—cold fear creeping up my spine. Was what lay inside a salvation, or something else?

I believed in them, of course. But I couldn't bring myself to be optimistic—to think that everything was going well, or that they had found a way to fix the mirror. I could see their faces through the glass, after all; I could sense the atmosphere.

But "not reading it" wasn't an option. Because the one who wanted this letter more than anyone else... was me.

The letter from Aurica turned out to be lengthy—six full A4 pages that had once sat stacked in my room.

I could see the marks where she had erased and rewritten words over and over again.

I could feel the sheer effort she had put into every line.

"Aurica..."

I opened the letter.

To Danna-sama.

From Aurica.

—

I am sorry the letter is late.

I wanted to send it sooner, but it took a long time.

Everyone is doing well.

Diana-sama has lost a little weight, but I think when your reply comes, she will feel better.

Please reassure her.

The automaton that attacked you was in the basement. Shamash-san disabled it.

The merchant named Dida has been captured by Hetty-san.

Was it Dida who attacked you?

Rebecca-san and Hetty-san are searching for a way to repair the mirror.

They have also asked the Priestess-sama, so I think they will find something soon.

Shamash-san has restored the mansion's barrier.

It is stronger than before, and only we can enter.

She is also researching how to fix the mirror.

Marina-san is working hard at training every day.

Ion-san is training with her too.

Ah. I am sorry.

I forgot something very important.

The Knight Order's parade was a huge success!

A lot of people came.

There was so much cheering.

The mock battle and the badge ceremony went well.

Rebecca-san received several job offers.

Everyone looked so beautiful and cool.

I wish you could have seen it, Danna-sama.

The shop in Erishe is being properly maintained by Etowa-chan and Elepipi-san.

Etowa-chan and Elepipi-san are keeping the shop in Erishe going.

Inventory is running low soon, and Etowa-chan is worried about what to do next.

They say the new shop you rented will stay closed until you return, Danna-sama.

The blacksmith business is doing well, and customers have increased.

The tools you designed are being made and sold at the shop in Erishe.

Etowa-chan is doing a great job; even Rebecca-san praised her.

—

That's all the news from everyone.

Now, from me, to Danna-sama.

—

Danna-sama, I cannot see your face from here.

But Ion-san and Marina-san are truly worried.

I heard that ever since you were trapped in the mirror, you have been eating, but you never leave the mirror's side.

They said you are crying every day.

Just like Diana-sama, you are crying every day.

We are managing somehow.

If you don't feel better, Danna-sama, everyone will stay worried forever.

The mirror will be fixed for sure.

So please, cheer up.

I will cook delicious meals every day.

I will cook so that you can feel better.

I will write many letters too.

I am still studying Japanese, but the meaning comes through, right?

The Spirit Stone I sent—I received it from a spirit after achieving my Guidance.

You picked me up.

You healed my eyes.

Because of you, I finally became independent.

With this, I hope I can repay even a small part of what I owe you.

Of course, I am going to serve Danna-sama for a long, long time!

There's so much more I want to write, but I'll end here for today.

I'll be waiting for your reply. Then I'll write again.

I also have messages from everyone.

—

Marina-san

I will absolutely never leave you again.

So, for the rest of my life, while you're gone, I will train.

I want to see you soon.

This is the loneliest I have ever been in my life.

—

Rebecca-san

Jirou. Don't worry about things here.

We will definitely find a way to fix the mirror.

Please take care of your health.

And when you return—hold me again.

—

Hetty-san

I'm currently cornering Dida with my old comrades.

I'm using the walkie-talkies; they're very handy.

It seems Diana-sama was his true target, but underestimating us was his fatal mistake.

He probably thought killing Jirou-sama would force the guidance to correct itself. What a simplistic fool.

That man understands nothing of the human heart.

Jirou-sama.

Both Becky and I will surely save you.

And when we do, perhaps I'll ask for a kiss as a reward?

—

Shamash-san

The magic is not yet lost.

Do not abandon hope; wait for us. There must be a way.

Also... touch me once in a while too.

It gives me a little bit of courage.

—

Ion-san

I can tell by looking at the mirror that you aren't feeling well.

Each time you smile sadly from within it, my heart aches.

Please leave the mansion and Marina-san, who is pushing herself too hard, to me.

Please, rest assured.

I pray from the bottom of my heart that you regain your strength.

—

Etowa-chan

Boss, are you okay?

Me and everyone at the market are worried.

The shop is fine for now.

The fabric stock is getting low, but we are consulting with Dargos-san and gradually introducing new items.

Until you return, I will protect the shop no matter what.

But if you can restock us, I'd really appreciate it.

—

Elepipi-san

Cheer up.

Etowa and I are managing the shop.

I'm taking a break from Knight training, but I'm still running and swinging my sword.

My parents were so surprised to see me in my knight armor.

Come back soon, my Young Master.

—

Dargos-san

I finally finished a sample Japanese sword, but it's no fun without you here.

Next time, I'll have one of your people bring it, so give me your opinion.

I've also started working on various other interesting things.

So, get back here soon.

—

Shello-san

I don't get the complicated stuff, but I know you'll be fine.

Push through with guts!

—

Priestess-sama

As long as you have the Guidance of Le Baraka, the path is surely still connected.

There is meaning in why you were led to this world.

We are currently searching the Grand Temple archives.

We will surely find something soon.

Le Baraka is watching over you, so please, stay strong.

—

Diana-sama

Our fate is not yet sealed.

Believe in us.

I will always be by your side.

මම ඔබට සදාකාලික ආදරය කිරීමට දිවුරමි.

—

I read it.

I read it over and over.

I read it until the paper was crumpled.

My eyes burned, my nose stung, and tears began to overflow, refusing to stop.

Everyone was staying positive and moving forward. They were doing it for themselves—and for me.

The scheme I had feared from Dida had been easily avoided—and now they were the ones cornering him.

The parade was a success, too.

To my surprise, Rebecca-san had even secured actual contracts for the Knight Order.

I had discussed the possibility with the Mayor before, but I hadn't received a firm commitment, so I hadn't let myself hope for much.

They were still searching for a way to fix the mirror. Rebecca-san, Hetty-san, and the Priestess-sama were all on the case. Even Shamash-san had managed to restore the mansion's barrier.

The only part I couldn't read was Diana-sama's final message; it was written in their language. I'll just have to ask her what it says when I finally make it back.

Everyone believes I'm coming back.

They are counting on me.

If they can be that strong, I can't afford to sit here wallowing in self-pity forever.

"That's right..."

I wiped my tears, stood up, and left my room.

I went downstairs and washed my face at the sink.

"Haha... What a terrible face."

In the mirror was an unhealthy-looking man—unshaven, his face swollen, his eyes red.

"No wonder they're worried..."

For the first time in weeks, I took a shower and shaved.

The muscles I had built up during my time over there had softened a bit, but they hadn't vanished just because the mirror broke.

The strength I gained wasn't an illusion, and the experiences weren't just a dream.

I went back to my room, grabbed my wallet, and headed out. I drove to my usual fabric wholesaler and bought as much material as I could carry.

When I got home, I pulled out some stationery and wrote a reply to Aurica and the rest of the group. I wrote it simply, mostly in hiragana, so Aurica could read it easily.

—

Please don't worry about me.

I'm going to do my best in this world until the mirror is fixed. Don't push yourselves too hard.

I'll keep sending products for the shop from here. Please use the gold from the sales for your needs.

For the Knight Order's work, don't undersell yourselves—be proud of what you do. I'll leave those decisions to Rebecca-san.

As for the shop, discuss things as a group. Etowa is talented, but she's still a young girl, so please support her.

—

I wrote things like that.

As I wrote, it started to feel like a farewell letter, and I began crying again.

But now that things had come to this, I had to draw a line somewhere.

Once I started writing, there was no end to what I wanted to say.

I wrote individual messages to everyone.

It was incredibly painful to acknowledge myself as someone who was "gone," but I couldn't spend the rest of my life staring at a broken mirror that might never be fixed. I had to start walking my own path again.

Especially Marina and Diana—

I want them to be able to smile brightly again even without me.

...Damn it. I'm crying again.

But I suppose that's fine.

If I have to cry a lifetime's worth, I might as well do it now.

When I finished, I sent the letter along with the rolls of fabric.

* * *

And with that, one chapter came to a close.

Call it a blessing in disguise, but because of the Knight Order's parade, the slave contracts for Diana, Marina, and Shamash-san had been dissolved. There was nothing binding them anymore.

The shop would be fine with the Oyakata there, as long as I kept up the supply of fabric. The Knight Order would likely find their footing now that they had work. The parade might even bring in new recruits. With Rebecca-san and Hetty-san there, they would be okay—even without me.

Yes. They were all strong enough to handle things on their own now.

Of course, I'll keep in touch.

The love hasn't gone anywhere. But I can't let us become too dependent on each other. We might be separated, but because we care for each other, we have to live strong lives. I have to become a respectable adult so they don't have to worry.

I turned on my computer for the first time in a month and opened the message board.

There weren't many new posts—probably because I, the "Original Poster," hadn't shown up in weeks. The thread had likely been considered "closed."

Still, I needed to settle things. I posted one last message:

—

The mirror broke, so my isekai life is on hiatus for now.

We're still connected by a small shard, but that's about it.

Thanks for everything.

Sorry for such a half-assed ending.

—

Then I closed the tab. To the lurkers, it was just another "creative writing" thread ending abruptly, but that's how those things usually go. They'd move on to the next thread and forget about me soon enough.

Next, I checked the online auction site. Every item had been won, but since I hadn't processed anything, the transactions were stalled. It was the first time I'd ever left buyers hanging like that.

I already had several "Very Bad Seller" ratings. My reputation was ruined, but it didn't matter. I was graduating from online auctions anyway. Without taking any action, I closed that page too.

I looked at the mirror. It was still connected.

Usually, Diana would be there, but right now it was empty. They were probably busy reading Aurica's letter.

They still need my support for a little while longer. We're separated for now, but so what? It's just like being a salaryman on a long-distance assignment.

I'll earn the money here and send the "remittances" over there. I used to use "exhaustion from a black company" as an excuse to avoid getting a job, but this is the perfect opportunity to change.

And so, I took my first step toward a real future.

I have numerous Vocations.

I have experience from another world.

I've survived life-or-death battles with giant monsters; reality should be "Easy Mode" by comparison.

The gods recognized my talents:

Swordsman, Magician, Merchant, Fraud, Blacksmith, Cook, Artisan, Gemologist.

With all that potential, there's no reason to look down on myself as a "useless NEET." I can do anything now. I can become anyone.

I opened the door and stepped outside.

Today, I'm heading to the job center.

My future isn't inside the mirror anymore—but beyond the door.