"Phew... It looks like it went well somehow. I was a bit anxious since it's been so long, but having good stones really made the difference. Heavenly Lapis Ultramarine... if we hadn't had that, we might have failed."
Mugen-san's words barely registered in my ears.
The mirror had been restored to its original size, and on the other side—even though it had only been a little over a month—were the faces of everyone I missed so dearly, looking as if years had passed.
"Haaa~ it's been forever since I used magic with everything I've got! I feel like I just redlined an old engine!"
Having finished her spell, Selene-san gave a deep stretch.
Her complexion even seemed to have improved somehow.
"The last time we used a Spirit Stone was about 70 years ago, after all."
"Right. Honestly, Ayase-san, we should be thanking you. By the way... Ayase-san, what's wrong?"
I blinked, startled by her addressing me.
Well, it wasn't anything to be startled about, but still.
"E-Eh? What is it?"
"It's okay now. The mirror is completely fixed... You can go ahead and show your face."
She's right... The mirror is fixed.
For some reason, I checked my appearance.
Just my usual everyday clothes from UNIQLO.
Normally when I go over, I change into clothes suited for that world, but I didn't need to worry about that now.
I didn't need luggage. I didn't even need souvenirs.
The sight of everyone in the mirror made my heart bounce with restless anticipation.
Diana was clutching her hands tightly to her chest, staring this way.
Marina was hopping up and down with her mouth wide open, calling my name.
Rebecca-san was pacing back and forth, shooting glances toward the mirror every few seconds.
Aurica, Etowa, Elepipi, Ion, Shamash-san, Hetty-san...
Every single one of them was waiting for me with bated breath.
With trembling fingers, I touched the mirror.
For a split second, I worried I might just bump into the glass with a clink.
But it was a pointless fear.
As always, my hand passed through to the other side without any sensation at all.
I looked back once.
Mugen-san gave me a firm, powerful thumbs-up.
Selene-san smiled gently.
I gave a small bow.
"Of course... Thank you so much!"
And then, I stepped through the mirror—
* * *
- Aurica's Pov -
Accompanying a dazzling light, the mirror began to repair itself automatically. I—Aurica Flaireim—watched over the process alongside everyone at the mansion.
The dim basement was filled with a light so bright we couldn't even keep our eyes open as the mirror reconnected on its own and returned to its original form.
According to Marina-san, Ion-san, and Shamash-san—who can see the world on the other side—the people who fixed the mirror were the Great Archmage of Phantasms and his Elf wife.
Then, a few minutes after the mirror was completely restored to its original state.
From the mirror, a familiar hand slowly slid out.
It was Danna-sama's hand.
The hand of the Danna-sama who always receives my letters.
I cannot see the world on the other side. To me, it only looks like a thin, hazy mist.
"Ah, ah! Aruji-dono is coming, de-arimasu! Ah... My... Master... ugh... sniff... waaahhh!"
Marina-san, who had been jumping around and calling for Danna-sama just moments ago, broke down in tears the second Danna-sama's slightly thinned face appeared.
It was unexpected; I thought for sure she would be the very first one to pounce on him... Not that I could just step in and do it instead, though.
Danna-sama, with only his hand and head out of the mirror, stopped moving as if hesitating.
Anxiety spread through my heart... What if the mirror didn't fix properly...?
But such worries were in vain.
Danna-sama stepped through the mirror and completely arrived on this side. He appeared looking bashful, with a slightly apologetic expression.
"I-I'm ashamed to say... I've returned..."
He must have been truly embarrassed, as he fidgeted and scratched his cheek.
On such a happy day, he could have been a bit more openly joyful.
Well, both we and Danna-sama had been somewhat prepared for the possibility that we might never meet again after the mirror broke. Perhaps that's why, even though we are happy it was fixed so quickly, it feels a little shy or awkward.
Ah... come to think of it, I sent him a letter with some rather embarrassing contents... Even now, my face feels hot thinking about it.
"Goshujin-sama!!"
The one who actually hugged him first was Diana-sama.
Her large eyes were brimming with tears, and the overflowing droplets sparkled like jewels. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
And Danna-sama, smiling gently, hugged Diana-sama back. It was a gentle embrace, different from before in a way that's hard to put into words.
"I'm home, Diana. Sorry for worrying you."
"Uu... waaa... Goshujinshamaa... sob..."
Diana-sama looked up, her face a mess of tears.
When I remember how depressed she had been at the mansion ever since Danna-sama stopped being able to come here, my own heart feels full.
"Jirou!" "Boss!" "Young Master!" "Ayase-kun!" "Ayase-san!" "Jirou-sama!"
With Diana-sama as the start, everyone swarmed around Danna-sama.
For some reason, everyone kept saying "Thank goodness, thank goodness" while stroking Danna-sama's head, rubbing his arms, or patting his back.
Not wanting to be left out, I joined in and gave Danna-sama's ear a little tug.
I think everyone just wanted to confirm that Danna-sama was really here. Touching him myself, I certainly felt relieved.
"Jirou. I'm... glad you look well."
Rebecca-san spoke to Danna-sama while acting quite fidgety. There were faint tears shimmering in her eyes.
Even Rebecca-san, known in the village as a scary older sister, looks like a maiden in love when she's in front of Danna-sama.
"Rebecca-san too. I'm sorry for making you worry. Thank you for protecting the mansion and everything else."
"I-It's nothing. Everyone did their best... But I'm really glad... Jirou."
Rebecca-san rested her head against Danna-sama's upper arm and closed her eyes.
Even though Rebecca-san is a beauty in the village, there were never any rumors about her having a partner, which was a recurring topic of gossip. It came up often, but everyone felt it was a topic they shouldn't touch, so they avoided asking her directly.
When they first moved here, people thought she and Shello-san were a couple, but a talkative hunter managed to squeeze the truth out of Shello-san that they weren't. Apparently, a few men tried to make a move on her, but I heard they were all shot down mercilessly.
Now, I can be certain—The person Rebecca-san loves is Danna-sama.
And those feelings seem deeper than I thought. I don't know about the time before they met Danna-sama, but now it's almost common knowledge in the village. I've heard that the young men in the village who were secretly eyeing Rebecca-san are quite jealous of Danna-sama.
After that, Danna-sama was mobbed by Shamash-san, Elepipi-san, Etowa-chan, Ion-san, and even Hetty-san. We spent a good while celebrating our reunion until finally, Marina-san wiped her tears, shoved her way in, and gave Danna-sama a crushing hug.
Danna-sama laughed along with us, his eyes also watery.
In the confusion, I managed to sneak in a hug too... It felt rather nice, so I think I'll keep using the "confusion" as an excuse to hug him from now on.
Later, Danna-sama went back through the mirror once to thank the two people who fixed it. When that was over, we all ate the food we had prepared and had a party.
Diana-sama and Marina-san clung to Danna-sama without even a millimeter of space between them, making Shamash-san envious and Rebecca-san annoyed.
During this past month without him, everyone has been starved of "Danna-sama-nutrients." It's like they'll wither away if they don't absorb some, so everyone keeps going up to stick to him. It's quite funny to watch.
As for me, I secretly went to stick to him, too. I thought I might stand out if I went alone, so I invited Etowa-chan and we snuck in for a "sticking session." Danna-sama likes the maid outfit I wear, so he didn't seem to mind at all, which made me happy.
And so, the first bright night in a long time deepened into late evening.
* * *
-Jirou's Pov-
My first time back in the other world in a while.
The party had ended, and after everyone had settled into a deep sleep, I lay alone on the sofa, thinking about what comes next.
Whenever I recalled the reunion with everyone, my lips couldn't help but loosen into a smile.
We cried, we rejoiced, and we shared our happiness through long embraces.
I felt the warmth. I felt their hearts.
I was glad that I hadn't spent a single second thinking about the things Mugen-san told me—that Emes-Palette was a game world, or that they were non-player characters or androids.
To me, they are all human beings living properly in this world, just with slightly different races... If anything, I'm the one who is the stranger—the solitary Earthling. The fact that they accept me is something I should be nothing but grateful for.
Diana and Marina had adamantly insisted that they would sleep with me tonight—and every night from now on.
For a moment, I almost said, "If that's the case, then—" but I stopped myself.
Instead, I acted the part of the romantic, sitting by the bedside and stroking their heads until they fell asleep. Perhaps because they finally felt at ease, they both soon drifted off into quiet, rhythmic breathing.
Diana's Special Guidance.
Selene-san had asked me to look after her as well.
I still don't fully understand what "Eternal Love" means, but I'll have to find an answer soon.
After the two of them were asleep, I found Rebecca-san and Hetty-san waiting for me in the living room.
"What are you two going to do? If you're staying over, I'll prepare a place for you to sleep."
"No, we're staying at Becky's house, so we'll be fine. More importantly, Jirou-sama, down to business."
"Right... This is about Dida, isn't it?"
Revenge on Dida—the one who caused the mirror to shatter.
It seems Hetty-san has already secured him.
Apparently, she had been letting him run loose at first, but once she heard the mirror was going to be fixed, she had him abducted.
Hetty-san is the type who hates beating around the bush, so her methods are quite bold. I worried that kidnapping might be a problem, but she assured me she handled it well. If she says it's fine, I have no choice but to trust her.
Personally, I'm conflicted about what to do.
They say "after the rain, the earth hardens". This incident ended up having a positive result. I met Mugen-san and learned the truth about this world.
Still, letting him go scot-free feels incredibly grating.
"Jirou-sama."
As I started to get lost in thought, Hetty-san spoke up.
"Even if you don't do it, either Becky or I will. Or maybe we could have Princess Lucreion—Ion do it."
Ah, right...
Even without this incident, Dida has earned plenty of resentment.
Rebecca-san and Hetty-san had sharp, dignified expressions.
If they say they're going to kill... they will.
However, the responsibility for settling this matter must rest with me. This isn't Japan. This isn't the modern era. It isn't even Earth. Laws don't matter here. He tried to kill me, and he has to pay the price.
I can't remember where the quote "The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed." came from, but I think it's exactly right.
"...I'll do it. Where is Dida right now?"
"I've thrown him into the stable at my house."
"I see. That's basically right next door."
Apparently, the reason Shello-san wasn't here today was that he was guarding the prisoner.
"Well then, Jirou-sama. Let's carry out the execution tomorrow."
"...Understood. I'll prepare myself mentally."
With that, the two of them left.
I never dreamed that I'd be losing my "murder virginity" before my actual virginity.
...To be honest, it's too heavy for me
If you asked me if I had the resolve to stain my hands with blood, I'd have to say clearly: I don't.
But then, letting Hetty-san or Rebecca-san—or worse, Ion—do it...
"Aaaah... what should I do...?"
Since the guy is stinking rich, my "best-case scenario" involves binding him with a Spirit Contract and letting him go in exchange for some kind of financial compensation.
Even a villain like him probably has a wife and kids... If he's killed, they might burn for revenge. That's how the cycle of tragedy starts.
Rather than letting that happen, shouldn't I just bind him with a Spirit Contract so he can't touch me? In the end, I'm alive. Getting paid seems better than just killing him—
"...No... That won't work."
There's the matter of Ion and Rebecca-san's mercenary group. Even if I were to forgive him for what he did to me, the others won't.
This isn't Japan. Life isn't "heavy" in this world. If anything, it's more like I've been granted the right to strike the final blow... Everyone else wants him dead.
"I have... no choice but to do it...?"
Lying on the sofa, I looked at the palms of my hands.
But no resolve came, and the night simply deepened around me.
