Let’s go back to before Akira and the others discovered the remnants of our campsite .
Waking up in a room I’ve never seen before, I gradually grew confused .
We were unable to have lunch due to the monster attack, and furthermore, that monster wasn’t a monster, but a man-made robot .
We fought with all we had, and using my new skill,『Limit Break』, we just barely won, but the robot was equipped with a self-regeneration function, and just as we were about to fall into a desperate situation with no way out, we were saved by a young girl who seemed to be the robot’s creator .
…Up until here, I remembered, but I had no recollection of what happened afterwards .
I had collapsed, due to the injuries I received in battle and hunger, but where in the world was I .
The room that gave off a sense of cleanliness was painted white, and was a simple room where, other than the bed that I had been sleeping on, there was only a desk and a chair .
There were no signs of human inhabitation .
I wonder if it was a guest room .
As we had been camping for a while, I felt that it’s been a while since I was in a room surrounded by walls and slept on a bed .
Speaking of a building in the forest that had rooms like this, I wonder if we’ve arrived at the safe house that was our meeting point .
Perhaps it was due to the fatigue that I had accumulated, or perhaps it was because of the sense of security that I felt when surrounded by four walls, as after confirming that, my consciousness slipped away .
「…i, …up! …oi! Get up!!」
The next time I woke up, it was when the sun was setting, giving off a gentle light, not unlike in the other world .
I was roused out of bed by the loud voice that resounded within the room .
「Fuun, you finally woke up, huh . 」
The voice sounded like a young girl’s, but that haughty tone of voice reminded me of a pure black cat familiar from somewhere .
Judging from the voice, it was her who asked that .
「…you are? Or rather, where is this place?」
My head that was still half-asleep just now, started working due to being in the dangerous situation where there was someone I didn’t know in a room I’ve never been in before .
Seeing me take hold of my sword that had been leaning on the side of my bed, the girl who was Gothic Lolita clothing narrowed her eyes .
「What, you forgot about me? Even though I went out of my way to save you . To begin with, it was because you guys had unknowingly tripped the wire of the trap that was set up that ‘Usako No . 11’ intercepted you . 」
You’re not fit to be hero, these words often followed .
I couldn’t say anything .
How should I say this, she was too unrestrained .
There hadn’t been anyone like her around me up until now .
My questions hadn’t been answered, but I was able to recall this young girl .
She was the young girl who seemed to be the creator of the robot who I saw before I lost consciousness .
Even though the robot had toyed with us to such an extent, the robot gave me a stronger impression because its name was too deplorable .
Moreover, my consciousness had already been hazy at that time, so I did not get a proper look at the girl’s face .
Only, I feel like I’ve seen the well-featured girl’s hair and eye color somewhere before just recently .
I relaxed when I confirmed that she, at least, was not an enemy .
Perhaps it was because I was relieved, but the sound of my stomach reverberated within the room .
I felt my face gradually heat up .
Seeing my red face, the girl sighed .
「Really, maa, what a strongly self-assertive body . …maa, it’s fine . The reason I came here was to have you go eat . 」
I opened my mouth to reject those exasperatingly condescending words, but I had a bad premonition, so I shut my mouth .
I didn’t know why, but I felt like I shouldn’t oppose this girl .
I followed after her and left the room .
Although there were places in the building that were slightly collapsed, its cleanliness was maintained .
「Where are the others?」
Not seeing my friends, I felt anxious and raised my voice .
Although I felt a presence on the lower floor, I did not know if they were my friends .
The young girl snorted .
「You are the only one who slept for two days . Idiot . The others are downstairs preparing to eat . You too will be helping out starting tomorrow . 」
I did not know why, I had to follow her orders, but following up on my hunch just now, I nodded without retorting .
Rather, I had slept for two days?
That’s why my stomach was also empty .
「Oh! You’ve woken up, Satou!」
「Tsukasa-kun, good morning–!」
TN: ohayou means good morning, but it can be used as a greeting, so no matter the time of day, it will still be used .
「It took you long enough . 」
Seeing that I had been brought here by the young girl, Waki-kun, Asahina-kun, and Ueno-san stopped their meal preparations and their faces brightened .
「Tsukasa-kun?」
「Ah, good morning . 」
「Morning–!」
「Good morning . Is your body alright?」
Subsequently, Hosoyama-san, Tsuda-kun, Nanase-kun, and Zeal-san came out from the neighboring room .
It seems that except for me, everyone was alright .
「Let’s end the joy fest there, and hurry up with the preparations . 」
Everyone shuddered at the young girl’s loud rebuke, and running off in all directions, everyone began the meal preparations .
Just what did the young girl do to them .
Rather, who was she?
Obviously, the interior didn’t match the exterior… .
「Hosoyama-san, is there anything I can help with?」
I called out to Hosoyama-san who was the one closest to me, taking out the tableware from the cupboard .
Hosoyama-san shook in surprise, and then she shook her head .
How should I say this, her movements were stiff .
「I, It’s fine! Satou-kun should be the one who should rest . At least, tomorrow, you’ll definitely need to rest . 」
I could only nod when told this by the cleric Hosoyama-san .
Certainly, I was still a bit sore, so let’s carry something light so as to not put a burden on my body .
「Now then, I ought to explain to you what will happen from now on . 」
Bread, soup, and salad were fine, but the dinner was in no way normal, considering the place .
After eating, the girl clapped her hand and said this .
There were so many places where I could retort .
Just where did she get the bread and the vegetables, and who was she .
「…excuse me, but would it not be better to introduce yourself to them first?」
Zeal-san stated this after he raised his hand .
Then, did that mean that no one, with the exception of Zeal-san, knew who she was .
「That’s right . I didn’t know what to call you by the entire time . 」
「Certainly . We came here because Satou had been kidnapped by the robot . …while we were still confused, we were told something like ‘you won’t eat if you don’t work’ and were assigned to clean up this place . 」
Ueno-san and Waki-kun complained .
I see, it seems that they had already been abused by her free-spiritedness .
Or rather, it was amazing that you spent two days with someone you didn’t know until I woke up .
「I see . Come to think of it, I had yet to introduce myself . My name is Noa . I am the mother of Kurou, the blacksmith that you’re acquainted with . 」
We froze at the bomb that was dropped without hesitation .
「Even if you’re going to the demon territory, while you are here, I will work you extremely hard so that you’ll be useful . Nice to meet you . 」
Seeing the broad grin on that face, Zeal-san was the only one whose face turned pale .