Part 1- The Boy from Earth and The Girl from Another World
Mikogami Tsukasa’s sense of touch reacted to something. His right hand was caressed by a damp cloth. His consciousness that sank in the dark was brought back by that sensation. Not resisting the sensation, Tsukasa opened his eyelids slowly.
His different colored pupils reflected a fiery red and icy blue light in the dim-lit room. A wooden ceiling with a rather dark color was reflected in his eyes. Then the first thing he saw after getting up was a dazzlingly, beautiful blonde haired girl. The girl who wearing a white and bright green colored dress that looked like Germany’s Dirndl [1], was gently wiping his hand with a damp cloth.
“A…… aww!”
Suddenly his eyes meet with the girl.
“Did you wake up? Thank goodness.”
The young looking girl made a relieved face while saying that.
(So pretty……)
Rather than a beautiful woman it’s more right to called her beautiful girl. Since her ears were very long, he wondered if she had a special trait.
(It’s like …… the elf from fantasy novel), thought Tsukasa.
(But really, who is she? I don’t recognize her face. No, more importantly, why am I here right now?)
His memory was in disarray.
“…… where, am, GAAH!”
When he raised his body to ask a question, a sharp pain that felt like his bone was broken ran through his whole body. His body was burning hot.
“Ple, please don’t do that! You are still badly hurt, so don’t move around too much.”
(Badly, hurt …… Oh right. Surely I ーー)
That word made him remembered what happened to them.
‘I want to make a special article about all the Super High Schoolers.’
Since his journalist old friend Sarutobi Shinobu begged for her article, she and the 6 other people were crossing the Pacific ocean with an airplane that was piloted by the AI that Oohoshi Ringo developed.
But in the middle of the flight, they fell after the plane swallowed by ominous thundercloud and caused navigation error. The alert ringing loudly. The stormy airflow made the plane having a great turbulence. A particularly big impact shook the plane as the altitude decreased rapidly before their eyes. That was the last thing that happened before Tsukasa lost his consciousness.
At that moment he remembered that, and while ignoring the burning pain running through his body, Tsukasa rose up and grabbed the girl’s shoulders then shook her forcefully.
“Kyaa.”
“You……! Ach……”
Then, he hesitated for a moment from asking the foreigner girl since he didn’t know what her language was, but since she used japanese earlier, he still tried asking her.
“Please tell me! There were 6 more people aboard the plane beside me! Are they safe……guh!?”
Tsukasa asked about the other passenger safety while his face grimaced with pain and cold sweat formed in his forehead.
At first the girl was taken aback from Tsukasa’s sudden behavior, but then she quickly gave him reassuring smile.
“…… It’s alright. Including you, there are seven people being nursed here since you all collapsed at the same place.”
As she answered that, she looked at the surrounding. Following her gaze, there were six people he knew well, covered in bandages like him while sleeping on the fur bed.
“Although they were hurt, their life wasn’t in danger. So please be at ease.”
“Tha……Thanks………..”
That was an airplane crash. One could say that being alive was a miracle itself. After having prepared for the worst, once again Tsukasa collapsed back when he knew that the others was also had been saved like him.
“Thank goodness…… really……”
“You’re so kind.”
The girl put wet chilled cloth on his forehead while narrowed her lapis lazuli eyes.
“…… It’s natural for a public servant worry about the people.”
The cold cloth on his forehead started to relieve his pain and fever. Feeling that Tsukasa let out a relaxed smile and once again look at the girl who still nursing him.
“Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Mikogami Tsukasa. Could you tell me your name?”
“Mine? My name is Riruru.”
“Riruru huh…… It’s seems you have really taken care of us. Allow me to express my gratitude on behalf of my friends. Thanks.”
“We can’t just leave people in need. Because helping each others is a tradition for us mountain folk.”
Riruru quickly stand up after awkwardly return the thanks from Tsukasa.
“The injury still needs time to heal, but for now you can have a meal since you have regained consciousness. Please wait a while.”
As she said that, Riruru leave the the room with pitter-patter. After a few minutes, she came back with a steaming bowl in her hand.
“This is a stew made from goat’s milk. I’ll help you cool it down a bit.”
Riruru scooped the crumbling meat with a wooden spoon and drew it to her pink lips.
“Fu fu fu.”
After repeatedly blowing it several times, she brought the spoon to Tsukasa’s mouth.
“Here. Says aahnn~~”
“I feel like I’m being treated like a child”
It was a little embarrassing. But his body needed nourishment. So urged by Riruru, Tsukasa opened his mouth and accepted the tender meat.
But, the meat slipped from his mouth when he tried to chew it. He couldn’t put any strength into his jaw. His body had weakened so much that he couldn’t even chew the tender meat.
“…… I’m sorry. It seems I still don’t have any strength to eat.”
Riruru looked a little upset hearing Tsukasa’s fainthearted words.
“Don’t be like that. If you don’t eat meat when you’re sick you won’t be healthy. Please hold on for a bit.”
She picked up the spilled goat meat with her fingers and put it to her mouth, and then thoroughly chewed it.
“Nn………”
“Mm………!”
She put her lips over Tsukasa’s. His eyes opened wide feeling her soft and juicy lips over his. Riruru slid her tongue slippery inside Tsukasa’s mouth. Then she opened Tsukasa’s mouth by holding his tooth by her tongue, and slowly poured the goat meat that had been chewed. After finishing that, Riruru gently parted her lips,
“Now, you can eat…….. Right?” [2]
With her face red like a fire, she asked him without breaking eye contact. It was embarrassing. But, she pushed that shame down and made Tsukasa eat the dish so he could get well soon.
“….. Thanks. Surely I can eat this way.”
Tsukasa gratefully accept Riruru kindness. It would be rude if he refused it here.
“Is it okay to accept your favor for now?”
“…… Yes of course. Please eat a lot and get well soon.”
Without realizing his strange behavior, Tsukasa lightened Riruru’s mood. With her smile back in her adorable face, once again she scooped the stew. And the like before, after she chewed it thoroughly,
“Nn………”
She drew her face closer to feed Tsukasa mouth-to-mouth,
“Riruru! Is it true that those collapsed people have woke up?”
“Fuーーーーーーーー!”
Surprised by the voice that came from the lady who opened the door, she spouted out food in their mouth. Of course that food was spewed at Tsukasa’s face.
“Kyaaaaa! I’m sorry Tsukasa-san! I will clean it immediately!”
“Oh dear~? Perhaps I was disturbing you~?”
“Th, that’s, that’s wrong Winona-san! That was, that wasn’t like that!”
Riruru frantically gave desperate explanation while cleaning Tsukasa’s face. Tsukasa turned his eyes to the person who entered the room through the gap of the washcloth that being pressed by an unreasonable amount of power. A mature young woman with chestnut hair smiled teasingly. Far from Riruru’s baby face, her face was the real example of a beautiful face. Her upper dress vest was filled by womanly charm. But,…… At that time Tsukasa’s mind was focused on another thing entirely. There was something atop her head and behind her rear.
Wolf like ears and a fluffy beautiful tail were there.
(…… Is that traditional clothing or something?)
(Well the world is vast. So it wasn’t weird if some people with such custom exist. But for now more importantly,)
“My lady. She just help me chew it since I couldn’t chew well. So please don’t tease my benefactor.”
Tsukasa looked at the mature woman and rebuked her for teasing Riruru. Riruru was embarrassed to death but he understand that she did it because she cared about him with a sincere mind and heart.[3] That’s why even though he knew that was a banter between close friend, he couldn’t be careless.
“Tsukasa-san……“
“Oops, I’ve been scolded. Also, it was quite a hard crash. But thank goodness. If you’re fine please just start eating up and getting better.”
The woman carefully bowed at Tsukasa’s side while smiling happily along the way.
“I am Winona. I’m also resident of this village like Riruru . Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Mikogami Tsukasa. I have heard the story from Riruru. Thanks for taking care of us.”
“Don’t mind it. When someone is in trouble, we help them no matter who they are.”
“But we still owe you. I would like to thank you once again when we return to our country.”
“Oh dear. How reliable. Even though you’re at same age as my son.”
“No way, you already have a son? You really look so young.”
She looked like she was in her first twenties. She didn’t looks like she had a son in his age. That’s why Tsukasa blurted out such surprise. And that made Winona pleased.
“Oh you~. You’re so good at flattery even though you’re a child.”
Winona grinned bashfully like a girl. But, ーー when Tsukasa looked at her, his eyes opened wide in amazement.
As she smiled, The tail accessory at her rear was wagging joyfully like a dog. And that was a natural movement that didn’t seems like a machine.
“……No, no way, is that tail of yours, …… is that thing real?”
“Hmm? Real? Well yeah of course they are. Because I’m a Byuma you know. Look.”
As she said that, Winona brought her tail that also chestnut colored like her hair to Tsukasa’s face. He could feel the pulse and warmth that was unique to living beings……
(There is no doubt……. This is the real thing.)
That’s why Tsukasa was confused. People with a beast ears and tail…… there were none. It was an existence that overthrow the basis of modern day biology. An era that even humanity could observe the earth from outer space. Such mysteries wouldn’t remain undiscovered. Even more, it also a civilization that can speak Japanese.
But his surprise didn’t end there.
“Perhaps you really never seen Byuma before? There are lots of Byuma living in Flare Gard.”
“All of you are also wearing strange clothes. Are you all foreigners?”
(……Flare, Gard?)
“ I don’t really understand, but I’m from Japan.”
“Jepang? Never heard that country before.”
Had not expecting that Tsukasa was baffled.
“Wha, what are you mean? You are speaking japanese just now.”
“???”
“You to, what are you saying? We all have been talking in [Altean] right?”[4]
“…… *gaps*!!??”
While he thought that they were teasing him with that strange story,
(From their gaze, breath, and stutter ーー They didn’t seems to be lying.)
As Tsukasa was a genius politician that became the Prime minister while still in high school, his observation eyes was not to be underestimated. Therefore his confusion only grow bigger.
(Just what exactly has happened?)
Human with animal ears and tail. A language he’d never heard of before. Also…… His first impression towards Riruru that had been dedicatedly nursing him. Various things connecting in his mindーーmaking an unbelievable premonition.
“ …… Could it be …… !”
It was impossible. A very unscientific and unrealistic possibilities. Perhaps that was a delusion from seeing Riruru and Winona appearance.
But ……, That was a nightmare that not scientifically proven and absolutely improbable.
(I have to make sure…… !)
“Hupーーーーーー!”
“Eh, You should not move yet! Your wound will opened again!”
“Riruru’s right. Be still.”
Both of Riruru and Winona freting to Tsukasa who rolled his back in anguish. But he couldn’t just sat still.
“I’m sorry…… However, I’m not going to do that. There are something I want to confirm as soon as possible. Do you know where is my cell phone?”
“What is ‘sel pon’?”
“A black colored thin object. I think it was inside my clothes.”
“Ah, in that case, it’s here.”
“Please give me that!”
His clothes were folded beside him. From there Riruru took his smartphone out of his top and gave it to Tsukasa. When he tried to check their current location with GPS,
“Guh……! It’s broken……! But, there still another way …… !”
GPS function and satellite communication was installed in the plane. If himself was still alive after this accident, maybe the instrument is still alive.
“You two. I’m sorry, but can you take me to the plane crash site,…… no the place where you found us?”
“What are you talking! Your body haven’t recovered yeーー”
“I know that. But, a governor has to lead the others at trouble times. If my aberrant premonition is correct, then I have the duty to lead them in their confusion. I must keep my calm in front of them. So I must understand the situation earlier than anyone else. So please …… !”
He unwaveringly persuade them with his word and expression. Finally Winona gave up after being glared intensely and sighed.
“ …… I understand. I will take you there.”
“Winona-san! You can’t!”
“If I leave him alone he will go even by crawling. When a man looked like this, you can’t stop them. …… I don’t know what are you want to check, but that was something important to you right?”
“Yeah……”
“In that case, ーー Don’t complain if it’s hurts!”
She put he hand at his back and lifted him with powerful strength.
“Kuh~~~~~~!!!!”
“Does that hurt?”
“ ……No, It’s okay ……! “
“Well you’re a man. So let’s go. Hold tight.”
“Wa, wait a sec! I also coming!”
And so Tsukasa was taken to the crash site while being protected by them. Tsukasa borrowed their shoulders for around 15 minutes. All houses were lined up periodically along the road were made from wood and limestone. There was no concrete anywhere, no cars or bicycles, even no tire marks. It was like a scene from a mountain village in Middle ages. Also all of the villagers that talked to them had at least beast ears and tails like Winona. His anxiety from his aberrant yet unrealistic promotion was getting bigger when he sees the too unreal spectacle. And when they looked at the cliff through the valley not far from the village, ーー Tsukasa was shocked.
“Here’s the place. Four days ago, at the midnight there was a loud crashing sound from the cliff. We all rushed from the village, and found you all lying over beside the skeletal bird that was blazing with fire.”
“………….”
Winona pointed at the red plane wreckage he recognize at the bottom of the valley.
Yes. It was a wreckage. The nose was smashed to the valley wall exposing the red clay below. Only the frame remained from the burned cabin. The wings and tail wings were scattered into pieces. Just by looking at that he knew that the GPS and satellite communication system were offline.
But, ーー Tsukasa was not shocked because of disappointment. It was the situation on the crash site.
(How did we survive?……)
This airplane was a work from one of the super high schooler, Oohoshi Ringo. Tsukasa thought that the reason they survived until now was the emergency system that protect them from the crash.
But, that thought was immediately rejected. Looking at the crash site, it would impossible for the person inside to survive. The situation where they survived right now was already unnatural and unrealistic. Things that beyond his understanding keep coming again and again. What exactly happened to their bodies?
Tsukasa looked at the sky and gasped. ーー It was exactly at that time.
“ーーーーーーーー ………”
Suddenly a huge shadow fell from the sky and surprised Tsukasa the most this day that even he forgot to breath. At the sky…… there was giant lizard flying with his mountain like wings.
“Oh, sometimes I saw the little ones, but it’s rare to see such a big dragon.”
“That’s right. Let’s pray for everyone’s recovery.”
“…………”
Riruru then clapped her hands and made a wish towards the dragon that was flying in the sky. Winona that smiled because seeing something rare. From their reaction to the spectacle was impossible on earth, Tsukasa inevitably accepted that, …… his unrealistic delusion was the reality surrounding them.
“ …… I don’t have any choice but to accept it anymore, …… do I?”
“What do you mean with accept it?”
Riruru tilted her head to Tsukasa muttering. He answered her without glossing it over.
“Aah, it seems that we are stranded in entirely different world.”
That’s right. They were stranded to a world with different dimension and evolution from the earth.