/
Morning comes,we’re still at the inn.  I hit the door,but there’s no response.  The chibi hitthe door together with me, but still nothing happens.
In other words, it’s that.  Gusu-oyake’s still asleep.  Well, I guess she’s exhausted.
I have breakfastat the inn, and once I finish, head back to my room with the chibi to goofaround.
The time is just abit before noon?  The door to my roomflings open.  I jump to my feet, but it’snot because I’m nervous!
Gusu-oyake thenappears in the doorway.  Her head hangsfrom her shoulders.
Did something happen?
She says, “Why didyou not wake meeeeeeeeeee!?”
No matter the world, girls still get ticked atoversleeping.  Sheesh…
And just likethat, me and the chibi shrug by raising up our palms.  Looks like they feel the same way.
— — In theafternoon, we finish eating some rice and then leave town for the forest.  Gusu-oyake grumbles on and on the whole way.
She says, “This isZero-san’s fault, because Zero-san neglected to wake me, Zero-san messed up…”
I feel a bit bad for making her feel this way, butsaying anything would just make things worse. Right now, saying nothing is for the best.  So annoying.
For now, in orderto change the mood, I confirm what we discussed yesterday.  “Today we’re going to the spirit forest,right?  You said you had an idea aboutwhere to look.”
“This isZero-san’s fault… Ah , yes, there isnothing to worry about, probably.”
“Really?  So where is it?”
“Spirits reside inareas rich in mana.  Therefore, thespirit forest should be a place with plenty of mana!  Probably.”
…is something like this seriously okay?  Maybe that place I was staying at?
I say, “Is a highamount of mana important?”
“It is.  Spirits possess a tremendous amount ofmana.  This results with them blessingtheir home, the spirit forest, with abundance. It creates a lively forest filled with pristine water and rich soil, probably.”
“You’ve beensaying probably, probably, for some time now. You sure you know where we’re going?”
“…Everything isfine, probably.”
That’s no good. We won’t get anywhere at this rate. Just yesterday you were brimming with confidence that you’d lead us tothe spirit forest, that you’d absolutely find them since you know all there is toknow about them.
That said, I just came to this world and don’t knowjack squat about it.  I don’t knownothing.  I recognize this place here,though.  It’s where I met the chibi.
…wait?  Now thatI think about it, the water back then was quite pristine.  The place was thriving with plant life too.
Gusu-oyake says,“If I am not mistaken, then I believe we should probably go this way.”
“I hear you, butunder what basis?”
“Intuition! Ah ,don’t underestimate intuition?”
I knew it, she’s is no good.  Well, it can’t be helped, since we have noclear target, let’s just go check that place out.
I say, “Yo,Gusu-oyake, I sorta have a place in mind. For now, how about taking a look?”
“I am againstit.  Are you taking me some placedeserted?  I see straight through you!”
She…  Thisfreaking amateur, I’m seriously gonna send her flying.  Actually, should I send her flying?
I smack Gusu-oyakeacross the head without a word.
Gusu-oyake says,“Owwwwwwwwww!  Zero-san, what are you doing!?”
“My bad, my handslipped.”
“Did you not juststrike with all your strength!?”
Gusu-oyakenaturally starts squawking after that, but I completely ignore everything shesays. I might have been a bit rash there.
Hmm, maybe the chibi might know something.  Those guys have probably lived here all theirlives, after all.
I say,“Gusu-oyake, let’s stop for a bit.  Justa small break.”
“ Ahre, ahre, ahre, ahre ?  Zero-san, are you already tired?  Well, I guess it can’t be helped.  We do not have much time, so just a shortone, alright?”
“Yeah, mybad.  If only someone hadn’t overslept,then we’d have way more time.”
“ Fuguuuuuuuuu !”
I don’t understanda thing Gusu-oyake is spewing, so I ignore her and talk to the chibi.
“Say, you guysknow anything about the spirit forest?”
They nod withgreat vigor. I’m seriously worried they’re going to shake their heads off one day.
“Seriously?  You mind leading us there?”
Oh, what a confident thumbs up.  These guys are totally dependable, nothinglike Gusu-oyake.
I say, “Hey, let’sgo.”
“ Eh ? You are already finished resting? I don’t mind waiting a bit longer.”
“Get a move on.”
“Like I have beensaying, stop that!  Do you think I willaccept such an uncouth invitation!?”
Since I have noidea what Gusu-oyake is yammering about, I ignore her and follow the chibi.  She really doesn’t seem like she’s comingthough.
I can see you staring at me.  Are you debating over coming with?  Whatever, doesn’t bother me either way.
She doesn’t watchlong before getting flustered and chasing after us.  “Are you truly going to leave mebehind!?  Is that not too heartless!?”
“Shut uup!  I’m heading to the spirit forest!  If you’re coming, then not a peep, boke [i] Gusu-oyake!”
“ Boke Gusu-oyake!?  That’s horrible! Ah , bakenasu [ii] and Gusu-oyake rhyme.  That is quiteclever, Zero-san… Hold on, is that not actually terrible!?”
What’s she going , “Gya, gya, gya, gya!” for!?  I should have just livedin that forest with the chibi forever.
I follow after thechibi.  As we walk ahead, Gusu-oyake’sexpression twitches.
Can Gusu-oyake really not see the chibi?  What? Am I delusional? No, that can’t be right.  They’d never have been able to make rice ifthat were true.
So, just what the heck are the chibi? …Actually,forget it.  The chibi are myfriends.  I ain’t gotta think any deeperthan that.
Even though I stopthinking pointless thoughts, Gusu-oyake keeps on yammering and yammering. Shut up,already.
The path the chibitake me through is starting to feel familiar. I ain’t wrong.  This is where the chibi and I used tolive.  In other words, it’s that.  I got sick of life outside the forest and amnow returning home.
Hehee, what a great welcome.  Gusu-oyake… uhh, I guess I can see her backto town later.
That’s whenGusu-oyake gets quiet.  She then speaksup.  “Amazing…”
“ Augn ?”
“The mana keepsgetting denser and denser… No, it’s peaked.”
“What’s thatmean?”
“I do notknow.  Yet even though I don’t know, Iunderstand.”
I don’t get whatshe’s saying.  All I got was that mana isapparently getting denser.
The mana is dense? Ahre, doesn’t that make this the spirit forest?
After a bit morewalking, we reach the cave that used to be our home.  The chibi come to a stop and begin jumping upand down.  Looks like this is the place.
Gusu-oyake looksaround in shock.  I don’t get what’s sosurprising.  What I do know is that it’sdusk and that I should probably rinse out the pot for dinner.
We stocked up on meat back in town, so maybe I canroast it?  It would add a nice flavor tothe soup.
While I’m washingthe pot and thinking about dinner, Gusu-oyake shakes my shoulders.
“Hey, I’m washingthe pot right now.  Quit bothering me.”
“This is not thetime for that!  Zero-san, do you notrealize where we are!?”
“ Ah ? Ain’t this my home?”
“What kind ofnonsense are you spouting!?  This placeis the spirit forest!  There is no doubtabout it.  Zero-san, why do you know ofthis place!?  I have referenced countlessdocuments an infinitesimal number of times, but even then, I still failed tounderstand a thing!  Not even those whohave been here have been able to return a second time…”
“No, that’s causeI lived here.”
“Lived!?  Here!? How?!  Please explain properly!”
Ehh—…  Soannoying.
No choice, I give Gusu-oyake an explanation.
……
Manai Zero
Skill:    ThePerson Loved by Spirits
Special Feature: Intimidating Eyes
Items:   Stone Ax
(Mithril) Pipe
Light Armor
Objective: Assist Gusu-Oyake
T/N: Anotherchapter down!!  Gusu-oyake is adorable.
~Gandire Alea
[i] The fool of a comedy duo
[ii] Dimwit
<<7. You want a pipe?
9. Somehow, it’s all my fault.>>