Im sorry 1 day later release,. I had severe headaches yesterday from all school, editing, anime, and listening to my siblings complaints about each other. I even had to stay at home today, just so I can relax and kill the fatigue. Sorry for late release. But as you know Im a s.a.d.i.s.t who loves giving Readers cliffhangers.

When Will I remember I need excerpts

Chapter 20 Part 2

However some minutes later,

I confronted another problem.

I cant sleep.

There aint even a speck of sleep inside my head. I cant possibly sleep.

On the contrary, it feels like the the sleep is running away because of that from before.

When I close my eyes, gradually this scene flashbacks behind my eyelidsD-Dont misunderstand, and is disturbing my sleep. f.u.c.king h.e.l.l.

And, I suddenly recall that I was about to go Red-Light District for healing my unsleepable mental state.

h.e.l.l with healing, it has gotten even worse. I cant possibly sleep like this.

But, I cant possibly do that too because of the reason before. Unless I find clothes other than this, I cant go there.

It wont help lying down here, so I go out in veranda for feeling night wind for a change of mood.

In this inn, themiddle-sized roomsor above, haved veranda and terrace attached.

Then, I take out the chair too and sit on it while feeling the night wind.

Looks like you cant sleep?

From above me, that voice descended.

Upon looking, from the window aboveIts not veranda, theWindowmeans its a room of size of a business hotel room, Elk had her face out and was looking down at me.

Huh, her room was above mine? I never knew it.

That Elk looks at me with disgusted eyes, maybe because my face is still somewhat red.

Isnt this happening because youre trying hard to resist?

You still saying that

Even I am not convinced, you know. You too havent felt, like that was enough for repaying the debt, right? And I dont know why, you even collapsed

No, Im fine with that only

Rather, I want to pay back the change for that.

I see

And, Elk too doesnt want to do it because you want to, right?

Even if she is an adventurer, she still is a girl. She wont think of giving her body voluntarily.

For her, within the things she could do, that might be the best way to repay the debt. Because Im a male.

Then she,

Its not like that

Eh?

What does that mean, huh?

I look up at those words, in Elks eyes, along with disgusted glare, a clear and distinct consciousness was lingering.

To the extent that it seems like, she had no intention to sleep.

I cant explain it clearly, though

It was 2 years ago, that Elk became an adventurer.

The trigger for it was, the loss of her mother who raised her through female labour.

For some reason, Elk who lived with only her mother, was raised without knowing her father.

Because Elk has never met the relatives of mothers side of family too, so she became an adventurer to be self-independent, and has lived alone till now.

Elks mom was an adventurer in her younger days, she grained the ABCs required by adventurers, thinking if such a day would come, she told her the required techniques, and many more things,and she also gave the equipments for it, though they are second-hand.

It was also one of the reason, why she chose the route of adventurers.

However as if natural, she had to suffer lot of troubles.

She lived a daily life including beating the a.s.ses of demons. It had been a th.o.r.n.y path, not much hard to guess it.

Still, Elk without forgetting her daily efforts, had reached till here.

However, during the training and whatnot, it was she and her mom, after becoming independent became a solo-person, she didnt had any existence of a person she can call asFriend

Its not like she was completely alone, she was able to meet new adventurers of same age while doing quests and all. Investigating together, taking up the quests, both parties mutually increased their skills while doing them.

However, for a person she could trust completely in that, she wouldnt shake her head vertically.

Just like I said before, the work of adventurers, is to not only fight demons, but also humans.

Going out in society one needs to depend on other people for living, there are also those with bad thinkings. Just like those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds from before.

A friend you can trust in both public and private matters, is not easily found.

However, to anAdventurerwho works along danger always, this thing is like fate. Its not like they can easily give their lives in hands of others without any trust.

It becomes even more difficult for a beginner. Thinking about that in itself is absurd.

Thinking that, Elk seemed to have persuaded herself. It would be good luck, if she were to find a person she can call friend within the next 10 or 20 years.

At that time, she met me.

To be honest, I thought you were a person without having any way of thinking normally, when I first met you. You clothes too are eccentric, and your insides are even more inunderstandable.

Sorry for looking evil, completely black from top to bottom.

Of course, soon after, I learned about your caliber, and power. Let it be demons, or thieves you easily kicked their a.s.ses, you kept on being kind to me, an ungrateful personyou created chaos in my mind.

I sense, somewhat tiredness and astonishment in her tone. Sigh is also included.

You showed me and made me understand it completely. That this guy is even above extraordinary. Its even useless to compare you.

You dont have to speak about me as if Im some sort of monster.

You are doing all the work, that one cant help but say it. Just where would be, a person who can be alive and pimping after confronting that big-serpent and fire magic?

Ah, She has. .h.i.t the right point. I cant refute.

Just like that, even though you are completely different, even knowing that Im a criminal, you still talked to me with friendly att.i.tude

Hmm~, Well, it wasnt a thing that I would worry about

The moment I replied unintentionally,

I saw a somewhat sad expression on Elks face. What happened?

Lets change the talk. Do I look sleepy?

Nope not at all. Why you ask?

I had been thinking from before. There is something in your that att.i.tude

My att.i.tude? What the h.e.l.l does that mean?

You use words likeJust on whimorI just did because I wanted to, right? Even at the time you saved me, I think you used it

? Was it like that?

I dont remember it that much.

At first I thought it comes from because of your strength that you are able to be calm and composed, but while the time I talked with you, it felt like its something different

What

I couldnt understand it. You seem like you dont think at all, but easily see through the strangest points. Youre absurdly strong, but you never show it with your words or actions. And more than anythingeven with that att.i.tude of interacting with others without creating a wall, it feels like somewhere on the essential part you are too much far

?

Distance, huh? I never thought about it like that.

But, even with those factors, To me, you were the first adventurer I could easily talk to, easily befriend with, your strength and broad-mindess, was charming for me. Though it might be imprudent, but if possible I thought to become Minatos that kindPartner,the moment I thought itI realized it.

Realized?

Yeah, I understood what caught me in your att.i.tude

Then, Elk changed her expression to a serious one, and looking in my eyes from above, she said.

Minato, what ifyou are seeing friends, enemies, each and everything with some sort of rose-colored gla.s.ses. As ifyoure looking at some fantasy inside a picture book

!!

!!

The moment I heard it,

The scene I saw in my dream just before,

I recalled the fact that mom also told me the same before.

If feels like sometimes, that you see the research of magic, or demons, nope, this whole world as some sort of fantasy inside a picture book

Haaa?

I can feel it like youre looking at some story written inside some book and youre only the reader of it. And that to this world you are living in. It might be somewhat difficult question, buthavent you ever realized it?

E-Even if you say iterr

Its only natural that I unintentionally replied.

because, it was the best to say it like that.

Ah, that in itself is not much of a strange thing. Its something everyone thinks once in their life. I remember me thinking like that during my younger days. It will heal with time, dont worry about it.

Hearing those words of mom, the word ofReality Dissociation Syndromerose up from the vocabulary from my previous life.

Thinking the world one is living in as some fict.i.tious story, and other than him/her all others are characters of story, in a sense that mistaking is a disease.

But, this isnt something like peculiar disease, just like mom said, every human once or twice suffers from it. Most suffer from it, during their childhood times without being able to distinct the reality from fictional world.

Naturally something virtual can never become real. Just like mom said, after living many years, the common sense will drill itself in their brains and it would heal by itself.

I dont think there would a middle-school student, whose future dream is to become shapes.h.i.+fting Hero.

But for the current me, something likeCommon Sensedoesnt work.

After all, after dying in accident, I am able to beReincarnated in another world. And that to, in the world with magic and swords, just like fantasy novel world setting. It would be impossible to not be curious about it.

Particularly to me, who always read Web Novels with stories like this. [ET: Readers, its for you . Be aware of the truck driver (maye promoted to something else).]

Due to that, maybe I unconsciously, saw this world with magic and swords as some game or novel from my previous life.

I didnt realize it myselfbut if asked, that if didnt at all, its difficult to actually nod at that time.

Mom, yours was healed with time?

Thats right. But in my case, it took a really long time to heal, only after I grew many years oldthanks to that, my friends attached that strange nickname to me

Is it by chance?

Yeah. ItsDaydreamer. Including the fact, that I used to dream a lot.

I see, certainly its likeDaydreaming.

So she is a daydreamer including many things like thinking the world as story. It worries me that they used this word for things not related to its meaning, but yeah, they sure are great people!

If Im that, will it heal?

Its fine, it will heal without fail! When time pa.s.ses, it would have been healed before you know it. Youll find some trigger for that while living

Trigger? For example?

For example, the momentyou start seeing the true feelings of some other person with your eyes. The true and serious feelings or words of others towards a person, come without restraint and reason. It will come with an impact, that can easily break the s.h.i.+tty thin filter made from visionary delusions. There will be a day, you would meet a person like that

Why cant it be mom? You are seriously facing mearent you?

Youre harsh. No, well, Im always serious you know, but because you were with me since birth that our distance has closed too much. The chances of it healing are more with someone who is nearly like a stranger to you.

I see.

Recalling that, I now realize, what the f.u.c.k, I too am an exclusive limited versionedDaydreamer.

From yesterday till today.

At times Elk saidYoure too kind!, I replied withIts just on whim.

At the time she pointed out my att.i.tude against demons, my answerI can win after all.

At that time, I didnt had any genuine intention behind it, but thinking upon it once again, I can understand it from a different perspective. How scary is that.

In a game, its all up to the players whim, to save whom, to move like what, to abandon whom, how to use the reward and all that c.r.a.p.

And this world, has the environment clearly too much near to it. Its already apparent.

I do know how precious a persons life is, how valuable money, and how to reply to something with equal position.

But, because all that was completed with 1 punch or 1 kick, and thisAnother Worldis different from my previous world, that I forgot about it. Maybe from somewhere in my heart, I was still looking at this world through the filter.

Thats why maybe, I had been looking at the dealing of money, heaps of raw materials of demons and the debt of life asJust that much.

To Elk it might have been the debt she couldnt possibly repay easily.

Hearing just one word, I got in thinking, maybe Elk is watching me, and is keeping quiet.

The moment my mind has been enlightened, she stares in my eyes and,

Hey, Minato, I maybe dont have the right to ask this, even if I had it might be impudent to ask it, buttell me now

Elk said that, with the same serious eyes as before.

Do you have a clue to what I just said? Wasnt it like, you looked at everything including me as just something.

I do have a clue.

I was looking at them just something found anywhere.

Magic too, Demons too, City too, Dungeon too, Thieves tooprobably Elk, too.

There should be limits to being rude.

They are not the characters from some game or novel after all.

Well, it might be because of your strength that you can see it with that POV, and so I dont have any reason to say anything on that matter.

Stop speaking like that.

I didnt knew it just before, but I surely looked at all people with a rude att.i.tude that knew no control.

That you, showed desire like a human, just before

Suddenly Elk starts blus.h.i.+ng, seems like she recalled the talk from before-Red-Light District and so on-. Eh, What does that mean?

Ah, dont say it anymore

At that time, I found a place that I can be in inside of you.

Oi, Dont ignore the cute me.

Im repeating it, butI seriously have no problem in becoming like that with you?

For repaying the debt?

Maybe not only for that. If it was just for that, I would feel the conflict inside me, but I dont have anything like that

She is now sending me her gaze, with more serious glint in her eyes.

Though her face is still red. But, for what reason. That blus.h.i.+ngit feels like it has some other meaning behind it.

Thats why Minato, if you have any clue to what I said right nowclear it away, and look at me one more time. No matterwhat impression of me is reflected in your eyes at that time.

In the words of Elk, I can feel resolution filled in them.

They are leaving the sound inside my head as if being engraved on them.

If I looked like a hateful criminal in your eyes, at that time I will surrender myself and repent for my sins. At that time, with your testimony, I can be easily arrested. Its alright if I still look like an existence you dont care about. Rather, it is most befitting of mebutif at that time

A-At that time?

If you see me even a little more charming than before, then

Elk, as though she is embarra.s.sed turn her gaze aside,

However, after re-thinking, once again looks back at me.

At that time I dont want you to keep restraint. It might be good to become like that with you, no, I want to become an existence like that for you, its not related to debt or adventurer or anything like that

One beat later,

I have fallen for your charm and abilityas a woman

If someone said this to me in j.a.pan, it would seem like a confession for love. I am strange to even think something absurd like that.

I dont know if Elk has any intention like that while saying me to look in her eyes.

But,

I can understand that they are her true feelings, her true intentions- And she cant bear the embarra.s.sment, that her face is as read as apple-. Aside for the observing eye of an adventurer, even I can understand something like thatI think.

And,

There is no man whose heart would skip a beat having a girl say that in front of their face, probably.

Not good. My face is too hot. Probably really red too.

I fill my hand withIcemagic to cool my faceh.e.l.l, it doesnt work.

The outer surface is getting cooled, but inside my head, is still really hot.

f.u.c.k that, every time Im thinking about it, I can feel my heart putting its legs on the gas pedal and is accelerating.

I can understand with intuition. Im a goner now.

Its not something like l.u.s.t, but something more fundamental is getting aroused.

From Elks confession right now. (temporary name)

And that girl. After saying her words, is now looking at the night sky ignoring me.

That girl in Pajamas, is bathing in the moonlight falling on her from the window, with her face a little redand I am looking at her from below. HueHue, Shes so s.e.xy.

Well then,

The words Elk just said are all her true feelings. Though I dont know it completely, but it had her goodwill included.

And right now,

The feelings to reply to her feelings inside my heart are making a whirlpoolit feels like that.

Of course, I cant deny the possibility of it being simple l.u.s.t.

I cant, but

This too is, myTrue Feelings

Err, Elk

What?

Will youstay for tonight?

On my words with a face even probably more redder than hers, She stood there as if she froze.

But, as if she understood the reason the second later, her expression changed to somewhat bewildered and amazed.

However, retracting all those, after taking a deep breath,

!? Wha!?

Know what? She in sleepwear jumped from the window above me.

I stand up from the chair in a hurry, and catch her falling body.

Hey!? What are you trying to do, huh!? If you got injured

Its fine. I knew you would save me

Elk says as such carelessly, while being in my arms-just like a princess carrying form-, but her face is even more redder than before.

I think about that things I am about to do from now on. Hey, I dont have time to do that.

Aside from thatwerent you bad with things like this?

Well, thats right. but if you say like that, I cant help but back down, something like that

Hmm~Well, from your face color it doesnt look like you can wait till tomorrow.

Just whose fault is it for making my face like this

Yes Yes. You dont have to worry, I will take the responsibility

AH, Yeah. Take care ofnot that, Err, umm, D-Dont be rough

Thats a girls line, you idiot

Her face is still blus.h.i.+ng, but the smile on her face, was saying as though she would finally be able to do what she wanted.

Next Morning,

We in the same bed, overslept.