“If Elvis comes along with us, that would be reassuring…”
I looked over at Ayaka.
“I think it’s a good idea. Honestly, Elvis probably knows much more about the human side than we do.”
She was right…
“Elvis, we’re counting on you.”
“Sure thing. I’m already getting paid, and I’m interested in this myself.”
“Then instead of going to Kokura tomorrow, let’s head to Kumamoto.”
As I nodded, Ayaka picked up her phone and made a call.
“What did you decide?”
came the voice from the other end.
It was Takamiya-san.
“We’re going to check out Kumamoto. Minato seems like the most likely possibility.”
“Got it. Should we come too?”
Having the two of them with us would certainly be reassuring, but…
“Don’t. Even if we’re going into human territory, it’s still a war zone. A large group will attract suspicion. With just those two, they can pass themselves off as a couple who got lost or something.”
Elvis offered his advice.
“Ah, good point. Better not to stand out. Then we’ll stay here and wait. Let us know what you find.”
“Sure. Go enjoy some horse racing while you wait.”
“So we’re betting again tomorrow…”
Looks like Kitaura-san had really gotten into it.
“Keep investigating on your end too. Not just about Minato and Riku—we’ll eventually have to head to Tokyo.”
“…Coming from someone who’s been relaxing at a hot spring and flirting.”
“…Can’t be helped. She’s the chosen one, after all.”
They said it quietly, but I could still hear them.
“Just do me this favor, okay? Pay close attention to what our other classmates are doing. Most of them are probably worried about their families in Tokyo. If they’re heading to the same place, the chances of running into them are much higher.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Roger.”
“You two should also find out what’s happening in the human towns. We’ll have to pass through all kinds of places on our way. Later!”
With that, Kitaura-san hung up.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll leave here at nine tomorrow morning. I’ll be waiting in the lobby.”
As Elvis said that, he returned to his normal size and stood up.
“We’re counting on you.”
“Yeah. You two should get to bed early.”
After saying that, Elvis left the room.
“Nine o’clock, huh… Since we want to take a bath, let’s get up at seven.”
“Sounds good. It’s a little early, but let’s get some sleep for tomorrow.”
Ayaka headed toward her futon, so I got up, turned off the lights, and climbed into mine.
“Are you asleep?”
“No… That’s way too soon to ask.”
You’re supposed to wait at least a little while before saying something like that.
“…Everything will be okay, right?”
She was anxious.
“It’ll be fine. We’ll just confirm whether it’s Minato. If it’s, we’ll meet up with him and head back. If not, we’ll come right back.”
We didn’t plan on staying long, since Takamiya-san and Kitaura-san would be waiting for us in Kokura.
“Yeah. It’s just… we haven’t really traveled much these past five years, so I’m a little worried.”
The farthest we’d usually gone was to the neighboring town for work.
“When we get back to Tokyo and reunite with our families, let’s stick to the plan and start a company together—the six of us.”
I had no idea whether a moving company would still be viable under the current circumstances, but there had to be some kind of work out there.
“Yeah… I’m really glad I came back here with you, Yuu-kun. If I’d been alone, I think I would have panicked.”
Honestly, I probably felt the same way.
Especially the part about being glad we were together.
“I’m glad there are two of us. From here on, let’s avoid splitting up. We’re not alone anymore.”
“Yeah… You’re right. I had trouble falling asleep yesterday, but I think I’ll sleep fine tonight.”
As for me…
No, I’d better just sleep.
“Yeah. Good night.”
“Good night.”
My heart was still racing a little, but the moment I closed my eyes, I drifted off almost instantly.
The next morning, we got up, took a bath to shake off our drowsiness, and then had breakfast in our room.
“This is quite a breakfast…”
It was the usual rice and miso soup, but it even came with sashimi.
“The sahagin probably caught it. The mackerel is excellent.”
“Yeah, and the horse mackerel is delicious too.”
After thoroughly enjoying breakfast, we got ready and left the room.
We took the elevator down to the first floor, where Elvis was already waiting near the entrance.
“Morning. Sleep well?”
“Very well. A futon is definitely better than sleeping under a kotatsu.”
“Glad to hear it. Let’s get moving. Hop in.”
We left the inn, climbed into the back seat of the car, and set off.
“Drive safely.”
“I know, I know. First stop is a drugstore and a clothing store.”
“Sounds good.”
The car rolled downhill.
Steam still billowed from the hot springs, and every person walking through town was a demon.
Passing through the town, we eventually arrived at a drugstore.
The spacious parking lot was nearly empty, and since the building hadn’t been maintained, it was already beginning to fall into disrepair.
“We’re here.”
Elvis parked the car near the entrance, so I got out and peered inside.
At a glance, there were no products on the shelves.
“There’s nothing here.”
“They’ve taken everything usable. All that’s left are medicines that demons don’t use.”
There probably wasn’t any food either. I was kind of craving some plain old potato chips, though.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to take a quick look around, so you two wait here.”
“Hmm? You’re going in alone?”
“I don’t sense anyone inside, so it’s fine. I’ll be right back.”
Ayaka said that and went inside.
“Well, I guess we’ll wait.”
“Yeah.”
Elvis took out a cigarette and started smoking.
“You’ve got cigarettes, huh?”
“Not many people smoke these, so there’s still stock. Though it’s starting to get tight. Well, I’ll quit when I run out.”
I waited, thinking sure you’ll, and Ayaka came back after about ten minutes or so.
“Find anything?”
“Yes. I found what I needed. Let me know if you want any medicine.”
I can make potions, though.
“Done? Then next is the clothing store.”
Elvis put out his cigarette and got in the car, so we got in too. And we headed for the clothing store.
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