The Magic Academy trains countless aspiring sorcery masters. Most of them are researchers at heart—solitary, driven by curiosity. Titles and rank don't mean much here.
And yet, one troubled student sits alone.
"..."
In the quiet of his dorm room, Kaga Kagato, a Japanese student who somehow stumbled into another world, stares blankly at nothing. He ended up here because his magical power happened to be high enough to impress the academy's entrance tests.
Now he sits there, slumped over, motionless.
He's still young, but right now, he looks like a middle-aged man killing time on a park swing after losing his job.
"...I'm done."
His voice barely rises above a whisper.
It's bad. He's crossed from melancholy straight into that I can fly now phase of despair.
"—And that's why the goddess of joy herself, Ame-no-Uzume, has arrived to save the day!"
With a loud thump, a goddess materializes behind him on the bed.
She flashes a peace sign. Her vibe couldn't be more different from his.
"...What am I supposed to do now?"
"Hey! Ignoring me? A beautiful goddess appears in your room, and you say nothing? That's criminal behavior for a man!"
Kagato stays silent. He's deliberately tuning her out.
And honestly? You can't blame him. When you're depressed, a high-energy person feels like a migraine wrapped in glitter.
If someone yelled yes you can! before you jumped, you'd probably push them first.
By the way, the goddess calling herself "beautiful"? Yeah—don't bring up how Ame-no-Uzume is also the origin of the okame mask. Some topics are better left untouched.
"Come on, spill it. Talking helps. You'll feel lighter."
"...It's not like saying it will fix anything."
He finally looks back, hesitant but polite. Honesty suits him.
"The girls at the academy won't stop hitting on me."
"Ah, I see. Classic explode, riajuu situation. I get it."
For context: Kagato's what you'd call a harem-type guy. Back in Japan, Amaterasu-sama already blew him up once for that exact reason.
Being popular is rough. He should probably die.
"So, you're saying you don't know how to deal with all the girls who like you?"
"Pretty much."
"In that case, I have the perfect solution."
Ame-no-Uzume beams at him like she's announcing world peace.
"Sleep with them all..."
"...Are you really a goddess?"
He glares. She grins wider and gives him a thumbs-up.
"Once they experience reality, they'll stop chasing fairytales. Problem solved...!"
"...You sound like you've got a personal vendetta against younger women."
And somehow, without realizing it, Kagato ends up counseling her instead.
Otherworld life goes on peacefully today.
* * *
"Hmm? Makami, is that you?"
"Huh? Oh, Lynbel."
A bright Tokyo park, close to noon. A werewolf named Makami runs into Lynbel, a dark elf, by chance.
"Weren't you helping the police with an investigation today?"
"Until noon. After that, I'm supposed to assist Adachi on behalf of Emperor Glyos."
"I see. So that's why you're here."
Lynbel glances at the bag in Makami's hand and nods knowingly.
"Come sit here. The sun's strong today, but this bench has shade."
"Appreciate it."
He sits beside her, tail wagging faintly. From his bag, he pulls out a lunch wrapped in a blue cloth—handmade by Shina the Princess, Adachi's mother figure.
"Don't forget to thank her before you eat."
"I know. You say 'itadakimasu' and 'gochisousama,' right?"
"Exactly. Itadakimasu."
They press their hands together before eating.
Quick note: Itadakimasu shows gratitude for the food itself, while gochisousama thanks the person who prepared it. It's easy to forget that part, but both matter.
Lynbel opens her bento box—grilled yaki onigiri with simmered vegetables and salad. A wholesome, vegetarian meal made especially for her.
"This smell—soy sauce, right? Amazing how it looks delicious even without meat."
"And to me, your meat-filled lunch is the real mystery."
Makami's box is pure carnivore heaven: rice covered in negishio meat. No vegetables in sight. Hard to believe a princess made it.
"Can you even eat green onions?"
"No problem. But you can't eat meat, right? Shame you'll never taste this negishio flavor."
"I prefer miso, honestly. Miso's good. And rice too."
"Yeah. Rice goes with everything—especially meat."
Different tastes, same table. Somehow, they get along.
Japan, too, is peaceful today.