Chapter 5
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains and landed directly on Haru's face.
"Mgh..."
He sat up, hair a complete mess. He rubbed his eyes and dragged himself out of bed, still half asleep.
"Man... that was one crazy dream..."
He shuffled toward the kitchen, yawning.
"Who'd have thought Elara, one of my waifus, would suddenly appear in real life? Sounds like the setup for some weird light novel..."
A pleasant smell drifted through the apartment.
"...At least dream me got to look cool in front of Elara."
He stepped past the kitchen.
"Good morning, Haru."
"Morning..."
Still groggy, he replied without thinking. Then his brows twitched into a frown. After two steps he backtracked and peered into the kitchen.
Elara stood by the stove. She wore one of his oversized shirts, the hem almost reaching her knees. Her scarlet hair shimmered in the morning light while she stirred something in a pot with complete focus.
Haru stared blankly.
"...Huh?"
He rubbed his eyes.
Elara remained.
He pinched himself.
Still there.
Then—
SMACK!
A loud slap echoed through the apartment.
Elara jumped in surprise and quickly turned around.
"Haru?!"
He stood there holding his reddened cheek with a dazed expression.
"...That hurt..."
"Haru, if that was a joke, it was in poor taste."
She turned back to the pot, but she couldn't help feeling a little self-conscious under his stare. She started trying to adjust the large shirt before finally speaking.
"I'm not too fond of being stared at so earnestly. If you have something to say, I suggest you do so."
"Are you real?" Haru asked in a daze.
Elara gave him a confused look. "What manner of question is that—?"
Haru walked up to her. Before long, their faces were barely inches apart. Elara felt her face burn as she struggled to maintain eye contact.
Suddenly Haru picked up her hand and began examining it while muttering to himself.
"...Not only did they nail her face, but the rest of her body as well. Even the muscle definition is accurate..."
He squeezed her bicep.
Elara's face immediately turned bright red.
"U-Unhand me at once!"
Unfortunately for her, the authority she intended to put into those words came out weak and flustered instead.
Haru continued examining her in fascination.
"...This level of realism is insane..."
An ominous aura suddenly filled the room.
Both of them slowly turned.
Mika stood there in pajamas, her eye twitching violently.
"...Haru."
"Oh, Mika, you're in my dream too. Check this out, Elara is—"
Everything went dark as Mika's fist made contact with his jaw.
---
When Haru came to, he found himself on a warm, soft, comfortable surface. He knitted his brows, wondering what he was lying on, but his questions were answered the moment he opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Elara looking down at him with a smile of relief.
"Welcome back to the land of the living."
Realization dawned on Haru, and he exclaimed—
"Wait, you're real?! I thought you were just in my dream!"
Elara puffed her cheeks slightly.
"After all we have been through, that is the first thing you say to me? This is an offense like no other I have faced."
Damn, she's even cuter in real life, Haru thought to himself.
Mika looked away awkwardly, then spoke.
"H-Hey... I'm... s-sorry, okay?"
Haru turned to look at Mika, who looked flustered as she muttered what sounded like an apology.
"Maybe I hit you too hard, but it's still your fault for harassing Elara!"
Haru stood up so fast he startled the two girls. He looked at Mika with suspicion.
"Man, I must really still be dreaming, for Mika of all people to apologize."
"Hey, it's not that surprising!"
She defended herself. "All thanks to you, I received an earful from Elara."
Haru chuckled and looked at Elara, who had just set the table and placed three covered bowls. He quickly sat down at the plate that seemed to be his.
"The ingredients in this world seemed a little strange, but I used what seemed familiar. I hope you enjoy," Elara said.
"A meal from a waifu. I'm living every otaku's dream. Time to dig in."
Haru opened the lid covering his bowl. His bright expression turned into one of confusion.
Before him was a bowl containing a weird concoction.
He examined the mixture with caution.
"Yuck. You added spinach."
"Come on, quit being picky. At least taste it first," Elara replied.
Haru instinctively looked at Mika, hoping she had already tasted the food. To his shock, she just returned his stare.
"Just eat it," Mika said while nervously holding her spoon. "We suffered together during the dragon raid. We can survive this too."
In truth, she too hoped he'd taste it first.
Eventually they both took a spoonful and stuffed it into their mouths. Their faces took on various expressions, and in the end they both looked even more confused than when they'd seen the concoction.
"How is it?" Elara asked earnestly.
"I don't know. It's not bad, but not good either," Haru responded while taking another spoonful.
"I know, right," Mika agreed.
That morning, breakfast was eaten in silence as those who partook were left in confusion, stuck trying to decide whether or not what they were eating tasted good.
---
After breakfast they washed the dishes. Haru sat in his gaming chair while the girls chatted for a bit.
After a while they walked up to him, and Mika spoke.
"Hey, lazy bones. Get up, we're going shopping."
To her dismay, all she got was a groan.
"Excuse me," Mika said, getting frustrated.
Haru finally spoke. "I've become one with the furniture. You won't make me budge."
Mika let out an exaggerated sigh. Then suddenly an idea bulb lit up over her head.
She walked up behind him and placed her hands on his sides. Her fingers began to move like they were sentient.
Haru began to laugh and fidget, but Mika didn't stop. She tickled him until he fell off his chair, laughing frantically. At one point he remembered he was stronger than her and caught both her hands in one of his, leaving her defenseless.
Beads of sweat formed on Mika's brow as she realized how dire the situation was.
Haru gave her a scary look, then said two words.
"Your turn."
Suddenly Haru tripped her. She felt herself fall, but she landed on Haru's bed, and he began to tickle her as well.
Mika lost it, laughing like a maniac. Haru persisted.
"...Stop... Elara, back me up here!" Mika said between laughs.
Elara couldn't resist. She tried to sneak up on him, but the moment she touched him, he turned and she withdrew her hands with a flinch. This moment of hesitation gave Haru an opportunity, and he turned the tables and began to tickle her as well. She melted and also began to laugh.
Mika tried to use this opportunity but ended up being tickled again. After a while, all three of them lay sprawled across the ground, panting like they'd run a marathon.
"Finally, I got your lazy butt off that chair of yours," Mika said breathlessly.
"It won't be so easy next time," Haru replied. "Go get ready before I get bored and go back to gaming."
---
The girls got up and began to prepare themselves, and Haru did the same. Afterwards the two girls walked out and found Haru at the gate at the entrance, distracted by his phone. He let out a chuckle at something, then felt someone tug his t-shirt.
He looked up and saw a stunning sight that made him forget how language worked.
Before him, Elara stood wearing a light summer dress with a wide-brimmed hat. The soft colors suited her perfectly, giving the former knight a gentle elegance completely different from her usual armored appearance.
Elara avoided eye contact as she asked—
"How do I look?"
"Utterly stunning," Haru replied without hesitation.
"Th-thanks. I was a little hesitant, for this attire would not fare well in battle."
"Yeah, you're welcome," Haru said awkwardly.
After an awkward silence, Mika appeared, wearing a hoodie and shorts.
"Sorry, guys, I had to take care of something. Anyway, let's bounce. Come on, Elara, there's so much I want to show you."
As she said this, she took Elara's hand and began to skip as she walked.
As they passed by a house, a lady in a garden waved at them, and they returned the wave. Two houses ahead, another lady greeted them.
"Hey, Haru! I'm looking forward to this week's batch of veggies. My customers are obsessed with them."
"Sure, Miss Diane. I'll bring some over," Haru replied.
"Haru, my boy!" A man on the opposite side of the road shouted. "Look at you, walking with two fine ladies. Although I'm curious—one looks new."
"Oh, her? She's Elara. She's from abroad."
"Good day, sir," Elara responded.
"Ah, you're a polite one. That's good. Hey, Mika, you could learn a thing or two."
"Put a sock in it, Unc. I'm not in the mood," Mika replied.
"Honestly. Anyway, run along now," the man replied with a chuckle.
"Unc? That's quite the unusual name," Elara asked.
"Oh, that's short for uncle," Mika replied.
"Uncle? In my world, people were usually quite polite to older relatives."
"Oh, don't sweat it. Unc is pretty chill. You'll see what I mean when you get to know him."
Elara agreed, barely understanding half of that sentence.
Haru suddenly exclaimed, "The next train will be arriving in seven minutes! We need to rush or we'll miss it!"
"Last one there is a rotten egg!" Mika said as she began to run.
"Hey, no fair, you've got a head start!" Haru shouted as he and Elara ran after her.
In five minutes they reached the station. Mika was first, Elara last.
"Slowpokes."
"Come on, you cheated."
Mika just playfully stuck out her tongue and walked further. Elara was so distracted by the large crowd that she failed to notice she was left behind.
Mika and Haru walked up to a good spot and waited for the train, chatting.
"...Yeah, that dragon must have been tough, right, Elara? ...Elara, you're pretty quiet. What's... going on... Uh, broski, where is Elara?" Mika asked, suddenly realizing.
"Huh, she's right— What the hell?! She was just here a few seconds ago!" Haru replied.
"Not again! We just looked away for a few seconds and she's gone. We need to find her quick, before she does something dumb," Mika suggested.
Suddenly the screeching sound of the train's wheels could be heard.
"Oh no, it's already here. Wait a minute... Ah, Haru, I see her! Quick, let's go get her."
Meanwhile, Elara was on high alert after hearing the screeching noise. She drew her blade, which fascinated onlookers. Soon the train appeared and slowly stopped.
Elara's grip on her sword's hilt tightened. She took a battle stance.
"A serpent of steel? This world is nothing short of surprising."
She charged toward one of the barricades, but suddenly a man stood before her.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but I'd suggest you go in through the doors."
"Fear not. You have my protection. These vile beasts will fall here," Elara said, charging up her blade.
"Sorry, lady, I don't understand what you're talking about, but—" the officer began, before being interrupted by someone's shout.
"ELARA! Over here! Let's hurry before it leaves!"
Haru and Mika caught up and dragged Elara by the hand, getting in line.
"Haru, let's slay the beast while it's immobile," Elara said.
"Huh? What beast?" he asked, confused.
"That metal serpent. Isn't that why we're here? We are on a quest to slay it, right?"
"Oh no, you've got it wrong—"
"Good goddess! Haru, those people are entering the serpent!"
"I was getting to that part."
"What is this? Is it a ritual? Are you cultists or something? Is this a ritual where you get eaten?"
"Your mind can really go places, Elara," Haru said.
"Hey, you two, hurry before all the seats are taken!" Mika shouted.
"Come on, Elara, I'll explain on the way."
Elara was skeptical, but Haru grabbed her hand, not leaving her with much of a choice.
Elara's eyes widened when she saw how the train looked on the inside. Mika beckoned her to sit next to her. Haru sat beside her.
"So, what do you think?" he asked.
"Well, for cultist headquarters or whatever it is you call them, this isn't so bad. But I will never join you."
"Too bad. It was over the moment you set foot in this serpent. The ritual has already begun. The snake god will devour us all," Haru said, trying to sound ominous.
"S-Surely you jest," Elara asked nervously.
"I kid you not."
Elara's face went pale with fear, but Mika placed an arm over her shoulder.
"Relax, girl. Haru's just messing with you. Come on, Haru, spare the poor girl."
"Fine, fine. I bet the joke was in poor taste. Sorry, Elara."
Elara unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, then playfully punched Haru.
Soon the train reached the next station, and they dropped off.
---
The shopping district completely shattered what remained of Elara's common sense.
Massive storefronts stretched endlessly. Bakery smells drifted through the air. People bustled everywhere.
Elara slowly turned in circles with wide eyes.
"...How can one place contain this many merchants?"
Then she suddenly wandered off.
Again.
At the center stood a fountain. Entranced, she walked up to it and touched the water. She gasped in fascination and walked up to a nearby shop, running her hand along the window. Someone nearby blew bubbles.
What manner of sorcery is that? she thought to herself.
Five minutes later, Haru found her staring suspiciously at mannequins inside a clothing store.
"Oh no, you don't. We've lost you enough for one day. Stick with us."
"You're the ones who left me, though," Elara said with a pout.
Haru brought her inside the clothing store. He checked some clothes, remarking at their quality, but Elara froze the moment she saw a mannequin.
"Haru," she whispered seriously. "A gorgon lurks within."
"...What?"
She pointed dramatically. "The petrified humans."
Haru stared at the mannequins. Then at Elara. Then back at the mannequins.
"...Elara. Those are mannequins."
"...You dress fake humans?"
Elara asked in shock, but soon the shock turned to embarrassment. She began to inspect a mannequin, looking closer.
"I wonder what it is these mannequins are crafted from. It's quite peculiar."
Suddenly the mannequin's arms caught her shoulders. In an instant, she beheaded it.
They saw a face behind the mannequin. It belonged to Mika, who just stared in shock as a few strands of her hair dropped to the ground.
"Mika?" Elara asked, concerned.
"I saw my life flash before my eyes. Hey, Haru, you go bald in the future."
"What? Hell no, ain't no way I'm losing my fresh fade ever."
"You sure about that?"
"Anyway, enough about me being bald in the future. Are you okay? What were you doing behind the mannequin?"
"I hoped to get the jump on Elara, but it went wrong, I guess."
Haru suddenly placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Quit treating it like it's normal. You could have been seriously hurt."
Mika was shocked by how stern he suddenly was.
"Woah, man, it's not that deep, 'kay?"
Haru grew even more stern. "But it is that deep. Be more careful."
Then he turned. "And you!"
Elara yelped.
"I'll be confiscating your sword."
"What?!"
"You heard me."
"What if I stuck to using the intangible blade? It's only effective on inanimate objects."
"No swords, whether tangible or not. If you don't want me to confiscate them, then keep them in your inventory."
"Fine."
The commotion attracted the shopkeeper. When she saw the mannequin, she asked, "What happened here?"
Haru stepped forward. "Sorry, ma'am. We had a bit of an accident and broke the mannequin. I'm willing to pay for the damages."
"Haru? It's just you! I thought you were a bunch of troublemakers. What a relief."
Elara suddenly came between them.
"I must apologize. My actions led to this. Haru is not at fault. I will pay for the mannequin. I am a knight, after all—as such, I'm anything but short on coin."
As she said this, a pouch materialized in her hand, and Elara pulled out a golden coin.
Seeing this, the shopkeeper was so shocked her soul practically left her body.
"Elara, that's not our currency," Haru said, laughing. "Listen, I'll take care of the payments. Don't worry."
Mika suddenly poked his back. "Look at you, trying to act responsible. Since you appear to be rich today, you'll treat us to parfaits after we're done here."
"What? Hell no. Buy your own. You aren't getting a single yen from me."
"What, you're no fun. Just look at Elara—she's dying to try a parfait."
With a raised eyebrow, Elara asked, "I am?"
"Of course you are," Mika said while winking at Elara, who failed to understand the signal.
"Is there something in your eye?"
"No, girl. Listen, that's a signal. It means agree with whatever I'm saying."
"You know I can hear you, right?" Haru said.
"Last resort: puppy eyes."
Mika suddenly widened her eyes in a way that made them look puppy-like and pouted, making herself look cute.
"Come on, Hawu, buy an iddy bitty parfway for little ol' me."
"Wow, you're using baby talk now?" Haru said sarcastically.
"Come on, Hawi wawi, don't you wike it?"
"Fine, I'll buy you a parfait, so stop talking like that."
"I wuv you, Hawu."
"Keep talking like that and I'll change my mind."
"Okay! Come on, Elara, let's deal with things quickly so we can go for parfaits."
She said this while pushing Elara toward the women's section.
"What are parfaits?" Elara asked.
"They are humanity's greatest culinary creation. You'll know when you try one."
Haru remained behind, looking through a bunch of clothes as well. Suddenly he heard Mika call him. When he arrived, he found her looking at Elara, who was wearing a dress that barely covered her shoulders and was held up by spaghetti straps. It also barely reached her knees. Elara shyly adjusted it to make it look longer.
Haru just stared in awe, and Mika said, "Hey, quit gawking, pervert."
Haru snapped back to reality and shot Mika a dirty look.
"Call me a pervert and you can forget about parfaits."
"Sorry, boss!" she answered quickly.
Suddenly Elara dashed back into the changing room.
"Hey, Elara, what's wrong?" Haru shouted.
"I don't know," she responded.
Haru looked at Mika, who just shrugged. Then Elara spoke again.
"This is all new to me. It's a little embarrassing, okay?"
Mika and Haru looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Elara stuck her head out, looking angry. "It's not funny."
"You're too adorable sometimes," Haru said while laughing.
"Adorable? Me?"
Elara's face went red and she hid behind the curtain again.
Haru stopped laughing when he realized what he said.
"I was talking about the outfit, yeah, the outfit," he said to recover.
After a short silence—
"Sure," Elara said in a small voice.
Mika went to get more clothes, leaving the two alone, separated by the curtain of the changing room.
After another short silence, Haru turned away.
"I'll go to the men's section. Call me if you—"
Suddenly he felt Elara tug his shirt.
"Please stay... I mean, if you have to go, you can... But I would greatly appreciate it if you kept me company."
"Sure," Haru said.
"Umm, could you say what you said again?"
"Huh, sure?"
"No, not that. What you said about how I looked."
"Oh, I... I was talking about your outfit," Haru explained nervously.
"Really? What about me? What do you think about me? Be honest."
"Well... Fine, let me be honest. I was talking about you—I mean, you in that outfit—oh, but you're cute in your normal clothes—even in your—"
He suddenly looked at Elara. Her face was red, and she had a smile on her face.
"In my previous world, many simply saw me as part of the Hero's Party, and none as a woman. I never imagined someone like me being called adorable. It made me happy to hear you say that, so thank you."
Suddenly Mika appeared. When she looked, she found Haru awkwardly standing facing away from the changing room.
"Oh, you're back," he said.
Mika narrowed her eyes. "You're acting suspicious. Did something happen?"
"What? No, I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm watching you," Mika said as she made her way into the dressing room.
"Hey, Elara, I've got a lot for you to try on and buy. By the time we're done, Haru will be bankrupt."
"Hey, quit talking about it like it's a good thing!" he responded.
Mika just ignored him.
"Okay, perfect, let's show Haru."
"What are these? Are these not undergarments? I will not expose myself like this," Elara said.
"Oh, Elara, you can be so funny. This is a crop top, so no, it isn't an undergarment."
"But why is my abdomen exposed? I am so vulnerable."
"Come on, girl, not everything is about battle. Just go outside and let Haru see."
"Unhand me! I will not go out in undergarments!"
"I told you, these aren't undergarments!"
"Never! As of this moment, I'm like a boulder. I shall not move."
"Quit being stubborn."
This went on for a while, but eventually Mika gave up and Elara came out wearing pajamas.
"These will be perfect for sleeping, right? And plus, the polka dots make it look cute, right, Haru?" Mika asked.
"Yeah, I guess."
The girls disappeared, and this time Elara was wearing a tracksuit, then another dress, and many others.
Soon the shopkeeper walked up to Haru.
"Hey, try this on. I think it'll look good on you."
"Really? Thanks."
Haru took the clothes and got into a nearby changing room. When he came out, he found both girls waiting for him. He was wearing a black t-shirt with decorative palm tree patterns, along with shorts and flip-flops.
After seeing this, Mika spoke first.
"Damn, bro, you're rocking that fit. Here, just add some sunglasses to complete the set."
She said this as she gave him some glasses. Elara came closer and handed him a small bag. He wore it like a sash, which surprised Elara.
"Woah, girl, do you have some hidden talent for good fashion? That pouch completed the set. That's perfect for the day we go to the beach," Mika said.
"Are you not going to purchase anything?" Elara asked Mika.
"Yeah, she's got a good point," Haru agreed.
"Sure. Let me see... Ah, yes, I'll take this."
Mika entered the changing room. After a moment she came out, wearing a crop top and baggy jeans.
"Check out my drip," she said, striking a pose.
"Wow, that looks pretty good," Haru said with a nod.
"See, Elara? Not an undergarment."
The trio walked up to the counter and bought the clothes they thought looked good. For a moment, Elara's gaze was fixed on a bracelet she saw in a glass case, but Mika took her hand and pulled her along. Haru observed this.
"Come again soon! But next time, spare my mannequins!" the shopkeeper shouted as they left.
"We will!" Haru shouted back.
"Now, parfaits, onward!" Mika said excitedly.
---
They soon got to a nearby dessert shop and placed their order.
Elara just looked around with sparkling eyes. She took a deep breath as the pleasant smell of pastries filled the air. Beautiful cakes lined the displays. Cream swirls decorated colorful desserts like works of art.
Haru pulled her out of her trance and presented a strange but beautiful confection. She held it and walked to the table where Mika sat waiting.
Haru and Mika took bites of their parfaits and melted in their seats, looking blissful. Elara observed and took a bite of her own parfait.
The moment she took the bite, her eyes widened, and she placed a hand over her mouth to avoid screaming. Her mouth was subjected to foreign but pleasant sensations. The sweet and tangy taste of the yogurt left her in awe. She closed her eyes and leaned back, enjoying the lovely taste of the parfait.
But soon it was gone, and she took another bite. This time she was caught off guard by some strawberries, and this sent her to another state of complete bliss. It was like the world around her disappeared and she was surrounded by a world of sweetness.
"Is this nirvana?" she thought out loud.
Mika suddenly exclaimed, "Elara, are you crying?"
"What?" Elara asked, wiping tears she wasn't aware she'd shed.
She looked around and felt nostalgic. The scene before her reminded her of the meals she shared with her party, and she let out a deep sigh.
"Are you okay? Did you bite your tongue?"
"No, worry not, for these are tears of joy."
"See? I told you parfaits were humanity's greatest culinary creation."
"On that, I agree."
Suddenly Elara turned her attention to Haru, because she heard him making a crunching sound. She stared intently at his parfait as she noticed it was a different flavor. She then tapped his shoulder, pulling him out of his own bliss, and brought her parfait to his face.
"Let us do trade. I would like to taste your parfait."
Haru smirked and took a bite from her parfait. Elara was surprised because she'd expected him to take it. He then offered her his parfait, but she tried to take it from him—to her surprise, he smacked her hand. She understood why, then reluctantly closed her eyes, opened her mouth, and took a bite. This one had a totally different but equally delicious taste. It was lighter but crunchier. She chewed contentedly.
Mika then put her parfait in front of Haru.
"I want in too."
Haru shook his head, then took a bite and offered her his own, which she bit heartily.
"What the heck, you took a huge chunk!" Haru exclaimed.
Mika just giggled, her cheeks looking like they belonged to a chipmunk. Haru began to pinch her, then eventually went back to his own parfait.
Mika offered her parfait to Elara, who did the same. Mika's parfait was tangy and creamy, with a rich texture both girls enjoyed. Mika also enjoyed the fresh fruity taste of Elara's parfait.
---
After finishing, they got out and found that it was getting dark. The trio walked to the train station and, to their surprise, it was quite empty, so they found a seat. Mika was tired and lay her head on Haru's shoulder. Meanwhile, Elara, on the other side, was also fighting sleep, her head kept dropping.
Eventually Haru gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her closer, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. She tried to get up, but he held her.
"Shhh. This is for the lap pillow. I'm returning the favor."
"Hey, Haru," she said sleepily.
"Yeah."
"Sorry for the trouble I caused."
Haru sighed. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes. I had a lot of fun."
"Then I'm happy, so no need to be sorry."
"What? That makes no sense."
Haru chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
When he was sure she was asleep, Haru put a bracelet around her wrist and lay back before drifting to sleep as well.
— END OF CHAPTER —