Chapter 1.4
01. Visitor from Another World
1-4. Kururu
―― Kururu.
As Naota looked at the business card handed to him, it seemed that was her name. However, what caught Naota's attention more was the affiliation name written in small letters above it.
It was written like this:
Guild of the Gods.
Boom!
In an instant, Naota was struck by a tremendous shock, as if he had been struck by lightning. No need to ask for explanations. At that moment, everything became clear to Naota.
"I see, so that's how it is!?"
"Yes?"
Kururu tilted her head again, but without noticing it, Naota, still in the throes of excitement, continued his rapid speech. It was like the exuberance of a small child eager to inform the adults of their discovery.
"First, just to confirm, you know that I'm not from this world, right?"
"Huh? Yes, well, I do."
"I knew it!"
The first, and quite probing doubt, hit the mark perfectly. With joy, he declared his revelation, and Naota continued in an even more excited tone.
"So, in other words, this must be it! You came here because you received instructions from someone specific, right? And that someone can only be the god of this world, right? I got it when I saw the guild name written here. This 'god' is probably not a joke or a pun, but most likely the real deal. And, they're probably the one who summoned me to this world! You must have come here to meet me under the instructions of this 'god,' right? I'm guessing you're also a person from another world in the same situation as me, someone who was summoned to this world. In other words, a Japanese person. How about it, am I wrong?"
Crossing his arms, Naota beamed with confidence as he concluded his speculation. Although he had made a grand mistake just earlier, he was quite sure about this. He believed he was on the right track.
"Eh, how did you figure all of that out!?"
He could almost see Kururu surprised expression, displaying her astonishment.
However...
"No, you're completely off."
The actual response was delivered in a cold, matter-of-fact tone. After a brief mental blank, Naota suddenly came back to his senses. With a blink, he found Kururu looking at him with a somewhat sharp gaze.
"...Huh?"
"I'm saying it's completely wrong. Um, could you please stop interrupting with your own assumptions? It's not helping the conversation move forward at all. It's becoming quite a bother."
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry."
The warm smile and gentle atmosphere from when she greeted him initially seemed to have disappeared. Before he knew it, he found himself sincerely apologizing, overwhelmed by her determination. And for now, it seemed she had tempered her anger.
"Well, not everything you said was completely off the mark."
Letting out an irritated sigh, Kururu resumed explaining the situation.
"Indeed, there is one thing in your description that was correct. Just as you said, I am someone who came here under the instructions of the god."
"Huh?"
For Naota, who had been feeling thoroughly dejected, this unexpected news was a pleasant surprise.
"Then, is this 'god' really the god of this world?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"So, in the end, you came to pick me up, right?"
"No, that's where you're mistaken. Actually, I came here for the exact opposite reason."
"The opposite reason...?"
"Yes, for now, shall I just show you what it is?"
Then, just like when Kururu took out the business card, she rummaged through her shoulder bag. Eventually, what she pulled out was something Naota had never seen before: a silver disc-like object.
"Well, what's this?"
"This is called a 'Regalion,' a special tool created by the god— one of the 'divine tools.'"
"Divine tools...?"
"Yes, and with the function of this 'Regalion,' you can be sent back to your original world."
"Huh?"
While Naota was momentarily excited by the intriguing term, the latter part of the statement promptly negated it.
"What do you mean? Sending me back to my original world?"
"Well, Just what it sounds like."
Kururu continued her explanation, while tilting her head at naota question.
"It happens occasionally, you see. People like you, who've wandered here from a different dimension. Apparently, sometimes small openings form in the dimensional barrier that separates the worlds. Generally, before that happens, someone in a position like a god or myself does their best to close up those openings. I'm sorry, but this time was a bit irregular; it seems like that opening suddenly widened quite a bit. As a result, you were inadvertently sucked through it and ended up in this world. But don't worry. Stepping onto the scene is none other than this 'divine tool,' tailor-made by the god."
Suddenly, with a mechanical noise, the disc that Kururu raised showed an oddly grotesque movement.
"Whoa!"
Startled by the strange movement, Naota instinctively stepped back, but it was Kururu who reassured him, saying, "It's alright."
"As I explained earlier, this is one of the tools created by the god. When used, it can trace the location of the user or the person they used it on and transport them to that place. Well, normally, performing a feat like crossing dimensions is absolutely impossible with regular teleportation magic. But don't worry, since this tool is designed by the god, it covers that aspect perfectly."
Gradually, Kururu mood seemed to improve, and she returned to her original gentle smile, giving a little smile. However, Naota was in no state to appreciate it.
Words like teleportation magic, divine tool, dimensional barrier—although exciting terms were being thrown around, Naota couldn't spare the capacity to pick up on any of them. He just didn't understand. No, he didn't want to understand.
After all, none of this was even close to what he wanted.
But somehow, Naota managed to reorganize his thoughts.
He couldn't afford to arouse suspicion at this point.
"Oh, I see! I get it now! That's how it is!"
Pretending to be nonchalant, he continued the conversation.
"I was really surprised! I mean, I suddenly found myself in this completely unknown place. I had no idea what to do and was at a loss!"
"Yeah, it's definitely surprising. But I'm really glad. Fortunately, I happened to be nearby, even if it was by chance."
"Haha, yeah! Man, I'm lucky!"
He answered with a hearty laugh, wrapping his hand around the back of his head.
This is ridiculous!
He desperately suppressed the urge to shout it out loud, keeping it within his thoughts.
"I see. But I was really shocked! The existence of other worlds is real! And there's even a god, that's amazing!"
"Yes, I was just as surprised the first time I learned about it. By the way, the reason we can communicate like this is because the god has arranged it so that conversations can proceed smoothly in situations like this."
"I see, that makes sense!"
While Feigning composure, Naota strained his mind. He needed to keep the conversation going as long as possible and somehow find a way out.
"Oh, by the way, about what you said earlier, there were others like me, right?"
"Yes, there are. Although, it's only about one or two people a year."
"By the way, did those people all manage to return to their original worlds?"
"Huh?"
"Well, I'm curious. Were there people who didn't want to go back? Maybe they had some circumstances or something."
"Ah, well, there were some cases like that, I suppose. But it's not allowed. It's considered unacceptable."
"Why's that?"
"I don't know the specifics, but for now, that's the rule. The god mentioned something about heavenly regulations."
"Oh, I see."
So even if he threw a tantrum about not wanting to go back right now, it would be meaningless. To avoid any awkward silence, Naota quickly changed the subject.
"But you know, when you say 'go back', it doesn't have to be right away, does it? For example, we could do a bit of sightseeing. After all, we've come all the way to this world."
"Ah, I'm sorry, but that's not allowed either."
Then, Kururu straightened up the Regalion once again and added an explanation.
Certainly, by using this Religlion, you can return to your original world. However, that's strictly a matter of spatial coordinates, and it can't revert time. So if you dilly-dally too much, it will worry your family. In both this world and your world, the passage of time isn't significantly different, I believe."
"Oh, well then, no need to worry. A few days will be absolutely fine for my family!"
"And there's one more thing that's more crucial."
Naota tried to wave his hand and show that it was no problem, but Kururu added more to it.
"With this Regalion, there's a limit to how far back you can trace the location. After a certain amount of time passes, you won't be able to go back to a place earlier than that."
"Huh, so that means..."
"Yes, if too much time passes from now, even if you use the Regalion, you won't be able to return to your original world."
Naota thought while pretending to be slumped. To escape from this situation, he must somehow outsmart Kururu, But the problem lies in the means to do so..
Since their heights are similar, in a simple contest of strength, the victory would likely go to Naota. However, what must not be forgotten is the fundamental fact that this is a different world.
Just a while ago, words like "trans-dimensional magic" came up, and on top of that, he's facing someone who serves as a lantern-bearer for a god, wielding something called a "Regalion." Judging by how Kururu appears, it's a considerably risky bet to approach this girl, who seems as delicate as a dried fish.
However, that doesn't mean there's a clear course of action.
It's a gamble, whether to attempt an escape from this situation right now. Even now, he could somehow blend into the crowd... No, it's no good. If he tried something reckless like that and failed, what would happen? He'd be forcibly sent back, and his adventure would be over before it even started.
That's not something to joke about. After all, he had just achieved transferred to another world, a dream he had even seen in his sleep, and to have it all crumble in the first five minutes was unacceptable.
But then, what should he do? Are there any other options? Think, think.
"What's the matter?"
"Ah, no, it's nothing."
"I see. If you don't have any more questions, then I think it's about time..."
"Ah, then, can I ask one more thing!?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Well, um, it's just that, I'm feeling a little reluctant to leave after all!"
Finally sensing that the conversation was taking a dangerous turn, Naota hurriedly interjected, stumbling over his words. At this point, he had no choice but to go for broke.
"Hey, can't I, just a little, take a look around the town!?"
"I'm sorry, but that's not allowed. It's a rule that people from different worlds are to be returned immediately upon discovery. Even now, this time things is a bit... gray."
"So, I'm kind of asking you to make an exception. After all, meeting here must be fate!"
"A no is still no. Please give up."
"Please, just a little! I promise I'll go back as soon as I take a quick look!"
"You're being persistent."
In the end, he was firmly turned down.
Darn it. Realizing that the warmth had disappeared from her voice, Naota finally came to his senses. But it was too late. He had long since crossed the line of no return.
No matter what he said now, it would likely not be accepted.
He had no moves left. It was all over.
In that case, even if it was a desperate move, he had no choice but to try to force his way out. Prepared for the worst, he was about to seize the moment, when...
...
Suddenly, without any warning, or context, a certain thought popped into Naota's mind. It was a very strange sensation, one he had never experienced before.
He didn't know why he thought of doing that. But the next steps he needed to take were now crystal clear in his mind, as if they were the most natural thing in the world.
Or perhaps, it was as if he had planned to do this from the very beginning. Before he knew it, driven by that impulse, Naota was moving.
"I see, well, there's no helping it. I'm sorry for asking the impossible."
"No, it's fine. If you understand, then..."
"Yeah, I'll give up. But, can I ask one last thing?"
"A request?"
"Yeah, it's not a big deal though."
With a soft smile, Naota walked towards Kururu, extending his hand.
"Um, what's this?"
"As you can see, it's a handshake. Is this much okay? I just wanted a little memento."
Indeed, what was this about? Prepared for the possibility that the boy might try to escape, Kururu was taken aback, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Normally, it's a rule for people from different worlds to be promptly sent back to their own world without getting involved too much. However, in this boy's case, he was caught up in it. Although he had taken on a cold attitude due to being pestered, the situation wasn't so bad.
He can understand why he'd want to do some interdimensional sightseeing, and it's not like they're adhering strictly to rules, either.
But if this handshake can satisfy him, then there's no harm in it.
"Ah, I see. Well, in that case..."
Kururu also reached out and reciprocated the handshake. Across dimensions, this chance meeting between the two was now firmly sealed with a handshake.
"Thank you. By the way, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm—Naota. Yeah, that's it, Naota. And, Kururu. The favor I'm asking is from here, though."
"...Huh?"
In an instant, Naota forcefully pulled Kururu hand that he was holding. He peered into her eyes from an extremely close distance and declared,
"Would you... be my friend!?"
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