Chapter 1: “Senpai, How About Employing a Home Security Guard?”

Currently, I have a home security guard employed at my house.

It’s not like we arranged this through an agency or recruited someone using a job posting. As is often the case with things like this, connections tend to arise either through family or acquaintances, or through total strangers encountered via the internet.

In my case, it happened through a mix of both.

“Senpai, how about hiring a home security guard?”

One day, out of the blue, I got a message asking me to hire them.

It came from a friend I’d been interacting with online for five years. However, I didn’t know their name, face, age—or even their gender.

That said, we originally connected through an online game. And let’s be honest, there’s a 95% chance that anyone playing an online game is male. There’s no such thing as girls in online games. Absolutely not. Expecting to meet a beautiful girl in real life after becoming friends in an online game is a pipe dream.

That’s why…

“Welcome home!”

…the fact that my diligent home security guard, who greets me every day, turns out to be a busty highschool girl is something I can never, ever reveal to the world—even if it kills me.

◆

Let me tell you how I came to employ a home security guard.

It was Friday, May 1st. The middle of Golden Week, the long-awaited extended holiday for students who had just come back from their spring break. Watching them enjoy up to twelve full days off, I couldn’t help but think the same thing I always do as a working adult: You guys are always on vacation, aren’t you? The jealousy, the envy—it wells up from the depths of my heart, a dark, bitter feeling of Why do you get to have all the fun?

Unlike those so-called elite citizens who can indulge in the luxury of a twelve-day holiday, for me, today was just another weekday. Still, I could look forward to a five-day break starting tomorrow, free of any lingering worries.

Of course, there are always people worse off than you in the grand scheme of things. And every time I compare myself to those below me and think, At least I’m better off than them, I’m reminded of the harsh reality that I’m just a lowly corporate drone myself.

Today’s workload for my team was unusually peaceful. No sudden spec changes, no catastrophic bugs popping up, no work dragging into the weekend, and no overtime. Everyone clocked out on time, leaving with satisfied smiles, unburdened by guilt or lingering tasks—except for the newbie, that is.

That useless guy might not even make it past the holiday break. As I lightly pondered his fate on the train ride home, five minutes later, I found myself debating something far more pressing: kitsune udon or tanuki soba. The choice was harder than I thought.

Friday nights had become a routine for me: grabbing a quick dinner at the standing soba stall inside the station. It wasn’t because I was especially fond of soba or too lazy to cook at home. It was just cheap, fast, decently tasty, and filled me up without much hassle.

Why do I bother filling my stomach with soba beforehand? Is there some profound reason behind it? Not really. It’s simply because drinking on an empty stomach causes your blood alcohol level to spike rapidly.

While that might be fine for someone who’s just barely been allowed to drink, as a working adult who’s seen both the sweet and sour sides of life, getting embarrassingly drunk is something to be ashamed of. Taking preventative measures is part of what it means to be an adult. And yes, I fully intend to drink like there’s no tomorrow.

The bar I planned to go to was already decided. It’s a cozy little place run by a single bartender.

Ideally, I’d stroll into my favorite bar, strike up some witty conversation with the bartender, and stylishly enjoy my drinks. If I happened to notice a beautiful new female customer, I’d send her a drink with a suave “From the gentleman over there,” and when she responds with a surprised “Oh, really? Thank you!” it would spark a conversation, leading to me guiding the exchange and, eventually, to a fleeting romance for the night.

…Of course, nothing like that ever happens.

That bar is actually owned by Gami, an acquaintance I’ve known since I was a kid. I go there because she lets me drink at a discounted price. The reality is that I sit there pouring out my complaints about work and life, having her listen to my pathetic rambling about this or that.

After all, I don’t have any friends I can casually invite out for drinks or vent to. This is the fate of a guy who moved to the city after high school without any plans and picked up a random job.

While I get along with my coworkers without causing any drama, let’s face it—we’re all at the bottom of the barrel. Just a bunch of people who were at the lowest rungs of the social ladder back in school. It’s a gloomy workplace filled with nerds, introverts, and stereotypical chīgyū types. I wouldn’t call myself a good-looking guy, but I have to admit, in that environment, my face looks decent by comparison.

As a proper working adult, I make sure to dress neatly and maintain a clean appearance. Something as simple as having no wrinkles or stains on my white shirt feels like a significant accomplishment in this environment. It’s the kind of place where you can savor a small sense of superiority.

But no matter how much I dominate the “top” of this bottom-tier world, there’s no chance of meeting anyone worthwhile at work. I don’t even bother going to places where I might meet some valkyries. As a result, my Gungnir  has never had a battlefield to swing on.

That doesn’t mean I’d stoop to paying for “training” sessions, though—that would feel like losing at life. And no way would I endure a sparring match against a veteran. I’ve vowed that the first time my Gungnir is swung, it will be side by side with a pure and beautiful valkyrie.

For a guy who’s not even a foot soldier yet, that’s delusional beyond belief. Stuck in this prison of daydreaming about valkyries, my ideals only grow higher and higher, leaving me unable to accept the reality of the actual women around me. To make matters worse, even if I were to wake up from this dream now, my lack of experience would leave me utterly unworthy of attention.

No close friends, no girlfriend. So how does a guy like me find the joy and sustenance to keep going day by day? What do I even live for?

The answer: 2D worlds and the internet.

If I were truly passionate about them, maybe that would count as salvation. But unfortunately, even that has become little more than a habit.

Once upon a time, I’d keep up with more than twenty anime every season. These days, five is the most I can handle. Every three months, I go through the routine of watching the first episodes, dismissing most of them with a casual, “Ah, the same old thing again,” and dropping them immediately.

As for the internet, my days consist of hopping from one recommended video to another on streaming platforms. It started with game commentary videos but has since expanded to outdoor adventures, travel content, cooking, and cats. Recently, my greatest joy has been waiting for the latest installment of some quirky frisbee modification series.

While doing all that, I spend time chatting in text-only exchanges with a friend I’ve known for five years—whose name, face, and age I still don’t know. I whip up a quick dinner that doubles as snacks, then enjoy some drinks while gaming online with them.

This is the picture-perfect example of a man with no future: Tamachi Hajime, age 25.

Until I reunited with Gami, the master of the bar, a year ago, I had been wasting my days in an unproductive, meaningless haze. Not that my life has improved in the slightest—it’s still as pointless as ever.

The heavy door that separates the mundane from the extraordinary—it was just before 6 p.m. when I opened it.

“Yo.”

“Oh my, you’re early today.”

Greeting me, with no more enthusiasm than noting the rain had stopped, was a stunningly beautiful woman. She had a statuesque figure like a model’s and a sharp, dignified face. She was too young to be called a madam or mama, but her well-fitted shirt and vest, accentuating her ample chest, gave her an air of mature sophistication.

However, this beautiful woman wasn’t an employee hired by Gami. After all, this bar is run by a single person.

That’s right. She was none other than Akegami Kōnosuke, who, upon turning 20, underwent body modification, transforming from a handsome man into a beautiful woman.

A year ago, while I was on my way home,

“Oh my, could it be Tama?”

When I heard someone call out to me like I was a stray cat, I was utterly shocked.

The only person who’d ever called me “Tama” was Gami, ever since we were kids. After high school, we’d lost touch completely, and the person I reunited with years later was unrecognizable. I never imagined the day would come when I’d associate the word “transform” with anything other than its usual, non-perverted meaning.

At first, I was suspicious, but when they showed me their ID alongside some shared childhood memories, I had no choice but to accept that this beautiful woman was, in fact, Gami.

Naturally, the conversation turned to why they underwent such drastic body modification. Was it due to gender dysphoria? Or did they just awaken to a desire to become a woman?

When I asked, the answer that came back was,

“Well, I spent 20 years as a man, so I figured I’d try being a woman for a bit.”

It was as casual as changing your character’s gender in a mobile game. To think someone would go to such outrageous lengths… but then again, it’s Gami. Somehow, that made sense.

Gami and I have always had an oddly persistent connection. We never ended up in different classrooms throughout school, and without any prior planning, he opened his bar near my train station, leading to our reunion on his opening day. If “inseparable fate” has a definition, this must be it.

Just when I thought I’d cut ties with all the connections I’d built through high school, Gami showed up again. As my initial unease subsided, it was replaced with an overwhelming sense of amusement.

Gami, for his part, might have been trying to keep this old connection close by taking advantage of his reappearance. He cast the bait of offering me drinks at a special price, and I, without hesitation, took the hook and started freeloading regularly. Whether he considers it friendship or not, there was at least a bit of kindness behind his gesture.

To Gami, this bar is little more than a hobby. Honestly, he probably wouldn’t mind if I drank for free. However, he’s drawn a clear line to avoid outright charity, and the result is an all-you-can-drink deal at the cost of sacrificing a thousand yen bill.

That’s why I show up at Gami’s place every Friday. Over the past year, it’s become a well-established routine.

Judging by the fact that he’s sitting in one of the seats, his prep work for opening the bar must already be done.

Gami moves behind the counter and begins preparing to pour a beer—my first drink of the night.

The bar only has counter seating. I take my usual spot at the very back, farthest from the entrance, and before the hand towel even reaches me, the beer is already in front of me.

“Good work today.”

“Oh, thanks.”

With that brief acknowledgment of my efforts, I take a gulp, using it as the cue to unload a week’s worth of trivial complaints and idle chatter.

In that sense, everything up to this point was just another part of my ordinary routine.

But the notice that opened the door to a new, extraordinary experience arrived as I was nearing the end of my second glass.

It came from a messaging app—not the ubiquitous green-icon app every Japanese person uses, but a third-rate app trailing far behind in popularity. I had installed it solely to communicate with one specific person, and its notification sound caught my attention.

“Senpai, let’s have an offline meetup.”

“Huh?”

I frowned at the notification that appeared on my phone’s lock screen.

The sender was Renafalt, known as Rena for short, a five-year friend I’d met through an online game.

Back then, Rena was the type who only used her computer for the occasional internet search. She had never played online games or even owned a gaming console. One day, however, an ad for an online game piqued her interest, and she decided to give it a try on a whim.

Being a complete beginner with no clue what to do, she struggled to grasp the appeal or fun of online games. For most people, it would’ve ended there, and they would’ve gone back to a life free of online games. That’s what anyone with sound societal values would say was for the best.

Unfortunately, Rena didn’t simply log out and walk away. She strayed away from the right path.

With zero internet literacy and a heart as pure as freshly fallen snow, Rena asked the nearest in-game character for guidance. That player, who happened to log in for the first time in ages, suddenly found themselves in the “mentor” role for a newbie and took the opportunity to act all high and mighty while teaching her the ropes.

Before long, their interaction extended beyond the online game, transitioning to communication through an external messenger app. As I taught Rena the basics of navigating the online world, she began to respect and revere me as a life mentor, eventually addressing me as Senpai.

In other words, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Rena’s deviation from the “right path” is my fault. As someone with no friends in real life, I fully indulged Rena’s attention-seeking tendencies, effectively nurturing his behavior. You could even argue I corrupted her as a person.

That said, I’ve never even had a voice chat with Rena. Our exchanges have always been text-based. His face, name, age—and even gender—are all still a mystery.

Up until now, there hadn’t even been talk of a voice chat, let alone meeting in person.

And yet, out of the blue, Rena invites me to an offline meetup? Honestly, I was caught completely off guard.

What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to meet him!

…Yeah, no. There was no way I felt anything like that. I was simply dumbfounded.

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Had a talk with my parents about my future. Currently AWOL from enemy lines.”

He replied to my hesitant message in less than ten seconds.

I hadn’t pried too deeply into her family situation, but I’d gotten the distinct impression that his relationship with her parents wasn’t great. Considering how much time he spends online—enough to make me wonder if he ever even goes to school—it was no surprise his parents weren’t thrilled about it.

Even if I were to concede and agree to an offline meetup, there was still one glaring issue.

“Didn’t you mention before that you live in Sapporo?”

I’m in Tokyo. The physical distance between us is far too great for a casual meetup.

“Dynamic runaway, baby!”

“That’s way too dynamic!”

Apparently, he had resolved the issue of distance by running away from home.

The distance involved is way beyond the scope of an impulsive runaway. This had to have been a calculated plan. The fact that he’d never once shown any signs of this made it all the more shocking.

“How long have you been planning this?”

“Since yesterday. First time on a plane!”

“What!?”

Upon hearing Rena’s confession that he impulsively executed a cross-country escape without any real planning, I let out a bizarre shout.

Gami gave me a puzzled look but didn’t ask what had happened. It was time to open the bar, and she had to put up the sign and prepare, leaving no time to humor my outburst.

“Your decisiveness is unreal.”

“I know, right?”

“Do you even have anyone you can rely on over here?”

As far as I know, Rena is practically a shut-in. If he’s been struggling with her parents, relying on relatives seems unlikely. I figured he must have at least one trustworthy friend she could count on here.

“How would a parasite shut-in like me possibly have friends? Get real!”

He fired off a hilariously over-the-top angry retort, as absurd as it was theatrical.

“Seriously…? You just up and ran away from home without a plan? And to a place this far, requiring a plane ride?”

A mix of disappointment and concern welled up inside me.

“So, here’s the thing…”

However, my worry proved unfounded. The next message made it clear that there was indeed a plan.

“Senpai, how about hiring a full-time home security guard?”

I, who had no real-life connection with them beyond knowing their face, name, age, and—well, gender—was understandably taken aback.

“Wait, don’t tell me you ran away from home counting on me?”

“Yes! Help me find a roof over my head every night!”

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

No matter how much they admired me as their senpai, I never imagined they’d rely on me like this.

I didn’t exactly dislike it, but the abruptness left me struggling to process my feelings.

“You’re so bold it’s laughable. Zero people would show up to an offline meetup at this rate.”

To buy time and calm my emotions, I decided to extend the conversation with some banter.

“Actually, I’m a busty high school beauty. And also a virgin!”

“I’ll be there in a second!”

“Senpai, you’re way too easy, this is hilarious.”

He got me!

Instead of prolonging the exchange, he shut it down in one move. Five years of knowing each other had made him a pro at knowing what would hook me instantly.

“Well… I guess it’s fine.”

A resigned mutter escaped my lips. “What a handful.”

We’d known each other for five years, sharing countless conversations and adventures. Despite my unremarkable life, Rena admired me as his senpai, which I found endearing—of course, not in a weird way.

“Tonight’s the siege battle. My Gungnir is gonna light up the battlefield!”

“This is bad, so bad! The castle gates I’ve defended for years are finally falling!”

Our exchanges were always this ridiculous. He was a friend, a junior in life I had grown to treasure.

Though he never clarified her age or gender, I had my suspicions.

Just the other day, he’d said:

“I’m a prodigy. Wasting time at a village temple school is beneath me.”

And now she’d fled from her future, crossing the distance with a plane ride.

That puts him likely as a male university student, maybe in his third or fourth year. Even being conservative, he couldn’t be younger than a university student.

Five years is enough time for a boy to grow into a young man.

Coming all the way from such a distance and presuming I’d be a fallback plan might be a bit much, but what’s done is done. I wasn’t mature enough to guide someone through life, but I could at least offer a temporary haven and lend an ear.

“So, where are you now?”

If they had gone to the trouble of coming to Tokyo, perhaps they were sightseeing—or, more likely, exploring Akihabara under the guise of tourism. If my influence had rubbed off on them, they were probably into the world of 2D.

It was a bit far, but if that were the case, I wouldn’t mind picking them up.

“Actually, I’m already at the station closest to your house.”

That caught me off guard. They were already here?

“Currently loitering at a burger joint with a 100-yen drink. Requesting immediate rendezvous with your esteemed vessel.”

“You’re ridiculously impulsive. Well, I can head over right away.”

“I love you, Senpai!”

If they were going to rely on me, they could’ve at least consulted me sooner. Not that I’d have known what to say if asked for advice about running away from home. Still, if they planned to back me into a corner where I couldn’t refuse, they were a cunning strategist.

And so, we decided on a meeting place.

It seemed they didn’t even have a smartphone, relying solely on a laptop as their communication device. If they left the safety of a Wi-Fi-enabled store, we’d lose contact.

Without a smartphone, meeting in an unfamiliar area was a challenge. The station was crowded with the evening rush hour. Before I could fret, they sent a detailed meeting location.

They must have researched the area online in advance. They sent me the address and a picture of the location.

Checking it out, it was a convenience store about a ten-minute walk away. A quieter spot, well-suited for a rendezvous.

I was still in my suit and worried there might be some confusion if I only gave verbal directions. I sent a photo of my bag and suit instead. I left my face out of the shot—it was too embarrassing—but it should be enough.

As for them, with only a laptop, taking a photo on the spot wasn’t feasible. Instead, they sent me their identifying traits:

“I’m a busty JK beauty with a red carry-on bag.”

He’s completely messing around.

But since “red carry-on bag” was clear enough, I figured there was no risk of missing each other. Plus, I was still cautious after being reeled in earlier.

Having decided,

“Gami, I’m heading out to pick up a friend. Mind holding down the fort?”

“Tama, you have friends?”

“Screw you!”

I flipped her off and left the shop.

There was a 90% chance Rena was an adult. Even if they were in the remaining 10%, I was a prime example of a bad adult. If it came to it, I could overlook a minor drinking a little.

I figured I’d bring them here afterward, calling it my regular hangout. A move to boost their respect for me wasn’t a bad idea.

After five years of chatting and gaming, this would be our first face-to-face meeting. It felt awkward, but I was also genuinely excited.

What kind of guy would they be?

A self-proclaimed para-hikikomori and internet addict, yet someone who managed to get into university. A bundle of spontaneity, flying across the country with no plan, a laptop in hand, and the gall to make me their fallback option. They had guts.

I imagined someone like my lackluster colleagues but couldn’t shake the possibility that they might be surprisingly good-looking.

With those thoughts in mind, I reached the convenience store, and something immediately caught my eye.

Her youthful face couldn’t yet be called beautiful, but her slightly messy black hair gave a clean and endearing impression. She wore a simple hoodie and shorts—nothing extravagant but not unappealing.

Despite her small stature, her chest stood out, asserting a certain motherly charm.

She wasn’t breathtakingly rare, but she had an undeniable charm that kept my eyes on her. What really caught my attention, however, was her possession.

“No way…”

She was holding a red carry-on bag.

Her appearance was precisely that of the busty JK beauty from our exchange.

Could this really happen?

Of course, I didn’t immediately believe she was Rena. The idea that our joke had materialized here, at our meeting spot, was a surreal coincidence.

Her fidgety movements resembled a small animal—or perhaps the type of girl who’d wield a giant sword or axe. A walking embodiment of a romantic ideal.

For a dozen or so seconds, time seemed to freeze.

I wasn’t looking at her with any inappropriate intent, but she must have noticed my intense gaze.

Our eyes met.

Crap. I quickly averted my gaze.

In today’s world, you never know what could be considered harassment. The last thing I wanted was to be reported as the twenty-something guy staring down a high school girl.

I wanted to quietly slip away, but since I was waiting for Rena, I couldn’t leave. As I hesitated, the sound of wheels drew closer.

“Um, excuse me…”

To my surprise, the girl spoke to me.

Don’t tell me she’s going to accuse me of staring at her indecently! I didn’t do anything, I swear!

Wild paranoia ran through my mind, and I felt a sudden urge to scream.

However, it was immediately clear from her timid demeanor that she wasn’t approaching me for a harassment case.

Maybe she was lost, or perhaps she needed help with something. The carry-on bag suggested that she’s a traveler, possibly someone visiting family or friends in the city during Golden Week.

It could have been a pure, innocent decision—seeking assistance from the first adult her eyes landed on.

In a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, she asked not for directions, but—

“E-Excuse me… are you… Senpai?”

She wanted to know if I was her Senpai.

_Ah, yes, I’m your Senpai!

Of course, I didn’t actually reply like that. A busty JK beauty calling me Senpai? That sort of scenario only existed in my fantasies and dreams. Not even in school or the workplace had I ever had a female junior.

What kind of mix-up had happened in her head for her to mistake me for her Senpai? There was no way an average salaryman like me could be the senior of a high school girl.

“I-I… um…”

Or so I thought—

“I… I’m Rena… Falt….”

She had truly declared that I was her Senpai.

◆

The accursed house was located about a fifteen-minute walk from the station.

Its infamous history included a family suicide, a robbery-turned-murder, a mass suicide by a cult, and even being the site of a suicide meetup. Its tally of lives claimed? A clean forty. This 50-year-old, two-story, 4LDK building had thwarted five demolition attempts. Workers and machinery alike faced inexplicable malfunctions, resulting in numerous injuries and illnesses.

When priests were called in for spiritual cleansing, they too met misfortune. One collapsed from a heart attack during the ritual, bypassing the ambulance entirely and heading straight to the morgue.

Thus, the man-eating house was abandoned, feared by the locals as a harbinger of curses.

For years, no one dared rent the place. Then, five years ago, a fool—unafraid of danger and eager to become the protagonist of a horror story—moved in.

Yes, that model example of a man with no future prospects: Tamachi Hajime—yours truly.

After pestering a real estate agent with the ridiculous demand that I’d take even a stigmatized property, I was offered this horror house.

A single-family home in a prime location for only 40,000 yen a month? Being someone who neither feared nor believed in supernatural phenomena, I wasn’t deterred by its illustrious history of tragedies and hauntings. My resolve to move in didn’t waver.

The landlord was so desperate to rent it out that they offered no guarantor requirement, no deposit, no key money, and immediate move-in. In exchange, I had to sign an agreement stating they bore no responsibility for whatever might happen.

Despite living in a single-family home, I wasn’t part of the neighborhood association. Why? The locals avoided all contact with the occupant of the haunted house. They tolerated my use of the shared facilities, like the trash disposal area, as long as I didn’t interact with them. Some even seemed to believe that making eye contact with me would invite a curse.

In short, for someone like me who preferred solitude, it was an ideal living arrangement.

There were no ghostly disturbances, no obligations to interact with neighbors, and I even received year-end gifts from the grateful landlord. It was a win-win situation.

And now, the day had come to bring a girl into this haunted house.

Renafalt of the Ten Thousand Realms. An opponent worthy of the challenge. Yes, I’d made the reckless decision to bring a high school girl into my home—a situation that went far beyond the bounds of decency or reason.

At first, I suspected it was a prank orchestrated by Rena.

We’d met through an online game and had been friends for five years. Now he’d proposed an offline meetup, using me as his runaway destination. But the idea that this busty JK beauty was Rena? Who’d believe that so easily?

My first thought was that she was Rena’s younger sister.

Perhaps the whole story about running away was a lie, and he’d merely come to Tokyo for a trip or to visit relatives. Maybe he’d decided to meet me on a whim and dragged his younger sister along to mess with me.

Her claim of being a busty JK beauty fit perfectly with such a scenario.

It had to be a prank, set up by Rena.

Surely, the mastermind was hiding somewhere, observing me with a mischievous grin.

Ignoring the girl in front of me, I scanned the area for a young man who might be watching from the shadows.

“I… I-it’s not a lie… I’m… Renafalt…”

Once again, in a barely audible, stammering voice, she claimed to be Renafalt of the Ten Thousand Realms.

Looking up at me with teary eyes, she was trembling like a frightened child.

From an outsider’s perspective, it might appear that I was harassing a high school girl and making her uncomfortable.

Dousing my chaotic thoughts in metaphorical cold water, I took a deep breath to calm myself.

“You’re serious?”

“Y-yes…”

The self-proclaimed Rena looked down, her expression filled with guilt.

Assuming for now that she’s the provisional Rena, there’s an immediate issue I need to address.

“Can you put your hood up?”

“Y-yes…”

Despite her stuttering reply, Rena hurriedly and efficiently pulled her hood over her head.

A salaryman and a high school girl facing each other like this—it could absolutely get me reported as a suspicious individual.

She was a full head shorter than me, making even standing next to her precarious. Still, it was better to have her face hidden than risk the sight of her tearful, animal-like expression drawing attention. With her face obscured, at least she might pass as a younger sister visiting her older brother over the holiday. Barely.

“Rena.”

“Y-yes.”

“Seriously?”

“I-I… I’m sorry…”

My second attempt to confirm her identity was met with another apologetic, almost pitiful response.

While I wasn’t sure what to do, standing around here wasn’t an option. The longer we lingered, the more suspicious we’d look.

“For now… can you just come with me?”

The self-proclaimed Rena nodded silently.

I silently vowed that if the real Rena was watching this scene unfold for his amusement, I would absolutely put him in an arm lock when I found him—even if his supposed younger sister tried to intervene. Nothing would stop me.

But as we walked in silence for five minutes, there was no sign of a college-aged guy or anyone else stepping out to reveal a prank.

I trusted Rena. Even if he did pull a prank, he wouldn’t let it drag on this long or make it so elaborate just to mess with me.

Which meant I had no choice but to accept this reality.

“Rena… seriously?”

“…Yes.”

At my third attempt to confirm her identity, Rena shrank into herself, visibly mortified.

If the situation were normal, I would’ve taken Rena to Gami’s shop as planned. But no matter how I looked at it, passing her off as an adult was impossible. I couldn’t bring this mess to Gami’s doorstep.

“Something came up, and I can’t make it back. I’ll explain once it’s settled.”

The reply came almost instantly.

“Something interesting?”

“You’ll definitely find it amusing.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

That quick response about finding the trouble interesting was just like Gami.

With Gami taken care of, the real issue now was Rena.

Following three steps behind me, as if embodying the traditional saying that women should walk behind men, the sound of her carry-on bag’s wheels echoed like the whimper of a puppy afraid of being abandoned.

Was it really okay to take her home just like this? Yet taking her to a random café to talk wasn’t an option either. A salaryman with a high school girl in tow—it would look like a compensated dating scenario no matter how you spun it.

While I kept hesitating over what to do, my feet naturally carried us toward my house.

Then I remembered.

“Come to think of it, I’ve told you about my house before, haven’t I?”

“F-f-forty people… right?”

With a voice dredged up from the pit of her stomach, Rena spoke of my house’s history.

Only a handful of people outside of contractors knew about my residence—Gami and Rena among them. The fact that she brought up the “forty people” meant I had no choice but to accept that she really was Rena.

“You’re okay with that?”

When I glanced back over my shoulder,

“Better than… being in that house.”

Her small face nodded under the hood.

For her to prefer a notorious property like mine over her own home—what kind of environment was she escaping from?

At that moment, it wasn’t so much that I steeled myself but rather that I gave in to the flow. Letting myself be carried along by the easier path, we eventually arrived at my house.

It wasn’t pristine, but it wasn’t a dilapidated wreck either. If you didn’t know about its infamous history, you wouldn’t find it particularly eerie.

In that sense, Rena might actually be quite bold.

Despite her skittish demeanor, she didn’t hesitate or falter as she followed me into the jaws of this “haunted house.”

“Well, in any case, welcome, Rena.”

“T-th-thank you… Senpai.”

◆

Less than a minute after entering the so-called haunted house, Rena experienced its unique charm—its baptism, if you will.

The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes locked onto something that rendered her speechless.

Yes, the altar.

It was a three-tiered model with a cover, bought online and proudly installed in the living room. Apart from this centerpiece, the space was otherwise barren.

The room looked like something out of a cult’s lair. Yet, oddly enough, the altar was devoid of any religious symbolism.

After all, the offerings on the altar weren’t traditional sake bowls but a 4-liter bottle of whiskey. A set of ham, still in its box, sat there as tribute from the landlord. On the top tier, three figures from an eroge I’d been deeply into once upon a time were enshrined.

It was the kind of scene that would send a monk fleeing barefoot.

“This is a haunted house, after all. I haven’t just been living here without taking precautions.”

Rena looked up at me, seeking an explanation for the absurdity before her.

“This house has built up an illustrious history and a glowing record of achievements. Thanks to that, I can enjoy living in this environment. So, what it deserves is respect and gratitude.”

“B-but… is this… okay?”

She was probably referring to the state of the altar.

“Well, considering the monk who came to cleanse the house ended up going straight from the ambulance to the hearse, I’d say focusing on appearances is pointless. What matters is the intent. As long as we respect and honor this house, it might even become a guardian spirit.”

In fact, the house had already proven its worth, scaring off a persistent salesman who claimed I had a TV here. I didn’t have the spiritual sensitivity to understand it, but it seemed he saw something behind me.

Taking my words to heart, Rena clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture. It wasn’t necessary, but she seemed to want to show her respect in her own way.

“Well, for now, have a seat.”

I led her past the living room to my personal room. Pointing her to the computer chair, I sat down on the bed. Sure, the idea of lying on a bed recently used by a high school girl wasn’t entirely unappealing, but I restrained myself with adult-like composure.

Shrinking herself as much as possible, Rena perched gingerly on the chair. She kept her face down, stealing glances at me with upturned eyes.

It wasn’t deference to an adult that made her so tongue-tied—it was painfully clear from our brief exchanges that she suffered from severe social anxiety.

“U-um… so…”

My continued silence seemed to make Rena even more uncomfortable.

Trying to engage her in a face-to-face conversation would clearly be difficult. While she might manage short replies, any meaningful exchange was going to be a challenge.

I needed a way to move the conversation forward smoothly.

“Rena, take out your laptop.”

There was only one solution.

Without questioning my request, she immediately understood my intent and pulled her laptop from her carry-on bag.

It wasn’t a sleek, trendy ultrabook or the Apple-logoed device that doubles as an entry pass to coffee chains. It was a heavy, no-nonsense black machine with a screen size of at least 15 inches. Not exactly the kind of cute device you’d associate with a charming young girl.

When Rena opened the laptop, the keyboard lit up in a dazzling array of rainbow colors. It was unmistakably a gaming rig.

As the sound of her keys clicked away, Rena silently handed me the laptop. She had already unlocked it. The fact that she anticipated what I was going to do without needing to be told was proof she understood my intentions perfectly.

Using someone else’s computer is inherently awkward, but with the same OS, tweaking a few basic settings wasn’t too difficult. After a few keystrokes, I handed the laptop back to her.

“Is it hard for you to talk face-to-face?”

Rena nodded repeatedly, her head bobbing like a bird pecking at seeds.

As much as I wanted to see what kind of expression she’d wear while talking, getting the conversation moving smoothly took precedence.

I left the room, slid the f_usuma (sliding door)_ shut, and plopped down in the living room.

About thirty seconds passed.

“Wow, Senpai, thanks so much for the help!”

A message popped up on my smartphone.

The sender, obviously, was Renafalt of the Ten Thousand Realms.

She was a friend and junior I’d spent five years chatting with from afar—across the vast physical distance between Tokyo and Sapporo. Now, that distance had shrunk to within a single meter.

The small, nervous creature trembling like a startled animal just moments ago now seemed perfectly at ease, judging by her message.

“Your switch is way too fast!”

I couldn’t help but sigh as I exclaimed.

“I told you before, didn’t I? IRL, I’m a total commu-phobe. Just a keyboard warrior.”

“This goes beyond a keyboard warrior. At this rate, I’m starting to suspect a split personality.”

Her ability to switch gears was just absurd.

She had been so timid and sluggish earlier, yet now the rapid-fire sound of typing echoed from beyond the fusuma. What kind of expression was she making as she played the role of Rena so effortlessly?

I was tempted to peek out of sheer curiosity, but if she flew off like a startled crane, it would be a problem. I held back.

“Senpai, let me start by apologizing.”

Her tone in the message was calm and sincere.

Apologize? Was it for keeping her gender a secret until now? Or her age? Maybe both?

But there was no need for apologies between us. After all, we had never made a point of clarifying those details. While I was surprised, I didn’t feel betrayed.

Just as I was about to say so out loud,

“I’m sorry for tricking you with the ‘busty JK beauty’ line. The truth is… I’m just a regular busty JK.”

“That’s what you’re apologizing for?!”

I’d prepared myself for a heartfelt apology, only to feel completely let down.

Behind the mask of a timid, small animal, it seemed there was a certain pride in being a busty JK.

Her insincere apology made me involuntarily mutter, “…Huh?”

Rena had outright admitted to “catfishing.” In that case—

“So, about that ‘virgin’ part…?”

She had acted the part of a pure maiden, claiming she knew nothing of men. But if she had been doing things behind the scenes… That would be outrageous! A wave of indignation surged from the depths of my chest.

“No, that’s legit. Seriously. Asking a socially anxious, stuttering shut-in to lose it would be cruel.”

“O-oh…”

Her swift denial threw me off balance.

Despite having known me online for five years, she had just confidently declared her purity to me—an adult she’d only met in person today. And all while sitting just a meter away.

I was genuinely tempted to see her expression right now. But if she turned to stone, like Lot’s wife, at my gaze, it would be a problem.

“I’m really sorry for deceiving you about being a beautiful girl. I was desperate to reel you in, Senpai.”

The rapid-fire typing from beyond the fusuma was both mesmerizing and maddening, but I held firm.

“You must’ve been shocked when you showed up expecting a busty JK beauty and got approached by a gloomy introvert instead, huh?”

“Well… yeah, I was surprised.”

To be honest, I was more than surprised—stunned. It was probably the biggest shock of my life.

“But when I got here and saw that the ‘real deal’ had shown up as advertised, I freaked out even more.”

Even if she was a socially awkward introvert, there was no denying she was a busty JK beauty.

“W-what…?”

From beyond the fusuma, I heard a cute little “Eep!”

“Are you saying… I actually am a busty JK beauty?”

It seemed she didn’t think of herself as a “beauty.” While she took pride in her figure, she hadn’t grown arrogant about her looks.

“Yeah, no joke. You can confidently call yourself a busty JK beauty.”

“S-Senpai…!”

Just like earlier with the “virgin” comment, directly calling her a busty JK beauty was probably crossing the line into harassment. I realized my mistake too late—

“I’m drenched. At this point, I’m fine with letting your Gungnir break through my castle gates.”

—but my concern was misplaced. She fired back with even more outrageous innuendo.

This was unmistakably the usual Rena.

“Go count the stains on the ceiling or something. It’ll be over before you know it.”

“Got it. I’m ready, so please be gentle during the siege battle.”

When I replied in my usual tone, she responded in hers, just like always.

It was our typical banter—a back-and-forth of jokes and nonsense. But this time, I hesitated to throw the next ball.

She said she was ready.

Whether she intended her words or not, I wasn’t so dense as to miss their meaning.

Behind the joking tone and playful banter, there was an underlying seriousness—she was talking about the price a runaway girl might pay an adult for shelter. She understood that, and she had steeled herself to pay that price.

I couldn’t swallow or exhale the breath caught in my throat.

Her overwhelming social anxiety made it clear that she didn’t know men, hadn’t indulged in bad habits, and was every bit the internet addict she claimed to be. Her connections in the real world were so sparse that she might snap defensively, “Friends? Why would I have those?”

For someone like her to say she had made up her mind—what kind of inner conflict and turmoil had led her to that decision? Could someone like me, with my shallow pool of life experience, ever hope to understand?

All I knew was the desire to go along with the flow that had brought us here.

I had always envisioned that the first battlefield where I’d wield my Gungnir would be one where I stood shoulder to shoulder with a pure and noble Valkyrie.

Years had passed since I made that vow. A foot soldier less than green, trapped in the prison of daydreams, was now on the verge of seeing those fantasies come true.

And my opponent? Someone I’d known for five years, who had always admired me as her Senpai. A cute kouhai. Her true identity? A busty JK beauty.

Perhaps she had only managed to make this decision because it was me. I doubted she could’ve resolved herself like this with anyone else.

If that was the case, then there was no longer any reason to hesitate.

The day had come to prove that my approach, my strategy, had been correct all along.

“I’m joking. There’s no way I’d launch a siege on someone who’s not even a recruit. Relax.”

Yet, what came out of my mouth was pretty words that contradicted my true feelings.

Why?

Was it out of consideration for a Valkyrie who might not truly want this? No.

Was it because I hoped for a more radiant Valkyrie? No.

Was it because I didn’t see her as a true warrior? No.

The truth was, I was terrified. Faced with the battlefield, I lost my nerve.

Dragging someone less than a recruit into the fray was not something society would forgive. After bringing her this far, I had started worrying about the consequences if this situation came to light.

I was also afraid of how our relationship might change after crossing that line. If it led to a sweet, sticky closeness, I would welcome it. But I feared it might crumble the respect she held for me.

In short, I didn’t want to be despised. I wanted to stay in the lukewarm comfort of being admired by Rena. And if that admiration came from a beautiful girl who was a pleasure to look at, all the better.

“Postponing the siege is not an option. I’m seeking a swift resolution.”

A quick resolution. As expected, even though Rena had steeled herself, this siege battle was not something she truly desired. Scary events are better ended quickly rather than drawn out. It was likely a wish akin to asking for a swift execution.

“My Gungnir will not pierce you. Feel free to remain holed up as you have been.”

Once I declared that I would lay down my spear, there was no going back to desiring a siege battle now. The event was effectively postponed indefinitely.

The rapid typing sounds ceased.

What could she be pondering?

_“Then, as a testament to being a busty JK_ beauty, I’ll work hard as Gungnir’s maintenance technician!”*

After about ten seconds, the keyboard began screaming again under the onslaught of ten fingers.

“We’re not hiring any maintenance technicians.”

“I was pretty good at the recorder, you know?”

“I’ve always maintained my spear myself. It’s not something you need to worry about.”

Released from the relentless battering, the keyboard’s cries subsided.

This time, a slow and almost tender sound came as if consoling the keyboard that had been tormented.

“I can’t just sit by and do nothing after causing trouble.”

The usual joker vanished, and a different side of the girl—unlike Lena—peeked out.

A kouhai from five years ago, who had no romantic feelings for the man she had never met, saw her devotion as recompense and a sense of responsibility.

It was disappointing. I had been hoping—just a little, maybe ten percent—that she might say, “I want to run across the battlefield with you, Senpai.” If she had, I wouldn’t have minded wielding Gungnir for her. But there was no way things would work out so conveniently.

With things as they were, instead of the castle gates, I would have to uphold his dignity as a Senpai.

“Listen. What are you to me?”

“Just a busty JK beauty.”

There was no hesitation in the rapid typing sound.

“You’ve gotten a little attached to that label, haven’t you?”

“Tehe.”

“Then the opposite. What am I to you?”

“You’re my Senpai. The Senpai of my life.”

“Would your Senpai take advantage of a kouhai’s vulnerability and launch a siege against her when she requests support?”

I had wanted to launch it, but now that it had come to this, there was no turning back.

To think that someone like me would end up spouting such hollow platitudes, with a straight face no less. It was absurd enough that I almost laughed at myself for the venomous words that had come from my own mouth.

About a minute passed without a reply.

A stifled sob reached his ears.

The sound didn’t come from the dazzling, rainbow-colored keyboard that had fallen victim to rapid typing. It was the girl’s throat, unable to suppress the outpouring of her emotions.

“Senpai is my Senpai.”

“Yeah.”

If my ridiculous behavior had become a source of comfort for Rena, then playing the fool was worth it.

For a while, the keyboard didn’t cry out in protest.

She had likely tried to stifle the sobs, not wanting me to hear. But the only thing separating us was a thin fusuma sliding door. She must have known her voice would reach me. The fact that the keyboard was granted a ten-minute reprieve was proof enough of that.

The reason I waited in silence wasn’t because I thought it would be better for Rena. As always, I simply took the easier route, throwing the responsibility for dealing with the situation onto my future self.

If I were more experienced in life, I might have opened the fusuma here, extended my arms, and said, “Come on, wipe those tears on my chest.” I even considered it.

But if opening the fusuma led to the nightingale flying away and leaving me standing alone in the forest, that would be a problem too. So I decided to hold back.

“Ah, after all, Senpai really is my Senpai.”

As she mumbled, it seemed she had recovered enough to whip her keyboard into action again.

“You’re such a gentleman on the inside, aren’t you?”

Receiving such praise from a beautiful girl is, of course, immensely gratifying.

So, I decided to probe a little.

“What about the outside?”

“No comment.”

“I’ll launch a siege battle on you, so wait for it.”

“Kyaa, I’m going to be ravished!”

It seemed Rena had regained her usual energy.

And along with that, I was faced with the calm yet brutal reality that, in the eyes of a beautiful high school girl, I was not considered handsome.

“Joking aside, coming here prepared for a siege battle, I was actually relieved when I saw your noble visage, Senpai.”

“Relieved?”

“No matter how much I revere you, even I have limits when it comes to overcoming physiological disgust.”

The rapid typing had completely regained its momentum.

“Honestly, my biggest worry was, what if some stereotypical creepy otaku showed up? At best, I was expecting maybe a ‘chī-gyū’ type. But when someone who looks like an actual working adult showed up, I was so relieved I could cry.”

Apparently, she had been imagining quite the disrespectful image of my face.

I won’t raise my voice to protest. The world she had been taught until now is what it is. I’ll accept it quietly.

“Well, I am an actual working adult. At the very least, I’ve got to maintain cleanliness and a proper appearance.”

“That’s so like Senpai. I respect how you stay on top of things like that without cutting corners.”

It seemed my appearance had left a good impression.

To be praised so much by someone as beautiful as Rena made me honestly happy and a little proud. I’m glad I pushed through as the top of the bottom-tier crowd.

“So, what’s your evaluation of my appearance?”

“The epitome of a working adult—reassuring, for sure.”

“Wait there. I’m coming to harvest those ‘fruits’ of yours.”

“Kyaa, I’m going to be ravished! Somebody, call a man!”

As expected, Rena is Rena through and through. Even though she’s within a meter of me, this is how she acts.

I’d already made up my mind—I figured even if I commented on her physical attributes, she wouldn’t consider it harassment.

Our first face-to-face meeting had created a slightly different dynamic than usual. But now, it felt like things were fully aligned, and both of us were running on full cylinders.

So, it was probably time to get to the main topic.

“So, why did you run away from home?”

“Like I said earlier, it’s because I chickened out during a talk with my parents about my future.”

Rena said it lightly, as if it were the most common thing in the world.

“You relied on an adult man you’ve never even met, traveling a plane’s distance to get here? As the one you depended on, I think you owe me a bit more explanation.”

If she were a university student, I could maybe understand. But Rena’s still a high school student. The gap between the two is huge. Coming all this way impulsively, without a plan, wasn’t something just anyone could pull off.

“It’s really not that big a deal, you know. I mean, I am a busty JK beauty, after all.”

“You’re way too attached to that title.”

“Ehehe.”

Rena’s tone remained as lighthearted as ever.

“Plus, I’m also a socially anxious, stuttering, hikikomori, trash-tier introvert. So, yeah, that’s the gist of it.”

Like she was saying, “See? It’s just one of those common stories.”

There was no way I couldn’t understand after hearing all that.

Rena was exactly the Rena I knew. The only difference was that the information had been updated—she was now a high school student instead of a university student.

“So your parents finally blew up at their truant, hikikomori daughter?”

“Yep. Back in middle school, even when I went to school, I’d just stay in the nurse’s office. And that was only during tests. Someone like that wasn’t ever going to manage high school properly, right?”

Talking to her like this, it’s easy to forget, but Rena’s social anxiety is crippling. Expecting her to attend high school like normal is an unreasonable demand.

“At the entrance ceremony last month, I completely broke down in seconds.”

She casually dropped an incredible revelation.

“…Last month’s entrance ceremony?”

Today’s May 1st.

“That’s right. I’m a fresh and lively, super-fresh busty JK beauty!”

“Wait, does that mean your age is…?”

“If you want to marry me, you’ll have to wait until next March.”

“Hey, wait… when did we first meet again?”

“When I first found enlightenment, of course. That was truly a fateful encounter. You held my hand and guided me through the online world, and look at me now—so accomplished!”

She sounded so proud of herself, but Rena and “accomplished” were worlds apart. And I was the one who gave her that “inside,” for better or worse.

I… I had raised an elementary school fifth-grader to this point.

[T/N: Ah yes, my guy pre-ordered]

I felt like I was being crushed under the weight of both responsibility and guilt, but at least let me offer a defense.

Who could have guessed that the beginner player I met in an online game was actually a fifth-grader?

Every day, Rena logged into the game with gusto and quickly rose to the rank of a veteran player. But that kind of achievement required sacrificing real-world time. Gaining status and glory in an online game is like sprinting down the hierarchy of real life.

Seeing this, I’d wondered, “Is she doing okay with her academics?” But she was similar to how I was back in middle school. I wasn’t a truant, but I spent all my time in front of a computer. If I’d devoted that time to programming, my social standing might be higher now. But I didn’t build up any useful skills for the real world. So, I didn’t have the heart to scold or lecture her.

“So, you broke down at the entrance ceremony because you couldn’t fit in with one of those rowdy, bottom-tier high school crowds?”

With her situation, attending a decent high school wasn’t realistic. It must’ve been one of those local schools even delinquents avoid—the kind where they hand out snacks at 3 p.m. Someone like Rena, a socially awkward busty JK beauty, would have been eaten alive. I could already see the future where she was unwrapped in an instant.

“Hah? Don’t underestimate me. I enrolled in a top-tier academic school where bottom-tier types aren’t even allowed.”

Yet, here she was, talking about attending a high school that didn’t seem to match her profile as an online gaming addict.

“You, a shut-in glued to the internet, got into a school like that?”

“I’ve always been at the top academically. Based on my self-scoring, I even got a perfect score on the entrance exams. Paper tests are just too easy.”

“Seriously?”

“Studying is something I can do as a side activity while gaming. I don’t get why people can’t grasp something so simple. I’m the kind of girl who doesn’t understand why others can’t do what’s obvious. Ugh, being a child prodigy is such a pain!”

As always, Rena declared with utmost confidence that she was a genius.

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of expression she had on her face behind the fusuma. I wanted to check, but I stopped myself. I didn’t want to end up running down the Yomotsu Hirasaka, pelting peaches behind me.

[T/N: Yomotsu Hirasaka is the entrance to the underworld and the place where the god Izanagi and the goddess Izanami were separated for eternity.]

It’s true—once Rena learns something, she never asks about it again. If you teach her one thing, the next time you talk, she already knows ten.

Apparently, that applied not just to her hobbies but to everything.

“Well, that’s what happens when you dump all your points into INT. My real-world interpersonal skills are absolute trash.”

As a result, she ended up with a fatal weakness for surviving in society.

“Why would someone like you, with such poor social skills, even aim for an academic high school?”

“I was hoping to just get a high school equivalency certification and call it a day, but my family is kind of upper-middle class, you know? Even correspondence high school wasn’t an option. And here we are.”

“What about attending just the nurse’s office like before?”

“High school isn’t compulsory education, you know. If I tried that, I’d get hit with a logic bomb. Especially since it’s a private school.”

That’s the harsh reality, and it’s absolutely correct.

“Even though my parents are usually hands-off as long as I get results, they completely flipped out when I couldn’t even attend high school properly. They told me that once I was old enough to marry, they’d sell me off to be the plaything of some upper-class old man. It was like something out of the Sengoku era—using daughters as tools for political connections. It’s the kind of thing that’d make feminists lose their minds.”

Finally, I got the answer I had wanted to know the most.

The real reason she had run away from home, relying on an adult man she’d never met and traveling a plane’s distance, was because she had been cornered into a situation where she desperately needed to escape.

“So that’s why you ran away.”

“Yeah, they were dead serious. I left a note saying I was heading to my sister in Tokyo and fled right in front of them. If they think I’m somewhere they can easily drag me back from, I figure they’ll leave me alone for a while.”

“Leave you alone for a while? Their daughter just flew halfway across the country! They’d at least be worried, wouldn’t they?”

“They’re not worried. My family’s a single-parent household, and my dad has no interest in us as people. The only thing he cares about is the results we produce. The reason he’s invested in me and my sister is purely to maintain the brand of having ‘impressive children.’”

For a fifteen-year-old girl to describe her parents like this—how much must she have gone through?

I wasn’t blessed with great parents either. But it wasn’t until I was twenty that I reached the same level of detachment, where I could write them off as “just crappy parents.”

I didn’t pity her, but hearing about the circumstances hidden behind our five-year friendship left me with complicated feelings.

“Wait, a sister in Tokyo?”

I was distracted from the parent talk, focusing on this new detail instead.

“Yeah, my sister started living alone in Tokyo from March since she’s attending the University of Tokyo.”

Not just a university in Tokyo, but the University of Tokyo. It seemed like both sisters were prodigies.

“So, you didn’t come here counting on me for a place to stay…?”

“Of course not! Even I wouldn’t recklessly go all-in on Senpai like that. Relying on you was just secondary.”

“Secondary?”

“Yup. I came because I really, seriously wanted to meet up with Senpai in person.”

An offline meetup. That first message when she announced she’d landed in Tokyo.

I never thought that was actually her main objective.

“For someone who’s so bold online, I’m surprised you even wanted to do an offline meetup.”

“Senpai’s the only person I can really open up to. I figured this was a good opportunity, and I wanted to see your face at least once. Thought it’d be some stereotypical chī-gyū face, but I was pleasantly shocked when an actual working adult showed up.”

“Out of everyone, you don’t have anyone but me? What about your sister? Is she that harsh on you?”

“My sister’s kind. She cares about me more than anyone else in the world.”

I felt relieved to know that the only toxic part of her family was her parents. At least Rena had someone who truly cared about her.

“But she’s kind without actually understanding how I feel. I didn’t want to rely on her either, but I had no other choice.”

However, it wasn’t something to simply celebrate and move on.

“She doesn’t understand your feelings?”

“She believes my social skills will improve just by going to school. It’s like those old-school grannies who say allergies can be cured if you just eat the food you’re allergic to.”

Comparing the sister who cares for her most in the world to a stubborn, old-fashioned mother-in-law from the Showa era. That alone spoke volumes about the friction between them.

“Anyway, just meeting up with Senpai has already fulfilled most of my plans.”

“You call it a meetup, but you’re doing the same thing as always.”

I’m the only one actually speaking here. Rena could’ve been back in Sapporo, and we could’ve done this exact thing with a messaging app.

“No, no. Just updating my image of Senpai from a chī-gyū to The Working Adult is a huge achievement.”

Rena quipped, lighthearted as always.

Her main objective was to meet me in person. Using me as a place to stay was nothing more than an excuse.

That, in itself, was an odd thing to do.

After all, Rena had steeled herself to come here. So much so that the mere thought of a postponed “siege battle” had brought her to tears.

There was definitely more to this.

“You’ve accomplished your initial goal, but what do you want to do now?”

“I want to escape from reality. Once I’m satisfied, I’ll go to my sister’s place, so until then… could I stay here? Pretty please?”

Reality escape.

If the reason she ran away from home was her true reason for coming here, this was her true goal.

“You say you’ll leave after you’re satisfied, but you’re still a high schooler, right? What kind of excuse are you going to give your sister about where you’ve been all this time?”

It was essentially a plea for “employment as a home security guard” to secure a place to stay every night.

Rena’s desire to escape reality wasn’t something that could be resolved in just a day or two. Even a day or two would be bad enough—what would she say about the gap between running away from home and showing up at her sister’s place?

Even if she tried to cover it with excuses and lies, it wouldn’t be easy to convince anyone.

“I don’t need some grand excuse. I’ll just lean on my brand as a busty JK beauty, say I found a party through a guild, and that’ll be enough.”

“Oh, come on…”

“Don’t worry, I’d never do anything like sell out Senpai. I’d like to think you trust me on that.”

Rena spoke lightly, but that wasn’t the kind of worry I had in the first place.

“Found a party through a guild.” It was clear she wasn’t talking about something in an online game.

Phrases like “waiting for gods,” “no strings attached,” “strawberries,” and “pay-for-play” come to mind—terms for casual and dangerous adult relationships. If she survived Tokyo nights like that, it would be a bold declaration.

Rena likely didn’t take it lightly either. She must have considered how her family would look at her and react to her actions.

“Senpai, my life’s already over.”

That sentiment was something she clung to without resistance.

“Even if I go crying to my sister about this, it’s pointless. She’ll be kind to me, sure, but in the end, she’ll just tell me to go back to school. She’s like, ‘Allergies will definitely get better. It might be hard at first, but you just have to eat through them. I’m saying this for your own good. It’ll be okay; you’ll definitely get better. Because you’re my sister. Now, come on, fight through those allergies!’”

She must have actually been told that.

Was it anger at not being understood, or was it sadness?

“My sister’s kind, but she’s not soft. She’ll just use logic and tell me that it’s hard for everyone, but that’s how life works. She’ll gently remind me that I’ve been spoiled all my life, and nothing more.”

Was her sentiment toward her sister hatred…

“At home, Dad gets angry at me. When I turn to my sister, she’s kind but firm. They seem like opposites, but the message is the same—just eat through the allergy and overcome it.”

…or resignation?

“No, it’s already impossible for me. I know I’m the one at fault, but knowing that and being able to do something about it are two different things.”

The sound of the keyboard being struck violently filled the room, as if she were taking out her frustration on it.

“Senpai, my life’s already over.”

Once again, she repeated the same words.

“My life’s over.”

Rena’s heart had been worn down to the point of despair. She had been driven so far that she could only open her heart to an adult man she’d never met, seeking an escape from reality.

Rena hadn’t steeled herself to come here. She had been forced into a corner, to the point where she had no choice but to steel herself.

“I don’t have the arrogance of being a busty JK beautiful girl, but I do take pride in being a busty JK. That’s why, as I run through the battlefield with you, Senpai, I wanted you to join me in a little escapism.”

For the sake of escaping reality, I can no longer afford to care about appearances. I wanted to cut away pieces of my valuable self, sell them off, and lose myself in the world of dreams.

Even if no salvation awaits me once I wake from the dream.

I haven’t even considered what comes after I return to reality.

Our relationship has lasted only five years. But for Rena, that’s a third of her life.

Renafalt of the Ten Thousand Realms is seeking temporary support to get through this moment.

“If I were told there would be no siege battle, I’d just be a burden, wouldn’t I?”

A high school girl turning to an adult woman. Rena fully understands what that means.

No matter how many facts exist about us standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the battlefield or working together as a mechanic, if it became public, my fate would be sealed. My face and real name would debut on television, and online, people would vent their envy and resentment in droves.

This time, Rena may have staked her entire life on running away from home.

She contacted me just before the act, prepared for failure. If it didn’t work out, she’d quietly go to her sister and return to the predestined, dead-end rails of her life.

But she got through to me. And now, she’s here, inside my home.

So, she steps off those rails as intended, escaping reality with the only person she can open her heart to.

Either way, the future awaiting her holds nothing good.

Rena’s gamble boils down to whether she waits for the end on a dead-end path or falls as far as she can go.

She chose the latter, not because she hoped for anything, but merely to seek a fleeting dream.

In the truest sense, I cannot save Rena.

I have always drifted toward the easiest path, with no ambition, sticking to the status quo. It’s only when forced into a corner that I finally act. I’ve spent my life hoping for fortune I never worked for, like winning a lottery ticket I didn’t buy, making no effort for the future. A textbook worthless, bottom-tier adult.

Though Rena admires me as the “Senpai of her life,” I can’t show her a new path, guide her, or set up a foundation for her to walk into the future on her own.

If there’s anything I can do, it’s to silently grant her wish at best.

To turn away from the problems with her, not thinking about the future, indulging her irresponsibly. I can heal her heart temporarily, but in the long run, it will never benefit her life.

Above all, it’s already bad enough to bring a high school girl into my room. Employing her as a “home security guard” comes with far too many social risks.

The word I hate more than anything is responsibility. I am unmatched in my ability to shift blame and have lived by pushing responsibility onto others. I don’t even want to take on job responsibilities, let alone social ones. I would never, not even in death.

Rena understands my nature better than anyone except Gami. That’s why she tried to buy me off with siege warfare and mechanic work.

The greatest price a runaway girl can offer. By deciding to refuse it, there is almost no merit in accepting Rena. Even after five years of knowing her, sending her away here wouldn’t be a betrayal.

No matter how pitiable her circumstances are, hiding a runaway child carries immense social responsibility. If it came to light, I’d lose everything I’ve built on society’s rails.

Sorry, but I can’t employ you as a home security guard.

Just as I was about to say that, a certain face came to mind.

Someone who believed they had no one to rely on at school or at home. With no escape route, what kind of end awaited them?

…Ah, so that’s why.

The weight pressing down on my shoulders suddenly grew heavier. At the same time, I was surprised that someone like me, who never felt burdened by such things, was feeling this way.

As a last resort.

“Well, it’s a ship I’ve already boarded.”

If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t care, but I don’t want Rena to choose that path.

“Stay as long as you like.”

The words came out naturally. For someone like me, who’s a pro at self-preservation, this was an utterly wrong approach.

From beyond the sliding door, I heard a faint “Huh…” followed by a brief, dazed thump.

“But—”

What kind of expression does Rena have now? A stillness like she was holding her breath and hesitating wafted through.

If I opened the sliding door here, placed a hand on her head, and said, “It’s been tough, hasn’t it? Don’t worry; I’m on your side,” like an irresponsible stud, I might feel a pair of proud breasts pressing against my chest. After a passionate embrace, the two of us might end up with a happy kiss and a blissful ending.

If I had the courage to take such action, I would’ve already recruited a valkyrie as an ally and been joyfully dashing across the battlefield today. But opening the sliding door would just lead to me choking on smoke and turning into an old geezer.

“In return, don’t let anyone find out about me. I don’t want to become a toy for jealous netizens. Seriously, spare me.”

Here, I held back and leaned on my trusty self-preservation.

“Of course. If it ever came to selling you out, I’d go down in a blaze of glory, taking my family and everyone named Tanaka with me.”

“That’s way too unreasonable for Tanaka.”

Rena cracked a joke in her usual tone. I laughed, picked it up, and responded carefully.

“Thank you, Senpai.”

Her gratitude was as straightforward as could be.

“I’m really grateful that you accepted someone like me. Thank you for being you. And thank you for being such a great friend.”

Rena, afflicted with a disease where she’d die if she didn’t make a joke, immediately veered into humor again. Whether it was an outburst or an attempt to hide her embarrassment was unclear.

“The gratitude ratio in your rap is off the charts.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“I’m coming to see what kind of face you’re making now.”

“No, thank you!”

She must have sensed me standing up, as I heard a clatter followed by a small, startled yelp. It was so amusing that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Anyway, just help out with housework. That’d be a huge help.”

“Do you really think a para-shut-in neat maid can handle housework?”

“God, you’re just a pathetic weakling slug!”

“That’s why I’ll humbly ask for your guidance and encouragement. I’m a prodigy, so as long as I go from zero to one, I’ll grow through the battles. Then I’ll become the King of Maids!”

“A socially anxious, stuttering, para-shut-in, busty JK beautiful girl maid, parentheses virgin, has been born.”

“Even I think I have way too many attributes. It’s honestly hilarious.”

From beyond the sliding door, I heard the sound of soft laughter.

It felt like I’d made an absurd decision, but it wasn’t that at all. After all, I hadn’t made any real decision.

I’d simply gone with the usual flow, letting myself be carried irresponsibly.

Always choosing the easier path, throwing the responsibility onto my future self.

“Senpai.”

Even if we both agreed on this, it wasn’t a praiseworthy decision. No matter how much sophistry I might spin, if it came to light, society would bare its fangs.

My face and real name would spread across Japan, and jealous netizens would tear me apart with envy and scorn.

Despite taking on such a risk, the only thought rising within me was this:

“I’m glad I came to see you.”

Well, we’ll figure it out somehow.

My usual optimistic self, as always.

◆

It was an hour before opening time when I arrived.

At the boundary between the mundane and the extraordinary, I passed through the heavy doors for the second day in a row. Inside, at the counter, was Gami, who had already finished the pre-opening tasks.

The sight was so mundane that it was almost boring. The only noticeable difference was Gami’s attitude—she wasn’t there to greet me but seemed to be waiting.

“Sorry for the sudden interruption yesterday.”

“No problem. I assume it’s something amusing enough for my taste?”

Gami smirked and walked behind the counter with the same steps as always.

Following her lead, I sat in my usual spot.

With a beer poured into a glass, she asked,

“So, what happened?”

She was fishing for an explanation about what trouble had occurred yesterday.

I took my first sip, draining half the glass.

“I ended up hiring a home security guard.”

Gami must have imagined all sorts of scenarios overnight, but this conclusion seemed so out of left field that deep wrinkles appeared on her brow—something she’d never shown in front of customers before.

The fact that I’d made Gami pull such a face gave me a small, satisfying sense of victory.

“You remember I told you about Rena a few times, right?”

“Yes, your online friend who’s thoroughly under Tama’s bad influence?”

“That’s one unnecessary detail, but yeah, that’s her. She contacted me yesterday and asked me to hire her as a home security guard.”

“And you, Tama, just said, ‘Sure, I’ll hire you,’ huh?”

“Well, I’ve always been the one being used. It’s not bad to be the one doing the using for once, you know?”

“…Did she run away from home?”

“Apparently, she had a fight with her parents. She ran away all the way from Sapporo, banking on me to help, covering that whole flight distance.”

Following Gami’s quick pace, I downed the rest of my first beer in no time.

Gami took the empty glass but showed no particular surprise. Even factoring in the point about her crashing at my place, a runaway wasn’t exactly an uncommon story. What mattered to her now was how she could spin this into something amusing for herself.

If anything, she might’ve found the story a letdown.

As she poured my second beer, her back practically radiated that sentiment.

“So anyway, right now, a busty JK beautiful girl is staying at my house.”

To let her know this wasn’t a boring story, I dropped that bomb squarely on her back.

Gami turned over her shoulder.

“…What?”

She let out a stupid-sounding voice I’d never heard from her before. Too distracted by the implications of the bomb I’d dropped, she didn’t notice the beer overflowing the glass she was pouring.

“Yeah, a high school girl crashed at my haunted house.”

I silently observed her reaction as I accepted the sloppily poured glass, its foam ratio completely off.

Silence stretched past ten seconds and kept going for what felt like three times that.

“Gahahaha!”

A loud, vulgar laughter echoed through the shop—utterly unbefitting the place.

Naturally, it wasn’t coming from me. Nor had some third party wandered into the store to embody the phrase “laughter brings fortune.” Since I’d arrived, the shop had been occupied by only two people: Gami and me.

Which meant the source of the sound could only be the person right in front of me, Gami.

Still, the sight was bizarre.

After all, a stunning beauty, a model-worthy woman, was clutching her stomach and pounding on the counter in hysterics. Such an ungraceful display was unbecoming of an adult woman who otherwise commanded so much admiration.

The regulars who adored Gami would likely find it impossible to believe. If one of them—especially a girl—were to walk in now, it would be a straight-up horror show for them.

As for me, facing this uncharacteristic Gami, my feelings weren’t confusion, surprise, or even fear.

They were nostalgia.

A memory of before Gami’s body was modified. Back when this beauty was a handsome young boy and still treated as a child. Twelve years of shared classrooms, and now, the classmate from those days had reappeared within this glamorous woman.

A socially unacceptable breach of rules.

Yet Gami didn’t scold or admonish me for it.

“Well done, Tama! I’m impressed!”

She praised me with unabashed delight, as if celebrating a hometown friend winning a gold medal.

This moment illustrated Gami’s personality well and explained why I confessed my rule-breaking so straightforwardly. Trying to hide it and having her later find out would’ve been far worse—“How dare you keep such an amusing story to yourself!”

I expected laughter, but I hadn’t imagined it would hit her so hard. For the first time since we reunited, I saw her drop the refined demeanor of a woman and revert to her old ways as a man. Only, her voice no longer matched due to the body modifications, which made the scene all the more jarring.

“I always knew it. You’re a man who gets things done when it counts.”

Praising my rule-breaking, Gami began pouring another glass of beer.

At first, I thought she’d forgotten that she had already poured the second glass after laughing so hard. But no, she grabbed the foam-heavy glass and chugged it down as if to celebrate.

“Pwah!”

Gami threw away every semblance of femininity, exuding a bold masculinity instead.

“Hey, isn’t it still before opening hours?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! With a story this entertaining, there’s no point in opening the shop today.”

She poured her second glass in high spirits, clearly thrilled.

It was a Saturday during Golden Week—a prime time for business. While this wasn’t a bustling office district, it was a lively area full of charming local pubs. Choosing not to open the shop during such a busy time seemed impulsive, but I quickly realized it didn’t matter.

After all, this shop was just a hobby for Gami. Whether it made money or not didn’t affect her life, and she could close it whenever she felt like it.

This wasn’t because Gami was born into wealth, nor because she struck it big in stocks, FX trading, or cryptocurrency. It wasn’t even due to a lottery win.

She had suspicious sources of funding.

After graduating high school, Gami used her connections to fly to Southeast Asia. She apparently achieved success there and returned to Japan, but knowing Gami, it wasn’t through honest means alone. She must’ve leaned heavily on shady methods.

I didn’t know what she did, and I didn’t plan to find out. I’d keep pretending I saw nothing, heard nothing, and knew nothing—la-la-la, fingers in my ears forever.

“Ah, man, I haven’t laughed this hard in ages. When was the last time?”

Gami wiped her eyes, perhaps from laughing so much that tears had welled up.

“As far as I know, it was back in our third year of high school. You laughed like that over the phone when I gave you some good news.”

“Then yeah, it’s been since that time.”

Apparently, this level of laughter hadn’t happened since the celebratory drinks of that occasion.

Seeing Gami laugh at other people’s misfortune or shrug off rule-breaking like this always made me think: This person has been a hopeless case since the beginning.

Ultimately, she’s the kind of person who laughs at misfortune—a kindred spirit.

“Still, I can’t believe that Tama brought home trouble. And a high school girl, no less? How young are we talking?”

“She said if she wants to marry me, she has to wait until next March.”

“Hold up, it’s barely May! She’s a proper kid! That’s seriously bad news.”

Despite her words, Gami’s face was brimming with amusement. She thrived on the live drama of the situation, relishing it as if it were someone else’s problem entirely.

“So she hopped on a plane to rely on you? Couldn’t she have picked someone better?”

“Apparently, the only option was me. She even got so mad she said, ‘Of course a para-shut-in neat has no friends; give me a break.’”

“If you’re the only person she can rely on, her life’s already over. Gahahaha!”

Slapping the counter repeatedly, Gami took another satisfying swig of her beer. It seemed the drama made for perfect drinking material.

Her life’s already over.

Gami meant it as a joke, but it struck at the truth. That’s why I decided to take Rena in.

“She was probably one step away, you know?”

“Huh?”

“No place to escape—not at school, not at home. You know how people like that end up, don’t you, Gami?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Without nostalgia or sadness, Gami let out a snort of laughter.

“What’s that person doing now, I wonder?”

Gami deliberately brought up an obvious topic.

She wasn’t reminiscing about it; she just wanted to see how I’d respond.

“What else? They’re surely doing their duty even now.”

“What duty?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

It’s been eight years since then. I thought becoming an adult might bring reflection or guilt, but that’s not the case.

“Stacking rocks by the river.”

Just as they vowed, that kid grew into a truly hopeless adult.

Gami, satisfied with my answer, which went exactly as expected, let out a loud “Gahahaha!” while pounding the counter.

“If you turned Rena away here, the only job left for her would be that. I didn’t want her to end up in that kind of work—it’s too depressing to think about.”

“So you decided to hire her, huh? Aren’t you overthinking it a bit?”

“If she were just a happy-go-lucky JK, maybe. But Rena’s been a shut-in since elementary school, never attending classes, and so socially anxious she can’t even talk without stammering.”

I took a sip of beer, wetting my throat.

“A girl like that flew all this way and said this: ‘I’m ready for this, so please be kind to me.’”

“…Yeah, that’s definitely one step away.”

“What kind of life must a kid have lived to be ready to work for an adult man whose face and name she doesn’t even know?”

Rena ran away because she didn’t want to become some upper-class old man’s plaything. But at her destination, she resolved to sell herself anyway. The only difference was that the target had changed to me.

It’s not like she had a strong will to avoid menial jobs. Surely working on the battlefield would be far worse.

“Whatever the case, that kid decided there was more salvation in amusing you than stacking rocks by the river.”

No matter how tragic someone’s life was or how much misfortune they endured, Gami would never empathize.

“A tantalizing prize for worthless adults. She walked right up and said, ‘Bon appétit.’ So, how does she taste?”

Her curiosity wasn’t about Rena herself but the kind of juicy gossip that tabloids loved.

“Why are you assuming I’ve already eaten?”

“What, you haven’t yet? Well, you’ve got time, so you’re probably just planning to show off your adult restraint, huh? Saving it for later?”

“…I don’t have any plans to enjoy her.”

“Huh?”

“Gami. Have you ever heard of the law?”

“It’s like a driver’s license. You don’t need it as long as you don’t get caught.”

Gami, utterly divorced from the concept of legality, dismissed it with a wave.

“A guy who started driving without a license has no business lecturing me about that kind of nonsense.”

She was absolutely right, leaving no room for rebuttal.

“Actually, I value compassion and understanding for others.”

“Don’t lie. You, of all people, don’t have an ounce of that kind of noble spirit.”

“That’s slander. I demand an apology and compensation.”

I held out my empty glass.

Gami didn’t apologize but started preparing compensation by refilling it. In the meantime, I began thinking of my next move.

Somehow, I had to steer this conversation away and muddy the waters.

“The real reason you didn’t make a move is obvious.”

For some reason—

“If I put it in your terms, you chickened out on the battlefield.”

Along with her compensation, she was delivering mockery.

“The pathetic end of a terminal virgin, huh?”

“Fuck you!”

“Abandoning vocabulary is as good as admitting I’m right.”

Even as I flipped her off, Gami laughed gleefully.

Being mocked for my inexperience at this age wasn’t just painful—it was downright humiliating. That’s why I wanted to change the topic so badly.

After Gami laughed her fill, she started prying into the events of yesterday, one detail at a time.

“You idiot, you should’ve just done it already. Though I admit, this way is funnier.”

“You’re just enjoying this because it’s someone else’s problem.”

“Problems and misfortunes are only entertaining because they’re someone else’s.”

Gami’s delighted expression wasn’t asking if I didn’t understand that. It was asking if I had forgotten.

Of course, I’d never forgotten. It’s an unspoken truth of the world, one you can’t voice publicly.

“Taking on a dangerous bomb like that for free is quite the bold move.”

“It’s not for free. At the very least, she’s going to learn to handle housework.”

“Compared to the risks of taking in a kid, chores are just a bonus. For someone who’s a master of self-preservation like you, just holding onto a bomb without enjoying the perks is proof you’ve gone soft.”

Gami grinned like a child delighted by a circus act.

“Well, whatever. I’ll help out.”

“I haven’t even asked yet.”

“With a twisted virgin and a sheltered shut-in living together, plenty of problems are bound to pop up. Coming clean about it like this means you’ve got requests, right?”

The smirk on Gami’s face said she had me completely figured out.

And she was exactly right.

I didn’t know how long I’d be employing Rena. Still, I was planning for long-term employment, not just a short stint during Golden Week.

That meant she’d need some essential items. Having lived a life completely disconnected from women, I had no clue what she might need. Worse, Rena might be too shy to say what she wanted, even if it was something basic.

In that regard, Gami, who had practically treated switching genders like toggling a setting in a mobile game, would know these things. Not only did she have the knowledge, but as a woman, she could also access places men couldn’t. If I secured her cooperation, I’d be in a much better position.

Normally, you couldn’t ask someone to help with rule-breaking. But Gami was a hedonist who laughed off rules and morality. I figured she’d find it amusing and pitch in.

Even so, I didn’t expect her to offer her help before I asked.

“In exchange, you’re going to spill everything that happened.”

This incident seemed like pure entertainment to Gami.

After wrapping up discussions about Rena and making future plans, we spent the rest of the time reminiscing about old times. I ended up drinking with Gami, riding her enthusiasm.

In the end, I stayed at the shop for about four hours. Sensing a natural pause in the conversation, I got up to leave. Gami seemed unsatisfied but let me go since Rena was back at the haunted house all alone. I didn’t expect any trouble, but I figured I shouldn’t keep her waiting too long. I’d initially planned to stay for just an hour.

“I left a high school girl alone at a haunted house. I should probably get back.”

“Gahahaha! Oh yeah, you did!”

Laughing but understanding, Gami let me leave without argument.

Including yesterday’s bill, I handed over two Noguchi bills,

“You brought in such an entertaining story; I can’t charge you for this. From now on, drinks are in the house—just make sure you keep me updated.”

Thus began my zero-yen all-you-can-drink plan.

It wasn’t quite late enough to be “night,” but good elementary school kids would already be asleep.

Despite drinking for four hours, I returned to the haunted house with surprisingly steady steps.

The living room had a clear, open view—not because it was spacious, but because it lacked the furniture needed to serve as a place of comfort. The only prominent feature was a shrine set up in the corner, its presence loudly proclaiming its significance. The only other thing I’d added to the room was a cold-toned, checkered carpet.

The carpet wasn’t for decoration but served as a cover.

What was I covering? The aftermath of a cult’s mass suicide—a legacy left behind. Beneath the carpet, dark, vivid stains of blood still clung to the floor.

Even I, who moved in despite the haunted nature of the place, couldn’t bring myself to see that every day.

As I stepped into the living room, I was greeted by a sight I’d never seen in the five years I’d lived here.

It wasn’t an evil spirit, a monster, a lunatic, or a burglar.

“O-o-o…welcome back.”

It was Renafalt of the Ten Thousand Realms.

The busty JK beautiful girl, a mismatch for both this house and me, had sensed the homeowner’s return and dashed out of her room.

Even though she’d spent the night here, she’d been left alone in the haunted house for over four hours. Her timid, small-animal-like face showed visible relief.

The sight caught me completely off guard.

It wasn’t the fact that this socially anxious girl, stuttering all the while, had managed to muster the courage to speak up.

It was her words.

“Welcome back.”

A phrase meant to greet someone living under the same roof. A spell I had neither encountered nor thought about in my life—a life with no family and no effort to find a partner. It was a phrase I’d abandoned long ago, far beyond my reach.

Yet, here it was, spoken to me for the first time in over ten years.

As I stood there dazed, not responding, Rena started growing uneasy.

Wondering if she’d done something wrong, her timid demeanor turned to one of nervous anxiety.

But Rena had done nothing wrong. The only one failing to act appropriately was me.

The phrase, long rusted in my mind, simply took time to surface.

So, no, Rena, you didn’t do anything wrong.

“Oh, I’m back.”

With those words, I finally recited the spell that had lain dormant for over a decade.