This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 23 - A Place to Stay (3) - Part 3

When I returned from the bathroom after washing up, Zerdan was already gone.

Perhaps the thought that I might not come back was more shocking than I had anticipated.

It was an unexpected reaction. I might have expected it from Obella or Terisier, but I didn’t think he would react that way.

I wonder if his feelings toward me are similar to those he has for Obella, or if they are different.

Somehow, the situation intrigued me, and I found myself humming a tune. Seeing his reaction made it all the more entertaining, and I felt like teasing him.

I wondered what his reaction would be if I left without saying anything.

As I was changing clothes and drying my wet hair, I heard a knock. When I said he could come in, Luke entered through the door. He peeked in with just his head and looked at me.

“Are you busy right now?”

“No, why?”

He looked around the room and, realizing no one else was there, approached me. He scratched the back of his head as he came closer, looking like he had something to say but was hesitant.

But if he wasn’t planning to say anything, he wouldn’t have come in the first place.

As I waited quietly for Luke to speak, he hesitated before saying.

“I heard some strange rumors.”

“Strange rumors?”

“Yeah. Mom said something terrible happened yesterday, and that things are chaotic around here. It’s supposed to be a murder case. The victims were adult men, and they were found dead in a strange state. No one knows who did it, and someone who happened to pass by discovered the scene, and now it’s causing a stir.”

Hmm? Something came to mind as I listened to Luke.

“And apparently, one of the victims was still alive and said a woman with silver hair did it. She killed his comrades with terrifying strength. Of course, people usually don’t pay much attention to him since he has a bad reputation and rumors about him. But since the story is about a woman making those men look like that, it seems people are quite interested, and the rumors have spread quite a bit.”

“I see.”

“But as you know, silver hair isn’t that common, right?”

Luke’s gaze shifted toward my hair. Water droplets were dripping from my wet silver hair. I wiped my hair with a towel and gave a light laugh.

“That’s true.”

“Sister Moa, it’s not something to laugh about! What if people mistake you for that person and start attacking or spreading bad rumors about you while you’re out?”

It seems Luke came to me out of concern. He was worried that someone might seek revenge or that I might get caught up in unnecessary scandals.

How considerate.

I patted Luke’s head.

“It’s okay. It was me. The bearded man who owed me tried to attack me, and it seemed like keeping him alive would only cause more harm to others. It seems he had already been like that before.”

“…Really? You were the one who did that?”

Luke’s expression was one of shock. He seemed to find it hard to believe, even though he had been half-doubting. Maybe it’s because talking about killing someone so casually is surprising. Luke stayed silent for a moment before nodding his head.

“…I’ve been told that killing people isn’t a good thing, but Mom did mention what those victims had done. People who knew them didn’t feel any sympathy and seemed rather welcoming of the news. Mom was worried that I might get kidnapped while wandering alone, but she said she felt relieved because of this incident. And honestly, it’s better than if something happened to you.”

I was honestly a bit touched by Luke’s response. Though he’s young, he has a mature and composed side that aligns well with me, unlike the overly sensitive Anise.

“You’re kind. But I didn’t expect one of them to still be alive.”

“Do you want me to tell you where he is?”

Luke asked me. After thinking for a moment, I nodded.

I mentioned that I would need to visit soon, and Luke asked to come along, offering to help in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

“Thanks. By the way, did you come up to warn me to be careful?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, there’s that too. Brother Terisier said he wanted to test you if you’re okay. He tested Phel, and it seems fine now. Brother Obella also thinks it should be alright.”

“Really?”

Faster than I expected.

They probably think it’s not a big deal. They might be assuming that they can just move me to another area and bring me back if they want to see me again.

I decided to follow Luke down to the first floor.

* * *

When we reached the first floor, everyone was gathered there. However, one person was missing. I thought he might have gone out first, but was Zerdan somewhere else?

“Looks like the test went well?”

“I feel a bit queasy, but it was alright. I don’t like the guy using it, but the ability is pretty overpowered.”

Phel said with a slightly tired expression. Despite her grumbling, it seemed she had continued to cooperate with Terisier’s ability.

I thanked Phel for her hard work and approached Terisier.

“Let’s first confirm if today’s destination is correct, and then we’ll bring you back here.”

I nodded. He approached me and asked me to think of my hometown. As I recalled my original world, he seemed to be using his ability.

Terisier’s expression changed as he peeked into my memories.

“…Is this your hometown?”

“It’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?”

It must seem unusual to Terisier. There are many people with different clothes, tall buildings, and many cars that aren’t here. Terisier’s expression became odd.

However, it seemed he could use his ability since he didn’t say it was impossible.

Everyone was smiling. Some were wishing us well, while others looked on with concern.

Terisier began to use his ability. A strange sensation enveloped his surroundings.

Among those looking on with concern was Obella. I gave a light wave.

“Just check the location. I’ll have you back here in about 10 minutes.”

Terisier spoke, and I didn’t respond. Neither Terisier nor the others seemed to take it seriously, and soon my body began to blur. It looked like the ability was being used properly.

I glanced around once more. I saw the figures of my companions looking at me. Would I meet them again, or would they remain as characters only in the game?

Suddenly, I was concerned about someone who hadn’t shown up yet.

What kind of expression would Zerdan have in this situation?

Would he be smiling nonchalantly, or would he have a worried look?

Or perhaps…

“Moa Ablon!”

In my fading vision, I briefly saw Zerdan’s figure. He seemed to have appeared suddenly using Khan’s ability, and as he hurried toward me, my vision turned completely black.

I felt nauseous. Just as Phel had said.

But whether this was due to Terisier’s ability or if it was beyond the ability’s limit, I didn’t know.

I saw the original world replaying before my eyes like a video. And in front of it was a woman’s back.

It was a familiar back.

After all, it was the back of my original self before becoming Moa Ablon.

Instinctively, I felt that if I approached that place, I would escape from Moa Ablon and return to my original body.

It seemed that Terisier’s ability and my desires had intertwined perfectly through my memories.

My vision was fading. If I didn’t reach it now, I probably wouldn’t return to the real world again. But what would happen to the others if I returned to the real world?

Would the existence of Moa Ablon, which was originally nonexistent, be forgotten from memory? Or would it merely become a repetitive scene like in a game, turning into a character within the game?

There was nothing around. If I stayed still, I might end up returning through Terisier’s ability or wandering in a place that was neither the real world nor the game world.

I reached out my hand. Since I had resolved to return to the original world if the opportunity arose, I wouldn’t miss it.

But the hand I had reached out to stopped in its place again.

‘He looked more flustered than when he was injured last time.’

The face from earlier, which showed clear signs of panic compared to when he was injured during the ambush, flashed before my eyes. It also showed a sense of desperation, making me hesitate a bit.

Could it be that I have some lingering affection? Or maybe it’s because it overlaps with the image of young Zerdan looking surprised just before?

My steps wouldn’t move. I stared down at my feet and saw a shadow.

I was puzzled by the visible shadow in this dark place when someone’s warm presence began to envelop me.

“I’m glad I gave Khan a heads-up beforehand.”

A voice was heard that couldn’t possibly be there. The voice that came while embracing me felt as clear as reality.

Unable to say anything in response to the voice in my ear, I remained still and turned my head.

It was Zerdan.

“…Did you plant the shadow in advance?”

Now that I think about it, I recall seeing Zerdan whispering to Khan. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but who would have guessed it would lead to this kind of situation?

Although I felt taken aback, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. As Zerdan held me and rested his shoulder against mine, he spoke.

“I was really worried I’d never see you again.”

Zerdan’s words muttered like a private thought, made me frown. Even though it wasn’t in formal speech, I found my heart beating a little faster, oddly enough.

I forced a light smile and joked.

“Others believe I’ll be back soon, you know?”

“The idea that you might never return after leaving didn’t sound like a joke to me.”

I remembered the stern expression Zerdan had when I mentioned it. It seemed he had been concerned. He’s quite perceptive.

But normally, he wouldn’t have acted this way.

Using someone else’s ability forcibly to intervene could create dangerous situations with potential problems.

Zerdan’s behavior, driven by emotion rather than his usual calmness, was reckless. However, as he held me now, it seemed he was reassured by just the act of holding me, seemingly not concerned with any anxieties.

I recalled Zerdan’s expression from when I last saw him. It was a mix of surprise and urgency, not quite sadness or joy, but it also showed a hint of desperation.

‘…It’s the first time I’ve seen Zerdan make such a face, but it’s not bad.’

Both his smiling face and his flustered face were new to me.

It seemed that the connections formed in this unfamiliar world, whether they were good or bad, would continue to bind us in the future. But that didn’t bother me.

As I glanced back, the blurred scenery of the original world gradually faded away like a mirage. The sight, which vanished as if it had never existed, seemed to tell me that all opportunities had slipped away.

There wouldn’t be another chance like this.

With the confirmation that I couldn’t return to the original world, it was now a reality that I would have to live as Moa Ablon.

Although it was disappointing to lose a sliver of hope, I wasn’t particularly sad. The owner of the arms that held me so tightly was more endearing than I had expected.

I thought it was just his face that I liked, but… perhaps I had developed some affection for him. Or maybe it was another kind of feeling.

An unfamiliar yet unpleasant emotion was directed towards Zerdan, which I hadn’t felt towards Obella or the others.

He might feel the same way. I wonder what his expressions of yearning or jealousy would be like.

The game’s secondary male characters were incredibly to my taste. Yet, despite always being killed off early, it was ironic to be feeling this way now.

But I didn’t mind. It meant something that Zerdan was the one who came for me. I smiled and embraced Zerdan in return.