The sun danced atop the mountain peaks, its rays flowing between the cold rocks in harmony with the gentle winds sweeping through the green meadows surrounding the rural town. The breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth, casting an aura of peace over the place. The horizon stretched wide, and the town blended seamlessly with the surrounding nature, as if time had stopped here. As the sun bathed the land in warmth, the mountains seemed to welcome visitors.
On the quiet dirt road, three figures walked in measured steps, synchronized with the wind's rhythm. Akira, with his confident, straight strides, led the group from the front, radiating an air of calm and steadfastness. Beside him, Velgrynd chatted lightly about the food she wanted to try at the market, her face alight with a curious glow. Meanwhile, Velzard observed the scenery around her, her eyes tracing the endless fields, immersed in a tranquility unlike anything else.
The road reflected the simplicity of life here—yet the trio were not free from the watchful eyes following them. A mix of curiosity and awe filled the faces of passersby.
"Akira… I want something sweet today," Velgrynd murmured, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at a small cart by the roadside. Her hands clutched the hem of her dress, ready to claim every piece of candy she'd taste.
"As you wish," Akira replied calmly, as usual, brushing a strand of hair from his face without looking at her. His focus was fixed on something far beyond.
Soon, the three arrived at a small square on the town's outskirts, where faded cloth tents sprawled across the area. Vendors displayed their wares: bread, spices, herbs, and even handmade crafts that breathed life into the modest market.
But it was a small wooden cart, covered with a white cloth canopy, that quickly caught Akira's attention. Behind it sat Sawada Honoka—short brown hair, honey-dark eyes, wearing a gray apron over a simple dress. She seemed like just another part of the place—no magic, no weapons, nothing unusual to distinguish her. Yet she carried a rare quietness that reflected her inner strength.
She was selling something unfamiliar in this world… honey-lemon rice cakes, an oddity that felt out of place. Her smile was plain, but there was warmth in her eyes, something beyond words.
"Are these… rice cakes?" Akira whispered as he approached slowly, his expression serious but alert to the strange atmosphere.
The black-haired, blue-eyed girl lifted her gaze from the cart, her faint smile shifting into a welcoming one.
She was beautiful—hair black as ink cascading to her waist, eyes blue as the noonday sky, with a beauty mark beneath her left eye. Her clothes clearly differed from the locals'.
"Oh, customers? Welcome!" She bowed gently, a small but kind gesture. "Would you like something sweet after your long journey?"
Akira glanced at Velgrynd, who was already eagerly reaching for a piece of cake, while Velzard watched silently, her eyes gleaming with caution.
"Your name?" Akira asked with deep interest. The girl before him had East Asian features, but what drew his attention more was her clothing—despite its poor quality, the design was modern, almost contemporary.
"Honoka," she answered, her smile unwavering as she noticed Akira's gaze on her unusual attire. "I'm… not really from here. I've been traveling for a while before settling in this village. So I started selling cakes to make a living."
Akira stared at her for a long moment, then turned to Velgrynd, who chewed slowly, her eyes half-closed to savor the flavor.
"They're delicious," Velgrynd murmured. "The lemon is subtle, and the honey is very smooth."
"They taste like Japanese sweets," Akira remarked quietly, picking up another piece.
Honoka's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise, her eyes widening as she stared at Akira in shock. She hadn't expected to hear the word "Japan" from anyone in this world.
"…You're from Japan?" Akira asked again, his tone more serious.
Her smile froze for a moment before she whispered, "Yes… I was."
At this, Akira's expression shifted briefly. Hearing that word, his gaze drifted away, lost in thought, his eyes flickering with something like shock—but he quickly regained his composure.
"..." — Honoka stared at Akira. There was something about this place, this encounter, that felt more than mere coincidence. Despite the changes in him, despite how different he looked now… something in Akira's presence stirred a vague memory in her.
"You… you're from Japan too, aren't you?" she asked, her eyes shining with recognition.
"Do you know me?" Akira raised an eyebrow. Though he had been famous in Japan, he hadn't expected Honoka to recognize him—unlike Miharu and Aki, his appearance had changed drastically since then.
"Are you… Akira? The famous model?" she added softly.
Akira was momentarily surprised. This was unexpected—but he smiled faintly, amused that she knew him. "Yes, that's me." He said it simply, as if it were the most normal thing.
Honoka studied him intently, then whispered, "I can't believe it… I used to see you in magazines and ads. How are you here?"
"Circumstances changed," Akira replied calmly, pulling a silver coin from his pocket. "Is this enough?"
"Of course!" Honoka smiled, though she still couldn't process what was happening.
"Join us for a while," he said plainly, his eyes locked on her. He hadn't expected to see someone from his old world here—let alone someone who recognized him—and he was willing to offer help.
"Huh?" She gasped lightly, disbelieving.
"Akira…" Velgrynd whispered, stepping closer with a small smirk. "Are you adopting a lost girl now?"
"She's calm… and from my world, my country," Akira answered without looking at her, as if slowly settling the matter.
"Can I really come with you?" Honoka asked, her body trembling slightly with excitement.
"Of course. But it's not free—you'll have to help me cook. I'm the only one among us three who does," Akira said lightly, watching as she immediately began gathering her things.
"Absolutely! I'll make sure to cook delicious meals for you," Honoka grinned confidently. After arriving in this world, she had acquired the [Unique Skill: Cook], allowing her to recreate Japanese dishes from memory—even though she hadn't known much about cooking before.
When she first arrived in this world about a year ago, Honoka had been terrified, frozen in shock at this primitive land. Fortunately, she was far from the war's reach, allowing her to recover quickly. She opened a sweets shop to survive—and now, she was overjoyed to see someone from her original world, even if they weren't personally acquainted.
"Good," Akira muttered, already walking away with the others following.
Velzard chuckled softly, watching the scene as if amused—or perhaps comforted.
And so, Honoka, the girl from another world, joined the quiet journey of three beings who belonged nowhere. Yet despite her simplicity, there was a warmth around her—something human, something lost—that made her radiate an invisible energy stronger than any magic, deeper than any mystery.
...
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