“Do not run away.” (Voice)
My shoulders shook as I heard a loud voice in the
pitch darkness.
“Huh? I was supposed to be in the garden
just a moment ago…” (Toru)
“Do not run away.” (Voice)
With the voice heard again, the world was lit up.
It was a familiar floor. I was sitting in an office
chair with a stiff cushion. The monitor in front of me was lined with letters.
“This……” (Toru)
It was Japan.
Why here? My head spun. Suddenly, my shoulder was
shaken from behind.
“Hey, Mizuki, are you alright?” (Person)
“Eh, oh, yes.” (Toru)
The person who shook my shoulder was my boss at
work. He was holding a bag in one hand and wearing a coat in the other. He was
just about to leave.
The other employees had also left. I was the only
one left. It was the same scene as usual. Everyone assigns work to me and goes
home on time. Only I, who is assigned more work, is always unable to come home
on time.
“You can just doze off.” (Person
=> Boss)
“I-I’m sorry…” (Toru)
“I know you’ve been up all night and
it’s been tough, but this is a project that no one but you can handle.”
(Boss)
“…” (Toru)
“Oh, yeah, yeah. I’m sorry to bother you
at this time, but we have an urgent matter that came up just now. I’ll see you
by the day after tomorrow.” (Boss)
“Oh, well, the day after tomorrow is a
bit—” (Toru)
“Huh… what?” (Boss)
“Nothing.” (Toru)
“I can count on you, right?” (Boss)
“……yes.” (Toru)
“Then stop stalling.” (Boss)
“……I will do my best.” (Toru)
My shoulders slumped as I looked at the new documents
piled up on my desk. While I thought it was impossible, I had already finished
the calculation in my head, “I’ll make it in time if I don’t go to sleep.”
I am dissatisfied with the weight of the work. But
now that the work has been given to me, I have to do it right? Even if I don’t
have the time or the strength, I must not throw it away in the middle of the work.
I must not ask for help. Also, if I don’t sleep, I can
make it, it’s not impossible.
I have to be that kind of person—
“I’m counting on you.”
Their expectations are instantly turned inside out.
That was the most terrifying thing of all.
I went to my desk again.
—Do not run away.
I scolded myself. Don’t worry. I’ll make it in
time. This is what I always do, I thought to myself. I was tapping the
keyboard, cheering myself up.
“It’s okay to run away!” (Voice)
A voice I had heard somewhere. A voice that was not
of this world, but one that I had heard long ago.
I tried to remember, but I couldn’t make out the
face of the owner of that voice.
“I can’t. I can’t run away because I
have work to do.” (Toru)
“No, you can run away!” (Voice)
“No, no, if I run away, what about this
job? If I can’t do it, I’ll be in trouble.” (Toru)
“You’ll be in trouble if you don’t!”
(Voice)
“No, no, no. That would indeed be a
dereliction of duty, right?” (Toru)
“There is no such duty.” (Voice)
“Huh…?” (Toru)
Hearing the sharp voice, Toru opened his mouth
involuntarily.
“Adventurers and humans are free!”
(Voice)
“…” (Toru)
“If it’s hard, if it’s painful, you can
run away!” (Voice)
“—” (Toru)
“Come on, Toru, leave all that work behind
and go on an adventure with me!” (Voice)
A translucent window appeared
in front of him along the cheerful voice.
>>…Time and Space Magic Law… Dispelling
Complete.
>>……Skill Board… …Reboot!
A translucent hand suddenly appeared and pulled
Toru’s hand.
A nostalgic feeling, a
nostalgic warmth.
The next moment he realized
whose hand it was.
The world was flooded with
white light.
~3rd Person Perspective~
Toru’s eyes suddenly opened with a snap as Esther
was holding him. And soon it changed, staring at her anguished expression.
“To-To-Toru!? You came back to
life!?” (Esther)
“Eh, I am okay… Guuuuh!” (Toru)
“Oh, I’m sorry. I hugged you too
tightly—” (Esther)
Toru’s face is very close. The distance is almost
like two lovers about to kiss.
Esther’s face suddenly became hot, and she hurriedly
put some distance between them. It was the fastest backstep she has ever done
in her life.
“No, no, no! There’s a deep reason for
this! I-i-it’s not like I was holding you for any particular deep
meaning!” (Esther)
“Umm, yeah. …Hey Esther, thank you for
helping me.” (Toru)
“Wha-what are you talking about!?” (Esther)
“Somehow, I feel like Esther helped me.”
(Toru)
“Um, yes?” (Esther)
“I’m sorry about before. I did something
thoughtlessly.” (Toru)
“No, that’s enough. I think it was my
fault that I didn’t properly express my feelings… Rather, that kind of thing
doesn’t matter! How did you die!?” (Esther)
“No, I didn’t die… I shouldn’t be.
Somehow, Luka appears and used magic—that’s right. Luka!” (Toru)
Toru quickly stood up and grabbed his [Magic Sword].
“What happened to Luka?” (Esther)
“Well. Esther, can I ask you to lead the evacuation
of the civilians?” (Toru)
Hearing Toru’s tense voice, Esther finally noticed
her surroundings. The next moment, Esther’s body was chilled.
“What, what is this presence…!?”
(Esther)
The presence of such a presence was so close by,
yet she had not noticed it until just now
It would be suicidal to be unprotected in the
presence of such an intimidating presence. Esther hurriedly assumed a fighting
stance.
“Somehow, there seems to be some kind of
a big opponent here. Let’s evacuate the residents first.” (Toru)
“Oh, I understand!” (Esther)
“Wait, Esther.” (Toru)
“What is it!?” (Esther)
“If things get too dangerous, let’s run
away—together.” (Toru)
“……Yes!” (Esther)
Esther nodded quickly and immediately moved to save
the inhabitants.