Prologue: Makoto Takatsuki’s Breakfast
I opened my eyes to the dull orange glow of the ceiling light.
Sleepily, I looked around my room. A dim shaft of light was poking in through the blinds. The floor was covered in scattered game cases and manga volumes, and there was a neat pile of textbooks and reference books on the desk.
The clock on the desk read 6:35.
Honestly, I’d had enough of the dreary sight of my room.
I should get ready for school.
I wandered down to the living room. No one else was around. Did my parents even come home last night? They both started early and always got back after the last train.
Actually...it was more frequent that they just didn’t get home at all. There was an envelope on the desk with several notes inside it—that was my allowance for the week...which meant it must have been Monday.
Man, I was tired. Did I stay up all night gaming? I wondered. That must have been why I was so exhausted. I didn’t remember beating the game either. That demon lord boss had been too hard. It was undead, and every time I killed it, the thing revived. How was I supposed to deal with that?
Getting breakfast ready is too much effort...
I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I wouldn’t be able to concentrate in class if I didn’t eat. Sasa would call me dead-eyed as well.
With that in mind, I took the remote and flicked on the TV.
There was a news segment on entertainment, but I couldn’t muster up any interest. I changed the channel and found a weather forecast. It was going to rain today.
Ah, damn it. I’ll need an umbrella...wait, umbrella? It’s been ages since I last used one...
Right. I didn’t need an umbrella. I never used to like the rain, but I didn’t mind it so much anymore. After all—
“Makoto! How long are you going to sleep in?!”
The door slammed open, allowing Lucy—wearing the Eastern Shinagawa Public High School uniform—to barge in, shoes still on her feet.
At least take those off!
“Come on! It’s breakfast time. If you don’t get up...” Her voice trailed off. “Hey, what’s going on? You’ve got a weird look on your face.”
I felt laughter bubbling up within me at the strange sight of Lucy—with her bright red hair and long elven ears—wearing the school uniform.
It took me a while to notice...but I must be dreaming.
“Seriously...what gives— Kyah!” she cried.
I grabbed hold of her. This was a dream after all, so it was fine.
Great... That’s right. I’m not in my old world anymore.
I tightened my hug.
“How long are you going to hold on to her for?!” Lucy’s voice suddenly demanded. This was followed by a sharp blow to my head.
“Mhmm?”
The pain brought me back to reality. I looked up and saw that Lucy was now standing off to the side, glaring at me as I reeled in the aftermath of a slap to my head. And...Princess Sophia was actually the one in my arms. She had an awkward look on her face.
“U-Umm...” she stammered. “You need to get up soon, Hero Makoto.” Her face was pink as her breath drifted across my ears.
Why is she here? I wondered, racking my brain for the details. But then, I remembered.
We’d gotten back from Cameron last night. This was my home in Macallan. I’d been dreaming, and now I was wide awake.
“Morning, Sophia,” I mumbled.
“Good day, Hero Makoto. I appreciate your passion so early in the morning, but please do these things around fewer people.” Her statement prompted me to quickly release her from the hug. “Breakfast is ready. I will wait in the dining room.”
Despite her embarrassment, the princess left the room with an elegant smile...leaving Lucy behind, glaring at me.
“So...you should wash that lousy face,” she griped.
“Ah, right.”
She couldn’t hide her displeasure... Her arms were crossed. And, of course, she was wearing her usual outfit, not a school uniform.
She was cute in that uniform, though... I thought, the image still fresh in my mind.
“What’s with that look?” she snapped, her voice sharp. “Was holding Princess Sophia really that comfortable?”
“I thought it was you, actually.”
I only realized what I’d said after the words had left my lips. What kind of excuse was that? Was I trying to be a player? However, Lucy’s expression morphed into one of delight.
“What?! R-Really? Hm, you’re so hopeless.” She climbed onto the bed, combing her hair back with her fingers to hide her nerves.
“Uh, L-Lucy?”
“See, you can get it right this time. Hug me as much as you like.” As she spoke, she slipped her hands behind my neck, bringing our faces closer together...
Suddenly, I heard another voice. “Luuuu? What are you and Takatsuki doing?” Sense Danger pinged in my head. I glanced over at the door and saw Sasa standing there, knife in hand, staring our way.
Scary!
“Breakfast’s ready!” Sasa said loudly.
“R-Right. Don’t get mad, Ayaaa.”
“Jeez, Lu, no trying to get ahead.”
“I’m sorry!” Lucy replied hurriedly.
At that, the two girls headed out to the living room.
Guess I may as well get up.
I used water magic to wash my face before pulling on the now-dry clothes from yesterday. Then, I polished my dagger with a cloth and offered my prayers to Noah. In exactly forty seconds, I was finished.
I strode into the next room, which was pulling double duty as both the living room and dining room.
“Morning, Sasa.”
“Morning, Takatsuki!”
She turned around in her pink apron, smiling. Her hair was pulled back and tied up. That apron was actually something she’d made herself, and it was fastened with a big ribbon at her waist. She really was impressive.
“You’re late, my knight!” Furiae protested, tapping her chopsticks against her bowl.
Where’d you learn that? It’s rude, quit it.
By contrast, Princess Sophia was calmly drinking tea. The sheer lack of balance to the scene was honestly pretty amusing.
“Okay, everyone, eat up!” Sasa exclaimed.
We chorused our thanks and tucked into the meal. Unlike my dream, this wasn’t a gloomy living room where I was all alone—no, I was sitting at a cheery dining table with lots of people.
I was glad I’d been asleep. This world is better than my old one.
Well, you say that, Noah chimed in, but the girls at the table are all fighting over you. You might end up getting stabbed.
Goddess...please don’t tempt fate so early in the morning.
Well, who cares? After all, you’re so populaaar.
Her voice seemed sulky. I needed to calm her down before starting breakfast.
You don’t seem happy. Are you angry?
Not really.
Well, Noah, you’re still special to me.
Heh, I see. Guess that’s fine, then.
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