Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo? - Volume 3 - Chapter 3.5

Part 5 

--- Outer Gate Number 2105380, before the Fountain Square. 

The [Astral Gate] has always been activated at fixed timings, other than emergencies, unauthorized individuals cannot use it. Hence when it comes to the activation timing, people would gather in front of the Gate, especially those Communities that require it’s function to carry out their commerce. Though for Communities of the lower levels, the toll of a gold coin issued from the minted currency by [Thousand Eyes] was quite a sum, it did nothing to dampen the demand for it would always be a Transportation type Gift that was indispensable to the cities of Little Garden. 

Soon, the figures of those who might be waiting for its activation had started to appear around the portal in groups of twos and threes. 

Asuka looked at the tiger statue carved upon the portal’s post and sighed. 

“The first task I have to do when I’m back from the Harvest Festival is to destroy this statue.” 

“Well……there’s no need to rush it, we can wait for the Community’s savings to be stabilized before…” 

“Ara ara, no won’t do, Kuro Usagi. This gate is of great importance to Jin-kun. Let’s just see it as an early investment and start with the sculpting of a full body statue and portrait of him……” 

“Please don’t!” 

Jin was now pale. No matter what, that would be too embarrassing for him. 

“Well…then I guess we’ll use Kuro Usagi for mass advertising.” 

“WHY MUST YOU USE KURO USAGI FOR ADVERTISING?!” 

*Pak!* Kuro Usagi slapped Asuka’s head with a paper fan as the latter pouted. 

Yō tilted her head and said. 

“Hm……Then we’ll just advertise Kuro Usagi.” 

“THAT’S THE SAME THING! AND WHY IS IT ALWAYS ADVERTISING KURO USAGI?!” 

Pak! Pak! Kuro Usagi was furiously swinging her paper fan on the problem children. 

Even without Izayoi, these two were still problem children. Seeing how those two would always be in synch with each other about that line of thought, Kuro Usagi could only sigh as she took out the two invitation letters. 

“We are going to the Southern area of Outer Gate 7759175 of Draco Greif who’s currently hosting the Harvest Festival. However, besides the [Draco Greif]’s invitation, the main host of the stage--- who are the faeries and spirits that reside in the Great Sacred Woods of [Underwood], have also extended their invitation to us. So we will be going to visit these two Communities during the Eve of the Harvest Festival and may you two please take note of this.” 

“Un.” 

“I see.” 

After Kuro Usagi’s words, the Astral Gate started to move into its activation sequence. 

Bluish lights begin to glow from the gate and those that were originally milling around in wait for the Astral Gate’s activation began to form a queue. As for Kuro Usagi and the others, they being of the position of [Region Master] stood apart from the waiting queue as they awaited the completion of the activation sequence. 

“Everyone, remember to hold on to the Outer Gate Number plate when you enter later.” 

“No problem.” 

Asuka showed Kuro Usagi the grey metal number plate for confirmation. The numbers written upon the number plate would act as the connector linking up the way to the destination’s [Astral Gate]. 

Yō too, stretched her hand and showed her number plate. But she was casting her gaze towards the Community Grounds where Izayoi and the rest were. 

“……” 

“What’s the problem, Kasukabe-san? Did you forget something?” 

“Not really…I was just thinking about Izayoi-kun.” 

Did he find his headphones already? Yō slightly tilted her head as she wondered. 

Asuka and Kuro Usagi were also concerned and they too, looked towards the direction where their Community Grounds lay.[35] 

“Yeah…I wouldn’t have thought that Izayoi-kun would forfeit his right to the spot for his headphones.” 

“YES. He was looking forward to this too…” 

“The headphones must have been very important to Izayoi-kun.” 

The self-proclaimed “hedonistic teenager”, Izayoi would be willing to give up his spot for “fun” and stay in the mansion to search for his headphones. 

The headphones must have been extra special with some significant meaning attached to it to have been burdened with such deep feelings to the receiver. 

“…Hope he finds them.” 

Asuka and Kuro Usagi had also nodded their heads in agreement. After that, the activation sequence of the [Astral Gate] had finally been completed and was ready to be used.