Chapter of Slavery, Episode 6: The Elf and the Dragon’s Japanese Garden Date

When I came to, it was a morning like any other. I drew in a breath and noticed the air was chillier than usual. My body was still numb from having just woken up, so I took another deep breath and let it out slowly.

It was still raining, though the water droplets were so small I could hardly hear the raindrops coming down over Koto Ward. As I looked up at the faint glow of sunlight, I noticed someone stretching behind me. Her skin was pale, and she had more of a mature allure than Mariabelle.

Now, whose arm could this be...?

The arm wrapped around me as I stared absentmindedly, a sweet scent floating into my nostrils.

Oh, that’s right, Wridra’s here with us today.

Troublingly, Wridra had a personal policy of wearing nothing when she went to bed. And just like she did when she was in the form of a cat, she shuddered as she did her routine stretch. She yawned into my ear, but the effect was very different from when she did so as a cat. I tried my hardest not to focus on the sensation of the soft objects pressing against my back.

The elf girl also squirmed around a bit as she woke from her sleepy haze. She rose under the blanket, her long white hair spilling down from her head. She blinked the sleep out of her purple eyes several times, then spoke.

“Oh, that’s right. Keep your eyes closed.” She placed her hand over my eyes, preventing me from enjoying her cuteness any further. This was to block my view from seeing the woman behind me. I doubted Wridra herself would care, though.

Wridra finally awakened, and she once again stretched out her limbs.

“Nnn, it has been a while since I have come to Japan in the flesh. It seems the weather has not changed, but... I do feel like getting a taste of the fresh air.”

“Come on, put some clothes on. We need to get ready to start the day,” Marie insisted. Wridra agreed in an uninterested tone, and I was finally able to see again.

She had decided to wear a pair of black hot pants and a skin-tight long-sleeved shirt today. Creating such an outfit was an easy task for the great Arkdragon. As Wridra walked around barefoot, the white-haired girl walked up to me, blocking my view once again. She ran her hand through her hair and tucked it behind one of her long ears as she parted her soft lips.

“You need to stop being a sleepyhead and get up, mister. You don’t want to be late for work, do you?” She booped my nose with a finger, and so I finally decided to get up. I wanted to argue that I was already up and alert, but I probably wouldn’t have been very convincing.

The black-haired beauty was looking up at the window next to the bed. The sky was full of grey, gloomy rain clouds as it always had been lately. Marie came up and sat next to her.

“Rainy season in Japan really is something, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, the sky is full of clouds, but I do have a feeling it will clear up by this weekend.” Curious, I turned to face her.

She may have said it was just a feeling, but coming from the Arkdragon, there was a good chance that may very well have happened. So, I decided to put in an appointment for the amusement park’s restaurant just in case. They could have potentially been less busy with all the rain recently.

I walked into the kitchen as I contemplated our plans for the weekend. The rice in the rice cooker was done, so I took some ingredients out of the fridge as I called out, “What are your plans for today, you two?”

“I wouldn’t mind just reading, but I think Wridra wants to go outside. I was thinking maybe we could go for a walk.”

“Yes, I would like to take a leisurely walk, despite the gloomy weather. Kitase, do you know of any good places?” I mixed the rice around with a rice scoop as I mulled over the question. That reminded me, Kaoruko had told me of some walking routes nearby.

“There’s a place called Kiyosumi Garden nearby. I think you’ll like the Japanese-style scenery there.” I figured it would’ve been easier to show them on my smartphone than it would have been to explain in words. I beckoned for them to come over, and they crowded around my phone at the table.

“Ooh, a green pond! That pine tree looks so nice in the background. The greenery in Japan is so vivid and refreshing.”

“Ah, how elegant. I have always tended to be drawn by flashier sights, but I have recently come to appreciate the beauty of tranquility. This does indeed look super cool.”

Oof, she ruined it with her last comment.

They cheerfully played with the smartphone as I prepared the breakfast table, and they continued on as we ate. It was generally bad etiquette to do this while eating, but it was fun and lively for them to peer at the screen with chopsticks in hand.

“Would you like some natto today, Marie?”

“No, thank you. I think I like having just the eggs. I’m going to put some soy sauce and furikake on them, too.”

“I will have the same thing. I cannot get enough of that salty-sweet flavor. Hm? The clothes in this picture are called ‘ki-mo-no,’ are they not? I have seen it on the television before.”

Wridra pointed at a colorful, cherry blossom-print kimono. Since I wanted her to enjoy her time in Japan to the fullest, I just had to suggest that she wear one herself.

“Oh, that looks nice. Can you make it with your powers, Wridra?”

“Oh, yes, of course I can. I shall make some for you after the meal as well.” Marie blinked. It seemed she didn’t expect that she would get to wear one, too. She had always had a keen interest in clothing. Her cheeks became a deeper shade of pink before our eyes, and it made me smile to see the excitement blossoming inside her. I was grateful to the Arkdragon for providing such entertainment now that she wasn’t in her cat form.

“So, your date plans are decided, then? It would be quite a fantastical sight to see a draconian and elf taking a walk in a Japanese garden in their kimono.”

“Yes, yes, yes! Let’s go together, Wridra!” Marie said to Wridra, who narrowed her eyes in a smile and meowed in response. Wridra seemed to be finding joy in Marie’s reaction, too, and the two happily giggled together. I felt like a guardian to them in this scenario, but seeing cute girls look happy just filled my heart with joy. Though, in reality, I was the youngest one here.

The door slid open, and the two women stepped out of the dressing room.

Marie gripped the sleeve of her kimono self-consciously as she looked up toward me and displayed her outfit. It was a white kimono with a purple print and a deeper shade of purple on the decorated collar. The colors were designed to accentuate the color of her eyes.

“Oh, Wridra, stop pushing! I don’t look strange, do I? I feel like I stand out in a bad way.”

“You are the one who said to hurry with the morning preparations. Such a fussy elf you are. Now, I will do your hair as well. Stop moving.”

Wridra held on to Marie’s shoulders from behind, then began tying it back. A sizzle could be heard from Wridra’s fingertips as she made a ponytail, and she created a hair ornament shaped like a hydrangea to hide the girl’s long elven ears.

Hmm... She may be better than a professional hair stylist.

I glanced at the clock to find I still had a bit more time before work. To be honest, I wanted to take this time to get a good look at Marie’s full kimono outfit. And so, I waited for them to finish getting ready as I prepared to leave.

Marie eventually looked into a hand mirror, and her expression immediately brightened.

“Ah, ah! So cute! This is great, Wridra!”

“Hmhm, it was nothing. Kitase, applause.”

I started clapping. Before me was a fairy that had taken in the essence of Japan, a refreshing sight that I didn’t expect to see on such a gloomy day. I had to give it to Wridra—she had chosen a perfectly tasteful kimono to highlight Marie’s refined air.

“Oh, your outfit is great, too, Wridra. It goes nicely with your black hair and eyes.”

“...Hah, such an unenthusiastic compliment. So sloppy that I can hardly bring myself to be angered. Now, I shall try wearing the same hairstyle as Marie.”

Huh, I thought that was a perfectly fine compliment...

Wridra shooed me away with her hand as if I was in her way.

“We took too long with the preparations. We should hurry,” Marie said and urged me forward from behind after I had locked the front door. She usually saw me off when I left for work, but we were heading in the same direction this morning anyway, so we decided to walk to the station together.

The girls chattered excitedly, unaffected by the crowd of salarymen around them on the bus. I was a bit worried about just how packed the bus was, but everyone seemed to assume Marie and Wridra were foreigners who had come to visit. They naturally gave the girls some room, and Marie only nonchalantly noted that it was pretty crowded. Even strangers were being considerate so that the two of them could make the most of their time in Japan.

When we arrived at the station I transferred through to get to work, we were only two stations away from Kiyosumi Garden on the Hanzomon Line. I pointed at the route map overhead, and the two looked up and gaped.

“We get off at the Kiyosumishirakawa Station to get to the garden. Don’t forget that name, okay?”

“The kanji is a bit complex, but I just memorized the characters for Kiyosumi. Although, you know, it is a shame that you won’t be joining us today,” Marie said. The platform at Kinshichou Station was full of people heading to work. As the two beautiful girls in kimono appeared there, they naturally drew a lot of attention. Marie looked regretful as she fidgeted uncomfortably, and I smiled at her.

“I’ll be happy as long as you have fun. Tell me all about your adventures when I get home tonight, okay?”

“Yes, of course. Go work hard, and be careful not to trip!” It felt a bit strange to be waving goodbye to them at the ticket gate. I had to admit, I was envious of them, going to a park on a weekday. I hadn’t been using my paid time off, much like a typical Japanese worker, but I hoped that someday, I would be able to earn a boatload of hours off. As I stood lost in thought, I found myself stepping into the train full of people as usual.

I later found out that they had spent some time at a cafe, as per my advice, then safely arrived at Kiyosumi Garden while avoiding the morning rush.

I was nervous about them going out on their own, but Marie was remarkably responsible, and Wridra was there, too, so they probably wouldn’t have gotten into much trouble. That didn’t stop me from worrying, though. And so, I clocked in for another day of work.

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Rain gently fell on the garden, and like most Tokyo facilities, the entry fee was rather reasonable. The affordable cost made it easy for visitors to return at any time of year to enjoy the changes brought by the four seasons.

Beads of water clung to Mariabelle’s plastic umbrella as she stared at the words at the reception counter, then pointed.

“Look, the entry fee is 150 yen. It’s so cheap!”

“Hmm, this makes me want to consider getting the annual pass for 600 yen...”

Even Wridra, who had no interest in managing finances in the other world, crinkled her eyebrows in thought. She did get an allowance, but this meant there was a limit to the amount of money she could spend freely.

After some deep contemplation, the two decided to check the place out before committing to an annual pass and handed over coins for their entry.

“Oh, you can speak Japanese? I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised,” the white-haired, elderly receptionist said with a surprised look, and the two girls giggled. He showed them an embarrassed smile, then offered some advice as a token of apology.

“Irises should be in full bloom right now. A guide will be doing tours of the place starting at ten, so please feel free to join. It’s free!” The dragon and elf met each other’s eyes.

“They’re not even asking for money? What if they’re some shady group...” Such thoughts immediately subsided when they remembered this was Japan, a country where good-natured people like Kitase resided.

They both grinned, then bowed at the elderly worker.

“Thank you, we will take the tour and enjoy the garden to the fullest!”

“Wow, your Japanese is very impressive. I hope you have fun!” The smiling attendant left an impression on the two ladies. There was something about him that reminded them of the man they lived with, and he remained in their thoughts even as they walked toward the open garden area. Suddenly, a word popped into their minds at once, and they looked at each other with mouths wide open.

“Kazuhiro is just like a grandpa!” They laughed in agreement, emitting a resplendent atmosphere that seemed to repel the rainy weather.

I just so happened to sneeze at this moment, but I had no idea they were talking about me.

Marie knelt down, her eyes widening at the sight before her.

“Oh my, such a pretty purple!” She let out a squeal of joy at the flower bed of irises, and the elderly people around her smiled as if the compliment was directed at them. Although Marie seemed like a rather unusual visitor, they were glad to see her find joy in the beautiful sights of Japan and smiled as if she was their own grandchild.

“Yes, much like your eyes. Irises are just as beloved as hydrangeas in this season, but there are only about two hundred gardens that feature them like this.” The guide went on with her explanation, and the two girls listened with fascination. The woman was as elegant as the flowers she was describing, and she had a soothing voice that was pleasant to the ear. There was a certain charm to women like her who maintained their beauty through the years.

“Ayame and shobu are very beautiful this time of year. They’re both types of irises, spelled with the same kanji, and they look very similar, so they have a history of being mistaken for one another.” The two nodded, listening intently.

The guide explained that, despite their similar appearance and spelling, there were some differences. They both belonged in the Iridaceae family. Hanashobu, also known as Iris ensata; ayame, also known as Iris sanguinea; and kakitsubata, also known as Iris laegvigata, were very hard to tell apart by eye. Hanashobu grew near bodies of water, ayame grew on farms, and kakitsubata could be found on both, making it all the more confusing.

“Ahhh, I can’t remember all of this!”

“I think we can just say they are all the same thing.” The elderly group seemed to agree with Wridra’s comment and burst out in laughter. It seemed they were all thinking the same thing, putting everyone in an amiable mood.

Mariabelle turned slightly pink from the sudden attention, and the guide woman laughed.

“Yes, I agree. However, there is a proverb that means they are both equally beautiful, and this applies to you two as well.” Marie and Wridra were taken aback along with the rest of the group. The guide continued.

“When there are two beautiful women, one wouldn’t just assume they are the same. Surely, they would each have proper names. Just as everyone would like to know your names, so do these flowers.” Everyone made contemplative noises. Fantastical visitors from another world like Mariabelle and Wridra couldn’t simply be lumped into the “cute” category.

There was some applause of agreement, and even Wridra joined Marie in fidgeting with embarrassment.

Those who happened to participate in this tour around the garden ended up very satisfied. Not only did they see the beautiful flowers, but they got to watch the expressive girls’ enjoyment the entire time.

When the guide finished the tour, the participants went their separate ways to stroll through Kiyosumi Garden of their own accord.

There was something strangely attractive about wet stones.

The stones floating in the green-colored lakes had a distinct hue to them, and as the guide had mentioned, the colors were all the more vivid in the rain.

“I always thought flower-watching was something reserved for nobles.”

“Originally, it was. It seems it has since been opened to the public. This just goes to show the differences in each country’s caliber.” Everyone had a desire to keep treasure for themselves. Especially when it came to such a garden that took significant money and time to cultivate. But unlike material riches, the beauty of gardens never wavered no matter how many people came to visit. At least, the people who managed this place seemed to welcome Marie and Wridra, who just so happened to wander in.

Marie shielded herself from the raindrops as she peered at the colorful hydrangeas. She had noticed this before, but there was a mysterious allure to these flowers, and Marie couldn’t help but stare at them.

“They say these only bloom during the rainy season.”

“Hm, that does make them seem more valuable. Knowing they can only be seen like this in the rain does make me appreciate this gloomy weather more.” They nodded in unison.

Beyond the hydrangeas was a green lake where rain came down in fine droplets. The symphony of countless raindrops hitting the ground was pleasant to the ear.

According to what the guide had said earlier, enjoying sounds produced by nature was part of Japanese culture. The girls didn’t know whether that was true or not, but the Japanese-style buildings standing upon the pond, the pine trees curled atop each other, and the endless view of greenery and flowers felt like they were cleansing the soul.

The sound of water splashing could be heard. When the two turned, they noticed something emerging from the pond.

“Oh, what is that creature?” Marie inquired.

“Perhaps a monster that lives near bodies of water. It certainly does have a smug-looking face.” Wridra seemed a bit more relaxed than usual as she spoke. The turtle clinging onto the stone looked at the dragon and elf, its nose moving as it exhaled. The girls giggled at the sight of its lovable face. Marie was enjoying herself to the fullest, her sandals clinking as she walked around.

“Ah, this place is so peaceful. I feel refreshed, like I just got done taking a bath. This place has such a unique atmosphere.”

“These Japanese gardens are not to be underestimated. If we stay too long, our faces may end up looking permanently sleepy like Kitase’s.” Marie was about to respond that it was unlikely but paused. Everyone from the guide to the other visitors had a relaxed air about them, so she couldn’t bring herself to deny it outright. The turtle seemed to have had enough and plopped back into the pond, then swam away.

Marie and Wridra took their time and cautiously stepped over the slippery rocks as they made their way around the green pond. By the time they finished a full lap around, the raindrops were even finer than before.

“Mhm, I’m glad to hear you guys seemed to have fun. Huh? Your face is going to look sleepy? What do you mean?” I listened to Marie speak over the phone about her day at the garden. I was worried the whole time, but it sounded like she and Wridra got home safely after having a great time. I let out a sigh of relief and made her an offer.

“Let’s go together next time. I won’t be wearing a kimono, though.” She then gave me a lecture, telling me that I should’ve been celebrating my own culture. I’d never thought Ms. Elf would be scolding me about how to be Japanese...

I put my phone back into my pocket after our conversation and looked up to see the rain had calmed down quite a bit. I hoped it would stop raining by the weekend, then stretched and went back to work.

Japan would be heaven if I didn’t have to work...

Although I complained mentally, my steps were lighter than usual.

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I loosened my neck tie as I contemplated. It was only natural for me to feel envious about the girls’ day of fun.

Come to think of it, spending time in Japan was like a dream from their point of view. Their reality was the fantasy world on the other side, so they were able to totally let loose and enjoy themselves here. Even though I had been spending my time working, the lonely thoughts were surely going to be wiped away by the prospect of fun times ahead.

“Hm... I’m starting to sound bitter. I can’t deny that I’m envious, though.” I complained to myself as I got off of the train, and Koto Ward’s night sky awaited me past the ticket gate. The air here wasn’t too different from that of the center of Tokyo, but I was relieved to be back.

I was sure the girls would run up to me and tell me all about their day at Kiyosumi Garden as soon as I got home. I was genuinely looking forward to it, and it wasn’t like I was serious about being jealous earlier. In fact, I was always worried about Marie spending time alone while I was at work. In that sense, Wridra was reassuring to have around in both the ancient labyrinth and in Japan.

Many students and employees getting off of work were lined up at the bus terminal right outside of the station. I recognized someone’s figure from behind and decided to call out to him.

“Good evening, Toru.”

“Oh, hello.” The overweight man turned around, looking surprised to see me. He was Kaoruko’s husband, a neighbor at my condo... I believed she mentioned that he had a government office job.

“We go home on the same route, but this is the first time we’ve bumped into each other.”

“Probably because I have a lot of overtime. Oh, and thank you for the meal the other night. I enjoyed a few drinks with the delicious unagi you gave us.” Toru then seemed to notice something and made a drinking gesture with his hand.

“Speaking of which, how would you like to join me for some drinks? You can drink, right?”

“I’m sorry, but Marie is waiting for dinner at home. And I’m sure Kaoruko is waiting for you, too.”

“Ah, you’re good at turning down offers. You did it without making me feel bad, and you’re so collected. I’m sure you get along with everyone at your workplace, too.” I humbly denied it, but come to think of it, I did seem to coast by pretty well. I avoided any major drama, and I got my work done properly. I always made sure to remember things I’d been taught, and I was careful not to cause issues for my superiors... but that was all just to avoid working overtime, so it wasn’t that noble of a cause, either.

“Oh well, then I guess I’ll just ask you on the way home. Ah, and there’s the bus.”

“Hm? Ask me what?”

“The reason for Mariabelle’s stay, of course. But that’s just out of curiosity. It has nothing to do with my line of work.”

I felt a sudden pang of panic at the unexpected words, but I smiled and replied “Sure, of course.” Being prudent really helped for times like these.

The elevator slowly made its way up.

I blankly watched each floor go by, then a sound notified us that we had arrived at the destination. Toru stepped out of the elevator, then turned to me with a calm smile.

“Well, let’s go for a drink sometime. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Yes, me, too. Good night.” He waved his hand goodbye, and the automatic door closed between us. The elevator began to move again, and I finally let out a long sigh. In truth, I was pretty shaken up that he’d asked me about Marie’s reason for her stay.

“The homestay excuse isn’t going to work if he has a government office job...” I muttered to myself. Besides, homestay programs were usually done by people who were eighteen or older, and Marie didn’t appear to be any older than a middle or high schooler. And I heard those only last for a month or so. She had been staying with me since around April, and the fact that she hadn’t even been going to school would naturally rouse suspicions.

I’d told Toru that Marie was the child of a distant relative, and I was helping her with her academics, but something told me he saw through my lie. He’d been smiling as he listened, but it struck me as odd that he didn’t dig any deeper on the important points.

There was a possibility that significant changes would occur regarding our life together... but he did appear amicable, so maybe he was just letting it slide. He did mention that the matter was just for his curiosity and was unrelated to his job, after all.

I cracked my neck and stepped out of the elevator. The view of the night sky from the walkway was covered in thick clouds, the stars obscured by their veil.

Szzz... The oil sizzled.

I had my arms around Marie, but we weren’t doing anything that would provoke the Arkdragon’s ire. Clad in an apron, Marie glared at the sizzling oil with a serious expression as we cooked together.

But whenever she looked up at me with her round eyes and face like a young lady of noble birth... I couldn’t help but think about how cute she was.

“Well, what do I do next? Are you okay? You seem distracted.”

“Sorry, sorry. Maybe I’m a bit tired from work. Umm, you should be able to use your chopsticks to check if it’s done.”

“This crispy feeling, you mean? Hm, it’s pretty easy to tell like this.” She held in her chopsticks a golden piece of deep-fried chicken. It was karaage, a staple food in any Japanese household. Her nose twitched as she took in the fragrant scent. She glanced at the fridge, maybe because she wanted to have some wine with her tasting. However, when it came to frying lots of karaage, time was of the essence.

“Let’s fry up the next batch. I’ll prepare the salad in the meantime.”

“All right. Let’s get this table ready in a jiffy with our well-coordinated teamwork!” Marie seemed to be in a good mood after getting the hang of it. She looked really cute as she cheerily leaned her head to the left and right. I wanted to just watch her for a while, but having salad with karaage was mandatory, so it was time to get to work.

When I glanced at the table, Wridra was quietly sitting in her chair for once and looking up at the night sky. The air was cold after the long rain, but it didn’t seem to faze her as she sat in her hotpants. She looked rather picturesque with her slender limbs and long hair as she sat there, hugging one knee.

I was caught by surprise when her obsidian eyes suddenly turned toward me.

“Are you okay, Wridra? You’re awfully quiet today.”

“Hm... I am not yet quite accustomed to this world, but...” She said in an uncharacteristically hesitant tone, then beckoned me over with a pale finger. I sat down next to her as requested and waited for her to continue. Then, Wridra whispered to me as if telling me a secret.

“It seems you two do not keep secrets between one another, but it must be difficult to tell her now. I do not intend to interject about that.” I cocked my head in confusion, but then realized what she was talking about right away. She was talking about my conversation with Toru from earlier.

“Eavesdropping? That’s a violation of privacy, Wridra.”

“Fool. You are the one who failed to turn off your comm link. When have I ever violated your... Ahem. Back to the topic...” Yup, she just remembered the time she eavesdropped on us in the dream world. But she only chimed in out of concern for us, so I decided to just drop it.

I glanced over at Marie, who was still happily working on her dish. That sight was like a treasure to my eyes.

“Do not worry. Things will turn out fine. Though, this is merely my intuition, like with my weather forecast.” She slapped me on the shoulder. It felt like she was trying to encourage me and cheer me up. I stared at her without thinking, and she flashed a gallant smile.

“What I am trying to say is, fret not. In Japan, they say sickness and health start with the mind, do they not? What you should focus on now is entertaining Marie as usual and by extension, me as well.”

I felt the tension leave my shoulders. It was true that there wasn’t much I could do. Cooking, traveling, and reading her books were pretty much it. I just had to figure out how these two could live in Japan in the meantime.

“This has been fun for me, too, you know. By the way, have you had karaage before, Wridra?”

“Of course not. The smell alone has me restless with excitement. If you wish to hear of our day at Kiyosumi Garden, you had better make haste and prepare a feast.” It was amazing how easily she wiped away the worries eating at my mind. But just then, Marie finally noticed us sitting there.

“Are you slacking off on your salad-making duty? If you’re going to make me do all the work, you won’t be getting any of this chicken, mister,” she said reproachfully and turned back around, and I stood up in a hurry.

“Oops, sorry! I’ll get to it.” It seemed like the women were the ones in charge here. When I stood next to Marie, she was standing with her cheeks puffed out, a pile of karaage gathered next to her on a mesh tray. Her mood quickly improved as we had a conversation while I prepared the salad next to her.

The girls picked up the freshly cooked karaage with their chopsticks.

A delicious scent wafted into the air, and we couldn’t help but gulp at the appetizing golden color. They took their first bite without any condiments, juices erupting from the meat as they sank their teeth in.

“Mmmmmm!” We had put some ginger on the skin to add some depth of flavor, which added a crispy texture after it had been deep-fried. Fat dripped down as they easily bit through the plump meat, the savory flavor threatening to overwhelm their taste buds.

“Mmmmmmmmm!!!” Marie seemed rather busy, rapidly tapping her feet on the flooring and chewing her food at the same time. She glanced back and forth between the pile of karaage and my face, then started slapping my shoulder for some reason. Then came a delayed stomp on my foot, but this act of violence came from Wridra instead. That hurt.

I gave her a disapproving look, but she looked back at me with a face full of smiles, completely uncaring.

“Deliciooous! It smells incredible, too!”

“Mmf, nnf! I can’t believe it! You’ve been keeping this dish a secret from us this whole time, haven’t you?”

I told her that wasn’t the case as I poured the two of them some beer. It was said that white wine paired well with chicken, but this was my personal preference. Neither option would disappoint, though.

“Anyway, let’s find out which sauce goes best with karaage. We’ve got a green onion sauce, salt and pepper, mayo, ketchup, a mixture of the two, lemon, and also...” I brought out a bunch of small plates, and the girls looked at them, wide-eyed.

“Now wait just a minute, why are there so many condiments? It is delicious enough as-is,” Wridra protested.

“Yes, my karaage are perfectly fine. There’s no need to obscure the flavor with a bunch of sauces,” Marie agreed.

Huh...? Why are they fighting it?

They didn’t know that trying different sauces and debating over which one tasted the best was part of eating fried chicken. Low-cost, filling, and packed with protein, this was an excellent and highly conventional dish. That was what made the sauce debates all the more deeply rooted.

Eventually, I convinced them to just give it a try. Wridra reluctantly dipped a piece of chicken into the green onion sauce, and Marie chose mayonnaise. When they took a bite, their dissatisfied expressions vanished immediately.

“Nn! The sauce has soaked into the coating and... Mmh, impossible! It pairs so perfectly with the chicken and changes the flavor completely!” Wridra cried out.

“Oh, wow! So rich and fragrant! Mmm, so good!” Marie took some gulps of the ice-cold beer, then let out a satisfied sigh. This was a dish loved by adults and children alike, but I was glad to see it suited the palates of residents of the fantasy world, too.

“Ahhh, this chicken and beer are a match made in heaven! We would flip the other world upside down if we could bring these over there. I always thought chicken ended up dry and flavorless by nature.”

“Maybe chicken in Japan tastes like this because of selective breeding and safety management. I’ve never seen fat that’s so clean and odorless like this.” Washing down the tasty chicken fat with some beer was a moment of pure bliss. The dinner table naturally grew more lively as we ate, the pile of karaage diminishing over time.

I decided to try a bite, too, and... Mmm, fried to perfection. Marie was getting a lot better at cooking here. As I thought about this, I noticed Marie and Wridra had started the debate.

“As I said, I think the mayo ketchup goes best with the karaage. It compliments the flavor well while adding just the right amount of richness.”

“No, no, the green onion sauce is simply perfect. The sauce is soaked into the batter, giving it an exquisite flavor! And above all, it pairs perfectly with the alcohol.”

Huh, I thought they were getting along just a minute ago.

Sparks flew between the elf and dragon as they glared at each other, and they turned toward me for some reason. They each shoved their favorite sauce toward me and wordlessly demanded that I choose.

“Um, well, this is all about preference. There is no best one.”

“That noncommittal response is so Japanese of you. That won’t do. You need to admit my mayo ketchup is the best one. If you don’t, I’m not going to read you a bedtime story tonight.”

“If you truly are a man, you will admit the green onion sauce is the best one. Now, open your mouth.”

I opened my mouth to protest, and two pieces of karaage were shoved into my mouth at once. How am I supposed to judge this? It just tastes like mayo ketchup-green onion sauce now.

Oh, but it’s not bad... Yeah, I think I like this one.

I told them so, and my lukewarm response sparked their tension again. Girls were scary when it came to food...

By the time I had sobered up from my buzz, the room was lit only by the downlight.

Marie fluffed the pillow and adjusted its position, her small bottom pointed toward me. She undid her hair that had been tied up, and it cascaded down like lustrous strands of silk. Perhaps it was the dim lighting, but when she turned around with her hair having been undone, she seemed more mature than usual. My eyes were naturally drawn to her full lips.

“Come, I’ll read you to sleep.” She had told me all about her day at the garden, and now it was time for a story. We had spent some time drinking and chatting earlier, but now it was time for quiet.

She went under the blanket, and when I crawled in next to her, her face was right next to mine, her pretty eyes staring into my own. Then, she got a little closer and placed her thighs on top of mine. The sweet smell that seemed to be specific to girls wafted up, and she laid her head on my arm like usual.

Then, I heard the sound of fabric rustling from behind. The Arkdragon couldn’t sleep while wearing clothes, so she seemed to have once again stripped down to her birthday suit, her shadow waving its tail under the downlight.

“My green onion sauce hasn’t lost yet.”

“Haha, are you still going on about that? I like them both, personally.” The bed creaked behind me as the black-haired beauty climbed in. She wrapped her arms around me so we could fall asleep at any time, and then she pressed her hips against me. I could feel her nose against the back of my neck, and she let out a satisfied sigh.

Then, a book was opened before me, and Marie began to read, her pretty voice a perfect match for the quiet night.

“One morning, the young man headed to the fields...” She continued to read as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

It made me feel like this moment, as she read a story to help us sleep, was more precious than anything. Something seemed to have come over me, and I drew her slender hip in closer.

“Oh, don’t be bad. Stay quiet and listen to my voice so you can fall asleep, okay?” She whispered ever so sweetly.

Before I knew it, I had come to look forward to the night so I could fall asleep in this girl’s arms. The sound of her drawing in a breath between pauses as she read, the quiet patter of the rain on the window...

My heart was filled with peace, sinking and melting into the night.

I thought I felt something warm press against my forehead at the end, but I couldn’t tell what it was through the darkness.

Good night, Ms. Elf.

Your voice sounds all the more beautiful at night.

Maybe I’d said it out loud. I felt something soft press against me as my memory grew hazy.