Chapter 5
Even If You Tell Me to Return the Stone
Huff, huff, huff, huff…
The beautiful boy’s breathing was ragged as he walked, still holding Ai’s hand.
Now that she noticed, his palm was surprisingly rough — not what she expected from someone so elegant. There was something human, lived-in about it.
Still, if they kept walking this way, they’d loop back toward the school.
After running for a while, they had slowed down, trudging silently. But the boy’s condition was worsening. His brows knit tightly; he sometimes pressed a hand to his mouth. His face had gone pale and sweaty.
Ai began to worry and gently spoke up.
“Hey, are you okay? If you’re not feeling well, we should rest a bit.
Okay? Um, Mr. Beautiful Boy?”
He looked up suddenly and smiled at her — but unlike before, there was no composure in his expression. Something was clearly wrong.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble,” he said softly. “We should be fine here.
Would you please return the stone you picked up?”
Ah—! That stone!
Even through her skirt pocket, she could feel its round shape.
But…
If she gave it back now, that would be the end of it.
And she wanted to stay with this beautiful, red-haired boy just a little longer!
“I—”
The boy tiredly extended his hand.
“Please… I don’t wish to inconvenience you any further.”
But Ai straightened her back, shook her head firmly, and declared,
“No! No way. I need to see proof that it’s really yours.
I hate leaving things half-done!”
“But… proof? Please, I assure you, I’m not a suspicious person.”
Even his troubled face looked breathtakingly beautiful.
Nope—she wasn’t giving it back!
“I’ve decided! I’ll do things properly!”
Turning away with a hmph, Ai ignored his outstretched hand.
The boy let it drop, lowering his head in defeat.
He couldn’t just snatch it back by force — that would make him no better than a thief.
And besides, she was guarding the stone so earnestly.
“I don’t… want to cause you… any more trouble…”
His words trailed off — and then his body swayed.
When Ai turned, he was clutching his chest and collapsing.
“Ah!”
Ai panicked and reached toward him—
but before she could touch him, a huge, rough hand swept in from the side and easily scooped him up.
It was that medieval-looking giant — Zarel, or whatever his name was.
The same man from before.
Where was the other one — Moldo, the one who’d tried to kill them?
There was no blood on Zarel’s armor, so maybe he’d escaped somehow.
Cradling the fainted boy carefully, Zarel glared down at Ai.
His gaze was sharp and heavy — Ai instinctively flinched and stumbled backward.
“W-what?!”
So scary! He’s so intimidating!!
“Ai—!! Huff, huff, huff! Finally caught up!!”
The three classmates came running at last.
“Hey! You okay?!”
“Wait— it’s that guy again!”
Panting and flailing, they looked ridiculous — but Ai could’ve cried with relief.
Right now, even they looked like saviors.
“Oh, thank goodness! He just glared at me! You wouldn’t believe how scary he is!”
“Wait, huh? Where’s the pretty boy? Don’t tell me you caused trouble again, Ai?”
Gulp. Ugh… refusing to return the stone — does that count as causing trouble?
“W-well, that’s…”
Before she could explain, Yoshii stepped forward, puffing up his chest and confronting Zarel.
“Hey! What do you people want with her?!
Enough already! I left my burger back there — I didn’t even get to eat it!
You better pay me back! I want compensation!”
“Oh right! I missed my apple pie too! Should’ve eaten it first thing!”
Ugh… so apparently their anger over food outweighed their fear.
But then they noticed the two real swords hanging at Zarel’s waist — and froze.
Zarel said nothing.
He merely cast them a cold glare before turning away, walking ahead with the unconscious boy in his arms.
“Hey! Don’t ignore me! Pay up!”
“Wait! Where are you going?!”
He didn’t respond. He didn’t even look back.
And so, yelling and protesting all the way, Ai and the others ended up following him.
Zarel was impossible to miss — a huge man in black armor, carrying swords and a red-haired boy.
Luckily, it was broad daylight, so though there were plenty of cars, few pedestrians were around to notice.
Still, those swords— two long blades! That had to violate Japan’s sword laws.
And yet… there was an undeniable fantasy aura about him.
He had called them “people of another world.”
If that was true, then it meant he came from a different world altogether.
“Hey, Kawahara,” Yoshii whispered.
“I kinda wanna go home now, just saying.”
“Same here.”
They were trying to hint that things were getting dangerous.
“WHAT did you say?!”
Both Ai and Yoko whipped around, faces blazing with fury.
“Eeeek!! You two are scarier than him!!”
“It’s a joke! Just kidding! We’ll stick around, promise!!”
“Good. Trying to leave girls behind, huh? Real brave of you. Right, Yoko?”
“Totally! Don’t you think you should protect delicate girls like us?
Seriously, these guys are no princes! Total failures!”
“Haahhh… who’s delicate, exactly?”
The boys sighed heavily.
There was no escaping this.
Still… swords and magic? Another world?
It stirred something inside them.
Sure, it was dangerous — but also thrilling.
Their curiosity was stronger than fear.
“Hey, Kawahara.”
“Yeah. Fine. We’ll see this through to the end.”
And so, the four of them followed Zarel — deeper into the unknown.
