Ch.78 And Now I'm Alone Again

"Everyone's gone."

"Yeah. It's a bit lonely when they're gone all at once, isn't it?"

Following Takemaru-san, Mimia-san and the others logged out too, and only Sakidori Midori-san and I are left here.

It was the large number of people that made it so lively, but when it was just the 2 of us, the liveliness disappeared.

"It reminds me of the indescribable atmosphere of an empty classroom after the school festival is over and everyone has finished cleaning up."

That's a great example. Is that what they call nostalgia?

Another similar atmosphere is an empty classroom after school.

You can hear the voices of students doing club activities outside, and the sounds of the brass band members playing their instruments from inside the school.

That's what they called immersed in nostalgia.

"That just shows how much fun the celebration was."

"Indeed"

However, when it's just the two of us, it can be lively in its own way, and that's a good thing.

"Well, time for us to go too."

Sakidori Midori-san and I head to the Culinary Guild.

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"So, which one is your real body?"

"From my perspective, both are my real bodies. One that can move freely and one that cannot. I think I explained that at the party."

Our destination wasn't far from the Mage's Guild.

On the way there, we're talking about fairies, a topic chosen by Sakidori Midori-san.

The questions she asked were the same as those we had discussed at the party.

"Oh, really? Then I must have missed it."

"Is that so?"

In the second half of the party, we talked about the fairy race and about myself. I don't intend to talk about reincarnation, so I talked about other things.

It's in the past, and it's not something I need to talk about with anyone.

Of the 5 of them, Mimia-san and Shuuto-san were listening with interest. Sakidori Midori-san was listening normally. Takemaru-san and Kaito-san listened with surprised looks on their faces.

"By the way, strictly speaking, the tree is my main body. This body could not be created without my tree body."

"Ah, I see. It would be nice if the trees could move freely too."

"I agree"

But wait, being able to move would allow me to escape attacks, which is certainly a good thing, but wouldn't that make me a treant type monster or something?

If it can move, then it evolves into a monster. Is that what happens? That would be terrible.

"Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention this at the party, but about that matter of searching for your mother, if there's anything I can help you with, let me know. I'll help you."

"Yes, thank you."

"It's been 3 months since you were born, and you've never even seen your family's faces. Of course you'd be sad."

"Huh?"

Did I look sad when I told them about it? I guess I did.

I have never met my family in this world since I was born. It's true that I feel a little lonely... But is it really that easy for someone to understand me?

I squeeze my cheeks with both hands.

"Yeah, Vester is easy to understand."

Ah, you read my mind. As expected of a true esper.

"I appreciate your concern. However, it's still dangerous for Sakidori Midori-san to go near that place, so I will just accept your kind words."

If the creatures that live in the Fairy Forest detected anyone other than their allies or subordinates inside their territory, they will chase after them until they die. It's really dangerous.

I also think Nabla-kun will attack. He's kind to his allies, but he's still an event monster.

I don't know what they'll do to an intruder who isn't one of their allies.

"The only ones who live there are high level monsters and people of my race. If you go near it, you'll be riddled with holes."

"Oh, I see. So you live in a dangerous place... Maybe it's a hidden area?"

"What?"

"No, it's nothing."

I have been thinking about searching for my mother at some point, so I am very happy and grateful for your kind words.

But I can't ask you to get covered in holes for me.

"Oh, we've been talking for so long that we're about to arrive."

"Yea- oh, sorry, give me a moment."

Sakidori Midori-san stopped in front of the Culinary Guild and touched the air. From her movements, it looked like she was touching the window.

I wonder what this window is informing her of; maybe a message from a friend, or something related to the main quest that started during the party?

"Oh no, it's from my mom. Wow, she sounds angry... Is it because I've been playing games nonstop... Ugh..."

Oh, is that a mail? Sakidori Midori-san is a student, so being scolded for playing games for too long is reasonable.

I had a feeling that was the case from the feel of her avatar.

"Um...hmm, it was a call from my parents."

You don't have to roleplay in front of me, okay? I know you're just playing a game pretending to be the person you want to be.

Why are you glaring at me? I didn't say anything. I'm just thinking it in my mind.

"It shows on your face."

"Oh my."

I squeeze my cheeks again... This is pointless.

I gently let go of my hand.

If her parents can contact her, that means the real world's VR headgear and this world's smartphone-like device are connected.

Although, there is a possibility that her parents also play the game, and they contacted her because Sakidori Midori-san's name on their friend list never changed to the grey name that indicates they're logged out.

“So, I feel bad for Vester, but my parents called me in… I don’t think I can Log… will be able to come back today. I’m really sorry. Can you cook me something for tomorrow?”

"Don't apologize. It can't be helped. It's okay."

"Thank you."

"Where should we meet? In front of the Culinary Guild... where we are now?"

I don't have any plans for tomorrow, or the day after, or even the day after that, so anytime is fine.

"Hmm, 11am. No, I have plans at that time. Um... 10am, yeah, how about here at 10am?"

"Yes, I understand. See you later then."

"Great. See you tomorrow at 10am. Ah, but... Nevermind, I have to go now."

"Good work" Sakidori Midori-san said as she hurriedly logged out.

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〘Furniture Items: Chopsticks〙

A pair of thin sticks that can be used to hold things when eating, cooking, etc.

It is made from wood and bamboo and is quite durable.

Apparently, a certain small race of people sharpen the ends of their chopsticks and use them as weapons.

If you use a wood from a treant as the material, they start to move in a wavy manner, making them difficult to use.

〘Furniture Item: Glass〙

A glass cup, primarily used for holding drinks.

Heat-resistant glass can hold hot drinks, and depending on the quality of the glass, it can even withstand magma.

If you throw it at your opponent as is, you might be able to inflict great damage.

Be careful with broken glass shards, they can leave you bleeding if not handled carefully.

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