He displayed a creepy smile that sent a chill down my spine.
“A guest, huh?” he said. “I see, I see. That must be real―are you kidding me? Show me a monster that would turn around and leave just because you have a guest over! I’ll tell you what, you can find me one or go through my training. Pick one!” His smile suddenly turned into a demonic scowl, and I knew there was no point in arguing.
I reluctantly decided to go through with the training that included removing my top, shouting weird noises, and holding a pot with my fingertips while standing on one foot. I hated it because I had no idea what the training was supposed to do, and it made every muscle in my body feel like it was on fire. It was just a bunch of guys in these training sessions, making it reek of man sweat, and women always gave us weird looks when we did it.
I sent Toru and Marie back to the mansion, letting them enjoy the hot springs with a view of the lake and some delicious seafood. Words couldn’t express Toru’s happiness, surrounded by the beautiful Marie, Wridra, and Shirley.
As for me, I had to stick my hand in burning hot sand and throw punches while shouting sounds like “Bo! Bobo!” The training was so harsh that I felt like I would cry if I let my guard down. In fact, I shed some tears without even realizing it. I wondered who in the world came up with these training methods, though I might tell them to die if I met them in person.
It was now completely dark out, and I could discern the faint sound of chirping bugs from my bedroom. There was an elegance to it that truly made me feel we were now in autumn, though people overseas might just consider it noise. Strangely, not many cultures appreciated the sound of bugs like the Japanese.
“Ugh, I’m beat. Gaston could’ve gone a little easier on me,” I grumbled. It would have been pointless to complain, as he would have kindly said, “Ah, so you want me to go easier on you,” then put me through absolute hell. I had so little energy left in the tank that I was having trouble sleeping, which was highly unusual for me.
Marie was already asleep, breathing rhythmically with a blissful expression. She put a hand on my nape and snuggled closer. I felt like I was cuddling with some sort of adorable creature, making me feel at peace.
While I lay there alone with my thoughts, I heard a voice from behind.
“I had no idea a world like this existed. And this mansion... You don’t see quality like this even in Japan. The view and food here are amazing too. I love it so much that I’d like to visit again sometime,” said Toru sleepily, his eyes half closed. While I was out training, he had been enjoying the fantastic food and hot springs here, so it was no wonder he was about to nod off. He struggled to keep his eyes open, perhaps because he wanted to talk about something. “I’ve always thought there was something different about you. Not just because you were always with a girl who looked like a pretty fairy, but it was as if you knew a world no one else did. Simply put, there was this surreal air about you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It’s hard to describe, but it was like I was looking at a character from a mystery novel or something. Like those unexceptional characters who are actually― Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean that as an insult. Anyway, you seemed mysterious. I talk to a lot of people because of my job and can spot a person’s nature, not just shallow impressions. That’s why I ended up asking such deep questions last night,” he said apologetically, then added that he was too curious for his own good.
When I thought about it, he had mentioned something similar at the Chinese restaurant. I had assumed he reached out to me out of kindness, but maybe he was like a detective in a mystery novel going after one of the characters. Unlike a novel, no mastermind pulled the strings. He had solved the mystery but must have been knocked out of his wits when it led him into a dream world. And now he likely felt that sense of closure that came with finishing a good book. At least it sounded that way to me as I listened to him talk.
“I’m glad I talked to you,” he went on. “I’ve discovered a completely new world, and what a blast it’s been. I promise to not say a word of this to anyone. Partly because I’m so grateful, but I have to admit, a part of it is because I’m selfishly hoping you’ll bring me again.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, let’s come again if our schedules match. But it will look pretty bad if the two of us go to sleep alone together, so I’d like to avoid that if possible.”
“Oh, that would be bad!” he agreed. “You know, in Kaoruko’s secret collection― Actually, never mind. It would be great if we could tie a rope to each other or something. I’ll put an arm on you tonight and see if that works.”
I was curious about this secret collection, but I felt I shouldn’t ask and kept my mouth shut. Kaoruko seemed like the solemn type, even though she apparently had some peculiar interests.
“Well, I’ll be counting on you next time,” said Toru, yawning. “Man, it’s like you have some sleep-inducing chemicals coming out of your body or something. Just being near you made me sleepy yesterday too... You wouldn’t believe I’m actually an insomniac...”
He fell unconscious and began snoring. What could be coming out of my body? I wondered as my head sank further into my pillow. The futon smelled like someone had left it hanging out in the sun, and I felt Marie’s warmth with her arms around me. If anything, it was probably her emitting something sleep-inducing into the air.
The atmosphere in the room made me drowsy while the autumn melody of chirping insects enveloped me. My thoughts dulled until something popped up before I drifted away: it would be early morning in Japan, and Toru would likely wake up in the alley where we had fallen asleep. I decided to call a taxi and pick him up first thing after waking up. It was in the neighborhood anyway, so I could wear a jacket with my pajamas.
With that thought in mind, I fell into a deep slumber.