The sun had long since set by the time Hajime and the others got off the train station closest to home.
Myu had exhausted herself completely and fallen asleep in Hajime’s arms the moment they got on the train. Yue and the others looked quite tired as well. While they’d done far harsher traveling during their time in Tortus, everything they’d seen today had been completely new to them, which had been mentally taxing.
“Hajime, thanks for showing us around today,” Yue said, turning to look up at Hajime.
“You’re welcome. Did you all have fun?”
“Of course!” Shea exclaimed. “I hope Kaori-san can come with us next time.”
“I’m sure Lily is also looking forward to the day she can finally visit Earth. I would love to take her to that giant building shaped like a tree. Seeing skyscrapers spread out in every direction for as far as the eye can see from up on the observation deck up there was truly mesmerizing,” Tio said.
“This world really is full of surprises. Ufu fu, I was excited about every new thing we saw,” Remia said with a smile.
After buying clothes, Hajime had taken everyone to the food court so that they could sample the various cuisine options of Japan, after which they’d spent some more time touring the shopping mall.
During lunch, he’d modified everyone’s Artifacts to increase their perception-altering powers, but even then when Yue and the others had started trying on makeup at the beauty store, they’d once again started attracting attention.
They’d all been impressed by the various home appliances they saw in the hardware stores, as well as the elevators and escalators.
Hajime had also taken them to an accessory shop with the intention of buying one bauble for each of them to commemorate their first date, but they’d all turned to him and given him a confused look. It seemed they’d all assumed that since Hajime could just make trinkets like that for them, there was no need to buy any, which had immensely disappointed the store clerks.
Once they’d finished shopping, Hajime had taken them around to a few famous tourist spots, and then they’d eaten dinner at a proper restaurant.
“Mmm...we had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed exploring your world with you.”
“Glad to hear it.”
To Yue, the most important thing was that she’d been able to explore this place together with Hajime. Of course, the same held true for Shea and the others. They all nodded in agreement, huge smiles spreading across their faces.
“You really splurged for our sake, didn’t you, master?” Tio asked suddenly, prompting Hajime to turn to her in surprise.
She grinned at him, knowing she was right based on his reaction.
“It’s rude to point that out, Tio,” Hajime said sullenly.
“Forgive me, master, but before you were summoned to Tortus, you were a student, correct? Seeing as you didn’t borrow any money from mother or father, I assumed you must have spent a great deal of your savings on us today.”
Normally, Tio acted like a raging pervert, so it was easy to forget just how perceptive she was. She was, of course, completely right. Hajime had grown up spending time helping out at both his mother’s and father’s workplaces, so he’d earned a decent amount of money doing odd jobs. He also didn’t spend much outside of buying video games and books, so he had more savings than most kids his age. Still, just in case, Hajime had also polished some of the jewels he’d picked up in Tortus that also existed on Earth and sold them off to earn some extra cash. And it was a good thing he had, since he’d burned through almost his entire savings on today’s date.
“If you noticed, then how come you kept on asking for more stuff?” Hajime asked.
“Mmm...because you told us we could buy whatever we wanted, Hajime,” Yue said in a matter-of-fact tone. She then rested her head on Hajime’s shoulder. It seemed everyone had realized Hajime was pushing his finances, not just Tio. No wonder they all seemed extra grateful.
“Besides, you wouldn’t want us to hold back on your account, right?” Yue asked.
“Yeah, it just kind of sucks that you saw through me.”
Naturally, Shu and Sumire had offered to give Hajime a bit of extra allowance, but he’d refused. His pride hadn’t allowed it. As a man, he’d wanted to ensure all of his gifts came from his own hard-earned money.
“Not at all! We’re really happy!” Shea said.
“Truly, thank you very much, Hajime-san,” Remia said. The two of them also leaned against Hajime, making it rather difficult for him to keep walking. But he didn’t mind, so he simply smiled happily.
“Then why’d you have to point out that you noticed?” Hajime asked, turning to Tio. Knowing her, she probably had a good reason for it.
“Oh, there was just something I wanted to confirm.”
“What, that my bank account’s been sucked dry?” Hajime said in a teasing voice.
However, Tio turned to Hajime with a serious expression on her face and said, “Didn’t you say before that you’d sell all sorts of trinkets when you made it back to Earth and make a killing? You even mentioned how it would be a waste not to use your transmutation powers after returning home.”
“I’m impressed that you remembered that.”
Indeed, Hajime had made that joke once before when he’d been telling Tio and the others what he’d do when he got back to Earth.
“Knowing you, master, I’m sure you must have considered that option, especially now that you’re out of money.”
Tio gave Hajime a knowing smile, and he shook his head in amazement.
“You really can see right through me.”
Hajime did indeed want enough money to be independent just in case, and to ensure Yue and the others could live comfortably. He had, in fact, spent some time thinking about how he’d improve his finances while preparing the portal to take everyone back to Japan. He’d actually already consulted with his dad about how to go about starting a business and was laying the groundwork.
“So?” Hajime asked, prompting Tio to keep going.
“Yes, well, I was thinking that once you begin your new business, I would like to help out.” Yue, Shea, and Remia listened quietly as Tio looked up at the starry night sky and added, “You, Yue, and Shea will all be starting school again soon, won’t you? I have been wondering what I should do to fill the time while you’re gone.”
Hajime had, of course, told everyone they were free to do whatever they wanted. Tio and Remia could use metamorphosis magic to alter their appearance and go to school with everyone if they so desired, or they could go look for work, if that was what they wanted to do instead. Shu and Sumire had even offered to let them work at their workplaces or to help find them different jobs if that was what they were looking for.
Tio had considered her options over the past week, and this was what she’d decided she wanted to do.
“I wish to make an honest living in this world. I want to contribute to this society so that I can feel like I’m truly a part of it.”
After thinking about it, Tio had realized that this was what she truly wanted.
“I have yet to fully understand the way this world works, so I realize it may be premature for me to want to jump into working life. There’s much I’m sure I’ll need to learn, but we have the time. Besides, I want to use the knowledge I’ve accrued over the centuries to...” Tio trailed off, looking back down at Hajime. “To help you, master. We’re family, after all, right?”