Chapter 06: Repaying the Favor for Saving the World
Ever since Lilia reunited with Hayato, she had started visiting the apartment where Hayato lived frequently.
Lilia, a second-year high school student attending a prestigious private girls’ school in the city, would take the train after her classes ended and come to Hayato’s apartment. Normally, it would be time for her to be diligently practicing in the badminton club, but she had even submitted a leave of absence form to make time to spend with Hayato.
“For the past month, I’ve been taking a break from club activities to search for you and our companions, Hayato.”
“Is that so? I feel bad about that.”
“No, no, I’m actually happy. Not only was I able to reunite with you, but being able to spend such peaceful times together like this feels like a dream.”
She was spending time with Hayato, even sacrificing her high school life, and was still taking care of him. Hayato, being cared for, had mixed feelings.
He had Lilia tell him various things about the life she had lived since being reincarnated as Takahashi Riri. Apparently, after being reincarnated, she couldn’t recall her memories from the other world, but she seemed to have inherited the experiences and skills she had lived with as the Female Sage, which were ingrained in her. Thanks to that, she had apparently grown up to be exceptionally talented compared to others since she was young.
Moreover, she had also acquired new skills in this world, and since her memories returned a month ago, she had fully utilized computer and network technologies to tirelessly search for their companions’ whereabouts.
“Just as I regained my memories a month ago, I thought our other companions might have regained their memories in the same way. And I knew I had to somehow find Hayato, who should be in this world.”
Hayato recalled the time a month ago when he couldn’t even get up. While he was in that state, Lilia had been taking action.
“I couldn’t just tell anyone about the other world, so I started by acting alone.”
“That makes sense.”
Hayato also hadn’t told anyone that he had been a Hero in another world. He had no intention of telling anyone in the future either. The only ones he could share this with would probably be their reincarnated companions.
“I thought it would take too long to search alone, so I first studied programming.”
“Programming?”
“Yes. I taught myself and developed custom search software. It collects and organizes information from the internet and social media, builds a database, searches for specific patterns, and pinpoints our companions’ locations.”
Lilia opened her laptop and showed him a screen displaying complex programming code. It automated information gathering and organization, then collected promising leads from that. She would then personally verify them to see if they were indeed their companions.
“With this, I somehow managed to track down our companions’ whereabouts.”
“I see, that’s amazing. And then you came to see me.”
A month after regaining her memories, she had achieved her reunion with Hayato.
“It took about a week for development and three weeks for the search.”
“Development in one week?! That’s incredible.”
Hayato’s voice cracked in surprise. He had no knowledge of programming. But he thought developing something in a week was incredibly fast.
“My experiences in the other world helped me learn the principles of programming. The principles of magic and this are very similar in their logical structure. Both combine specific ‘commands’ to achieve a desired result. The essence is the same.”
“I see.”
Lilia explained it as if it were simple, but the content was not something one would expect from an ordinary high school girl. Her thinking abilities and wisdom as a Sage in the other world were likely being fully demonstrated in the modern world as well.
“Even so, that’s still amazing.”
“What’s amazing are the devices invented in this world. With these, you can do so many things easily. Things that were unimaginable in the other world can be achieved with this world’s technology. It’s truly a series of surprises.”
She seemed to be already using this world’s technology more skillfully than an expert. Her fingertips moved deftly as she operated her smartphone and tablet. Watching her like this reminded him of how she used to handle her staff and magical tools in the other world.
“So, I understand you found me and our companions. If you’ve located us, reunited, and confirmed we’re safe, shouldn’t you go back to your club activities?”
“Since I’ve come this far, I’ll take a little more time off to take care of you, Hayato.”
She would make time to take care of all the household chores at Hayato’s apartment, such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking. Although it was a small studio apartment, with her touch, it transformed into an unbelievably clean and comfortable space.
Hayato felt apologetic about having her come to such a small studio, but Lilia dismissed his concerns.
“I feel bad having you come to such a cramped place.”
“This is something I’m doing because I want to. By taking care of you like this, Hayato, and repaying my debt of gratitude even a little, my heart feels lighter.”
“Repaying a debt of gratitude, you don’t have to…”
The “-sama” honorific, which he had accepted in the other world, felt out of place in this world.
If other people heard a grown man being called with “-sama” by a high school girl, he couldn’t imagine what kind of misunderstandings might arise. Due to such concerns, Hayato had asked her to just call him by his name.
He had somehow succeeded in getting her to accept this. The reincarnated Lilia had also learned such common sense.
After they started calling each other by their names, he felt they had grown a little closer, but her devoted attitude didn’t change. He couldn’t help but feel guilty about being a grown adult relying so heavily on a high school girl for such thorough care. In response to Hayato’s words, Lilia spoke with a sincere expression.
“You mustn’t say things like that. You are the Honored Hero who saved our world. Moreover, you rushed to our aid from a different world; you are that world’s benefactor. Therefore, you have the right to receive our gratitude. I don’t think something like this is enough to repay you, but I want to return the favor, even if just a little.”
Her eyes were completely serious, and it was clear that her words contained no lies or mere pleasantries. Faced with her earnestness, Hayato could only nod and accept.
“No, no, you’re helping me more than enough. Thank you, Riri.”
“Yes!”
When Hayato expressed his gratitude, a radiant smile spread across Lilia’s face. That happy smile was so dazzling, a beautiful sight he could never have witnessed in the harsh other world.
Hayato, who had lost his job, spent his mornings leisurely while looking for new employment.
Lilia had urged him to rest well until his body and mind, injured in the final battle, had recovered. His body had recovered sufficiently. In fact, he was feeling rather good.
However, for Lilia’s sake, who was worried about him, he decided not to rush. He spent his days refreshing himself by going to the movies, shopping, eating delicious food, and taking walks.
That said, he couldn’t continue living like this forever. He had to find a job where he could utilize his skills…
He had many experiences from the other world, but how could he apply them in modern society? He had been fired from his previous job due to an unexplained unauthorized absence. It was a vexing problem.
One such day, Riri said there was a place she wanted him to go with her.
“Tomorrow, could I have a little of your time?”
“Of course, but where are we going?”
“That’s a surprise for tomorrow.”
Saying so, she gave a meaningful smile.
The next day, Riri, who appeared at the meeting spot, was dressed in unusually subdued attire. A pink blouse and a white skirt; her modest yet elegant outfit highlighted her loveliness.
“Thank you for coming today.”
“Um, likewise?”
“I’ll guide you. Please follow me.”
“Oh, ah. Okay.”
Guided by her, he headed towards their destination. As they walked together, they entered one of the most exclusive residential areas in the city. It was an impressive place with neatly lined, stylish shops and well-maintained roadside trees.
After walking for another five minutes, they arrived at a high-rise condominium with a modern design. A uniformed security guard stood at the entrance, making it clear at a glance that it wasn’t a place ordinary people could easily enter.
“I’ve prepared a new home for you. Hayato, starting today, please live here.”
“…Huh? Um?”
The words were so sudden that Hayato couldn’t believe his ears.