Chapter 5: Apple Pie
My life with Sena was modest, yet it was never dull. On sunny days, we would train together all day long, and when our food supplies ran low, we would go hunting or gather wild vegetables and other bounties from the forest (which was entirely Sena’s expertise). I never really felt bored.
That said, it wasn’t as if we were busy every single day. Whenever I suggested taking a day off, Sena would generally agree, and we would spend the day indulging in laziness or sometimes lose ourselves in reading (books left behind by Sena’s Sensei). There were also times when we would spend hours chatting about trivial matters when we were stuck inside due to rain.
Thus, these peaceful moments passed by for me.
Training was progressing smoothly as well. According to Sena, “Ichiro has quite a knack for this.” Following her guidance, I began to sense a different kind of power within me, distinct from Mana. My current goal was to learn how to manipulate this power freely within my body.
“Don’t worry. There’s no need to rush.”
“I’m not rushing. We’ve got all the time in the world.”
“You should be more anxious.”
Which is it?! Regardless, our training sessions were going quite well.
Now, I want to talk about her—Sena. The truth is, she didn’t need to eat at all. Apparently, she absorbed energy from the atmosphere, which naturally existed around us.
That being said, it didn’t mean I was left to eat alone. Just because Sena didn’t need food didn’t mean she wouldn’t eat.
Right now, in front of us, there was a light meal prepared from the wild vegetables we had gathered and the meat we had hunted.
“It’s delicious,” she said.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Cooking had become part of my daily routine. I used the seasonings and cooking tools from my Magic Bag, such as salt, sugar, and pepper. Of course, I didn’t know how to properly prepare the meat, so I mostly left that to Sena. However, I didn’t want to just rely on her; I wanted to learn and gradually be able to do it myself.
“Sena, you really don’t need to eat, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, isn’t this a bit too much for you…?”
The plate piled high with grilled meat was already empty. I thought it would be more than enough for the two of us.
“I barely ate anything…”
“Sena and I split it exactly in half.”
“That’s a stretch, considering there are only two of us.”
Sena was incredibly delicate, almost fragile, with skin so pale it seemed like it would vanish if touched, reminiscent of a delicate noble lady. She looked like she would say, “I’m already full after just a spoonful of soup,” but in reality, she was a hearty eater who loved food.
“I don’t lie.”
She radiated a divine light (literally) while saying, “I don’t lie (big lie).”
“That’s why I still want more. Ichiro, I desire something sweet.”
To my surprise, she was asking for more food.
But Sena’s hearty appetite wasn’t a new development. When I had baked cookies for dessert in the past, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Since then, I had made it a point to include some kind of dessert after our meals.
“Alright, the pie will be ready soon.”
I was currently baking a nut jam pie in a small, portable oven. The filling was made from the nuts Sena and I had gathered earlier, cooked down with a generous amount of sugar to make jam.
“If only we had apples, I could make an apple pie.”
I had made apple pie several times since coming to this world. I could almost call it my specialty.
“Apple pie…”
Sena swallowed hard.
“Just adding some rum and cinnamon would bring it close to a sellable level.”
“Ichiro, I want an apple pie.”
“If I find a similar fruit, I’ll make it for you. I still have some ingredients left.”
“It’s a promise.”
She extended her pinky.
“Yeah, it’s a promise.”
I linked my pinky with hers. The scene felt reminiscent of a past moment. It reminded me of a promise made with her, and my heart ached.
That night, I had a dream. Perhaps it was because we had talked about apple pie.
Back when I lived with Mika, she had mentioned her love for apple pie, so I had kept a portable oven in my Magic Bag so she could have it whenever she wanted.
At that time, with far less experience in combat and labyrinth exploration, I had thought that after conquering the Mirror Labyrinth, I would continue my journey with Mika, relying on each other’s backs.
But that didn’t happen. She declared that she would become the exclusive Saintess of Ryuguin right after we conquered the Mirror Labyrinth.
Then, Ange, who had recently joined us, also went to Ryuguin, leaving me alone once again—this was the dream that followed.
Mika and Ange began to act with Ryuguin, and I found myself alone, hardly ever crossing paths with them in daily life. In fact, even during labyrinth explorations, I had almost no opportunities to speak with them.
But it wasn’t as if we had become enemies. After all, we were still comrades in labyrinth exploration. So, I had brought an apple pie as a promise to Mika, thinking of her favorite treat—
Ah, I can’t go on like this.
The scene became clearer.
I brought the pie to the inn. In front of me were Ryuguin and Mika.
“I don’t really like sweet things.”
—I didn’t bring it for you!
“Yes, Hero-sama. Actually, I’m not very fond of sweets either.”
—That’s a lie! Because,
“Well, I can’t help what you brought me. I’ll have a piece.”
Ryuguin took a bite and spat it out.
“It’s too sweet. You could say it’s cloying. Honestly, I don’t even like apples. Pears are much juicier and better. And I hate cinnamon too. What’s so great about that? It smells like wood. It’s ridiculous to use something like that. I can’t eat this. I might get some weird disease. If I do, Yamada, you’re responsible.”
“You fool!! What kind of thing did you serve to Hero-sama?!”
Mika shouted, her face pale with rage. I had never seen such an expression before.
—No, it’s not me!
“Take it back!!”
She slapped my hand away. The dishes clattered, and the apple pie spilled onto the floor. I had no ill intentions. As I cleaned up the mess, my vision blurred with tears.
“I see, I’m sorry.”
That was all I could muster in response. Everything felt miserable. So, at the very least, I turned my back to them, ensuring they wouldn’t see my expression, and left the room.
“Ichiro, are you okay?”
I didn’t want to remember. That’s why I tried not to think about it. In fleeting moments of life, I recalled them. It was like a seizure.
“Ah, don’t cry, Ichiro.”
When would this feeling go away?
“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
I felt Sena’s warmth as she hugged me close. Until I fell asleep again, I couldn’t suppress my sobs.