There was something that had been bothering me for a while now, and I felt that I had to ask Luke about it.
"Luke, earlier when you were talking with Sikiyomi-san, you mentioned the continent of Samatoki. Well, you know what I mean," I said to Luke.
Sikiyomi-san has a name that follows the same concept as mine, using the family name first and the given name last.
Who knows, maybe on that continent there is something that could connect me to my old world. This is just a simple guess, though.
"Ah, about that?" Luke said as he sat on the bed after having lain down for a while.
"The continent of Samatoki is located in the southernmost part of this land. Well, when we return to the carriage later, I can show you a map of this world," he said.
"You're confused, aren't you? About why Sikiyomi-san's name sounds almost similar to yours?" Luke asked.
"Of course," I replied.
"On that continent, the buildings have shapes that are very different from those on other continents," Luke answered.
"They say that there are cultures and traditions there that don't exist anywhere else, except in Samatoki itself," he continued.
A unique culture… could that continent be similar to my old world? Could it even be a copy of it?
Based on what Luke said, I was fairly certain that the continent had buildings characteristic of my old world. But—
"Could it be that you come from the same world as Samatoki?" Luke asked.
"I told you before, didn't I? About the buildings in my world that towered into the sky and were incredibly magnificent, and were filled with technology everywhere," I said.
"Yes, I still remember you talking about that," Luke replied.
"Besides those magnificent buildings, there are also buildings that have stood for a very long time, or were built based on concepts passed down from much earlier eras. They're very traditional, completely contrasting with the towering structures," I said.
"So you mean… the buildings in Samatoki might resemble those in your world?" Luke asked.
Just as I had expected, he was quick to grasp things like this.
"You're right. And then I thought that if I were to go to Samatoki, I might find something that could connect me to my old world," I said.
Even though it sounds impossible, I already died in that world.
But… if there were even a slight chance that my current soul could be transferred along with my present body to that world, I don't know what would happen.
"Well, if you ever do find something like that, the choice will still be yours. You're the one who has the right to decide what's best for you and the people around you," Luke said.
"It's already this late… let's go out and enjoy dinner," I suggested.
"I'm hungry too," Luke said.
Before we left the room, I saw Luke take off his long, dark blue outer garment. Underneath, he was wearing a plain white shirt.
He was also wearing long black pants beneath the dark blue clothing.
Luke noticed that I had been watching him as he took off his clothes.
"Are you interested in this outfit? Perfect timing—I remember Charles-san saying that he got this outfit when he went to Samatoki," Luke said.
"I see," I murmured.
It was my first time seeing that outfit, but for some reason, I felt like I had seen something similar before—though very different from what he was wearing now.
"How about you? Are you really going to keep wearing that robe? Isn't it hot?" Luke asked.
"You're right… I'll take it off," I said.
Ah yes, I remember before I wore this robe. Back then, I was only wearing a plain white shirt and my brown pants.
Until finally, this robe was given to me. I will never forget that precious moment.
Well, even though I can't be sure whether that incident truly happened or was merely an illusion.
But if Cyve is still by my side, then it means everything that happened back then was real—even if, in truth, it originally existed only within a game.
——
We left the room and walked toward the common area, the place where we first entered.
Yuu-chan and Hime had already arrived and were sitting at a table with six chairs.
"It's unusual for you two to be this quick when it's time to eat," I said.
"I'm interested in Sato-san's cooking. She said she wants to make us food that's different from anything we've eaten before," Hime said.
Was it really that different, to the point that Sikiyomi-san mentioned it to the two of them? I was starting to feel curious as well.
"Then how much do we have to pay per person for one meal?" Luke asked.
"Sato-san said we only need to pay four bronze coins. That's really cheap, isn't it?" Yuu-chan said.
"I never expected we'd meet someone as kind as Sikiyomi-san," I murmured.
Usually, people in business only think about profit. So what does Sikiyomi-san gain from this?
The lodging and food are cheap, and that certainly won't make her rich quickly or easily.
"That's why, when we leave this place, we should thank her properly," Yuu-chan said.
"What, do you think we never thank people?" I said.
——
Sikiyomi-san came out of a room located behind Hime and Yuu-chan, its doorway covered only by a curtain.
I guessed that it was the kitchen she used daily to cook.
Even just from sitting here, I could already smell the fragrant aroma of the food she was making.
She approached our table carrying two fairly large plates with something on top.
"Please enjoy your meal. This is the first time you've seen this dish, right?" Sikiyomi-san asked.
On the plates were irregularly shaped, ball-like pieces, covered in what looked like a crispy outer layer.
"What is this?" Luke asked, clearly curious.
Wait a second, this tastes kind of like—
"In my region, it's called Saragi. Chicken meat cut into small pieces, coated with dry and wet flour, then deep-fried in hot oil," she said with a happy expression.
The name is completely different from what I know. Whatever, as long as it tastes good.
"Oh right, I forgot to bring you the rice. Please wait a moment—" Sikiyomi-san said as she returned to the kitchen to fetch several bowls of rice.
——
"Let's eat," I murmured in my heart.
It had been a long time since I last said that before eating.
"Hmm~ The outside is very crispy, and the meat is really tender," Hime said.
"It's not too heavy either, unlike most chicken dishes," Luke said.
The three of them seemed to be enjoying the Saragi very much, and I was enjoying it too.
"I'm glad you like it~" Sikiyomi-san said.
For some reason, it felt like being in the home of someone close to us, as if we were guests who were meant to be treated like family.
"Yukito-san, don't you think this is too much food for us to finish?" Hime asked.
She was right. There were two plates, both filled with Saragi.
"You're right. Luke, what do you think?" I asked.
"I feel the same way," Luke said.
"I feel the same as well…" Yuu-chan said.
"If that's the case, then there's only one thing we can do, right?" I said while looking at Hime.
"Yukito-san, we're thinking the same thing, aren't we?" Hime asked.
Hime immediately turned around and called out to Sikiyomi-san, stopping her as she was about to return to the kitchen.
"Sato-san, when do you usually eat dinner?" Hime asked.
"Hm… usually around this time. Why?" Sikiyomi-san asked back.
"We think this is too much food for us to finish," Hime said.
"And we could really use some help from the person who cooked it. It just feels a bit wrong otherwise," I said.
"You mean you want me to eat together with you? No way~ You're guests here," Sikiyomi-san said with a smile.
"Sato-san, the four of us are truly grateful to you for your hospitality. But… at the very least, please allow us to keep you company here at the inn," Hime said.
Hearing Hime's words, Sikiyomi-san took off her apron and finally sat down beside Hime and Yuu-chan to share dinner with us.
There's nothing wrong with that—we consider Sikiyomi-san a member of our group. She was the first to welcome us so warmly.
We should also return the kindness she has shown us.