Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains and landed directly on Haru's face.
"Mgh…".
He sat up, hair a complete mess. He rubbed his eyes and dragged himself out of bed, still half asleep.
"Man… that was one crazy dream…"
He shuffled toward the kitchen while yawning.
"Who'd have thought Elara, one of my waifus, would suddenly appear in real life? Sounds like the setup for some weird light novel…"
A pleasant smell drifted through the apartment.
"…At least dream me got to look cool in front of Elara."
He stepped past the kitchen.
"Good morning, Haru."
"Morning…"
Still groggy he replied without thought then his brows twitched into a frown, after two steps he backtracked and peered into the kitchen.
Elara stood by the stove. she wore one of his oversized shirts, the hem almost reaching her knees. Her scarlet hair shimmered in the morning light while she stirred something in a pot with complete focus.
Haru stared blankly.
"…Huh?"
He rubbed his eyes.
Elara remained.
He pinched himself.
Still there.
Then—
SMACK!!
A loud slap echoed through the apartment.
Elara jumped in surprise and quickly turned around.
"Haru?!"
He stood there holding his reddened cheek with a dazed expression.
"…That hurt…"
" Haru, if that was a joke it was in poor taste."
Suddenly he observed he like a man witnessing a ghost, Elara's face flushed as she couldn't help feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze.
She started trying to adjust the large shirt then she finally spoke.
" I'm not too fond of being stared at so earnestly, if you have something to say I suggest you do so."
" Are you real ?" Haru asked in a daze.
Elara responded with a confused look then asked. " What manner of question is that-?"
Haru walked up to her and before long there faces were barely inches apart. Elara felt her face burn as she struggled to maintain eye contact.
Suddenly Haru picked her hand and began to examine it while muttering to himself.
"... not only did they nail her face but the rest of her body as well, Even the muscle definition is accurate…" he said while squeezing her bicep.
Elara's face immediately turned bright red.
"U-Unhand me at once!"
Unfortunately for her, the authority she intended to put into those words came out weak and flustered instead.
Haru continued examining her in fascination.
"…This level of realism is insane…",
suddenly an ominous aura suddenly filled the room.
Both of them slowly turned.
Mika stood there in pajamas, her eye twitching violently.
"…Haru."
"Oh Mika you're in my dream too, check this out Elara is-"
suddenly everything went dark as Mika's fist made contact with his jaw. When Haru came to he himself on a warm, soft and comfortable surface, he knitted his brows as he thought of what he was laying on but his questions were answered the moment he opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Elara looking down at him with a smile of relief.
" Welcome back to the land of the living."
Realisation dawned on Haru and he exclaimed
" wait you're real ? I thought you were just in my dream!"
Elara puffed her cheeks slightly .
" Come on after all we have been that's the first thing you say to me, this is an offence like no other I've faced."
" Damn she's even cuter in real life." Haru thought to himself.
Mika looked away awkwardly then spoke
" H... Hey, I'm...s... sorry ok"
Haru turned to look at Mika who looked flustered as she muttered what sounded like an apology.
" Maybe I hit you too hard, but it's still your fault for harassing Elara!"
Haru stood up so fast he startled the two girls, and he looked at Mika with suspicion.
" Man I must really be still dreaming for Mika of all people to apologize." He remarked.
" Hey it's not that surprising." She defended.
"All thanks to you I recieved an earful from Elara."
In response haru chuckled and looked at Elara who had just set the table and placed three covered bowls, Haru quickly sat down at the plate that seemed to be his.
" The ingredients in this world seemed a little strange but I used what seemed familiar, I hope you enjoy." Elara said.
" A meal from a waifu, I'm living every otaku's dream, time to dig in."
Haru opened the lid that covered his bowl and his bright expression turned into one of confusion, before him was a bowl that contained a wierd concoction.
He examined the mixture with caution.
" Yuck, you added spinach." He said disgust in his eyes.
"Come on quit being picky, at least taste it first." Elara replied.
Haru instinctively looked at Mika hoping she had already tastes the food but to his shock she just returned his stare.
"Just eat it," Mika said while nervously holding her spoon. "We suffered together during the dragon raid. We can survive this too."
In truth she too hoped he'd taste it first, eventually they both took a spoonful and a stuffed it in their mouths, there faces took on various expressions, and in the end they both looked even more confused than when they saw the concoction.
" How is it?" Elara asked earnestly.
" I don't know, it's not bad, but not good either."
Haru responded while taking another spoonful.
"I know right." Mika agreed.
That morning breakfast was eaten in silence as those who partook in it were left in confusion stuck trying to decide whether or not what they were eating tasted good, after breakfast they washed dishes and Haru sat on his game chair while the girls chatted for a bit.
After a while they walked up to Haru and Mika spoke.
" Hey lazy bones, get up we are going shopping."
To her dismay all she got was a groan.
" Excuse me." Mika said getting frustrated.
Haru finally spoke. " I've become one with the furniture, you won't make me budge."
Mika let out an exaggerated sigh then suddenly an idea bulb lit up over her head. She walked up behind and placed her hands on his sides then her fingers began to move like they were sentient.
Haru began to laugh and fidget but Mika didn't stop, she tickled him until he fell off his chair while laughing frantically then at one point he remembered he was stronger than her and caught both her hands in one hand leaving her defenseless, beads of sweat formed on Mika's brow as she realized how dire the situation was, Haru gave her a scary look then said two words.
" Your turn."
Suddenly Haru tripped her and she felt herself fall but she landed on Haru's bed and he began to tickle her as well.
Mika lost it laughing like a maniac and Haru persisted.
" ...stop .... Elara back me up here!..." Mika said in between laughs.
Elara couldn't resist and she tried to sneak up on him but the moment she touched him he turned and she withdrew her hands with a flinch, this moment of hesitation gave Haru an opportunity and he turned the tables and began to tickle her as well and she melted and also began to laugh.
Mika tried to use this opportunity but ended up being tickled again, after a while all three of them lay sprawled across the ground panting like they ran a marathon, they struggled to catch their breath.
" Finally I got your lazy butt off that chair of yours." Mika said breathlessly.
"It won't be so easy next time." Haru replied. "Go get ready before I get bored and go back to gaming."
The girls got up and began to prepare themselves and Haru did the same, afterwards the two girls walked out and found Haru at the gate at the entrance distracted by his phone, he let out a chuckle as he saw something but soon felt someone tug his t-shirt.
He looked up and saw a stunning sight that made him forget how language worked. Before him Elara stood there wearing a light summer dress with a wide-brimmed hat. The soft colors suited her perfectly, giving the former knight a gentle elegance completely different from her usual armored appearance. Elara avoided eye contact as she asked.
" How do I look?"
" Utterly stunning." Haru replied without hesitation.
" Th.. thanks, I was a little hesitant for this attire would not fare well in battle." Elara replied, devoid of her usual pride.
" Yeah you're welcome." Haru said awkwardly.
After an awkward silence Mika appeared, wearing a hoodie and and shorts.
" Sorry guys, I had to take care of something, anyway let's bounce, come on Elara there's so much I want to show you. "
As she said this she took Elara's hand and began to skip as she walked. As they passed by a house a lady in a garden waved at them and they returned the wave, two houses ahead another lady greeted them.
"Hey Haru, I'm looking forward to this week's batch of veggies, my customers are obsessed with them." She said.
" Sure Miss Diane, I'll bring some over " Haru replied.
" Haru my boy."
A man on the opposite side of the road shouted.
" Look at you walking with two fine ladies, although I'm curious, one looks new."
" Oh her she's Elara, she's from abroad." Haru replied.
" Good day, sir." Elara responded.
" Ah you're a polite one, that's good, hey Mika you could learn a thing or two." He replied.
" Put a sock in it , Unc. I'm not in the mood." Mika replied.
" Honestly, anyway run along now." The man replied with a chuckle.
" Unc? That's quite the unusual name?" Elara asked .
" Oh that's short for uncle." Mika replied.
" Uncle? In my world people were usually quite polite to older relatives."
" Oh don't sweat it, Unc is pretty chill, you'll see what I mean when you get to know him ."
Elara agreed barely understanding half of that sentence. Haru suddenly exclaimed.
" The next train will be arriving in seven minutes, we need to rush or we'll miss it." He said.
" Last one there is a rotten egg!" Mika said as she began to run.
" Hey no fair you've got a head start !" Haru shouted as he and Elara ran after them.
In five minutes they reached, Mika was the first one and Elara was last.
" Slow pokes."
"Come on you cheated."
Mika just playfully stuck out her tongue and walked further. Elara was too distracted by the large crowd that she failed to notice she was left behind. Mika and Haru walked up to a good spot and waited for the train chatting.
" ... Yeah that dragon must have been tough right Elara?... Elara you're pretty quiet what's.... going on... Uh broski, where is Elara." Mika asked suddenly realizing.
" Huh she's right ... What the hell, she was just here a few seconds ago." Haru replied.
" Not again, we just looked away for a few seconds and she's gone we need to find her quick before she does something dumb." Mika suggested.
Suddenly the screeching sound if the train's wheels could be heard.
" Oh no it's already here, wait a minute... Ah Haru I see her quick let's go get her. "
Meanwhile Elara was on high alert after hearing the screeching noise and she drew her blade which fascinated onlookers, soon the train appeared and slowly stopped. Elara's grip on the swords hilt tightened and she took a battle stance.
"A serpent of steel? This world is nothing short of of surprising."
She then charged towards one of the barricades but suddenly a man stood before her.
" Excuse me ma'am but I'd suggest you go in through the doors."
" Fear not, you have my protection this vile beasts will fall here." Elara said charging up her blade.
" Sorry lady I don't understand what you're talking about but-" the officer began before being interrupted by someone's shout.
" Elara ! Over here , let's hurry before it leaves!" Haru shouted when they caught up they dragged Elara by her hand and got in line.
" Haru let's slay the beast while it's immobile." Elara said.
" Huh what beast?" He asked confused.
" That metal serpent, isn't that why were here, we are on a quest to slay it right?"
" Oh no you've got it wrong -"
" Good goddess ! Haru those people are entering the serpent!"
" I was getting to that part."
" What is this, is it a ritual? Are you cultists or something, is this a ritual where you get eaten?"
" Your mind can really go places, Elara." Haru said.
" Hey two hurry before all the seats are taken !" Mika shouted.
" Come on Elara I'll explain on the way."
Elara was skeptical but Haru grabbed her hand not leaving her with much of a choice. Elara's eyes widened when she saw how the train looked on the inside. Mika beckoned her to sit next to her. Haru sat next to her.
" So what do you think?" He asked.
"Well for cultist headquarters or whatever it is you call them, this isn't so bad, but I will never join you."
" Too bad, it was over the moment you set foot in this serpent, the ritual has already began, the snake god will devour us all."Haru said trying to sound ominous.
"S... Surely you jest." Elara asked nervously.
" I kid you not. " Haru responded.
Elara's face went pale in fear but Mika places an arm over her shoulder.
" Relax girl, Haru's just messing with you, come on Haru spare the poor girl."
" Fine fine I bet the joke was in poor taste, sorry Elara."
Elara unconsciously let out a sigh of relief then playfully punched Haru. Soon the train reached the next station and they dropped off.
The shopping district completely shattered what remained of Elara's common sense.
Massive storefronts stretched endlessly.
Bakery smells drifted through the air.People bustled everywhere.
Elara slowly turned in circles with wide eyes.
"…How can one place contain this many merchants?"
Then she suddenly wandered off.
Again.
At the center stood a fountain. Entranced she walked up to it and touched the water, she gasped in fascination and walked up to a nearby shop running her hand along the window, someone nearby blew bubbles.
" What manner of sorcery is that?" She thought to herself.
Five minutes later, Haru found her staring suspiciously at mannequins inside a clothing store.
" Oh no you don't, we've lost you enough for one day. Stick with us."
" You're the one's who left me though." Elara said with a pout.
Haru brought her inside the clothing store. Haru checked some clothes remarking at their quality but she frozen the moment she saw a mannequin,
"Haru," she whispered seriously. "A gorgon lurks within."
"…What?"
She pointed dramatically.
"The petrified humans."
Haru stared at the mannequins.
Then at Elara.
Then back at the mannequins.
"…Elara. Those are mannequins."
"…You dress fake humans?"
Elara asked in shock but soon the shock turned to embarrassment, she then began to inspect a mannequin, she looked closer remarking.
"I wonder what it is these mannequins are crafted from, it's quite peculiar."
Suddenly the mannequin's arms caught her shoulders, in an instant she beheaded it. Suddenly they saw a face behind the mannequin.It belonged to Mika who just stared in shock as a few of her hair strands dropped to the ground.
" Mika?" Elara asked concerned.
" I saw my life flash before my eyes, hey Haru you get bald in the future."
" What hell no, ain't now way I'm losing my fresh fade ever."
" You sure about that."
" Anyway enough about me being bald in the future, are you ok, what were you doing behind the mannequin?"
" I hoped to get the jump on Elara but it went wrong, I guess."
Haru suddenly placed his hands in her shoulders,
" quit treating it like it's normal, you could have been seriously hurt."
Mika was shocked by how stern he suddenly was.
" Woah man, it's not that deep, Kay."
She replied Haru grew even more Stern and said .
" But it is that deep, be more careful. And you !"
Elara yelped.
" I'll be confiscating your sword." Elara exclaimed.
" What !"
" You heard me."
" What if I stuck to using the intangible blade, it's only effective on inanimate objects."
" No swords whether tangible or not, if you don't want me to confiscate them then keep them in your inventory."
" Fine." The commotion attracted the shop keeper and when she saw the mannequin she asked.
" What happened here?" Haru stepped forward.
" Sorry ma'am, we had a bit of an accident and broke the mannequin, I'm willing to pay for damages."
" Haru? It's just you, I thought you were just a bunch of trouble makers, what a relief. "
Elara suddenly came between them.
" I must apologize, my actions led to this, Haru is not at fault, I will pay for the mannequin, I am a knight after all, as such I'm anything but short on coin."
As she said this a pouch materialized in her hand and Elara pulled out a golden coin. Seeing this the shop keeper was so shocked her soul practically left her body.
" Elara that's not our currency." He said while laughing. " Listen I'll take care of the payments, don't worry."
Mika suddenly poked his back.
" Look at you trying to act responsible. Since you appear to be rich today you'll treat us to parfaits after we are done here."
" What hell no, buy your own you aren't getting a single yen from me."
" What you're no fun, just look at Elara she's dying to try a parfait."
With a raised eyebrow Elara asked. " I am?"
" Of course you are ."
Mika said while winking at Elara who failed to understand the signal.
" Is there something in your eye?"
" No, girl listen that's a signal, it means agree with whatever I'm saying."
" You know I can hear you right. " Haru said.
"Last resort, puppy eyes."
Mika suddenly widened her eyes in a way that made them look puppy like and she pouted , making herself look cute.
" Come on Hawu, buy an iddy bitty parfway for little ol me." She said.
" Wow you're using baby talk now ?" Haru said in a sarcastic tone.
" Come on Hawi wawi, don't you wike it."
" Fine I'll buy you a parfait so stop talking like that." He finally agreed.
" I wuv you Hawu." She responded.
" Keep talking like that and I'll change my mind."
" Ok, come on Elara, let's deal with things quickly so we can go for parfaits."
She said while pushing Elara towards the women section.
" What a6ee parfaits?" Elara asked.
"They are humanities greatest culinary creation, you'll know when you try one."
Haru remained behind looking through a bunch of clothes as well, suddenly he heard Mika call him, when he arrived he found her looking at Elara who was wearing a dress that barely covered her shoulders and was held up by spaghetti straps, it also barely reached her knees, Elara shyly adjusted it to make it look longer.
Haru just stared in awe and Mika.
" Hey quit gawking, pervert."
Haru snapped back to reality and shot Mika with a dirty look.
" Call me a pervert and you can forget about parfaits."
" Sorry boss!" She answered quickly.
Suddenly Elara dashed back into the changing room.
" Hey Elara, what's wrong." Haru shouted.
"I don't know." She responded.
Haru looked at Mika who just shrugged then Elara spoke again.
" This is all new to me. It's a little embarrassing ok."
Mika and Haru looked at each other and burst out laughing. Elara stuck her head out looking angry.
"It's not funny."
"You're too adorable sometimes." Haru said while laughing.
" Adorable? Me ?"
Elara's face went red and she hid behind the curtain again. Haru stopped laughing when he realized what he said.
" I was talking about the outfit, yeah the outfit."
He said to recover. After a short silence.
" Sure." Elara said in a small voice.
Mika went to get more clothes leaving the two alone, separated by the curtain of the curtain of the changing room.
After another short silence Haru turned away.
" I'll go by the men's section call me if you-"
suddenly he felt Elara tug his shirt.
" Please stay... I mean if you have to go you can... But I would greatly appreciate it if you kept me company." She said.
" Sure." Haru said.
" Umm could you say what you said again."
"Huh, sure ?"
" No not that, what you said about how I looked."
" Oh I... I was talking about your outfit." Haru explained nervously.
"Really, what about me, what do you think about me, be honest."
" Well... Fine let me be honest, I was talking about you-I mean you in that outfit - oh but you're cute in your normal clothes- even in your -"
suddenly he looked at Elara, her face was red and she had a smile in her face.
"In my previous world many simply saw me as part of the hero's party and none as a woman, I never imagined someone like me being called adorable, it made me happy to hear you say that so thank you."
Suddenly Mika appeared. When she looked she found Haru awkwardly standing facing away from the changing room.
" Oh you're back." He said
. Mika narrowed her eyes.
" You're acting suspicious, did something happen."
" What no I don't know what you're talking about."
" I'm watching you."
Mika said as she made her way in the dressing room.
" Hey Elara I've got a lot for you to try on and buy, by the time we are done Haru will be bankrupt."
" Hey quit talking about it like It's a good thing!" He responded.
Mika just ignored him.
" Ok perfect let's show Haru."
"What are these not undergarments, I will not expose myself like this." Elara said.
" Oh Elara you can be so funny, this is a crop top, so no it isn't an undergarment."
" But why is it that my abdomen is exposed, I am so vulnerable."
" Come on girl no everything is about battle just go outside and let Haru see."
"Unhand me, I will not go out in undergarment!"
"I told you these aren't undergarments!"
" Never, as of this moment I'm like a boulder, I shall not move."
" Quit being stubborn."
This went on for a while but eventually Mika gave up and Elara came out wearing pajamas.
" These will be perfect for sleeping right and plus the polkadots make it look cute right Haru?" Mika asked.
" Yeah I guess."
The girls disappeared and this time Elara was wearing a tracksuit, then another dress and many others. Soon the shopkeeper walked up to Haru.
" Hey try this on, I think it'll look good on you."
" Really thanks."
Haru took the clothes and got into a nearby changing room. When he came out he found both girls waiting for him.he was wearing a black t-shirt with with decorative palm tree patterns, he also wore shorts and flip-flops. After seeing this Mika spoke first.
" Damn bro, you're rocking that fit, here just add some sunglasses to complete it."
She said as she gave him some glasses, Elara came closer and handed him a small bag, he wore it like a sash which surprised Elara.
"Woah girl, do you have some hidden talent for good fashion, that pouch completed the set, that's perfect for the day we go to the beach." Mika said.
" Are you not going to purchase anything." Elara asked Mika.
"Yeah she's got a good point." Haru agreed.
"Sure let me see, ah yes I'll take this."
Mika entered the changing room, after a moment she came out. Wearing a crop top and baggy jeans.
" Check out my drip."
She said striking a pose.
" Wow, that looks pretty good." Haru said with a nod.
" See Elara, not an undergarment."
The trio walked up to the counter and bought the clothes they thought looked good for a moment Elara's gaze was fixed on a bracelet she saw in a a glass case but Mika took her hand and pulled her along, Haru observed this .
" Come again soon! But next time spare my mannequins!"
The shop keeper shouted as they left.
"We will !" Haru shouted back.
" Now parfaits, onward!" Mika said excitedly.
They soon got to a nearby dessert shop and placed their order. Elara just looked around with sparkling eyes, she took a deep breath as the pleasant smell of sweet smell of pastries filled the air.
Beautiful cakes lined the displays.
Cream swirls decorated colorful desserts like works of art. Haru pulled her out of her trance and presented a strange but beautiful confectionary, she held it and walked to the table where Mika sat waiting.
Haru and Mika took bites of their parfaits and melted in their seats looking blissful Elara observed and took a bite of her own parfait.
The moment she took the bite her eyes widened and she placed a hand over her mouth to avoid screaming. Her mouth was subjected to foreign but pleasant sensations.
The sweet and tangy taste of the yoghurt left her in awe, she closed her eyes and leaned back enjoying the lovely taste of the parfait but soon it was gone and she took another bite, this time she was caught off guard by some strawberries and this sent it to another state of complete bliss, it was like the world around her disappeared and she was surrounded by a world of sweetness.
" Is this nirvana ?" She thought out loud.
Mika suddenly exclaimed.
" Elara are you crying?"
" What?"
Elara asked wiping tears she wasn't aware she shed. She looked around and felt nostalgic, the scene before her reminded her of the meals she shared with her party and she let out a deep sigh.
" Are you ok, did you bite your tongue?"
" No worry not, for these are rears of joy."
" See I told you parfaits were humanity's greatest culinary creation."
"On that I agree." Suddenly Elara turned her attention to Haru because she heard him making a crunching sound.
She stared intently at his parfaits as she noticed it was a different flavor. She then tapped his shoulder pulling him out of his own bliss, she then brought her parfait to his face.
" Let us do trade, I would like to taste your parfait."
Haru smirked and took a bite from her parfait, Elara was surprised because she expected him to take it, he then offered her his parfait but she tried to take it from him, to her surprise he smacked her hand, she understood why then reluctantly closed her eyes and opened her mouth and took a bite, this one had a totally different but equally delicious taste.
This one was lighter but crunchier, she chewed contently. Mika then put her parfait in front of Haru.
" I want in too."
Haru shook his head then took a bite and offered her his own which she bit heartily. Haru exclaimed.
" What the heck, you but a huge chunk."
Mika just giggled with her cheeks looking like they belonged to chipmunks. Haru began to pinch her then eventually went back to his own parfait.
Mika offered her parfait to Elara who did the same. Mika's parfait was tangy and creamy, it had a rich texture both girls enjoyed, Mika also enjoyed the fresh fruity taste of Elara's parfait.
After finishing they got out and found that it was getting dark, the trio walked to the train station and to their surprise it was quite empty so they found a seat, Mika was tired and she lay her head on Haru's shoulder, meanwhile elara on the other side was also fighting sleep, her head kept dropping.
Eventually, Haru gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her closer and let her rest her head in his shoulder, she tried to get up but her held her.
" Shhh, this is for the lap pillow. I'm returning the favor."
" Hey Haru." She said sleepily.
" Yeah."
" Sorry for the trouble I caused." Haru sighed.
" Did you have fun?"
" Yes I had a lot of fun."
" Then I'm happy so no need to be sorry."
" What that makes no sense." Haru chuckled.
" Is that so."
" Thanks."
" You're welcome."
When he was sure she slept Haru put a bracelet around her wrist and lay back before drifting to sleep as well.