I Came Back but the World is Still a Fantasy!?

4-48: A Warning From the Past (Dream) (7/7)

Teacher Frire.The first thing Shinichi did when he woke up was to call out to the teacher wearing a tracksuit that was right before him.

As it turns out, hed dozed off while they were talking. But given the consecutive trainings, the spars in early morning, the monitoring of the world, and the procedures he had to go through last night to make this flight, it wasnt really a surprise.

Hmm? Whats the matter? Go ahead and sleep, we still have time until we arrive.

She knew some of his circumstances, so she didnt try to wake him up.

Though even if she did try, the creature on his lap would just threaten her to stop her, but her consideration was not without reward, as it did win her some points with Youko.

Shinichi wasnt clear headed when he woke up, so he just spoke what was on his mind.

Can I go back?

That came out of the blue, but no.

He figured that would be the case, but he still had to say it.

Because that dream just now was clearly different from the usual.

It was the sort of dream that suggested that something troublesome was about to happen.

I had a strange dream, and I have a feeling something bad is about to happen again, so I want to go back.

You cant go home just because of a dream! And what do you mean by again!?

Frire retorted when Shinichi gave that ridiculous reasoning, but his attention had already turned to their surroundings.

Although he was still groggy, he at least had to know who was around him.

Though given how docile Youko was being, it was evident that whoever was nearby was friendly, so this was less him being wary and more a simple confirmation, but then another question begged itself.

After all, he had sat himself right in the middle of the sofa before dozing off, but that sofa was now crowded.

Why is this place packed with women all of the sudden? Not that Im complaining, mind you. Being surrounded by beautiful women is always a delight.

But of course, not a hint of complaint could be seen on his face, and in fact, there was even a hint of a forced conceited smile on him.

You know, if thats the sort of stuff that comes out of your mouth as soon as you wake up, you might actually be sick, Icchi.

Myuhi Ruona was sitting next to the window.

She looked at him with eyes half-closed, but her fox ears were twitching.

Beautiful? Me? My, its an honor to have your praise, Shinichi-san.

On the other side gracefully sat Aristel F. Padyuel with cheeks blushed.

Though embarrassed from the bottom of her heart, she took care not to let her luxurious ringlet curls fall onto Shinichi.

I-I feel so out of place. I cant believe you can act so naturally despite being surrounded by people like these.

Sitting on an empty spot in the sofa facing them was Tomoe Safina.

Apparently, sitting with the top teacher and the top students has left her a nervous wreck.

She wasnt affected by Shinichis praise because she didnt think he was referring to her.

They came because they were worried about you. They said they had business with me, so I couldnt turn them down.

Or at least, thats how the teacher, Frire Doneju, that was sitting from right in front of him put it.

There was a happy smile on her as she explained their visit to Shinichi.

Apparently, she was happy that they came here on their own volition to check up on him.

Shinichi found it hard to honestly accept that given how few friends she had herself, but it was not something he could pursue in front of all these students.

Even Shinichi had some semblance of compassion. And by the way, Frire also didnt think she was among those beautiful women that Shinichi mentioned.

Is that the case for the both of you too?

Well, I did have something I wanted to give you.

And wed obviously be a little concerned when you take us along in that manner.

Shinichi called out to the two men sitting on a different sofa.

As someone from a different department and year, this was the only opportunity for Wernher Braun to hand him his weapons without drawing unwanted attention, while Shinguuji Ryou for some reason contacted Tomoe because he believed it was his duty to bring Tomoe to this place full of top female students.

Thats also why Tomoe ended up here even though there was no way for her to have heard what happened during boarding.

Oh, right, Icchi, are you thirsty? The in-flight service here is automatic, look.

Myuhi said as she pressed a button by the elbow rest.

In the next moment, a tray rose from the floor.

On it was a plastic cup filled with the beverage of her choice.

Shinichi and Youko were stunned, but everyone else was unconcerned.

He found it hard to describe how he felt about the way they so needlessly applied technology.

Here.

T-Thanks.

For some reason, Myuhi picked it up first, and then handed it to Shinichi.

From the smell and the color of the liquid, it was likely apple juice. Shinichi drank it.

As expected of a VIP seat, the quality of the juice was worlds apart from what you would find at a vending machine.

As the juice moistened his throat, he found himself in admiration of the refreshing taste and aroma.

By the way Myuhi said.

Hmm? Shinichi said.

He drank it with relish as he looked at Myuhi, and as though she were waiting for that, Myuhi smiled and asked.

Whos Stella?

BUGU!? *Cough, cough! What!?!?

That was a name that shouldve never made its way out of her lips, and when it did, Shinichi broke into a violent cough.

He was just too shocked and what was a rare sight that was for the people gathered here.

His shock was especially big because he couldnt figure out how she learned that name.

You know its kind of amazing when you think about it. Theres these many women gathered around him, and yet the name that comes out of his mouth belongs to a different woman.

Well, he was asleep, so it cant be helped, but then again, Im sure hes the type to drop a name like that even if he knew. Normally all hell would break lose, but Its him, so nothing.

The two boys, that have been watching from afar, nodded their heads in agreement with a dismayed gaze as though this wasnt their first time interacting with each other.

In fact, before Shinichi woke up, the entire time he kept calling out Stellas name, the air was really heavy, so they were glad to be finally spared from that. Though it might be that they were just relieved that they could final push the problem onto the person responsible for that mess.

W-Wait a moment, was I talking in my sleep!?

You sure were, you kept calling out that name so desperately too, Myuhi said.

You said some other stuff too, but I couldnt make anything out other than the name, Aristel said.

Seriously?

Shinichi was embarrassed that they overheard him sleep talking, but he was also relieved that the only thing they could make out was a name.

He looked at Youko just to be sure, and she wryly smiled and nodded.

Apparently, he really didnt say anything else.

So, whos Stella? Tomoe asked.

Maybe shes Icchis girlfriend? Myuhi speculated.

It mightve been partly because the others were tense too, but Tomoe unhappily and bluntly brought up the question, while Myuhi pointed out a controversial possibility with a smile.

Aristel kept quiet, but all of her attention was focused on him.

Normally, a 15 year-old boy wouldnt be able to endure an atmosphere(pressure) like that, but Shinichi was an exception.

As for Frire, she was completely oblivious to the change in the air.

Nothing of the sort, shes

Shes what?

Though it was in a different world, Shinichi had already experienced being surrounded and badgered by a lot of women.

Thats why he didnt allow himself to become impatient and tried to answer as normally as he could, but the words wouldnt come out.

Shinichi closed his mouth and placed his hand on his chin an easily recognizable pose of contemplation and gradually tilted his head.

Huh? Come to think of it, what kind of relationship do we have?

Icchi, were the one asking.

Myuhi was stupefied by Shinichis response, but he was dead serious.

He had no idea how to express his relationship with Stella.

She was a maid, but she wasnt his maid, so it wouldnt be apt to label their relationship as such, and he couldnt find anything among his relationships that could describe theirs.

Its kind of hard to explain If you could see her, I feel like youd understand, but

Kyu, kyuu

Even Youko let out a cry from his lap and tilted her head.

She too couldnt think of the words to describe the relationship between Stella and her master.

She never had to think about it until now because everything made sense just by seeing them together.

Master and servant alike pondered the question in the same pose, so the people around them knew that Shinichi was telling the truth.

At this rate, they would make no progress, so they went ahead and started asking directly.

Umm, maybe shes your lover? Myuhi asked.

Nope. I dont think thats it, Shinichi said.

In that case, wouldnt you be friends? Aristel said.

Im pretty sure shed hate it if I called her that

I see, so Im a friend.

Since youre the one saying it, I suppose that must be the case.

Yep, I could easily imagine her sulking with that expressionless face.

Kyui kyui.

Indeed, Youko seemed to agree.

Stella might appear intelligent because her face was always expressionless, but she was actually a childish person.

Unfortunately, the intimacy of their relationship that could be gleamed from Shinichis expression caused the air to freeze, and the other two boys started to quiver.

I-In that case, it must be that stereotypical more-than-friends-less-than-lovers relationship? Myuhi asked.

Whats with the stereotypical? Well, it might be something like that, Shinichi said.

It is!?

Myuhi tried poking from that direction, but the unexpected response led her to raise her voice.

Shinichi didnt mind that one bit, however, and just tilted his head.

But I think its still not quite right.

It was close, but it seemed to be fundamentally off somewhere.

Shinichi racked his head trying to find an answer, then he suddenly clapped his hands.

Ah, I think its a more-than-comrades-in-arms-but-less-than-a-married-couple(TOP) relationship!

Thats a pretty big range to cover, no!?

Shinichi was happy with that answer, but it was a bolt out of the blue to everyone else.

So much so that even those other than Myuhi felt like throwing a tsukkomi.

Even Frire, who was oblivious to the change in the air, was dumbfounded.

A m-married couple So theres a person that much ahead of me, Aristel said.

Either way your relationship seem really close No wonder youre so used to women, Tomoe said.

Aristel was surprised by the revelation, but she clenched her fists and resolved to amend this problem from here on, while Tomoe came to an understanding of her own despite appearing disinterested.

But the person himself still wasnt fully happy with that expression, so he tilted his head and came up with another answer.

Ah, I know! Its like the relationship with an ex-wife!

Kyu kyu kyu!

Thats it! Youko agreed, and everyone else found themselves blinking.

Even the two boys that have been ignoring everything until now were speechless.

Such a description was just far too removed for a high school student.

But it seemed that he and Youko thought otherwise and found the description perfect.

That just makes it even more confusing, Icchi.

Thats why everyone other than Shinichi and Youko thought that.

Myuhi was trying to poke fun at Shinichi, but she just ended up exhausted instead.

A relationship that was more-than-comrades-in-arms-but-less-than-a-married-couple and was also akin to the relationship between ex-spouses.

It was so far removed from them that not one of them could understand.

But it was doubtful if even people not so removed could even understand a relationship like that.

But why did I see that dream now()?

Amidst all the commotion and confusion, Shinichi quietly muttered that question to himself.

He tried to deduce what the dream might have been trying to tell him, but in the end couldnt find an answer.