Chapter 71

Although we arrived safely, many of the members were groggy, so we decided to spend the first day relaxing inside the mansion.

"Wow~!"

"It hasn't been used in a while. I had it cleaned five days ago just in case."

The interior of the mansion, which Iksa referred to as his villa, was quite luxurious.

However, if asked if it was opulent, it wasn't that much... perhaps a bit lacking for a royal villa.

Still, it felt spacious enough for me.

"Considering the number of people, we can provide each person with their own room. Feel free to choose any room and move your luggage in."

"Hey, everyone, don't forget to thank Iksa."

"Thank you very much~..."

Maul, Meala, Reire, Uga, and Delphi, who were groggy from car sickness, bowed.

"Since it's already evening after a short rest, let's go to the town tomorrow. We also need to secure supplies for playing at the beach."

"Then, let's have free time until tomorrow morning."

We distributed the luggage unloaded from the cart, and today we focused on recovering our strength.

I took my bag, which was packed with my clothes, from the cart.

Then,

'Oh!'

With a thump, a little sea cucumber poked its head out of the bag.

"Ah! Little one!?"

'Oh oh!'

This is the youngest of the sea cucumbers that live near Abatos Village.

Had it sneaked into my luggage?

Just like when we were in the capital before, it seems to have followed me again.

"When did you...?"

'Oh~'

The little one let out a weak cry.

It flopped down, dropping its front and back legs onto the ground.

It must have been weakened by the shaking during the journey.

"Well, there's no helping it... let's rest together in my room."

'Oh oh oh...'

I picked up the little one, which was lying down, and headed to the room assigned to me.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After resting on the bed for a while, the little one seemed to have recovered.

'Oh~!'

Gradually, it started rolling around energetically on the fluffy bed.

'Oh good, oh good, zzz...'

Soon, it started breathing quietly.

By the time I noticed, the sun had set below the horizon, and it was night.

"Dinner... well, everyone's condition is different, so we can't all eat together."

I left the room without waking the sleeping little one.

I walked down the hallway to the entrance of the mansion and went outside.

Iksa's villa is built on a cliff, offering a view of the sandy beach below.

I found a path leading down to the beach and followed it.

The night sea was dark, with only the sound of the waves echoing loudly.

The moon and stars in the sky faintly illuminated the sea surface.

"Hmm~... "

I stretched.

I inhaled the different scent of the air, different from Abatos Village and the capital, and wandered aimlessly on the beach.

"Huh?"

After walking for a while, I noticed a figure sitting on a piece of driftwood, looking out at the sea.

It was a tall person.

There was only one person it could be.

"Gurai"

"...Mako?"

As I approached and called out, Gurai looked up at me.

"Taking a walk?"

"Something like that."

I sat down next to Gurai.

The temperature had been unusually high lately.

It might be officially summer now.

But the breeze was cool.

"Recently, it's been so busy, it feels like I've suddenly been transported to another world."

It might sound strange for me, who came from the real world to this one, to say this, but I really felt that way and said it out loud.

"...Yeah, it feels like time is flowing slowly."

Gurai also smiled and replied.

"A time I never thought I would experience."

"Yeah, me too."

That was an honest feeling.

A trip to the beach, I probably haven't done that since elementary school.

Especially after becoming an adult... well, you know.

"...I'm sorry about the Maple incident."

Then, Gurai suddenly said that.

"Huh?"

"I acted on my own and took on everything by myself. Thanks to you all, I was saved."

"Oh, that's what you mean."

Gurai, who once saved a girl sold as a slave, chose to bear all the responsibility alone to ensure her safety without revealing the details.

"Iksa worked hard, and Moguro used the power of 'Appraisal'... really, we were helped by so many people. But it's also because of Gurai's character. It's the result of the connections and relationships you've built."

"...If that's the case, it's mostly thanks to you."

Gurai said.

"I've been helped by Gurai many times too, so it's mutual."

"...I was picked up by a dark guild, raised as an 'Underground' operative... I was just a tool for handling dirty work."

Gurai spoke about his past.

"Then, why did you throw everything away... to atone for your sins? Or was it a good self-destructive desire? I didn't even understand the meaning of my actions."

"That's a simple answer. Gurai did it because he thought it was right, right?"

"..."

"Still, Gurai was a hero to Maple."

I nodded and said, remembering the conversation I had with Gurai in the capital.

"I..."

"Gurai said, 'I'm not that great,' right? Why?"

"...A person who lived in the dark world, acting on a momentary emotion."

Gurai might have been questioning his way of life.

He seems like a serious person.

"That choice wasn't wrong. Because of Gurai's decision, Maple was saved. We met her. It broke many ties and connections."

'If you can't accept your current self, change into a different self.'

Kamen Rider Gaim, Kazuraba Kouta, also said this.

The transformation of a rider is not just a facade, but growth.

"Gurai isn't wrong."

"...Okay."

I've been helped by Gurai many times.

Of course, in terms of house and shop management, and in battles, Gurai has always been a significant force.

Life is all about mutual support.

Especially in the capital, I realized this.

The fact that Gurai is now willing to openly share his hidden thoughts and feelings is a big step forward.

"We should buy a souvenir for Maple too."

"Yeah."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

And the next day.

"Everyone, are you feeling well?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!"

"After a good night's sleep, I feel much better."

'Ugh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry...'

Maul and Meala, who had fully recovered, woke up.

Next to them, Entia, who had overdone it and made a mistake yesterday, still looked down.

"Maybe it's because Entia kept being a bed for us until we felt better."

"Thank you, Entia."

"Thank you."

When I said this, Maul and Meala hugged Entia tightly.

Entia, who didn't seem to mind, laughed happily, 'Hehe.'

"Shall we have breakfast in town?"

"Sounds good, and we can also go around to get supplies."

I agreed with Iksa's suggestion.

Although we haven't decided what to do today yet.

"Hehe! If so, the first thing we need to prepare is swimsuits!"

At that, Reire, who seemed to have fully recovered, stood up and shouted.

"Swimsuits?"

"Since we're at the beach, we have to go swimming! It wouldn't make sense otherwise!"

"Swimming... yeah, that's true."

"Since it's a tourist spot, there are specialty stores for swimsuits and beach gear."

When Iksa said this, Reire looked at me.

"Let's go, Mako! I'll pick out a swimsuit that suits you! And Suaro, yours too!"

"Why me too..."

"Well, well, since Suaro is here too."

Suaro, who was slightly confused, was also included in the group.

"How about a seafood barbecue for dinner?"

"Then, we'll need fishing rods and nets."

Iksa and Gurai discussed dinner.

Our plan for today was decided.

We would swim, play, and eat to our heart's content at the beach!