Chapter 84

A world of coppery red.

【Gurun Great Desert】 is the place that best fits this description. The coppery red desert is a given, but beyond that, the sand itself is so fine that the wind, which always blows from one direction, can easily lift it into the sky. Even the atmosphere is dyed the coppery red of the sand, turning 360 degrees into an endless expanse of the same color.

Moreover, countless dunes of various sizes exist here, their surfaces stirred by the wind, often rippling like waves. The shape and appearance of the dunes change constantly, to the point where it can be said that all the dunes are "alive." The scorching sun beats down mercilessly. The sandy earth absorbs the heat from the sun without waste, releasing intense heat that easily exceeds forty degrees. Combined with the red sand flying everywhere, this environment is the worst possible for travelers.

However, that is for ordinary travelers.

Now, a black box-shaped vehicle is moving through the desert as if it doesn't feel the harshness of the environment. The magic-powered four-wheeled vehicle speeds forward, leaving a trail of dust and sand behind. Although there are no road signs, the compass inside the vehicle perfectly solves this problem.

"…Outside, it's really unbearable… I'm glad it's not an ordinary carriage."

"Yeah, that's true. Although we won't be affected much by this environment… it's really not a place where one can actively move forward."

The sand pattered against the windows. Sia and Tio, sitting in the rear seats, gazed out at the coppery red world and muttered deeply about it. Even the perverted Tio, who is a masochist, was made uneasy by the environment outside. (Note: What does this have to do with being a masochist…)

"It's completely different from before! It's cool, and my eyes don't hurt! Dad is amazing!"

"That's right~ Aichi's dad is amazing~ Miu, do you want a cold drink?"

"Yes~ Kashiwagi-san, thank you~"

At the front window, Miu sat on Kashiwagi's lap, being held in her arms, excited. After coming here this time, Miu felt a world of difference from when she was kidnapped before. She was shouting in joy and sending sparkling eyes to Aichi, who had created such a comfortable space for her.

This was not without reason. For Miu, a mermaid, crossing the desert was an extremely harsh task. Considering that she was only four years old, it was almost miraculous that she didn't weaken and die. For Miu, who had endured such an environment, the difference was naturally a source of surprise. In any case, the vehicle was well-equipped with air conditioning.

Moreover, Kashiwagi, while agreeing with Miu's praise of Aichi, casually offered a cold drink that she didn't expect to find in the desert. In the small town of Horuad, she had made a shocking confession to Aichi and declared war on the moon, and without Aichi's consent, she had become a companion. Incidentally, the cold drink was taken from the refrigerator inside the vehicle.

"Hey, Kashiwagi. Please don't call Aichi 'dad.' It feels very uncomfortable."

"? But, Miu calls him that quite normally, right?"

"No, Miu has adapted. But being called 'dad' by a classmate still feels strange…"

Perhaps because Kashiwagi was naturally good at taking care of others, she seemed quite proactive in taking care of Miu. When she held Miu, she usually called Aichi 'Aichi's dad.' Compared to being called 'dad' by Miu, being called 'dad' by a female classmate seemed to give Aichi a different kind of resistance, and he made a rather awkward expression.

Incidentally, the reason Aichi calls Kashiwagi by her first name rather than her last name is because Kashiwagi begged him to. She said, "Everyone calls each other by their first names, only I'm called by my last name, that's unfair!"

"Is that so? If I don't call you that… but, someday, when I have a child… at that time…"

Kashiwagi looked at Aichi multiple times, her cheeks flushed, as she said this. A strange atmosphere, which only Miu couldn't understand, floated in the vehicle. Aichi pretended not to hear, and it was the moon who responded to Kashiwagi.

"…Pity. I made the first move. The promise is complete."

"!? …Aichi-kun, what's going on?"

"…Nothing particularly strange. It's a very distant future."

"…Well, introducing to parents is also complete."

"!?"

"…A bright family plan is foolproof."

"!?"

"…And a date in Aichi's hometown."

"!?"

The moon's relentless attacks continued, each word piercing Kashiwagi's heart. However, Kashiwagi was not a woman who would be defeated so easily. She had the belief and courage to challenge the moon, who clearly had a special bond with Aichi, head-on, even in a desperate situation. Seizing the moment when the moon's words paused, Kashiwagi counterattacked!

"I, I know a lot about Aichi-kun that the moon doesn't! For example, Aichi-kun's future dreams, hobbies, and the type he particularly likes! Does the moon know Aichi-kun's favorite anime and manga?"

"Mmm… That's… But, now, it doesn't matter. Although I don't know those here, if we go to Japan, and you tell me…"

"Naive. Look at Aichi-kun now. He looks like an anime character, doesn't he?"

"Wha!?"

Kashiwagi, who was fighting with the moon, somehow inflicted a significant blow on Aichi.

"White hair, eye patch, and magic eyes… Indeed, he should be a character Aichi-kun likes… The weapon is called a Cross悬浮炮? Is it based on Fanneru… Ah, but Aichi-kun also likes Mobile Suit Gundam, so it's the GN series? No matter which, Aichi-kun is a complete otaku now."

"Guh! Kashiwagi…"

"Mmm, just the origin of Aichi's weapon…"

"Without knowing what the person you like likes, you want to claim victory?"

"…Kashiwagi… you have guts… Then I'll tell you. What Aichi likes… in bed."

"!? …W-What, in bed, ugh~ So, you've already done it…"

"…Mmm… Feel the gap between us deeply."

Throughout the journey, the moon and Kashiwagi constantly clashed, and the other members were no longer surprised. At first, Sia was worried and paid attention to their arguments, but eventually, she decided there wouldn't be any serious problems, so she just made sure not to get involved.

In a certain sense, Aichi might have been the one most affected. The reason for their arguments was mostly about Aichi, and the content of their arguments was mostly things that made Aichi feel uncomfortable in a shameful way. Now, as usual, he was being pointed out about things he usually cared about, causing him mental distress.

Moreover, the moon was about to start talking about "night" topics openly. Kashiwagi, not wanting to hear it, was covering her ears. Aichi himself didn't want such things to be exposed, especially with Miu around, so he was planning to stop them.

However, the one who unexpectedly intervened to stop their argument was Miu.

"…Ugh~ The moon-onee-san and Kashiwagi-onee-san are always fighting! I don't want onee-sans who aren't good friends!"

Saying this, Miu moved from Kashiwagi's lap to Sia's lap in the back, turning her face away unhappily. This left Kashiwagi and the moon at a loss. Indeed, being told they were disliked by a four-year-old girl would shake anyone.

"Already, both of you, you're not setting a good example in front of Miu. Or rather, you're not good at education. I understand your enthusiasm for Aichi-san, but please have some self-restraint."

"!…Mistake. I was reminded by Sia…"

"Sorry. Miu, Sia."

The two, who never expected to be reminded by Sia, were dejected.

To the moon, Sia was a friend and a sister-like existence. Although she also had good feelings for Aichi, Sia pursued the moon herself, so the moon didn't consider her a rival. Tio was just a pervert. Therefore, Kashiwagi, who had openly declared war, was the first real rival to appear.

The moon firmly believed in the absolute bond between her and Aichi. She was confident that she was Aichi's "special" person, and this was unshakable. So, when Kashiwagi declared war, she had the composure to face the challenge head-on.

However, although her composure and confidence remained unchanged, since Kashiwagi joined them, Aichi and Kashiwagi occasionally talked about memories from Japan that the moon and the others didn't know. Kashiwagi was familiar with the Aichi of the past that the moon didn't know, and unconsciously, the moon developed a competitive spirit against such a Kashiwagi.

It was like children boasting about their collections, resulting in a situation where they didn't commit major offenses but had frequent minor arguments. Today, Miu and Sia finally got angry.

Originally, Aichi would have mediated in favor of the moon, but since he was often hurt in their arguments, he maintained a detached attitude to heal his heart,