Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

5/19 Typo corrections made.

This is short.

“Ugh, you said we’d go together, didn’t you...?”

Lady Aze, lightly tapping a large chick-shaped cushion, grumbled in a tearful voice.

“Are you still upset about what happened yesterday?”

“But!”

“That was Mia’s cunning plan to win. Mr. Satou didn’t even know about the custom of the ‘vow kiss.’”

“I caaaan’t heeear yooouuu—”

Lady Aze covered her ears like a child.

The fact that Mr. Satou didn’t know the custom was a relief, but it also meant that the forehead kiss he gave her when they first met wasn’t a ‘courtship kiss.’

Still, she could never say out loud, “You should have come with Mr. Satou.”

After all, she is the last High Elf remaining in the Village of Boruenan.

Lady Aze is the emotional support for the Elves living in the village and is even revered as a living god by the other fairies and demi-humans who admire the Elves.

“Ugh... stupid Satou...”

If she showed this side of herself, it would surely shatter their faith.

Or perhaps an assassin targeting Mr. Satou would be dispatched?

Though, no one would likely stand a chance against him after he single-handedly wiped out the swarm of evil jellyfish that were polluting the World Tree.

Eventually, Lady Aze, tired from complaining awkwardly, fell asleep holding the cushion, so I quietly returned to cleaning the treehouse.

◇

“Aze, cheer up?”

“Yeah, Aze! Can we have some honey candy?”

The feather spirits were comforting Lady Aze, who was sulking on the treehouse balcony.

But Lady Aze’s reaction was lukewarm.

It was only two days since Mr. Satou and the others left, so it was understandable...

Then an unexpected visitor appeared.

“Lady Lua, long time no see. Here’s a souvenir.”

“Huh? Mr. Satou?”

Mr. Satou appeared via teleportation magic, handing over a Fairy Bag as a farewell gift.

Looking inside, there was a large chunk of meat—probably from a beast-type creature. Nea would know a delicious way to prepare it.

Without me having to say anything, I watched Mr. Satou stride toward Lady Aze sulking on the balcony.

“I’m back, Aze.”

“Sa-Satou! Wh-why?”

“I wanted to see your face.”

Ugh, I almost threw up sugar.

Mr. Satou made that smooth, playboy-like remark without batting an eye.

Lady Aze was all flustered and couldn’t find the words but looked happy.

Mr. Satou came back alone; Mia and the others were not with him.

“Satou, didn’t you leave?”

“Did you abandon Aze for a new girl—”

“I brought a souvenir too.”

“You’re not so bad after all!”

“Yay, honey candy!”

“Woohoo! There’s konpeitō too!”

Mr. Satou skillfully handed out the small bags of sweets to the feather spirits, neutralizing the tiny intruders.

It was too soon for a reunion, but it was good to see Lady Aze’s spirits lift.

On the balcony, the two started a flirtatious conversation, but with those two, leaving them alone wouldn’t lead to any mistakes.

Mr. Satou seemed fully willing, but as long as Lady Aze refused, it didn’t look like he would go overboard like a typical young man.

Leaving the feather spirits to handle things, I went to Nea to plan the evening’s banquet.

It was a bit lonely without any story about Lady Aze, so I picked the beginning of the interlude plot and turned it into a short side story.