Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

This time, I didn’t have time to proofread, so there may be quite a few typos. Please understand.

“Masaki-kun, can I ask you a favor?”

My childhood friend, Tachibana Yumiri, asked me, and I—Hayato Masaki—had come to a shrine near the school.

I came to get the talismans needed for the student council.

I don’t know why she needs them now, almost at the end of the third term, but when a busy childhood friend asks for a favor, I can’t say no.

“Hey there, boy, what business do you have at this shrine?”

A cute girl with colorful hair called out to me.

Her way of speaking was strange, like she was imitating some anime or manga.

“I came to get a talisman.”

“Hmm, that’s fine. You bear signs of hardship, so it’s good you have one.”

Signs of hardship… what an interesting kid.

I feel like her hair color was different from before, but maybe I’m imagining it.

“Sorry, I’m just here because someone asked me to.”

I could have played along with her shrine maiden act, but somehow I ended up telling the truth.

“Hmm, well, that’s fine. The talismans from this shrine are very effective, so use it when you’re truly in trouble. It only works once, though—it will remove your hardship.”

“Only once?”

In old stories, doesn’t it save you about three times?

“That’s because it’s three separate talismans. One talisman equals one salvation.”

Come to think of it, that makes sense.

As I chatted with the girl, we headed to the shrine office.

“Give this boy a talisman.”

“Okay.”

A little girl with hair close to light blue nodded firmly. Maybe she’s the girl’s younger sister?

While waiting, I noticed an omikuji (fortune slip) tube.

Come to think of it, when I came here with Yumiri as a kid, we always drew one.

“I’ll draw one.”

I placed some coins on the tray together with the talisman fee and drew an omikuji.

The stick had the number 77 on it, which somehow sounded lucky.

“Hmm, number 77—seems to hint at your destiny.”

The girl peeked over and muttered.

“Here, number 77.”

“Thanks.”

I read the omikuji the girl gave me.

Instead of good or bad luck, it said “correct” at the place where that would be written. I didn’t know they had this kind of thing now.

The waiting person will come.

The journey will have troubles. Consult your friends.

Lost item, obstacles ahead. Best to proceed calmly.

Marriage proposal, favorable. Respond with sincerity.

Some phrases don’t make much sense, but that’s typical of omikuji.

“Talisman.”

“Yeah, thanks. You did well helping out.”

The little girl handed me the talisman, and when I praised her, she nodded earnestly and said, “I’m great,” puffing her chest out with a proud snort. Little girls really are cute. The only ones that rival this cuteness are probably my sister or the baby-faced Yumiri.

“Hmm, ‘troubles ahead’ huh? You’d better pray to ward off evil.”

The girl with the different hair color pointed toward the shrine’s main hall.

Just how many wigs does this girl have up her sleeves?

Since I was here anyway, I said, “I will,” tied the omikuji to a tree branch, and prayed at the main hall.

It had been a while since I quietly put my hands together at a peaceful shrine.

—Hayato-chan, what kind of person do you want to be when you grow up?

A flashback of my childhood memories appeared in my mind.

—Me? I want to be an adult who can help people in trouble!

Just like I declared as a child, I still live without betraying that promise.

“Hmm, a good heart, rare among young people these days.”

“Hmm, pass.”

It sounded like the colorful girl and the blue-haired little girl were having a conversation as if they could read my mind.

The next moment, a light appeared at my feet.

Inside the dazzling light was a magic circle straight out of an anime.

—Oh no.

I tried to jump back following my instincts, but my body refused to obey my brain’s commands, not moving a muscle.

“Take good care of the talisman.”

Those were the last words from the girl before my consciousness was swallowed by the glowing magic circle.