Published: September 10, 2025
This is Satou. There's a saying about counting your chickens before they hatch, but rather than wasting time speculating before any results come in, I believe it’s better to keep doing what you can to ensure success.
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I brought Lady Ringlande, who had turned into a little girl, to Hayato’s place in Japan.
“—Well, that can’t be right.”
Before she could even introduce herself, Hayato saw through Lady Ringlande at a glance. But thinking such a situation was impossible, he convinced himself it must be a misunderstanding.
“Could she be the daughter of Lean and Satou?”
“She says she is!”
Lady Ringlande was angry at Hayato’s tactless comment.
“She says she is—”
“Hey? Satou-san?”
A familiar voice came from behind while Hayato was speaking.
It was Yumiri Tachibana, Hayato’s childhood friend.
Since the first time I met her she was in adult mode, so whenever there’s a chance I’ll see her, I wear an adult illusion.
“Are you with your daughter today? Wow, such a beautiful little girl! Satou-san’s wife must be gorgeous.”
She was excited looking at Lady Ringlande.
“Hello, big sister’s name is Yumiri. Can you tell me yours?”
“Who’s this woman?”
Lady Ringlande responded sharply to Yumiri’s friendly tone.
“Yumiri’s my childhood friend. Go easy on her, okay?”
“Childhood friend? This one? Hmm?”
“I feel like I’m being sized up, Hayato-chan.”
Yumiri let out a flustered voice under the intense gaze from Lady Ringlande, who didn’t act like a little girl at all.
“Ringlande.”
“Huh?”
“That’s my name. Didn’t you hear it?”
Lady Ringlande introduced herself to the puzzled Yumiri.
“Riiing... Laa... Den? Such a fancy name.”
“No! It’s Ringlande, Ringlande!”
Annoyed at her name being mispronounced, Lady Ringlande corrected her sharply.
“Ringlandeen...?”
“Too many ‘n’s! Fine, just call me Lean.”
Giving up on the correction, Lady Ringlande seemed to tire of it.
“Nice to meet you, Lean-chan.”
Yumiri smiled and greeted her.
“So why is Hayato-chan holding Lean-chan?”
“Isn’t it normal for lovers to hug?”
“Eh! Hayato-chan’s become a lolicon!”
Hearing that, Yumiri panicked and started to fuss.
“Calm down, Yumiri. Lean’s joking.”
“Eh? You’re joking? Knowing Hayato, I thought—”
Her last words were barely audible, thanks to the eavesdropping skill, so Hayato probably didn’t catch them.
“So what’s the real relationship, then?”
“Hayato-san, shall we move somewhere else?”
This wasn’t really a conversation to have at the front door.
The neighborhood ladies have been whispering and watching us since earlier.
“Ah, sorry.”
Following Hayato, we moved inside.
◇
“Well then, welcome again—Lean. How are the others?”
Before diving into details, Hayato prioritized updates about our friends.
“They’re all more than fine. I invited Merry too, but as royalty she has her duties, so she hesitated.”
Imperial princess Merryest of the Saga Empire was hesitant until the end, but I think once she finishes handing over her duties there, she’ll want to come.
“Loleiya is at a large temple, spending her days leisurely drinking expensive liquor.”
“That's so like Loleiya—Satou, if you meet her over there, make sure she doesn’t drink too much.”
Hayato asked me with a mix of exasperation and nostalgia.
The priest Loleiya of Parion Temple was into tasting Dragon Spring Liquor and Fairy Wine.
“Wei is engrossed in remodeling the Dimensional Submersible Ship Jules Verne.”
“Is she eating properly? Wei tends to forget meals, so I worry.”
The last time I saw the archer Weiyali, she was struggling to install a system that could endure inter-world travel so she could accompany on the otherworld salvation.
“Nono is an ambassador of the Interstate Liaison Council, mediating interests between countries. Seina is working hard researching the nations Nono visits.”
“United Nations! I didn’t know you had such amazing acquaintances, Hayato-chan!”
Hearing “United Nations,” Yumiri was surprised.