Living spontaneously like this isn’t so bad after all.
In fact, this isn’t the first time I’ve lived like this. Back in my first year of college, I kind of lived like this too. I didn’t study hard for the college entrance exams, and after graduating high school, I was so relaxed with my newfound freedom that I just did whatever I felt like in the moment, which totally messed up my grades. I had to make up for it later in other years.
Of course, things are different now. Back then, I had no money and was living off my parents, so I couldn’t really do whatever I “wanted to,” but that’s not the case now.
Plus, I don’t have to worry about jobs or certifications at all.
My life really opened up after traveling to this world.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
I looked over at Charlotte, Mia, and Alice, who were sitting behind me.
The one humming a tune in the driver’s seat was Claire. The music selection in the car was based on Claire’s pre-made playlist. It was a mix of idol songs that I didn’t really care about, with random bits of very atmospheric jazz tossed in, making the playlist a little funny yet pleasant.
At first, Claire was driving, and Charlotte was supposed to sit next to her, but before we even got on the highway in Seoul, Claire kept turning around to talk to me, so we had to stop the car for safety and switch seats.
It seemed like Claire was really excited and couldn’t keep her body in check. But at least she was driving well.
“It’s my first time going out like this, so I’m super nervous!”
Mia said with a slightly flushed face and was immediately petted by Alice and Charlotte on either side.
When was the last time I went out like this with friends?
It’s been at least ten years. After graduating from college, all my college friends went back to their own towns, and the friends I had from high school who lived nearby also moved away for various reasons.
And as we got older, friends started getting girlfriends or families. Gathering like this for fun became awkward.
Going to this fantasy world aside, I think this is the aspect I like the most: feeling young again.
Even if we go back to the other world, we still have school life left, so we can enjoy this life a little more leisurely.
I can’t help but feel great.
“Are you enjoying driving?”
I asked Claire, who was humming a tune, and she nodded vigorously.
“It’s fun! Honestly, I’d want to take this car back with me.”
“Yeah, but you won’t be able to keep riding it.”
“That’s too bad…”
A car doesn’t just run with gas. Various parts have lifespans, and if you don’t replace things like engine oil or tires, it seriously affects safety.
“However, I think bringing the car itself is worth considering. Even if we can’t drive it, we could take it apart and see what hints we can get. Since there are steam-powered vehicles, I think we can definitely make internal combustion vehicles too.”
“And we need to think about the batteries and circuits as well. It’s essential to bring back electricity. I wonder if it’s possible to merge that theory with Miss Ada?”
While Alice spoke seriously, Mia opened a bag of snacks.
“Want some?”
“Thanks!”
As Mia offered it, Charlotte smiled and took a yellow snack out of the bag. It was banana-flavored. I hadn’t seen that in ages.
While Mia loved snacks, she definitely had her own tastes—she preferred non-spicy over spicy, sweet over salty, and meat over vegetables.
It’s a bit strange that she loves all those fattening snacks yet doesn’t gain any weight at all.
“Oh, thanks.”
The snack bag made its way to Alice, who smiled and took a snack out.
“Here you go.”
Mia leaned forward a bit to offer the bag.
“Thank you.”
I took out two snacks from the bag, holding one out to Claire. Claire caught it with her mouth.
I had always thought Claire and Alice were sisters, which is why I treated them like that, but I wasn’t quite sure how to act with Mia and Charlotte at first when they first came over.
At first, I thought I’d just get to know them slowly while hanging out together.
But as time went on, they started to feel like sisters as well… Well, it’s not like I could say that outright given our respective pasts.
There was a moment of silence in the car.
But it wasn’t an awkward silence. It was just that everyone was lost in their thoughts, and no one spoke, yet I didn’t feel uncomfortable with five people crowded in this small space.
After a while of just snack rustling and crunching sounds, Claire, who was driving, broke the silence.
“Oh, right! Can we stop at a rest area?”
“Do you need something?”
“Hmm? No, I just want to go check it out.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
Well, knowing how much Claire studied travel, there’s no way she wouldn’t know about the existence and role of rest areas.
“I’m fine with it.”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking of a few things I want to try eating there.”
“Oooh.”
Mia’s eyes sparkled at the mention of food.
Given how interested she was in BBQ when planning the camping trip, that made sense.
Honestly, food at rest areas isn’t particularly special or tasty. In fact, it can be more expensive.
But well, there’s nothing quite like eating on a trip.
Because… well, it’s a trip!
“Alright, let’s go a little further and stop at the next rest area.”
Claire seemed even more excited now as she hummed while nodding her fingers on the steering wheel.
*
“Ahhhh.”
Claire stretched her arms high above her head when we got outside.
“Driving is fun, but sitting still for so long is a bit uncomfortable.”
“Well, it makes sense since we’ve come quite a distance.”
I lightly stretched my body in response.
It wasn’t just us; the other three were also moving around to loosen up. It’s a behavior that seems natural without needing to be taught. My friends used to do the same when they got out of the car.
“Anyway, if anyone needs to use the restroom, go ahead. Let’s meet up in front of the rest area building in about five minutes.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“Then I’ll go!”
“Oh, me too…”
“I’ll go too.”
Alice, Charlotte, and Mia seemed to be heading to the restroom. I didn’t really feel the need, and it seemed Claire was in the same boat, so we let the three of them go.
“…What can I say, it feels like a mother-daughter duo.”
“Which one seems like the mother?”
Claire mumbled, looking at the three that were walking away in the order of Alice, Mia, and Charlotte, and I playfully asked.
“Hmm, well, since their hair colors are different… if I had to choose, it would be Charlotte, I guess?”
“So, does that make Alice the aunt?”
Claire chuckled for a moment before quickly suppressing her laughter and clearing her throat.
“Then… what shall we do while we wait?”
“Let’s check out the convenience store for a bit.”
It was conveniently nearby.
I bought two cans of caffeinated soda at the convenience store, handing one to Claire. We sat on a nearby bench and popped open the cans.
“…This is nice. Being far away from wars and all that, and having fun with close friends is just the best.”
“But are you thinking of going back?”
“Of course. This is, uh, could we say it’s a short vacation?”
“That seems a bit long to be just a vacation; I might feel sorry for Leo. The last time we took five minutes, so it’s probably ten minutes now? They’re probably starting to worry over there.”
The sky was truly blue. If you looked up, it was almost blinding.
“Well, I don’t think there’s any problem with taking a longer vacation, right?”
Claire took a sip from her drink.
“What about you? Do you want to go back?”
“Of course, I want to go back.”
It’s not that I have no attachment to this place. However, when weighing the attachments to both this world and the other, the scale tips heavily towards the other world.
It’s a happy ending I fought so hard for; I deserve to enjoy the aftermath.
“Why? This is where you originally lived… isn’t it kind of like home for you? Please don’t tell me you’re trying to force yourself to leave because of us…”
“If I were to say I’m not going back, what would you do? You wouldn’t actually say you’d stay here with me, would you?”
Claire fell silent. Maybe she was genuinely contemplating that?
“I’m definitely going back, even if it’s just because I don’t want to waste what I’ve built up in that world. After all, I’m dead in this world. There’s really no reason to be so concerned.”
“Really?”
“Really. Plus, there are so many people I want to see again. Most importantly, I’ve been saying I’ll go back, right? For Sylvia Fanggriffon, ‘the original world’ is Azernar.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Seeing Claire smile brightly, I couldn’t help but smile back.
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