Two weeks have passed since the three of us arrived here.
For me, there was no need to adapt to this world again, so I didn’t have to worry about any adjustment period, but Claire and Alice’s situations were a bit different. It wasn’t just that they were in a foreign country; they were in a completely different world.
A world with completely different natural laws.
There’s no magic here. Even if I learned how to use magic back in the other world, it wouldn’t work here at all. Probably for the same reason, Claire and Alice wouldn’t be able to unleash sword energies or anything like that. Besides, their physical abilities seem to be the same as when they were in that other world.
But if we were to argue which of the two worlds is more complicated, this world is definitely much more complex. Back in the other world, they could put things together with magic, but here they need to develop technology, create a ton of materials and blueprints to do the same.
It’s like this: If you’re used to electronic devices since childhood, you can adapt quickly when you encounter something different later. But if you’ve lived away from such machinery, it takes forever for old folks like me to get used to it. This is even worse nowadays since the gadgets people carry around have gotten more advanced and have more functions.
So, I thought it would take these two a lot longer to adapt to this world—and then—
Ahahaha! Sis, why are you so slow!? Run a bit faster!
Not even a week after learning to ride a bike, Claire was zooming past me so swiftly and steadily, I couldn’t catch up.
Look here! Did you know this function existed?
Alice, having just learned to read, was playing around with my smartphone and showing me new features I didn’t even know about.
…These two are adapting to this world way too quickly.
Now, even taking off their shoes when entering the house has become way too natural. Whenever I leave my shoes lying around, they come in and tidy up after me without a second thought.
When I see Claire, lying on the couch, snacking from a bag of chips while watching a streaming site on the 32-inch monitor I placed in my old room instead of a TV, who would suspect she’s a hidden crown princess from another world? She looks just like any other high school or university student with over 90% of Korean blood in her veins.
To be honest, Claire only looked a bit awkward at first. Looking back, her personality hadn’t changed that much. I think she would have lived like that in a traditional house too. With the Baron Grace couple controlling her gone, it’s no surprise she’s rolling around like she’s finally free.
The problem is, Alice is also beginning to show signs of relaxing.
…What are you staring at?
Alice, who was lying sideways watching a video next to Claire, asked as she stretched her legs out on the sofa.
…Nothing. I just thought you seemed a bit… repressed until now.
…
Alice opened her mouth for a moment in response to my comment, then closed it.
Realizing that she indeed felt far more relaxed than usual, she straightened her posture.
But honestly, she looked just like a “slightly straighter postured college student” as she sat there. If only the ketchup stain on her T-shirt wasn’t there, her hands would have looked more dignified.
…
Well, still, I don’t dislike it.
No, in fact, I wish these two would stay like this even if they return to that other world. Although living like this all the time might not be possible, at least they can relax when they’re alone, or at least when I’m nearby.
Sis, what’s wrong?
Noticing I was staring at her, Claire turned her body to look at me.
Seeing her innocent expression made me feel even more uplifted.
Thinking back, I didn’t particularly like my previous flat. There was no elevator, and the building was pretty old. But it was never at a level where I couldn’t live there—it was just that when I came home to a dark, musty room alone, I felt lonely as hell.
Even when I wanted to meet friends, they all lived far away, making it hard to meet up.
I think I wished to save money and move to another place, and genuinely felt like going back to the neighborhood where I lived as a child, day after day.
But now, it feels a bit different.
With these two around, it feels like I could stick around here a bit longer. Still, my heart’s desire is to return to where we lived, but at least it’s much more bearable than being dropped here alone.
No, it’s just that I’m happy that you guys are here.
…
Claire looked at me silently for a moment, then slowly sat up.
She carefully leaned forward, pressed a key to pause the video, and suddenly knelt towards me.
Sis, did we do something wrong?
…No, not at all.
Then did we eat something wrong?
Alice, watching from the side, asked with a serious expression.
…
Come on, if someone says something heartfelt, just take it at face value!
I seriously contemplated what to say to make these two simply believe me for a moment.
*
I’d like to try the previous episode too.
It was only a little while after Claire said that.
When I went to the other world, learning the alphabet wasn’t particularly hard for me. I thought it was because the letters looked similar to what I already knew, and I had spent quite a bit of time redoing studying like a loser; but maybe it was some sort of ability I got when I returned.
Claire and Alice had an astounding capacity to learn letters. They are smart, yes, but even so, being foreigners, the Korean letters must feel almost like an alien language to them.
It wasn’t just me thinking so—these two felt that way too; could this be one of the Goddess’s tricks?
At least, for now, it was a beneficial trick.
Is that so?
Alice tilted her head, sensing something off about my lukewarm reaction.
Why? You reacted so sensitively when we first picked up that game package.
With the figures revealed now, I have no more shame.
The real embarrassing part is actually the latest project we do while streaming.
That’s where I appear as a target!
However, the previous projects didn’t have the character Sylvia Fanggriffon.
From what I found online, Sylvia Fanggriffon seems to have a lot of anti-fans. At least in our broadcasts, no one thought I was the real Sylvia Fanggriffon, so they didn’t shout insults at me, and they seemed to be careful not to curse too much in the chat, just in case I misunderstood and banned them. Still, the traces of heated conflicts are left behind in the gallery where I used to be active.
Honestly, I understand it. The previous project didn’t even drop hints and suddenly popped in, rewinding time and nullifying the story that the players had progressed in the previous game, so it’s no wonder they got a lot of hate.
I didn’t click most of the discussions because I didn’t want to get spoiled, but they said a somewhat convincing story came up in the later parts, so I should try it directly.
Honestly, had I not personally met the heroine and the protagonist, I would have been furious over that story.
But are you okay with it?
Huh?
Claire tilted her head at my question.
Because in that game, the two of you have… very dark pasts. Since the previous projects don’t include the character Sylvia Fanggriffon.
Ah.
Claire nodded as if she understood something from my explanation. Having an inkling of what might have happened if I weren’t around, she seemed to have a rough idea.
It’s okay. Anyway, it’s not something I went through.
Well, I’m sure it won’t be that severe…
Alice said from the side, and I shrugged.
If that’s how the two feel, then it is what it is.
Did I say something?
*
…
Hmph, hmpf.
Claire had her mouth agape as she stared at her character in the game.
And beside her, Alice’s face was flushed as she forced herself to hold back laughter.
Ahhahahaha!
And in the game, Claire was swinging a casual weapon like a whip with a very revealing outfit on.
Well… Bella does dress like that too in real life.
But honestly, comparing to Bella, who had a slightly more serious side, Claire came off as a little too frivolous in her demeanor.
So, I made sure to say it clearly.
Seeing this kind of appearance is all Claire’s fault!
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