Chapter 108 – Well, let's go home

I mеt uр with Yаtagarаsu in frоnt оf Littlе Нazuki’s classrооm.

Charаway sееmеd tо bе with Мr. Daikyо and his familу.

“Littlе Spiсе, уоu wеnt to sеe Littlе Hazuki lооking likе thаt? Didn’t you stаnd out?”

“Тhere was а сelebrity phоtо shoot going on, so it wаs finе. Plus, I used Mental Маgic toо and gоt thrоugh sаfеly, yeah!”

“Yоu’ve got quitе thе рersonаlitу~”

Yаtagarаsu laughed.

Just thеn, some high-energу girl сame tо thе clаssroom аnd started chаttering ехcitedly with Little Hаzuki.

“Oh, thаt’s оur Кannа Adelhеid. Shе’s unusuаlly clоse with Littlе Наzuki.”

“Is thаt sо! I’m surprisеd thаt Littlе Hаzuki hаs a streamer she’s personally, specially close with!”

“I hear they’ve known each other since before her debut?”

“Wow! Let me check the Archive!”

Everyone has a history.

Well, evening was approaching.

Time for Spice and the others to wrap things up.

After changing back to my original form in a secluded spot, Mashiro spotted me and came running over.

“Senpaaai!! Why did we have to be separated for a whole day?!”

“Whoa, Mashiro’s mad.”

“Of course I am! Listen! We’re engaged! So we have to be together…!! I decided that!”

“Hahaha, how passionate~”

Yatagarasu teased.

The wives of the Daikyo family were also smiling.

“Invite us to the ceremony.”

“When is it?”

“When, I wonder…”

As I tilted my head, Mashiro declared, “At the end of the year!!”

Wh-what?!

That’s not far off at all.

“My parents are running around looking for a venue right now!!”

“What?! I hadn’t heard a word about it.”

“Ah, I did contact Flota about it…”

‘I was aware~!’

“You, Flota, you forgot to hand that info over to me, didn’t you?!”

‘S-sorry!! The shock from that monster girl made all my memories temporarily fly away!’

I see…

Well, that can’t be helped.

And so, having fully enjoyed the school festival, we headed home.

We parted ways at the station.

Only Mashiro and I were taking the down train.

Since the return trip would be a hassle standing, we’d take a Special Rapid to Shinjuku first, then buy limited express tickets there and go seated!

“Isn’t that a hassle?”

“You’ll come to appreciate it too, Mashiro. Well, starting next year, Green Cars will be introduced on regular Rapid trains too.”

Once seated, as expected…

Mashiro rested her head on me and started snoring softly.

She must have been tired from all the excitement.

But it was a shock.

To think the wedding was so close…

It seemed Mashiro’s parents were taking charge and going all out.

I’d contacted my own father too.

He seemed stunned for a moment, but then immediately continued in a somewhat happy voice, ‘I’ll definitely be there.’

Well, we’d been somewhat distant, but I guess this counted as filial piety.

…Come to think of it, that guy doesn’t know I became a Magical Girl and do Dungeon Streams.

We had our past issues, but keeping our distance had allowed us both to cool down somewhat.

It might be good to do some minimal relationship mending around now.

If a grandchild is born, maybe letting him hold it would be okay.

The limited express train raced past stations one after another.

It’s fast because it doesn’t stop, and you can sit because it’s reserved seating.

This way, you even get time to get lost in thought.

At times like these, the Grimoires considerately don’t initiate conversation.

Wait… are these guys sleeping inside the bag…?

‘Master, a message has arrived. From the Ancient Witch.’

“On Zakko?”

‘Yes.’

Floppy popped out of the bag and displayed the screen.

On it was a greeting from the Ancient Witch… and a warning.

‘This is information from the Familiars I have dispatched to various regions. It is likely… the Witch of the Sea has begun to move. With the defeat of the Great Sea Demon General, sea-based logistics have been liberated.’

The Witch of the Sea!

One of the Seven Witches.

I see, the sea was in a state close to Dungeonization, which is precisely why the Witch of the Sea couldn’t come here.

Kiraboshi Hazuki defeated the Great Sea Demon General and reclaimed the sea for humanity… which, as a result, also freed the Witch.

So the story goes that she’ll likely use the sea to come here.

“About when does she seem likely to arrive?”

I sent a message to that effect.

A reply came after a little while.

‘Likely around the end of the year.’

That’s going to clash with the wedding.

These Witches, they really have no sense of timing!

In this case… maybe we’ll have to ask the Four Guys for help…?

We should keep our antennas up here too and be cautious of the Witch of the Sea.

First, information gathering once we get back.

Things are about to get busy…!!

We arrived at the terminal station.

This is my nearest station, but it’s one stop past Mashiro’s.

When I shook her awake,

Mashiro got up with bleary eyes, saying something like “Hwee~”

No helping it, I’ll send her home by taxi.

“Can’t I stay over at your place or something, Senpai?”

“I’m not really the type for premarital relations and such.”

“Aww…”

I ushered Mashiro into a taxi and sent her home.

Alright!

And now, home!

Oh, the usual fox-eared person is here.

“Welcome back~. I finally managed to come home after a long time too.”

“Ms. Shino, you’ve been at the Labyrinth Ministry all this time.”

“Yes. The handover from the director-general before the last one just wouldn’t end. Most of the important documents had been destroyed, and restoring them has been so, so much trouble…”

Shino drooped dejectedly.

I’ll let her sleep properly at home, and today we’ll order delivery for some kitsune soba or something.

And I’ll be gathering information on the Witch of the Sea online.