落とし穴２４掘：少しの隙間とゲームという暇つぶし (Part1)
**Pitfall 24: A Tiny Gap and a Game to Kill Time**
**Side: Yuki**
Yeah, taking it easy.
I’m relaxing more than I ever have before.
*Sluuuurp.*
I sip my tea and take a breath.
Outside, the sky is clear. Well, technically I’m inside the dungeon, but it feels like it.
"Truly. Since we are technically on military campaign, we can’t exactly go out in public without drawing attention."
"Yeah, that’s about the size of it."
Today is a weekday. Everyone else has gone to work.
It’s to maintain the alibi we talked about earlier.
Since we are supposed to be away on campaign, we can’t be seen wandering around.
"But if we spend the next nine days like this, it’ll be far too boring. Why don't we just stay in bed?"
"I don't intend to spend my days wallowing in carnal desires."
"Oh, come now. I don't think you need reason, do you? I am your wife, and I will gladly accept my husband's desires."
"Well, it’s not that I dislike it, but if I do that, I’ll have to attend to everyone else, too."
"Then just attend to them. From morning to noon, it’s me. At night, you can spend the rest of the night with the others."
"I wouldn't have any time to rest, would I?"
With Seraria, I never know how serious she is. There’s a part of me that thinks she’s being entirely sincere.
Seraria is smiling. I think she’s beautiful—almost too good for someone like me.
As I think that, Seraria turns her face toward the garden and sips her tea.
"……I'm sorry."
The words flow out of her, a whisper that vanishes into the air.
"What’s with the sudden apology?"
Seraria’s expression has turned a bit serious.
"……About Yuki from the other world. No, about Kazuya Torino being brought here to save this continent."
"……That’s not something you need to apologize for, Seraria."
I stop looking at her face and gaze out at the scenery, which I’ve modeled after a Japanese inn.
Yes, no matter how much it resembles one, this isn't Japan. No matter how hard I try, it will never be the real thing.
Well, calling it a fake doesn't necessarily mean it’s inferior, but to me, this scenery is just an imitation.
I created it so I wouldn't forget Japan, even a little.
So that my "Japanese heart" wouldn't fade away into the culture of this world, Aulito.
My heart doesn't perfectly represent Japan, but I wanted to preserve the form of "Japan" as I knew it. That is what Weed is.
It’s been a little over nine months since I was brought here and told I could never go back.
I’ve saved the kingdom, meddled in other countries, and now I’m trying to deal with the Demon Lord.
I tell Seraria and the others that my heart is set on saving this continent.
But the truth is, I’m saving this world.
Sadly—or perhaps because of the knowledge available in this world—to Seraria and the others, this continent is the only world that exists. They don't even know there’s more land across the sea.
"No, the reason Kazuya ended up having to save this continent is because the people living on this land are so incompetent, isn't it?"
No, that’s probably the fault of Luna or some other god who messed up the magical adjustments.
Ah, or maybe not. Maybe they just peeked in, found a world they liked, and decided they wanted to maintain it.
It’s like a hobby to them; there’s no obligation.
To a creature like a god, people and worlds are just like that.
They’re like the scenery around us.
The number of people in the world who would struggle to preserve or maintain that scenery is minuscule.
No matter how much you shout or how hard you try, in the end, very little is left behind.
I never participated in any local movements to preserve the environment or the scenery back home, either.
So, perhaps the way they sent me here was actually the better option.
"That is why, as a living being on this earth, I say this to you, Kazuya: I am sorry for our incompetence. And thank you for taking my hand."
"……You’re my wife, don't worry about it."
"Don't you feel lonely, Kazuya? You can't see your family. I’m sure they must be worried about you."
"……I hope so."
My memories regarding my past life have all been falsified, erased as if I never existed.
It’s cruel, in a way—a form of mercy, or perhaps just pity.
Because of that, there’s no point in going back.
My family registry, my savings, even the memories of my family—they’re all gone.
If I went back now, Japan would likely be a living hell for me.
And it’s still too soon to tell Seraria about this.
Knowing her, she’d be absolutely furious and try to attack Luna.
She’s a straightforward wife, for better or for worse.
"Well, I have you and my other wives, Seraria. I’m not lonely."
"……If that is what you say, Yuki… then I understand."
Hmm, maybe I should change the subject.
I’ve already come to terms with it, so there’s no need for Seraria to worry about it so much.
"Anyway, we’ve been resting for about ten days now, haven't we?"
"That’s right. The Demon Lord’s castle will fall in four days, ahead of the advancing allied forces. Three days for persuasion and securing control. Then three days to persuade the barrier guards. So, we have another nine days left. Actually, weren't we just discussing how to spend those nine days?"
"Right, but then you started apologizing out of nowhere. Now that that’s settled, let’s think about what to do."
"Hmm, let’s see. Something we can do at home, right?"
"That would be best. I don't recommend going out into the city too much. We’re supposed to be on campaign, after all."
"I still think spending our honeymoon together is the best option."
"We did that yesterday, too."
"I never get tired of it, personally."
"I don't get tired of it either, but physically speaking, I’m running low on resources."
I’m putting out a lot, if you catch my drift.
Ah, in that case, maybe I should let her try that.
"Hey, want to try playing a game?"
"A game?"
"Yeah, you know, that pastime using the television."
"Eh? How do you play with a projected image?"
Oh, that’s actually quite profound.
The person who invented video games might be a genius.
Someone who only knows a television as a screen would naturally think like Seraria.
I suppose it means that using it for play isn't something just anyone can come up with.
"Are we going to watch a movie or something?"
"No, it’s not quite 'experiencing' it, but it’s a form of play that feels like a real-life experience."
"Huh?"
Seraria tilts her head.
Well, it’s completely outside her realm of imagination.
I haven't played many games since coming here, and I figured showing them to Seraria and the others would just cause chaos, so I left it alone. But now that she knows what a television is, it shouldn't be a problem.
I can understand Japanese through my skills, so this should work.