After regaining consciousness, I found myself lying in my bed. Sitting up, I reached for my phone, which was conveniently placed on my PC. I turned it on to check the time, and to my surprise, it was already 2 PM.
"Oh, it's 2 PM already?" I muttered to myself, It seemed that the kiss had taken more out of me than I had initially thought.
"My first kiss," I murmured, my thoughts drifting back to the moment our lips had met.
I flushed for a second as I slapped both of my cheeks. "Get a hold of yourself," I scolded myself quietly. Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and walked out of my room, heading to the living room.
"Oh? Taneshima-sama, good afternoon," Maria greeted me with a warm smile as she prepared lunch in the kitchen.
"Good afternoon, Maria," I greeted her in return, taking a seat on the sofa.
"How are you feeling, Taneshima-sama?" she asked, her concerned expression evident in her eyes.
I smiled at her, trying to hide any lingering embarrassment. "I'm feeling better now, thank you."
Maria nodded and continued with her cooking.
"What are you cooking today? Also, isn't it a bit late for you to be cooking at this hour?"
"Sorry, Taneshima-sama. I just brought something from the convenience store."
"What did you buy? And whose money did you use?"
"Um, I used your money, Taneshima-sama."
"Alright, so what did you buy?"
"I bought some iced tea."
"Why iced tea?"
Maria shrugged slightly. "Well, I wanted to try it since I've never had it before. Thought it might be refreshing."
"Fair enough."
"You're not mad?"
"Why would I be mad? You said you haven't tried it before."
"Yeah, in the underworld we only drink blood, hot water, and hot cocoa beans."
"I see. Well, feel free to enjoy it here,"
"Thank you, Taneshima-san. Just for that, here you go," she said, placing a plate of curry and a glass of iced tea in front of me.
Whoa! That looks good!"
"Because it IS delicious," Maria chuckled as she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
"Oh, by the way, where is your mistress?"
"She's currently sleeping."
"Hmm," I hummed, taking bites of the delicious curry as I watched the TV with Maria. The flavors danced on my taste buds, and I couldn't help how delicious this curry is.
After finishing the delicious curry, I put the empty plate in the sink and began washing the dishes. As I was washing the plates, water suddenly began to pour out of my hands.
"Woah! What the!?" I dropped the plate and stepped back in surprise. I looked at my palms, to see water still streaming out of them. Panicking, I turned to Maria. "Maria! I need help! There's water coming out of my hands!"
Maria turned to me, stood up, and walked over to examine my palm. "This is magic."
"Huh? Magic?"
"Yes, it's magic."
"Then, if it's magic, how do I control it!?"
"Hehehe~ Calm down, Taneshima-sama."
"How can I calm down in this situation?!"
"Taneshima-sama... Calm down."
I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself. "Okay... I'm calm."
"That's more like it."
"Now, how do I make this stop?"
"First, to make this stop, you should control the mana that is flowing in your arm."
"H-How do I do that?"
"Relax and focus. Try to keep your mind clear."
"O-Okay... I'll try."
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, allowing my mind to slowly clear. As I entered a state of complete tranquility, I felt myself drifting along a tide of rough water in a river.
Sensations surrounded me—a warm heat, a gentle breeze, the distant rumble of thunder, the crashing of earth. And amidst it all, a bright, glimmering sound.
I focused on that sound, allowing it to guide me. I reached out with my mind, extending my senses to embrace the mana that flowed within and around me.
I felt a deeper connection to the magical energy as if it were an extension of my being.
As I continued to concentrate, the flow of mana began to respond to my intentions. The water ceased its turbulent rush, the wind softened its gusts, the thunder subsided, and the earth stilled. All that remained was a serene calmness.
I opened my eyes and looked at Maria.
"Well?"
I looked at my hands. It seemed that the water had stopped.
"It worked."
"Congratulations, you have entered the world of magic."
"I see."
"So, what did you experience when you were in your mind?"
"I felt warm heat, a gentle breeze, the distant rumble of thunder, the crashing of earth, riding a tide of rough water, and a glimmering sound..."
"I see, fire, wind, thunder, earth, water... But what is the glimmering sound?"
Maria shrugged. "Hmm~ well, at least you've learned how to control your magic." She turned around and walked back to the sofa, resuming her TV watching. It seems I wouldn't be able to interrupt her for a while.
I sighed and decided to step outside. Now that I had magic, I shouldn't show this to anyone. Now I guess I should go take a small walk so I can clear my mind. "I wonder where I should go." I walked aimlessly, my feet carrying me until I found myself in a bustling city. I didn't realize I'm already here. What's even stranger is that I didn't feel tired at all, despite the long walk.
As I walked around, my attention was caught by a hoodie displayed in a shop window. Intrigued, I approached it and examined it closely. "Wow, this is cool," I muttered with a smile before deciding to enter the clothing store.
"Welcome! Is there something you like?" the store clerk greeted me.
"Yeah, how much is that white hoodie over there?" I pointed towards the displayed hoodie.
"That's 18,500 yen."
The weight of the price hit me like a shock, leaving me momentarily stunned. I could feel the burden settling on my shoulders as I stood there with my mouth slightly agape.
"Uhm, Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Would you still like to buy that hoodie?"
I took a moment to collect myself before looking down at the floor. With a slight tremble, I retrieved my wallet and pulled out my card. "H-Here you go," I said, handing the card to the clerk.
She took the card and swiped it through the register. "Thank you for the purchase," she said with a smile, returning the card to me before walking over to the displayed hoodie.
"Wait, I'll wear it right now."
"Oh? Alright." She walked over to me and handed me the hoodie. "You can go try it on in the dressing room over there," she pointed.
I nodded and made my way to the dressing room. Once inside, I put on the white hoodie and examined myself in the mirror. "Hmmm~ Perfect... I'd say it's worth it."
I walked out of the dressing room and exited the clothing store. As I left, I could hear the clerk bidding me farewell with a cheerful, "Come back soon~".
I should head back now, I turn in the direction I came from and start walking. But after a few minutes, I come across a girl who appears to be a foreigner surrounded by three guys who look like delinquents.
"Hey, why don't you come with us?" one of them says.
"Don't worry, we'll take you somewhere nice," another adds.
I can see the girl looking helpless. Are these guys trying to pick up girls on the street now? I sigh and walk towards them.
"Uhm, I don't mean to intrude, but aren't you in the way?" I say, trying to intervene.
"Huh? Who the fuck are you?" They surround me with hostility.
"Oh? My bad~ Are you walking this way? Hey boys, let this guy pass through."
"Hehe yeah!" They make a way, seemingly agreeing to let me pass.
But as I walk past them, I feel a sharp kick to my back. and knocked back falling to the ground. "Hey, as if we'd let you go, asshole."
"Hey, hey~ Look, he's got a nice hoodie."
"Hey, take that off."
I get up and turn to face them, glaring.
"OH~ How scary~"
To be honest, I was just looking for a distraction, but it seems I'll have to resolve this with a fistfight.
"Hey, are you listening?" The guy with the cap starts charging toward me.
Hm? What the hell? Is it just me, or are they slow? I immediately kick the guy with the cap in the stomach, causing him to be knocked back into his delinquent companions.
I assumed a combat stance, my body poised for action. With a taunting beckoning sign, I provoked the three delinquents, goading them into charging at me.
"Beat him to a pulp!"