WTAW 03

Chapter 3 

The Beginning

(3) The First “Otherworld People”

“Hey!”

I heard someone’s voice.
From the forest, about three figures appeared.

“Ah—sorry, sorry! You’re not hurt, are you?”

A girl about my age called out. She was wearing what looked like light armor—something straight out of an anime.
In her hand was a drawn sword.

Was she a cosplayer with a super high-quality costume? Even the dirt and scuff effects looked realistic.
…No, probably not.
She must really be someone from another world.

“Did a Gyon come this way? Wait—did you take it down?”

“Uh, yes. I was startled and reacted instinctively. I’m sorry.”

I apologized for hurting an animal, just in case. Though, judging by their reaction, it probably wasn’t their pet.
So that thing was called a Gyon. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard of something like that in a zoo—Kyon, maybe?

“No need to apologize. We’re the ones who let it get away.
That thing’s weak but nasty.
Anyway, are you sure you’re not hurt?”

She asked again.

“I’m fine.”

I gave a small bow, then looked up.
Behind her stood a tall man and a huge, muscular guy—well, “guy” or maybe “older brother” type.

“I’m Alisa. This is my brother, Urisa. And that big one’s our cousin, Goda. As you can see, the three of us make up an adventurer party.”

She showed me something like a dog tag hanging around her neck.

“As you can see,” she said—but I’d never seen the real thing before, so I just nodded.

“I’m Shunsuke,” I introduced myself.

My first encounter with genuine otherworlders. Somehow, the typical RPG-like setup was almost reassuring.

Now that I got a better look, Alisa seemed around my age—a high school senior, maybe. More “girl” than “woman,” with a cute, pretty face. Not exactly slender, but with just a hint of softness to her figure.

Since I’d somehow shrunk in this world, the height comparison was vague, but she was probably a little short—though still taller than I was now!

Her skin was a warm golden-brown, her eyes black, and her reddish-brown hair was tied up in a ponytail.
Her arms and thighs were exposed, covered by gloves and knee-high boots.

Setting aside her fashion choices, she looked like someone you might actually see in Asia, which was oddly comforting.
The two men with her also looked like they could have walked out of an Asian historical drama—though their equipment leaned more Western.

“Shunsuke?” Alisa repeated my name.

Ah—right. With my slightly greenish skin and pointy ears, I was probably the weird-looking one here.

I quickly pulled my hood tighter with both hands and nodded.
“Yes.”

Our eyes met—and Alisa suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

“Waaah, so cute!” she squealed, and hugged me tightly.

“W–wait, Alisa-san!”

She might look my age, but it still felt like being hugged by a big sister—soft things pressing everywhere. This was dangerous.

“Hey, you’re making the kid uncomfortable,” said her brother, Urisa, pulling her back.

“Oh—sorry,” she laughed, stepping away.

“Do you really think I’m cute?”

“Super cute!” she grinned.

If anyone’s cute here, it’s you!

Sure, little kids in costumes can be cute, but still—being me and being called that is kind of awkward.

“Still, hearing a cute kid call himself ‘ore’—that’s quite the gap,” Alisa said, amused.

“What are you babbling about, Alisa? Kids can talk however they want. Anyway, let’s get back to town—I’m starving,” said Goda, rubbing his stomach through his leather armor.

Compared to Alisa, his armor covered much more area, but his muscular arms were bare. He held a halberd—like a spear-axe combo—and stood between Alisa and Urisa in height. His shaved head made him look older, like a grown man.

Meanwhile, Urisa had most of his body covered with fabric except his face and hands. His outfit—open-collar shirt, light leather armor, vest, and pants that looked like chinos or jeans—fit his tall, lean frame perfectly. A massive sword was strapped to his back. Slim but strong—probably the “lean and toned” type. His face resembled Alisa’s a bit, and he was handsome. So cool! I wanna be like that someday.

All three of them had scuffed, worn-out equipment and clothes.

Anyway—so the town must be close.

“Can I go with you to town?” I asked.

“Of course. But Shunsuke, are you alone? What about your mother?”

“I got separated from her… in another town,” I said—careful not to mention “another world.”

“I see. So you’ve been traveling alone?”

“Yes.”

“Hey, kid. You’re not plotting something, are you?”

Urisa stepped in front of Alisa.

“Hey, come on, brother,” she protested.

“A clean-looking kid wandering alone? Could be a trap.”

A trap? What kind? I tilted my head up at him.

“Uh… for example, you could lure us into looking like kidnappers, then demand a ransom to ‘let us go.’”

“I see.”

So that’s the kind of trick they had to watch out for here. That made sense.

“Brother!” Alisa scolded, tugging on his arm.

“You’re really sharp,” I said honestly. “Always staying alert like that is amazing. I grew up somewhere peaceful, so that never occurred to me.
But it’s true—I really did get separated from my mother, and I have no idea where this place is.
If it’s alright, could I travel with you at least until we reach town?”

I spoke politely, trying not to sound suspicious.
These were the first otherworlders I’d met—I had no choice but to rely on them.

Grrruuu~

That rumbling sound came from Goda’s stomach. He was carrying the Gyon I’d killed, holding it upside-down by its hind legs.

“I’m hungry. Let’s drain this thing’s blood first.”

“Yeah, good idea. Once we’re done, we’ll head to town—with Shunsuke, too,” said Urisa.

“Thank you very much.”

“Lucky you, Shunsuke. Want some jerky?” Alisa offered.

“No thanks, I just ate.” (Well, chicken and cake, but she didn’t need to know that.)

“Alright then.”

“Hey, I’m the hungry one here!” Goda grumbled.

“That’s because you always eat all the preserved food,” Alisa scolded. “When will you ever learn?”

Wait—so Alisa ranks higher than Goda? Maybe she’s older?
But then again, age and appearance might not match here.

Later, I learned: Alisa is seventeen, Urisa is twenty, and Goda—unbelievably—is fifteen! Like a middle school third-year?
I guess there are kids in Japan who look that grown-up, but still—no one’s that buff and bald. Apparently, he’s not actually bald, just shaves his head (and beard) because washing his hair is a pain.

Anyway—back to the present.

Urisa slit the Gyon’s throat with a disturbingly wet sound, and Goda let the blood drain into a shallow hole he’d dug.
Trying to ignore the scene, I fished through my waist pouch.
Without touching the strap, I unzipped it. Inside were my old pouch items—lip balm, some other small stuff—and candy.

Ah, right. Candy.

I took out four pieces, unwrapped one, and popped it into my mouth.
Maybe this world’s air was drier than Japan’s—my throat felt a little scratchy, so the chamomile candy was delicious.

“I only have candy, but would you like some?”

I opened my hand to show them the three remaining pieces.

“Oh, it’s so pretty,” Alisa said.

Still unopened, but I guess she meant the wrappers—the chamomile flowers printed on them.

“It’s sweet and really tasty,” I said.

Thinking her gloves might make it hard to unwrap, I peeled one and said,
“Here, Alisa-san—ahh.”

My first-ever “say ahh” experience happened in another world.

“Mmm, so sweet! It’s been forever since I had anything this sugary—maybe since licking honey!” she said, pressing her cheeks with both hands. Adorable.

Then I gave one to Goda—

My second “ahh” went to a bald guy. Great.

“Delicious,” he said. “And the scent is nice.”

“If you let it melt instead of chewing, it’ll help calm your stomach a bit,” I explained.

“Really? Thanks, kid.”

“Urisa-san, here.”

When I tried to unwrap his for him, he said,
“Thanks—and sorry for doubting you earlier. I’ll open it myself.”

“But your hands still have some of the Gyon’s blood on them,” I pointed out.

“…Right. In that case…”

And thus—came my third “ahh.”

The four of us walked together, each with a candy in our mouths, chatting as we went.

And I couldn’t help but feel a little relieved—
that we could actually talk to each other.