Yo! Do you have any suggestions for waifus you want in the harem?
Also, if we reach 100 power stones, there will be extra chapters.
×××
The day before, when Saya had asked him if he really was a god...
In the middle of that conversation, she'd frowned and muttered something like:
"Well… if you really are, then I want proof. Show me."
"Proof, huh? Alright. I'll take you to another world."
"Huh?"
Saya had looked at him in disbelief, thinking he was joking.
So this morning, Yuu extended his hand toward her.
"W-what…?"
She looked at him suspiciously, her gaze darting between his face and his hand.
"Hold my hand. Yesterday I told you we'd go to another world. This way, we can leave."
Of course, holding hands wasn't necessary to teleport. But Yuu wanted to see what kind of expression this tsundere would make if he did it that way.
"D-don't think I want to do it! It's just… because I asked, okay?!"
With a huff, Saya closed her eyes, turned her face to the side, and awkwardly grabbed his hand.
She cracked one eye open to peek at him.
'It's big… strong… and warm…'
It was the first time since the apocalypse began that she'd felt so safe and calm. Like nothing could reach her as long as she held on to him.
When she looked up, she found Yuu's warm smile waiting for her.
Her face lit up like a campfire, and she quickly looked away with another huff.
The next instant, their bodies vanished.
×××
When she opened her eyes, Saya found herself in the middle of a cobblestone street. She looked around, completely stunned.
Wood and stone houses lined both sides, with slanted roofs and smoking chimneys. Horse-drawn carts rolled by slowly, and merchants shouted their offers at the top of their lungs.
"Huh…?"
What shocked Saya the most was realizing that not everyone there was human. She blinked as she saw a woman whose cat ears twitched nervously atop her head, a man with dog ears and fangs showing as he spoke, and even slender figures with long, pointed ears.
"Huhhhh?!"
And everyone was wearing metal armor, magical robes, or reinforced leather outfits. Swords hung from their waists, spears rested on their shoulders, and some carried glowing staves embedded with gems.
"What the hell are these things?!"
Saya instinctively pressed herself against Yuu's arm.
The gazes of the townsfolk fell on them. None were kind, their eyes were cold, filled with suspicion.
Made sense, considering that Saya and Yuu were dressed completely differently from everyone else.
A group of armored men openly stared at her.
Saya swallowed, trembling slightly. She got angry and was about to shout at them, but right then...
Yuu narrowed his eyes.
The invisible pressure that radiated from him made the men pale. One even stumbled back. And as if they'd seen a demon, they turned on their heels and ran away.
Saya looked at him in astonishment.
'T-this guy… just how terrifying is he, really?'
Even so, her chest felt warm, she realized Yuu had scared them off because they'd been leering at her.
"Izumi-kun, thanks…"
"Umu."
"…"
Hearing the way Yuu said "you're welcome," Saya gave him a strange look. After a moment, she began glancing around cautiously.
"By the way, Izumi-kun, you still haven't told me where we are exactly. Is this the past or something?"
Yuu gently tugged her hand and started walking down the cobblestone road.
Only then did he answer.
"This is Genkai. As you can see, it's kinda like medieval Earth."
Saya pressed her lips together and looked down, having to watch her step since she wasn't used to such uneven stone streets.
"Genkai…"
It felt unreal to her that worlds like this existed, where people walked around with cat or dog ears, and even tails.
"Those with the long ears, they're elves, right? They look so arrogant."
"Yeah. There are also gods among mortals. Some descended from Tenkai. You can think of that place as Heaven."
Hearing that, Saya gave him a suspicious look.
"So, are you from that… Tenkai too?"
Yuu smiled, shaking his head.
"No."
They kept walking, still holding hands. But Saya seemed to have gotten used to it by now, she wasn't complaining anymore, just looking around with curiosity.
Since it was her first time in another world, a genius like her should at least etch this experience into her memory.
A bit later, she realized the language wasn't a problem. Even in another world, she understood what people were saying around her. At the same time, when she looked at a sign, the words automatically translated in her mind.
"Why can I understand them?"
"I made it so you can understand and speak this language."
Saya was speechless.
Had she just learned a whole new language that easily?
As she started questioning a lot of things, like why she'd even bothered studying before, Yuu looked at her.
"Wanna get something to eat?"
Now that she thought about it, they hadn't eaten breakfast before coming here.
"The food here… is it safe?"
"Depends on what you pick. In our case, we just need something freshly made."
They stopped in front of a stall where several fried snacks were sizzling away. The warm, greasy aroma filled the air.
"Good morning, dear customers! What'll it be?" The vendor greeted cheerfully.
Saya blinked. She didn't know what to order. She didn't even recognize the ingredients.
"A few dozen jagamarukun, please."
In the pan, battered mashed potato balls were bubbling. There were different flavors, and Yuu picked a bit of everything.
After frying them, the vendor put them into a paper bag and handed it over. His eyes scanned them from head to toe. They looked good together. Also...
"Seeing how well you two complement each other, I'd like to offer a special discount. How about a thousand valis?"
"…!"
Saya's face lit up. Did they look like a couple? Only then did she realize she was still holding Yuu's hand.
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip.
Yuu slipped his other hand into his pocket and quietly created the valis.
A jagamarukun cost barely 30 valis. And even though Yuu knew this vendor was trying to scam them, he created exactly the amount asked and handed it over.
After all, money didn't matter to him.
"Thank you very much. You're right, we're a great couple," Yuu replied calmly. Then he looked at Saya with a teasing smile. "And my girlfriend's really cute."
A small puff of steam seemed to rise from Saya's head after hearing Yuu's reply to the vendor.
"Y-you idiot! W-we're not a couple or anything like that!"
She smacked his arm, her brows furrowed and her cheeks flushed pink.
"Just look at you. Really cute and adorable when you're angry."
If Yuu's hands hadn't been full, he probably would've patted her head.
Around them, several people laughed at the scene.
Saya's blush deepened. She wanted to say something back, but Yuu was already pulling her along by the hand.
She let out a "hmph" and turned her face away.
She wasn't holding this annoying guy's hand because she wanted to, just so she wouldn't get lost in an unknown world. Got it?
"Mm… fries alone won't be enough for breakfast."
They walked up to another stall, this one run by a kind-looking older lady.
Chunks of pork sizzled on skewers over a grill, the juicy, roasted aroma drawing in nearby passersby.
Yuu bought several skewers, holding them in one hand while still leading her with the other.
"Wanna find a quiet place to eat?"
Saya didn't answer right away. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, and with one finger...
"…I wanna go see that."
She pointed ahead.
At the massive structure rising in the center of the city. It was circular and colossal, towering from the stone streets, piercing through the clouds, as if defying the heavens themselves.
Yuu smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"As you wish, milady."
And then, he guided her toward the towering structure.