The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Living impulsively like this... doesn’t seem so bad after all.

In fact, this wasn’t even the first time I’d lived like this.

Back in university—freshman year, I think I lived like this for a while. I hadn’t studied that hard for the college entrance exam either, and after graduation I just sort of drifted along, doing whatever I felt like in the moment. I ended up tanking my GPA and had to make up for it in later years.

Of course, it’s not the same now. Back then I had no money and was still living off my parents, so I couldn’t really do everything I wanted. But now, that wasn’t the case.

Besides, I didn’t have to worry about jobs or licenses or any of that.

One trip to another world and boom—life opened up.

“You seem like you’re in a good mood.”

“There’s no reason not to be.”

Turning my head from the passenger seat, I saw Charlotte, Mia, and Alice sitting in the back.

Claire, sitting in the driver’s seat, was humming along cheerfully. She’d picked out the car’s playlist herself—a strange mix of idol music I didn’t care about and oddly atmospheric jazz tracks. It was a weird combination, but I kind of liked it.

Originally, Claire had been in the driver’s seat, with Charlotte planning to sit next to her. But before we even made it out of Seoul onto the highway, Claire kept turning around to talk to me, and we ended up switching seats in the interest of safety.

I guess Claire was so excited that she couldn’t quite control herself. Still, her driving had been fine.

“This is my first time going on a trip like this, so I’m super excited.”

Mia said that with a slightly flushed face, which earned her a round of affectionate head pats from Alice and Charlotte on either side.

When was the last time I went on a trip like this with friends?

Had to be at least ten years ago. After I graduated university, everyone went back to their hometowns. And even my old high school friends who’d lived nearby had moved away for one reason or another.

As we all got older, they got girlfriends, started families... It became harder and harder to get together like this.

Going to another world was one thing, but honestly, the part I liked the most was this—I’d become young again.

Even if we had to go back to that world eventually, we still had time left in this school life. We could afford to relax and enjoy things a bit.

No reason to feel bad.

“Enjoying the drive?”

I asked Claire as she hummed away at the wheel. She nodded enthusiastically.

“It’s fun. Honestly, I kinda want to bring this car back with us.”

“Even if you did, you wouldn’t be able to drive it forever.”

“Yeah, that’s the sad part...”

Cars don’t just run on gas. Parts wear out. You have to change the oil, replace the tires—skip any of that and it becomes a safety hazard.

“Still, I think taking the car back is worth considering. Even if we can’t drive it, we could take it apart and learn from it. If steam-powered cars exist there, then combustion engines shouldn’t be out of reach.”

“And the battery, and the electrical circuits too. We definitely need to bring electricity back. If we tell Professor Ada, maybe she could find a way to merge the theories?” 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

While Alice was talking seriously, Mia ripped open a snack bag.

“Want some?”

“Thanks.”

Charlotte smiled and took one of the yellow snacks from inside. Banana-flavored. Been a while since I saw those.

Mia did like food, but she definitely had her preferences. Not spicy, more sweet than salty, meat over vegetables.

She ate high-calorie food so often and still didn’t gain weight—it was kind of suspicious.

“Ah, thanks.”

The snack bag made its way to Alice too, who took one with a smile.

“Here.”

Mia leaned forward and offered it to me.

“Thanks.”

I took two snacks out and held one up to Claire’s mouth. She took it with her lips.

I’d already thought of Claire and Alice as sisters, and treated them that way. But with Mia and Charlotte... at first, I hadn’t been sure how to approach them when they came over.

I figured I’d just get to know them slowly, living together.

But now, being with them felt like being with sisters too. ...Though of course, actually saying that out loud might be awkward, since we all had our own stories and baggage.

Conversation died down for a moment.

But it wasn’t an awkward silence. Just one where everyone was quietly lost in their thoughts. Even in the cramped space with five people packed into the car, it didn’t feel uncomfortable.

The one who broke the silence was Claire, still driving.

“Oh right. Can we stop at a rest area along the way?”

“Do you need something?”

“Hm? Not really. I just want to go.”

That made me chuckle.

Well, Claire had studied up on travel so much, there’s no way she didn’t know about rest areas.

“I’m fine with that.”

“I actually made a list of stuff I want to try eating there.”

“Ooh.”

Mia’s eyes sparkled at the mention of food.

She’d been so into the idea of barbecue during our camping plans—no surprise there.

To be honest, food from a rest stop isn’t particularly tasty. And it’s more expensive, too.

But somehow, eating during a trip always tastes better.

Because... well, it’s a trip.

“Alright, just a little further, and we’ll stop at the next one.”

Claire seemed even more excited now, humming again and tapping her fingers on the wheel.

*

“Ahhh.”

Claire stretched both arms over her head as she stepped out of the car.

“Driving is fun, but staying in one position for so long gets uncomfortable.”

“We’ve come pretty far, so that’s fair.”

I answered while doing some light stretching myself.

The others were doing their own stretches too, each in their own way. I guess it’s just instinct—my friends always did the same thing after a long ride.

“Okay, anyone who needs the bathroom, go ahead. Let’s meet up in front of the main building in about five minutes.”

Everyone nodded.

“Alright, I’m going.”

“Ah, me too...”

“I’ll go as well.”

Alice, Charlotte, and Mia all looked like they were headed for the restroom. I didn’t really feel the need, and neither did Claire, so we let the three of them go ahead.

“...Feels kind of like a mother and daughters.”

“Which one looks like the mom?”

Claire murmured as she watched the three walk away, and I asked teasingly.

“Hm, let’s see... Well, they’ve all got different hair colors... but if I had to pick, maybe Charlotte?”

“Then is Alice the aunt?”

Claire let out a short giggle, then quickly cleared her throat and straightened her face.

“So... what do we do while we wait?”

“Let’s stop by the convenience store.”

There was one nearby.

We bought two cans of caffeinated soda, and I handed one to Claire. We sat on a bench nearby and cracked them open.

“...This is nice, seriously. Being far away from war and all that... just spending time with people I’m close to, it’s amazing.”

“But you’re still planning to go back, right?”

“Of course. This is more like, hmm... a short vacation?”

“Though it’s long enough that I’m starting to feel guilty about Leo. You said last time you guys were only five minutes late when you came here. So it’s been, what, ten minutes now? They’re probably starting to panic over there.”

The sky was such a vivid blue it almost hurt to look at.

“Well, a little extended vacation shouldn’t be a big deal.”

Claire took a sip of her drink.

“What about you, sis? ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Do you want to go back?”

“Of course I do.”

It’s not that I have no attachment to this world. But if I weigh it against everything I left behind... the other side still pulls far more.

I fought so hard for a happy ending—I want to enjoy the aftermath.

“Why? I mean, this is where you’re from, right? ...Isn’t it kind of like your hometown? Don’t tell me you’re forcing yourself to go back for our sake...”

“And what if I said I wasn’t going back? What would you say? Don’t tell me you’d stay behind with me?”

Claire didn’t answer. ...Was she actually considering it?

“I’ve worked too hard in that world to just leave it behind. Besides, I’m officially dead here. No reason to stay interested.”

“Really?”

“Really. And there are people I’d like to see one more time. More than anything... I’m choosing to say I’m going back. For Sylvia Fangryphon now, the ‘real world’ is Azerna.”

“Good.”

Seeing Claire smile so brightly, I couldn’t help but smile a little myself.