A sulking girl is cute as long as it doesn't affect herself, isn't she?

The surroundings are filled with light, and I can't see anything. My eyes hurt. I blink repeatedly while tears stream down my face. Gradually, my vision becomes clearer. It's a familiar room.

"Aaah, did I return safely? Is everyone okay?" I think to myself.

My encounter with Alecto is vivid in my memory; it wasn't a dream. Now that I think about it, there were things I should have asked more about, but it was sudden, so I guess it couldn't be helped. I've managed to understand this world's worldview to some extent. The manager wasn't mentioned because we probably haven't been contacted by them yet.

My throat hurts, and my stomach feels heavy. As my vision finally clears, I see Riza lying on top of me, asleep. Looking at her face, the area around her eyes is red and swollen with dark circles. She must have had a hard time taking care of me. She looks quite exhausted.

"Riza"

When I try to speak, my voice comes out hoarse. The pain in my throat and the discomfort make it difficult to speak properly. I repeat "Aaah, Aaah" softly. I remember feeling this way when I regained consciousness after losing awareness before. While trying to speak, I slowly move my body. Thinking that sudden big movements aren't good for muscles, I continue bending and stretching my arms. Twisting my body around the waist, I check for any abnormalities.

There are no major injuries. That means there were no large battles afterward, and we managed to get through it safely. There's a slight stinging pain in some areas, but those are probably minor injuries from being transported.

As I sit up and slowly move my entire body, Riza rolls off the bed. She's so cute. What cute creature. Even if she falls off the bed, she doesn't wake up. She must be really tired.

I stretch my whole body and do some stretches I've heard about. Gradually, my stiff body loosens up. Although it's been five days since I lost consciousness last time, this time is better than that. Last time was much worse.

My body warms slightly, and soon there are no hindrances to movement. My voice also becomes clear. I get out of bed. When I stand up, my legs feel wobbly. So I was weak after all. I stomp my feet in place a few times to adjust. But I'm not that weak; I quickly return to normal.

I squat down and gently shake Riza's shoulder.

"Riza. Riza. Wake up, Riza."

She doesn't wake up easily despite her good sleep habits. She must be really tired.

"Riiiiiiza. Oi. Riza. Riza"

I whisper in her ear. Her eyes slowly open, and her tearful gaze locks onto me.

"Good morning, Riza"

Her mouth moves awkwardly. This is bad. She's so cute. She has the cuteness of a small animal.

"H... Hiro. Hiro. Hiro. Hiro."

She repeats it brokenly, her voice rising in volume. When she suddenly embraces me tightly, I'm crushed. Ouch. I Give up, I give up.

"Why... Hiro, I was worried... I was worried... Hiro, don't leave me..."

Her words are disjointed. As soon as she lets go, she cries while pounding my chest with both hands. That hurts.

"I was worried... I was worried... I was worried... I was worried..."

I grab her hands and pull her close. I lightly kiss her. A slight salty taste. The taste of tears. Ah, so I'm back.

"Calm down, Riza. Take a deep breath. Deep breath."

After taking a breath, I confirm that she's calmed down and ask about the situation.

"Hartis-san and others brought Hiro, who had lost consciousness, here as requested. After eliminating that group immediately, they carried one of the good ones and escaped. Hartis took the sample, while Deed and Arie alternated carrying me back to the village. I, who had lost consciousness, was diagnosed by the pharmacist guild staff as having overused magic power but being fine, so I was put to bed. By the way, they gave me liquid food, so it's good that I didn't choke. I'll have to ask about the daily rate later. As for Riza, she stayed with me while I was unconscious and took care of me."

"Really, really worried"

Her cheeks puff out and peel off. She looks like a squirrel.

After that, Ast and the others also came to the room and rejoiced at my return.

It's still early morning, just after sunrise.

I have some soup without ingredients and porridge made with bread, eating slowly.

When I tell them about going to the guild, Riza insists on coming along. Although I tried to reassure her that it's only within the village today and there's no danger, she wouldn't listen. With Ast mediating, we finally convinced her to go hunting instead. Today, I'll pay the rent in one lump sum and leave the house.

"Take care. But Riza was also worried, but I was worried too. Don't overdo it."

Teisha says with a worried face.

"It's only within the village, so it's fine. Don't worry. Thank you for your concern."

Well, I need to get out of this little Urashima Taro situation.