I was dreaming.

It was one of those dreams where you realize it's a dream while still inside it.

After all, the fact that I was looking down on myself from the air like a drone made it clear that this couldn’t be anything but a dream.

'Still, this brings back memories…'

The setting was a school classroom.

It must have been after school, as students were gathering their bags and leaving one by one.

As for me, I was in the corner of the classroom, packing my textbooks into my bag. Normally, I would wait until most of my classmates had left before heading home alone.

I tried to move closer to my other self, but I couldn't. This was probably one of those dreams where all I could do was watch. Even when I had tried to speak earlier, I hadn't been able to hear my own voice.

Still, I had no idea why I was seeing this. Just a moment ago, I had been at the temple, having a wedding ceremony with Rio.

After finishing packing his textbooks, my other self left the classroom, descended the stairs, and stepped out into the entrance hall. After changing his shoes, he called out to a student waiting in front of the entrance.

"Sorry, did you wait long?"

"No, it's fine."

'...Huh?'

Standing there was Rio. She looked a little plumper, just as she had before we were summoned to this other world. But wait—wasn't I supposed to be a loner at school? Since when was I able to talk to a girl? And of all people, Rio?!

Confused, I continued watching. Rio intertwined her fingers with mine, holding my hand. My other self flinched in response and turned to look at her, only for Rio to flash him a radiant smile. Embarrassed, he quickly averted his gaze, his face flushing red.

'Haha…'

A dry chuckle escaped me, but at the same time, I felt a sense of relief. I had been told that the me who was summoned to this world was just a copy of my soul from Japan. So I had assumed that the version of me left behind would continue living the same lonely life as always, unchanged.

But that didn’t seem to be the case.

Of course, there was no guarantee that what I was seeing was actually my real self in Japan, but… I wanted to believe it was.

As I watched myself awkwardly respond to Rio's conversation while walking home together, I felt myself being pulled away from this world. The dream was coming to an end.

Still, just knowing that my other self seemed happy was enough for me. With that thought, my vision was once again consumed by pure white.

"Mhm, mhm. With this, you two are now officially husband and wife."

When I came to, I was back in the temple. The goddess statue had stopped glowing, and everything had returned to normal. I could hear people around us offering their congratulations and applause, but it barely registered.

"Shu?"

Rio nudged my side.

"Huh? Ah, yeah… I'm fine."

I reached out and gently cupped her cheek before leaning in for another light kiss.

"Ahaha, honestly, Shu…"

"Hihihi, already showing off, are you? But really, it's rare for the goddess’s blessing to be this intense. Your future is practically guaranteed to be a bright one."

"Is that so?"

"Oh yes, I’ve never seen the goddess statue shine that brightly before. Now then, shall we go? The spectators are waiting."

So it really hadn't just been my imagination. If that was the case, then maybe the dream I had just seen wasn’t a dream after all.

Feeling refreshed, I turned around.

"Whoa!"

A larger crowd had gathered than I expected. Cheers, teasing remarks, and words of congratulations rained down on us.

"This is amazing…"

"Yeah… Shall we go?"

I offered my arm to Rio, and she entwined her hand with mine. Just like when we had arrived, we slowly walked towards the temple’s exit.

"Lord Shu, Lady Rio, congratulations!"

"Miss Fleur! Thank you!"

"Ufufu. Seeing you two so happy makes me feel happy too."

"Ahaha, you two were amazing! Congratulations! I offer you my own blessings as well."

The next to speak was the Guild Master of the Adventurers’ Guild. Given how busy his job must be, it was surprising that he had taken the time to come.

"Guild Master, thank you."

"I got to witness something wonderful. The pleasure is mine."

"Big bro, big sis, congrats!"

Waving excitedly was Clay from the Beldran Workshop. His mother, Sariana, gave us a respectful nod.

"Thank you both as well."

Haha… Even though we hadn't invited anyone, people still came.

Glancing to the side, I spotted the members of 'Fang of the Sky Wolf' watching. They gave me a small wave and offered their congratulations.

"Wafuu!"

Nir, wagging his three tails, was also celebrating with us.

"Gah, stop that!"

He licked my face all over, but it wasn’t like I really hated it. That’s probably why he didn’t stop even when I told him to.

Yeah. The people in this world aren’t so bad after all. Sure, many are selfish, and it’s always wise to be wary of strangers.

But it’s not all bad.

Today, more than ever, I truly felt that.