"Can you stand?"
Although she’s asking with concern, I just can’t muster any strength in my legs. I haven’t eaten anything all day, I injured my left hand, and I threw up after eating a poisonous berry.
“Just give me a second.”
I press my hands onto my knees, slowly gathering strength in my arms to rise. Somehow, I manage to stand, though I feel pretty weak.
"Whoa..."
A dizzy spell hits, and I end up leaning against Yuzuki, who's standing in front of me.
"Are you okay? Think you can walk?"
Yuzuki feels comforting to lean on, and I feel a slight twinge of guilt since she's genuinely concerned about me.
"Here, let me support you; let’s try our best."
"Oh, yeah."
Seeing Yuzuki smile, even awkwardly, gives me a boost, and I begin walking while leaning on her shoulder.
"Stop right there."
A voice suddenly sounds from behind us, and we freeze.
"Don't make any sudden moves. Slowly turn around."
This voice came from nowhere, and it immediately puts me on guard. The tense air makes my nerves spike. Yuzuki and I exchange a glance and nod. At the very least, this person can communicate, so it's not like some wild animal attack.
Turning around slowly, I see a handsome figure with dark skin and two horns protruding from his forehead, standing with his palms facing us.
“What are you doing in a place like this?”
Seeing his unusual appearance makes me stiffen. Two horns on the forehead... that’s exactly the description of a demon!
If I recall correctly, the princess mentioned that the Demon King was leading an attack with demons and monsters. I should answer carefully—any misstep might get us killed.
“Well, I got tricked by my ‘friends’ and ended up stranded in this forest without any equipment.”
“What?”
The figure looks at us with suspicion, so I raise both hands to show I’m unarmed. Yuzuki opens her robe slightly to reveal she has nothing hidden.
“You really… have nothing on you.”
The handsome figure lowers his hands and looks a bit confused, and I feel a wave of relief.
“You came into the Demonic Forest without any equipment… are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“The… Demonic Forest?”
Did he just say “Demonic Forest”? Wait, is that what this forest is called? Seriously?
“You entered without even knowing that?”
“It’s not like I wanted to be here…”
“Oh, right, you said you were ‘sent here’…”
The guy starts scratching his chin thoughtfully, then looks at me, frowning as if he’s realized something.
“That guy… is he alright?”
Feeling a little embarrassed to need a girl’s support, I give a weak smile.
“Yeah, I just… can’t seem to get any strength back…”
“Is that so…? You shouldn’t encounter creatures with paralysis poison around here, though…”
Just as he gives me a suspicious look, my stomach growls loudly, protesting my hunger.
“…”
A long silence fills the air. Just when it starts to feel unbearably awkward, the guy’s shoulders start to shake.
“Pfft… Haha!”
Seems like he’s laughing.
“...It’s not funny…”
Getting laughed at while I’m struggling isn’t exactly a good feeling. But I’m hesitant to provoke this demon, so I keep my voice low.
“Haha, sorry about that. But this situation is just too funny.”
At least he doesn’t seem offended. I’d rather not push my luck here—this could be life or death.
“As an apology for laughing, why don’t you come to my house? You’re hungry, right?”
“Huh?”
Yuzuki lets out a surprised sound.
“Are you sure? We’re suspicious strangers with no known background…”
“Heh, kids don’t need to be so worried about that.”
The two of us exchange looks at being called kids. Sure, we’re high schoolers, but I didn’t expect to be treated like kids. After being summoned, I was considered a hero… well, maybe more like an errand boy. Makes me want to have a discussion about how I’m treated.
“Heh… well, we’ll take you up on that offer.”
I wanted to say, “Thank you for having us,” but the words don’t come out.
“Mizumoto-kun?!”
Yuzuki’s voice feels distant as she calls to me. I guess the tension finally got to me, and my consciousness fades.
“…Oh, you’re awake?”
“Huh?”
I open my eyes to see Yuzuki’s face close up.
“Where…?”
It feels like I’m lying on a rough, fabric-covered bed. Seems like we’re indoors, but I didn’t expect to find a house in the middle of the forest. The walls look like they’re made of packed earth.
“We’re at Welter’s house… the guy with the horns you met earlier.”
“Right. I’m sorry for passing out.”
“No, no, it’s okay. Mizumoto-kun has been through a lot more… I need to do my best, too.”
The way she says it makes it sound like she wants to “suffer” along with me.
Gurgle~
While I was lost in thought, my stomach growled again.
“Haha!”
“…”
A delicious smell has been wafting over here for a while, and I’d been trying to ignore it. Seems my stomach couldn’t resist any longer.
“Welter told me to bring you to the dining area when you woke up. Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
Though embarrassed, knowing I’ll get to eat has me pulling myself up, I am now able to walk(though still unsteady) without her support.