Chapter 228

228 . Old Friend

“…Mitsuha, did you get fat?” (?)

“Wh-what did you say!!!” (Mitsuha)

It’s been a long time since the last time we meet, and the first thing she said is that!?

…no, I knew it .

I knew that I had become a little, just a little, very little… slightly plump…

Because it can’t be helped, can it!?

I had to go to parties on the new continent . There is a social gathering with the territory folks in each town and villages, and there are party invitations from nobles and large merchants in the royal capital . And when I thought I don’t need to go to parties in the new continent anymore, I went on sweets spree every time at the [Society] gathering… .

Of course, I’d get fat!

…and surprisingly, invitations not only come from the other world or the isekai conference in this world, but also from the [surface world] of Japan!

Yeah, I was invited to a party by the company I always buy the solar power generation systems from .

Apparently, since I made four contracts in a row, they seemed to think that I have installed the solar power systems on remote islands or mountain huts all over Japan, so they were trying to make an advertisement out of it .

…which, of course, I refused .

It would be bad if they were to use something like [a beautiful girl who strives to spread solar power system throughout Japan] as the subject of their ads and were to be seen by many people .

There is a great number of people in this world who know me as a [noble woman from another world] . Not only by the participants of the ISECON but also by informants and the elites who have seen my photos that were taken in secret…

I was asked by someone from the solar system company, [What kind of application are they mainly used for?], so I answered [attack on a space fortress] .

And so, I’ve gotten fat… no no, there’s another reason that [recently, I feel that I’ve become slightly plump] . And that is…

…the transfer ability .

It allows me to move to any other place through the other world, which saves me the transportation costs . …and of course, it also saves the amount of calories burned .

God damn it!!!

“…is it over? Delusion time, I mean…” (?)

Urusai wa!!

And so, this is the first generation Mitchan who just came home for a long college vacation…

“I heard that you helped us making profits, didn’t you?” (Mitchan MK1)

“Ah, un…” (Mitsuha)

Right, I have asked Wolf Fang to buy a large amount of alcohol since the demand has already become too much for a small store in a rural town to handle .

But then I’d feel bad towards Mitchan’s Father who took care of me in the beginning, so I’m still buying from them . For the part that doesn’t go through Rephilia Trade, in other words, the ones that I would personally give to the people at the guard station or other people who are taking care of me, and a little amount of the expensive ones . Of course, rice wine (sake), doburoku, and plum wine, too .

…doburoku has a good reputation even in the other world . I told them that plum wine is more of a snack rather than a drink… but it is also popular .

Given the amount, it’s clear that I don’t buy them for my own consumption, so Mitchan’s dad doesn’t have to worry about that . I don’t buy them as the [19 y/o girl, Yamano Mitsuha], but as the [Colette Sculptures] . So it won’t get him into trouble for selling alcohol to a minor .

“After all, what you need to have is a friend! Thanks to you, my allowance has been slightly increased! It’s a great help!” (Mitchan MK1)

Yup, it was because I mentioned something like that to her dad . The fact that it helped Mitchan is above all .

The value of 10K yen when you were a student, and 10K yen after you have become a member of society is different after all . And the help when you’re in trouble isn’t ten times as rewarding as when you’re not in trouble . I would be more than glad if I could give back even a little favor to Mitchan, who has been helping me in various ways .

“However, I didn’t expect Mitsuha to quit college and work… What was more unexpected than that was that I heard you have succeeded as a sculptor! It’s impossible! That Mitsuha, who always got the lowest score in drawing and art!!” (Mitchan)

“Urusai wa! Besides, art is something that ordinary people won’t understand! That’s why a common art teacher couldn’t understand my talent!” (Mitsuha)

“…but neither the other classmates nor I could understand Mitsuha’s sense of art…” (Mitchan)

“There are many artists in the world who were never recognized for life but became famous after they died! Besides, my works sell abroad . That makes me an international artist! International, you hear!!” (Mitsuha)

“Hmmm…” (Mitchan)

Mitchan doesn’t seem to be convinced yet, so I showed her a copy of the business registration document, the tax return document, and the international shipping documents . She should be convinced with this…

“Okay-okay, for the time being, let’s say that [It’s not unthinkable that such a possibility may exist at a particulate level]…” (Mitchan)

She still doesn’t believe me!?

…no, I wouldn’t believe such a thing if I were in Mitchan’s position!

“But Mitsuha, if you’re doing such a thing, what about finding employment…” (Mitchan)

“No, what are you talking about? This is my job! I’m a sole proprietor, I’m the president of my own business!” (Mitsuha)

“…ah, is that so…” (Mitchan)

Hmmm, somehow, she seemed to think of it as something like a part-time job rather than a proper one…

Even if she considers the amount of alcohol I buy from her father, she might think that I’m doing a lot of things besides selling arts . Maybe she really can’t connect art with me inside her head .

Well, it can’t be helped, I guess . Even I think that’s a bit pushing the edge…

After that, we talked about our other friends and nostalgic old stories . And after a while, it is time for me to leave .

“Well, see you later . I will be here for the time being because I have a long vacation” (Mitchan)

“I see . I still tend to be away from home most of the time . It’s pretty busy, you see…” (Mitsuha)

“It’s great that you got your own private business, isn’t it . If you still complain, you’ll get a divine punishment, you know!” (Mitchan)

“Ahaha… That’s right…” (Mitsuha)

Territory lord is by no means a [private business], though…

I’m sure we’ll meet several times again during Mitchan’s vacation . I might be able to meet my other former classmates too .

At the very least, as long as they are all university students returning home for a long vacation . I wonder if the old friendships can be renewed…

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I’m sure there will be fewer opportunities like that as we get older .

Everyone is slowly changing and steadily moving toward the future . But I…

“Well, I will walk my own path . I don’t have to force myself to change!!” (Mitsuha)

I muttered so to myself .

To me, Colette-chan, Sabine-chan, Rephilia, Rudina & Silua, Mitchan No . 2, Count Bozes and his family, the Yamano territory folks, the kids in the orphanage, the Wolf Fang, and many others… tte…

Eh?

It’s basically the same as Mitchan No . 1 becoming college students and a proper member of society, and making new friends, isn’t it?

From my point of view, it seems that Mitchan is moving away from me, but from Mitchan’s point of view, on the contrary, it seems that I’m moving away from her .

Surrounded by many new acquaintances and new friends …

People change—both of their position and personality .

And some say that friendship has a shelf life .

I don’t know whether it’s true or not .

Does my friendship with Mitchan have a shelf life too?

And if there’s a shelf life, I wonder if it’s the shelf life of raw food or the shelf life of a cup noodle, or perhaps it’s the shelf life of a rock salt…

I wonder whether that day will come or not…

Well, let’s not think too deeply about it now .

Whatever will be, will be .

Que Sera Sera!