CH 9

January 12, 2022Zathael

Onsen Inari….. official name [Thousand Years Onsen Inari Shrine] is about twenty minutes by bus from the station, overall the trip is no longer than three hours.

I could have flown over instead but I was concerned about Maya-chan who is tagging along, and she said that she wanted to visit the newly opened cafe in the station so we decided to spend some time there.

It’s early October but the clear afternoon’s light is warm so many people are still in short sleeves.

Maya-chan is wearing a cap with a sports brand logo, a polo shirt, and jeans. It has a rough look but perhaps because of her sense of style, it draws the attention of those around her.

The cafe is self service so it’s full of youngsters enjoying their break.

I somehow manage to order and enjoy having carbonated water for the first time in a while.

“What are you thinking about? Are you some kid?”

It seems Maya-chan’s anger has not yet subsided, I look at my glass and narrow my eyes.

“For some reason there was no carbonated juice on the other side. More importantly, tapioca pearls are still popular?”

In the store was a [New Release!] poster for tapioca milk tea royal something something. I look at Maya-chan’s glass and tilt my head.

“Eh….. Oh you’re right, they were popular in the late 90’s too”

Maya-chan is using that buttonless calculator like thing.

“What’s that”

“Smartphones weren’t around nineteen years ago huh”

Then she gave me an explanation of modern internet and smartphones…..

“That’s amazing, truly [any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic]”

I’m somewhat moved.

“These days having a smartphone is….. well a family register and money and common sense are all also necessary”

“For money I have something in mind, and I’ve got common sense”

Inside my storage magic there’s many items that have no value in the other world that seem like they would go for a high price here.

“Common sense huh, then why did you do that to mom”

“Well I only realised halfway myself…..”

That was after I fit the ring on Kanako-chan’s finger.

“Mom’s stuck in bed isn’t she”

No matter how much I tried to explain, Kanko-chan drifted to her room saying “Let me rest for a bit”.

I had completely forgotten about wedding rings or engagement rings.

In the other world, rings were considered to be items for magic so that concept didn’t exist.

Translator’s Notes:

1: Fukuzawa Yukichi is a japanese writer amongst other things and an early advocate for reform in the Meiji period. He is featured on the 10,000 yen note.

2: Torii are traditional japanese gates found at Shinto shrines.

3: I’ve changed mage to practitioner because in retrospect its probably better to make a distinction between western type magic and eastern type magic. This change has been applied retroactively to previous chapters.

4: Komusou are monks of the Fuke school of Buddhism that wear kimono alongside a straw basket on their head and are known for playing a shakuhachi flute.

5: Tokusatsu is a type of live action show that makes heavy use of special effects like ultraman or kamen rider.