Chapter 117: When I Woke Up, I Was In Someone's House

Chapter 117: When I Woke Up, I Was In Someone's House When I Woke Up, I Was In Someone’s House

* * *

That day, for Aihara Runa, it began in a rather ordinary way.

As usual, Runa was sleeping in the shed when her foster father suddenly appeared and poured boiling hot water over her.

If I recall correctly, her foster father had been drinking alcohol all night and had just returned home in the morning.

Her foster mother had scolded him for it, putting him in a foul mood, which led to him doing such a thing.

That’s how I think it went.

After waking up, Runa was subjected to a thorough beating by her foster father until his temper cooled down, then she fled the house and headed to school like normal.

Well, it was a common occurrence. Something that happened all the time.

No point in looking gloomy from the morning. Just smile and bear it!

It was on that usual commute path that Runa encountered her.

A transfer student who had gotten lost.

The only person in her previous life filled with enmity who had been on Runa’s side.

The one who invited her with a brilliant smile, “Let’s be friends!”

Her name was...

* * *

“............”

Her eyes opened with a flutter.

“......?!”

I was sleeping?!

I fell asleep?!

For how long?!

Where is this?!

Are there any enemies nearby?!

Panicking, she jolted upright.

The blanket covering her flew up into the air.

【Body Strengthening】, continuously maintained.

【Mana Sensing Threads】, deployed.

Ready to instantly kill any incoming threat.

Surveying all directions, remaining vigilant.

The blanket drifted quietly onto the floor.

............

The floor?

A blanket?

Huh?

There’s a ceiling.

And walls.

Huh?

Not a forest?

Huh?

Where is this place?

After calming down and observing her surroundings, it seemed this was someone’s house.

Not grand, just a small wooden room, but clean and bright from thorough housekeeping.

Few furnishings.

In one corner were several straw baskets.

“............”

Carefully examining herself, she realized someone had dressed her.

And where even is this?!

I don’t remember anything after the black lizard forced me to drink its blood, but why am I in someone’s house?!

Whose house is this?! Was I helped by someone?!

And I’m casually eating the floorboards here, but won’t I get scolded for that?!

<You’re worrying about it in a surprisingly termite-like manner>

Termites likely don’t feel any guilt about damaging houses!

The fact that I’m reflecting and considering the homeowners I haven’t even met proves I’m undoubtedly human!

......Hmm?!

<Ah!>

While Extra-sama and I engaged in such silly banter, one of the 【Mana Sensing Threads】 I had deployed throughout the house reacted.

It seemed something had entered this house through the front entrance.

I inadvertently became wary.

Unconsciously releasing 【Intimidation】.

Stopping my hand devouring the floorboards and my chewing mouth, I focused on the intruder’s presence.

If I sensed even a hint of hostility.

I would instantly cut them down with 【Mantis】.

Shifting my center of gravity to my toes, ready to move at any moment.

Hands held before my body.

No, in my current terrible condition.

Both physically and magically drained to near-minimum levels. Far from fully recovered.

Perhaps breaking through a wall to escape would be safer.

......Even as I contemplated such thoughts, there was a reason I didn’t immediately flee.

A pleasant aroma wafted over.

A savory, delicious scent.

That scent was approaching.

guruguruguruguru......

My stomach involuntarily growled.

Drool wouldn’t stop flowing.

What should I do?

I want to eat it.

I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat.

That delicious-smelling thing, I want to eat it.

What should I do?

What can I do?

Flee?

No, I want to eat it.

How can I?

Take it?

Should I kill them?

......At that moment, my hunger had me so confused.

I couldn’t make rational judgments.

The confusion left me unable to move.

If a truly hostile presence had approached me in that state, that confusion would have proven a fatal opening.

However, fortunately, that was not the case.

The ones who entered this house were not the likes of thieves, bandits, or monsters.

Slowly sliding open the door, slightly cowering from my murderous aura, a woman with deep green hair like my own age peeked in from the other room along with a brown-haired girl.

In the baskets they carried were large loaves of bread piled high.