“『――I’m coming over now. Listen, don’t you dare step outside, you hear me!』
‘Ah, yes sir.’
Faced with Budo-san’s frantic and commanding tone, all I could manage was an ‘Ah, yes sir.’ But how in the world did he know I had turned into an elf? Was he watching my stream? If it were him, though, he’d definitely just admit to it outright.
Anyway, while waiting for Budo-san to arrive, I might as well kill some time with a mobile game. Gotta earn a little something while I can.
Ding-dong
Oh, looks like Budo-san is here. As I jogged to the front door, I spotted a familiar silhouette through the door’s glass window.
‘Hey, Joji-san, I’m here!’
…Yep, no doubt about it, that’s Budo-san. No need to shout so loudly, though. Even if we’re in the countryside with no close neighbors, yelling at the front door at night is a no-go.
Still, I can’t deny I’m really glad he came. Honestly, I was feeling a bit uneasy. I even had a drink earlier to calm my nerves.
‘Coming! I’m opening the door now!’
Sliding the door open, I greeted my visitor—Budo-san. His wiry frame and narrow eyes often earned him comparisons to a fox, giving off an impression of someone a bit shady. Despite that, he’s one of my few real-life friends.
As our eyes met, Budo-san’s typically squinty eyes widened in shock as he stared at me, frozen. Well, I can’t blame him. If your friend suddenly turned into an elf, you’d react the same way.
‘Hey, Budo-san?’
‘…’
No response. He’s like a lifeless corpse. Of course, he wasn’t dead… but he didn’t react even when I waved my hand right in front of him. Looks like he’s frozen solid. This won’t do—if he doesn’t snap out of it, bugs will get in. Time for a good old-fashioned cat clap!
I clapped my hands sharply in front of his face, snapping him out of his stupor.
‘Whoa! Don’t startle me like that!’
‘You were the one frozen in shock! Now, come inside before bugs get in!’
‘Wait, wait! Are you really Joji-san!?’
Still suspicious, huh? Guess I’ll have to prove it. Let’s go with something only the two of us would know… Oh, that’ll work.
‘I’m telling you, it’s me. Didn’t I sell some herbs today? And didn’t I share those wild butterbur shoots we found in the mountain dungeon?’
‘Mmm, that’s true… Only you and I could know about that deal… Alright, it’s really you.’
With that settled, I invited Budo-san inside.
As soon as he stepped in, though, he grumbled, ‘Even if we’re old male friends, isn’t it improper for a man to just walk into a single woman’s home?’
Like you gave me any choice, barging in like this! I silently retorted.
I led him to the living room and offered him a seat. Now, what to serve him… This should do.
‘Hey! Don’t just plop down a beer!’
‘Huh? Would you prefer a chuhai?’
‘I’m telling you, no alcohol! I came here to have a serious talk!’
‘Just kidding, I’ll make some tea.’
‘And no “tea with a twist” either, got it?’
This guy knows me too well! And of course, he’s grinning triumphantly. That’s the kind of banter Budo-san and I share.
But seriously, I was joking about the alcohol. I brewed some genmaicha and handed him a cup. Naturally, I poured one for myself, too. Sitting across from him, I took a sip, savoring the warmth of the tea.
After a sip, Budo-san let out a small sigh and scratched his head.
‘Joji-san, are you feeling alright? No issues with your body?’
‘Hmm? Actually, I feel lighter than ever.’
‘Figures. All that muscle you used to have is gone. You’re skinnier than me now… and turned into quite the beauty, too.’
‘Yeah, about that…’
I stood up, grabbed an apple from the fridge, and returned to my seat.
Budo-san looked back and forth between me and the apple, as if wondering if I was setting up some kind of punchline. Clearing my throat, I held up the apple and began to hum a tune.
‘Ta-da-da-da~’
‘Huh? A magic trick?’
‘Ta-da-da-da-da-da~’
‘What is this? Are you gonna make the apple disappear or something?’
‘Fwah!’
As he let his guard down, I squeezed the apple in my hand with all my might. And—BOOM! The apple exploded into pulp, spraying juice everywhere.
‘Illusion!’ I declared proudly.
‘“Illusion” my foot! That was pure brute force! And wait, you wore thicker clothes on purpose to avoid a see-through situation?! Smart!’
‘So yeah, for some reason, my strength has gone way up.’
Before, I had to brace myself to crush an apple gradually. Now? I can obliterate it instantly. Superhuman strength? More like super-elf strength! HAHAHA!
Okay, sorry. I handed him a towel, bowing apologetically. Blame the earlier drink for my over-the-top mood…
‘Anyway,’ Budo-san said, brushing it off, ‘you’re coming with me. We’re heading to the hospital our dungeon’s affiliated with.’
Looks like my elf adventure is about to take a new turn.”
