Chapter 4: Invited by the Elven Lord

Thought Lilith was gonna gobble me up, her vibe totally off, but Selen swooped in from nowhere and put a stop to it.

No idea if she meant to bail me out or not. Point is, if Selen hadn’t shown up, I’d have been in a world of trouble.

“Uh… thanks a ton.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Selen’s reply was short, her gaze pinning me in place.

…Selen.

First Lilith, now Selen? Never dreamed I’d see her like this again.

I’d caught a glimpse of her in town before and felt it then, but up close, she hasn’t changed a bit. Her unchanged face stirred a warm ache of nostalgia, yet her beauty—refined, almost otherworldly—still left me staring.

Can’t take my eyes off her…

Selen stood there, and I couldn’t look away.

Long blonde hair swept up in twin tails, those pointed elven ears, and eyes so blue they trapped the sky itself. Her white dress, bold and revealing, showed off curves that matched Lilith’s—full cleavage, plush thighs, the whole package. Yet, despite the raw allure, Selen’s sacred aura made it feel almost holy, not sultry.

“You holding up?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Stumbled in by chance, but… what a mess to walk into.”

Selen glanced at Lilith, still out cold, and let out a sigh. Then she stepped closer, hand reaching toward me.

“…You’re so much like him. Uncannily so.”

Her soft murmur hit like a quiet spark.

Seems Selen, like Lilith, saw my old self in this kid’s body. Her usually guarded eyes flickered, just a hint of feeling slipping through.

Knowing Selen saw it too… that meant more than anything. But like Lilith, she didn’t seem to connect me to the real Towa.

“Why…? It’s impossible, yet I can’t help hoping…”

The air grew thick with unspoken thoughts. Then it hit me—I’d been dragged outta the house against my will. Gotta get back before Mom notices. Just as the thought crossed my mind, Lilith jolted upright, snapping back to reality.

“I-I… what did I…?”

“Oh, you’re awake.”

“Kidnapping a kid? Really, Lilith? That’s low, even for you.”

“S-Selen-san!?”

Lilith’s face went pale as she spotted Selen, then saw me on the bed, her expression crumbling.

“I’m so, so, so sorryyyyy!”

And with that, she threw herself into a spectacular dogeza.

Her bow was so flawless I almost clapped, but with Selen right there, I figured that’d be a bad idea. I hurried to Lilith’s side, hand on her shoulder.

“Look, today was… wild, but nothing happened in the end, so you don’t gotta go that far.”

“B-But… I lost control of my desires… I won’t say it’s never happened before, but seeing you lying there, that innocent smile, so adorable… I just had to cradle you in my—well, my chest—and let you rest peacefully. I totally spiraled!”

“Uh… right.”

Selen stayed quiet, her face unreadable.

Kidnapped because she “spiraled”? Not exactly a great excuse. Still, the Lilith in front of me now wasn’t the same as before. Fainting must’ve brought her back to her senses.

“Anyway, I forgive you! Can we call it even?”

“…Got it. But let me apologize once more—I’m truly sorry for the trouble.”

She bowed deeply again, and that was that. Lilith’s tense face finally softened, relief creeping in.

But we couldn’t forget Selen, watching the whole thing from the sidelines.

“Hey, Lilith… who’s this kid?”

“…Oh! Totally forgot you were here, Selen-san!”

“Hmph!”

“Mrow!”

Selen’s hand shot out, landing a merciless chop on Lilith’s head. Lilith yelped like a startled cat, collapsing to the floor.

Her ample chest squished against the ground, spilling out to the sides in a way that was… well, distractingly provocative. But she didn’t pass out this time. She scrambled up, standing beside me.

“I’ll get you home right now, okay? Hold on tight.”

“Got it.”

Just like before, Lilith scooped me up in her arms. She moved smoothly toward the window, but of course, Selen wasn’t letting her off that easy.

“Hold it! You owe me an explanation, at least!”

Selen’s demand was fair. Lilith glanced at me.

“Uh… can I leave it to you, Lilith-san?”

“Alright, I’ll handle it.”

Best to let Lilith explain. Honestly, though, with everything going on, I was getting hit with a wave of drowsiness. This body’s used to early bedtimes and early mornings, and Lilith’s charm probably wore me out more than I thought.

“This kid… I met him this morning. He and his mom moved to the capital a few days ago, so I was showing him around.”

“You… did this to a kid you just met?”

“Yes… I’ve got no excuse.”

Lilith’s eyes dropped, but then she snapped her head up, eyes blazing.

“But he’s such a good kid! So cute! Walking around with him was so much fun, I got carried away!”

“H-Hey, you’re too close!”

“!?”

I was about to nod off, but my sleepiness vanished in a flash. Why? Because Lilith’s enthusiasm had me sandwiched between her and Selen’s… let’s say dynamite figures. Both had chests you could only call explosive, and being pressed between them, I felt every bit of their softness. If I were just a regular kid without my past-life memories, this would’ve warped my tastes for sure.

“…This kid’s face is bright red.”

“L-Lilith-san! We gotta get back before Mom notices!”

Selen’s observation made me shout in a panic.

“Right! Let’s hurry, Towa-kun!”

“Alright.”

With a flap of her wings, Lilith launched us out the window into the night sky.

The flight back was as thrilling as before, but this time I was wide awake, the cool wind brushing my skin in a refreshing rush. We reached the house in no time, and thankfully, no sign Mom had noticed. I let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew… good thing Mom didn’t catch on.”

“Um… I know I’m the last one to talk, but shouldn’t you be more worried about what happened?”

“Huh? Well, yeah, you’ve got a point… but to me, you’re not a bad person, Lilith-san. I trust you. That’s all you need to know.”

I meant it. Lilith had my trust, plain and simple.

“You… fufu. You’re really something else, Towa-kun.”

“I get that a lot.”

“Ufufu♪”

Lilith giggled, hand to her mouth, floating in the night sky.

If anyone else saw this, it’d cause a commotion, but the darkness of night hid her from view. Against a backdrop of countless stars, Lilith looked like a celestial maiden… a succubus who lures people into dreams, sure, but undeniably stunning.

“Well then, Towa-kun, until we meet again.”

“Yeah. G’night, Lilith-san.”

“Oh… good night! ♪”

Lilith soared off, her figure vanishing into the dark. I stood there, staring at the starry sky, still reeling from the whirlwind of events.

“…Phew.”

For now, I’d just be glad I made it back in one piece.

Shut the window, drew the curtains, and flopped onto my bed. But, no surprise, my mind was too wired to sleep.

“Not just Lilith, but Selen too…”

Lilith was one thing, but Selen? She hadn’t changed a bit. Her look was the same as I’d seen in town, but her speech, her attitude toward Lilith—none of it was different from back then.

“Not to sound harsh, but that icy vibe she’s got… that detached way she deals with people? Still the same.”

Unlike Lilith’s warm charm, Selen keeps others at arm’s length. Must be an elf thing, but when you think about it, her opening up to us—and shedding tears when I died—was a huge shift from how she was when we first met.

“Brings back memories…”

Closed my eyes, letting the past flood back.

The more I remembered, the sleepier I got, and flashes of old times played like a montage—not that I was dying or anything. It all started with Arios picking me as the hero’s pack mule, me trying to smooth things over between him and Lilina, who couldn’t stand each other, Lilith leaning on me as the only one immune to her overpowering charm, Selen taking a shine to me because of my miracle powers… yeah, our group was a total mess at the start.

“Yawn… and yet, we took down the Demon King… saved the world as heroes… maybe that title fits the others, but it’s too much for me…”

Sleep hit its limit, and my consciousness slipped into the dark.

What a day, but I was just relieved Mom didn’t find out about Lilith snatching me. If she had, I could easily picture her chasing Lilith down with that red-black scythe in hand.

▼▽

A few days passed since meeting Lilith and getting whisked away.

I’ve been heading into town now and then, but haven’t run into Lilith again.

The new week rolled in, and with the Royal Magic Academy back in session, it’s no surprise I haven’t bumped into Lilith, who’s busy as a special instructor. Still, every time I head out, I can’t help scanning the streets for her.

“Speaking of, Arios-sama and Lilina-sama are off on diplomatic talks starting today, right?”

“Yeah, they’ll be away from the capital for a few days. World’s a lot more peaceful now than back then, so they’ll be fine.”

Caught that snippet of conversation while strolling through town.

Sounds like Arios and Lilina are leaving Feldam for a bit. Guess being king and queen keeps them swamped. No rest for the royals.

“Once we take down the Demon King, Towa, I’d love for you to lend me a hand.”

“Right? We’d have to set you up with a big role… what’d be good?”

Their old words popped into my head out of nowhere.

Wonder what I’d be doing if I were still alive. Honestly, though? A high-up post in the kingdom? Hard pass. Feel bad for Arios and the others counting on me, but that’s way above my pay grade.

“Whoops, getting lost in thought again. Don’t wanna end up like with Lilith.”

Snapped back to reality, focusing on the street ahead.

Today, I’m exploring the capital solo again, but this time, I’m taking it slow, checking out the shops lining the roads.

Decision made, I started eyeing the stores.

Mostly food—fresh crops from farms, fish from the coast, all the essentials for daily life. Some stalls belonged to merchants from outside the kingdom, but those were packed with sketchy-looking trinkets. Nobody dared get too close.

“Hey, kid! Come take a look!”

“Uh…”

Stared too long, and a guy from one of those shady stalls called out to me.

I only brought enough cash for a quick snack, and I’ve got zero business with a place like this. Getting roped in is the last thing I need.

“Er, sorry, I don’t need any—”

“C’mon, just check it out, kid.”

“Yeah, we’ve got some real good stuff.”

“H-Hold on…”

Before I knew it, two guys flanked me, shoving me forward.

Pushed right up to the stall, their hands clamped on my shoulders, cutting off any escape.

“…Tch.”

Let out a small sigh, not exactly panicking.

Sure, to these guys, I’m just some brat, but Mom’s been teaching me magic. If push comes to shove, slipping away would be a breeze. Problem is, blasting off even simple spells in a crowded place like this? Not a great idea. Tricky situation.

“Forcing sales on a kid? Pretty pathetic for grown men.”

“Ho, cheeky for a squirt, huh? Look, buy a few things, and we’re square. You’re dressed nice—bet you’ve got more coin than the riffraff around here.”

“…So that’s your game.”

Got it. They pegged me as a rich kid with cash to burn. Maybe they think I’m some noble’s son out for a stroll? Either way, I’m flat broke beyond snack money, so they’re barking up the wrong tree.

“Sorry, but I’ve only got enough for a bite to eat. Doesn’t matter how much you push, I ain’t buying.”

“We’ll see about that—oi.”

The guy in front gave a signal, and one of the others clamped a hand over my mouth.

Then the last one started patting me down, fishing for coin. Seriously? They’re going this far?

“Hey! What’re you doing to him?!”

“He’s just a kid!”

Of course, pulling this stunt in public drew attention. Nearby merchants and passersby shot glares and raised their voices, but the guy just bellowed back.

“Shut it! Wanna complain? Cough up the cash yourselves!”

His shout rang in my ears, leaving them stinging.

Yelling like that’s just begging for the patrolling knights to show up. Are these guys too dumb to realize that?

“Ngh…!?”

“What the…?”

“…Guh…”

And just like that, it happened.

The stall guy and the two holding me went silent. The crowd hushed too, signaling a knight had arrived to handle things. As their grip loosened, I slipped free.

“Phew, saved… huh?”

Turned to explain the situation to the knight, only to freeze, eyes wide at who stood there.

“What in the world is this commotion?”

It was an elf woman, radiating a chilling aura—Selen.

Clad in the same pure-white dress I saw at Lilith’s place, Selen’s figure was as dazzling as ever, her full chest and curvy thighs on bold display. Like Lilith, she seemed to enjoy showing off, or so I thought once. When I mustered the courage to ask, she said it’s just how elves dress. Guess all those manga and anime with curvy, provocative elf women weren’t wrong after all.

“What a gorgeous woman…”

“An elf… wait, no way!?”

“The Savage Elf—Selen!?”

One of the guys pointed at her.

“Savage… Elf?”

What’s with that edgy nickname?

Never heard it before, but it’s kinda cool. Glanced at Selen, who didn’t so much as twitch, her face blank as she flicked her hand down like swatting a fly.

“!?”

“Gah!?”

“Nghhh!”

In an instant, all three guys hit the ground.

Some heavy force—gravity magic, probably—pinned them, their bodies sinking into the dirt, creaking with eerie groans.

It happened so fast, but the precision of her spell, sparing me entirely, was as flawless as ever.

“You.”

“Y-Yes!?”

Selen’s voice snapped me to attention, my back straightening like a board.

“Explain. Short and sweet.”

“Got it!”

No arguing with Selen—best to do exactly as she says.

Laid out everything without a single lie—how I got here, what we talked about, the whole deal.

“Don’t listen to his nonsense!”

“He’s just a kid! You gonna buy that!?”

The guys tried piling on lies to counter me, but Selen cranked up the pressure, leaving them squirming in pain till the end.

“Selen-sama! These men…”

Patrolling knights arrived, drawn by the noise.

“Check if they’re running a legitimate business. Every detail.”

“Understood!”

The knights nodded at Selen’s command, restrained the collapsed men, bowed to her once more, and hauled them off.

Selen turned to me.

“You were pinned down, but you don’t look hurt.”

“Uh, yeah… I’m fine.”

Well, not entirely true.

When they covered my mouth, one guy’s long nail nicked my lip. I could taste a bit of blood, but it’s no big deal.

“…No, let me see.”

“Huh?”

Selen crouched to meet my eyes.

Her chest swayed right in front of me, just like Lilith’s, but my gaze was quickly pulled to her face. Those sky-blue eyes, like polished gems, were as stunning as ever. Her flawless white skin, the faint floral scent—she was a sensory overload.

“Lying’s no good. Your lip’s cut.”

“Ngh…”

“Hold still.”

Her finger brushed my lip, glowing faintly.

“Heal.”

Couldn’t see what was happening from my angle, but I knew that spell. Her healing magic saved my hide plenty of times back in the day. When the light faded, the sting in my lip was gone.

“Thanks a ton.”

“No need. Letting scum like that run loose is on us.”

Selen shot a venomous glare at where the men were dragged off, her disgust palpable.

Her blank expression back at Lilith’s was cold, but now her eyes burned with raw hostility that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Uh… I’ll just—”

Couldn’t handle the tension and turned to leave.

Not that Selen scares me… okay, she’s terrifying. Her magic overuse aside, that sadistic streak? Saw it plenty in my past life.

“Filthy beasts dare defy me?”

“Tch, you’re a tough one. How long can you withstand my magic?”

“Flirting? Trash. Disappear, or I’ll end you.”

Her greatest hits—or rather, her most unhinged lines—flooded back.

But even that Selen softened up to those she let in, like our hero party. By the end, she’d flash warm smiles our way. Got my heart racing plenty of times. Once, she even dragged me out, curious about what humans call a “date.”

“Alright, back to exploring…”

“Wait.”

“Eek!?”

Her hand clamped my shoulder, and I let out a pathetic yelp.

Turned slowly, catching Selen’s eyes darting, a rare hesitation in her stance, like she was choosing her next words carefully.

“Uh… you free right now?”

“…Huh?”

Her question caught me so off guard, my jaw dropped.

“I said, are you free?”

“Y-Yeah, I’m free…”

“…Then, if you’re up for it, mind keeping me company for a bit?”

An invitation? From Selen?

Part of me wondered if there was a catch, but unlike with Lilith, I had no intention of turning her down. Before I knew it, I was nodding.

“Sure… I’m totally down.”

“Good! Let’s go.”

And just like that, through another twist of fate, I ended up spending time with Selen.

She grabbed my hand, leading me along without a clue where we were headed, and I just let her take the reins.

“Oh, let’s swing by that stall.”

Selen veered toward a stand grilling magical beast meat.

Kinda like yakitori from modern Japan, the skewers gave off a mouthwatering aroma that had my stomach growling.

“Two skewers, please.”

“S-Selen-sama!? H-Hey, I’d give ‘em to you for free—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You worked hard for this. No matter who I am, take pride and charge what it’s worth.”

“Tch… thank you, Selen-sama!!”

The meat vendor grinned, and Selen flashed a small smile back.

He handed over two skewers already cooked, and Selen passed one to me.

“Wanna eat while we walk?”

“Thanks…!”

Guess she’s treating me.

Took the skewer gratefully, savoring the sauce’s tangy scent before sinking my teeth in.

“…Holy crap, this is good.”

“Fufu, glad you like it.”

Selen took a bite of her own, and damn if it wasn’t unfair—same eating style as me, but hers somehow oozed elegance.

“Mmm… ngh…”

Also, something about the way she ate felt… kinda suggestive.

“Selen-sama…!?”

“That kid… wasn’t he with Lilith-sama before?”

“What’s their deal?”

“A kid gets to hang with stunners like that!?”

“That boy’s got game… his mom’s a total knockout too, right?”

“No way, for real?”

No surprise, walking with Selen drew every eye in the place.

Finished the skewer under a barrage of stares and whispers, tossing the stick in a nearby trash bin. Then Selen grabbed my hand again.

“Cool with walking some more?”

“Yeah… first time since that day, huh?”

“Yep. Heard your name’s Towa.”

My shoulders stiffened, but Selen just chuckled softly.

“Not like I’m gonna make a fuss. Naming a kid after a past hero isn’t exactly rare. Gotta say, your mom’s got great taste picking Towa.”

“…Yeah. Really grateful for it.”

Hearing Mom praised like that always feels good. Lilith said the same, and even if it’s not about me directly, it brings a goofy smile to my face.

Selen stopped walking, and I turned to see why.

Her smile carried a fleeting fragility as she gazed at the sky.

“Running into you today was pure chance. But Lilith was gushing about you, how much fun she had… got me curious.”

“That’s… flattering, I guess.”

She crouched to meet my eyes again.

“Lilith said being around you calms her in a weird way… and, annoying as it is, I’m feeling something similar, even though we’re practically strangers. These past twenty years, since he died, I’ve been obsessed with my research. But now, that drive’s starting to fade.”

“Research?”

“My business. Anyway, you’re all casual with Lilith, right? Talk to me like that too.”

Her eyes locked onto mine with that bombshell suggestion.

Caught me off guard, but with someone like Selen, hesitating’s only natural, just like with Lilith.

“C’mon, same as with Lilith.”

“…Alright.”

“That’s more like it♪”

Selen beamed, tugging my hand to start walking again.

Oh, and “casual” includes dropping the -sama, apparently. No honorifics, ever, she said.

…What’s going on here?

Truth is, I’ve been dying to see not just Lilith but Selen too. Said it before, but I’m always itching to reconnect with Arios and Lilina as well.

But in my current position, that’s a pipe dream… or it should be. Yet here I am, getting chummy with not just Lilith but Selen too. What’s even happening?

“Oh, right.”

“What’s up…?”

Almost slipped into polite speech, but her glare made me switch gears quick.

“You interested in the Magic Research Institute, Towa?”

“You mean where you work?”

“Yep, where I’m deputy director. Though, honestly, I’ve got more pull than the actual director.”

…Kinda figured as much.

She’s not one for outright tyranny, but I can totally picture the poor director getting jerked around by her whims.

“Magic Research Institute, huh…”

Just knowing it’s Selen’s workplace piques my interest, but I also just wanna see it. A facility that didn’t exist twenty years ago—back then, I wouldn’t have had any reason to visit, but that’s exactly why I’m curious now.

“Like a field trip, maybe?”

“Another Lilith idea?”

“Yep.”

“Then… count me in.”

“Leave it to me.”

Apparently, kids like me aren’t usually allowed in. Even with Selen there, I worried about ruffling feathers, but she brushed it off, saying there’s no issue.

“I’m there, aren’t I? No one’s gonna say a peep, so relax.”

“Right…”

Got it—she’ll just glare ‘em into submission. Scary as hell.

“You thinking something rude?”

“No way.”

Her half-lidded stare screamed skepticism, and I averted my eyes.

She opened her mouth to say more when a familiar carriage rolled by.

“That’s…”

“Towa, get behind me.”

“Huh?”

Selen tucked me behind her back.

Her perfectly shaped rear was… distracting, to say the least, but I kept quiet as the carriage stopped in front of her.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Selen-sama.”

“…Tch.”

Couldn’t help the small noise, but it was quiet enough to go unnoticed.

That carriage belonged to the Mistel family—my old family. And from the voice, it was Gario.

“You’re alone out here… or is someone with you? A kid?”

“None of your business. Move along—I don’t have a speck of use for you.”

“Yeesh, always so cold. Lilith-sama’s the same, but I’d love to get along with both of you.”

“I’m saying I don’t want to. Just looking at you makes me feel filthy.”

Gario faltered under her razor-sharp words. Critical hit!

…Okay, that was a dumb play-by-play, but even against a noble like Gario, only Selen could sling insults like that. Sure, the Mistel family’s a fading baron house, but the sheer contempt in her voice was something else.

“Phew, your words cut like a blade, Selen-sama. My brother owes you so much, yet I haven’t even been able to thank you properly these past twenty years.”

“Don’t need it. Besides, Towa cut ties with the Mistel family himself, didn’t he? Clinging like that? Pathetic.”

Her words finally silenced Gario.

Couldn’t see his face from my angle, but I could picture him grinding his teeth in frustration.

“Go on, get lost. I’ve got no time for you.”

“…Fine. I’ll take my leave!”

With that, Gario’s carriage rolled away.

Hearing my own family get torn to shreds, I couldn’t help but think, serves ‘em right, though I kept it to myself.

“Sorry. You might be curious, but I don’t wanna talk about him. If I had to sum it up, I just hate his guts.”

“Kinda got that. Don’t worry, I won’t pry.”

“Thanks.”

The icy glare she’d aimed at Gario melted, replaced by the warm smile she turned on me.

She squeezed my hand again, and we kept walking until our destination came into view.

“There it is.”

“Whoa…”

Looked every bit like a research institute.

Probably not what it was, but the rooftop had something like a parabolic antenna sticking up.

Wait, is this Japan?

“Caught your eye?”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Pretty cool design, right? Doesn’t do anything special or move, but it’s a nice, clear symbol, don’t you think?♪”

“Your idea?”

“Yep, I gave the order!”

Selen’s taste, huh… not bad at all.

Maybe it’s ‘cause it reminds me of my past-past life, but I’m kinda moved. Seriously, it’s cool.

“Not just cool… it’s freakin’ awesome.”

“Right!? Knew you’d get it, Towa!”

“Mmph!?”

Selen’s beaming grin lit up as she pulled me into a tight hug.

Just like with Mom and Lilith, my face got buried in the valley of her impossibly full chest. Size, bounce—hers rivaled theirs, no contest.

“You’ve got killer taste! Yes, yes!”

Her excitement was so over-the-top that every move rubbed my face against her chest.

“…Whoops, got carried away.”

“…Phew.”

She let go quickly, but part of me wouldn’t have minded staying in that heaven a bit longer… If she knew I was the old Towa, though, I’d probably get more than a slap.

“Let’s get it together and head in.”

And with that, we finally stepped into the Magic Research Institute.

“Whoa…!”

“Fufu, love the reaction.”

The inside of the Magic Research Institute was like stepping into a secret base, and I couldn’t help letting out a gasp.

That parabolic antenna wannabe already had me thinking this place was straight out of Japan, but the high-tech vibe and slick interior got my blood pumping. It’s the kind of setup that’d make any guy’s heart race.

Still, is this just how research institutes end up? I haven’t told Selen about my past life or Japan, but maybe all labs, when you boil it down, turn out like this.

“Oh? Selen-sama? That kid is…?”

“He’s with me. Keep working.”

“Right…”

Every passerby seemed dying to know who I was.

Selen brushed them all off with the same line—he’s with me—without giving an inch more.

“They really wanna know, huh?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Kids don’t come here.”

“Oh… yeah.”

And so, we made it to Selen’s office.

Can’t say it was exactly spotless—more like the chaotic mess you’d expect from a magic-obsessed nut like Selen.

“…Should’ve tidied up.”

Guess she caught me noticing the mess.

She tried to clean up a bit, but tripped over scattered junk, dropped what she picked up… yeah, outside of magic, she’s still a bit of a ditz, just like old times.

“…Hah.”

“Hey! Don’t laugh!”

“S-Sorry… pfft.”

“You’ve got some guts.”

Selen’s face went beet red as she stormed over, ruffling my hair roughly.

Her aggressive scrubbing left my hair a total mess, and when I shot her a mock-glare, she smirked like she’d won. Damn it, that smile of hers is too good.

“Forget my room. I’ll show you around the institute.”

“Cool…”

Honestly, the rest of the place sounds more interesting, so I’m not complaining.

We left the room, and of course, she grabbed my hand again as we started walking.

“Hey, Selen-san.”

“What’s up?”

“I get that you research magic, but it’s less about battle spells and more about stuff that helps people’s lives, right?”

“You noticed. Exactly.”

Her hand brushed a large glass window, her gaze settling on the researchers bustling inside as she continued.

“This place was built after the war with the Demon King. Something in me shifted, and that’s what started it.”

“Shifted?”

She nodded.

“Once the war ended and peace settled in, I wanted to use magic for something anyone could benefit from—convenient, gentle uses. The king and queen understood that wish, and that’s how the Magic Research Institute came to be.”

“…Wow.”

Using magic for convenient, gentle purposes.

Her expression was soft as she spoke, but I could sense her eyes were fixed somewhere far off.

“It’s really fun here. Creating items with magic to improve people’s lives… I used to be obsessed with plumbing the depths of magic, nothing else. Never imagined I’d end up like this.”

She turned to me, a shy smile breaking through.

Her pale skin flushed pink, and while she was undeniably gorgeous, “cute” felt like the better word.

“He… Towa protected us. Now that we’ve got peace, it’s my job to preserve and build on it.”

With that, she wrapped up, her gaze shifting back to the researchers.

“…That’s really amazing.”

Muttered it under my breath, barely audible.

Selen kept leading me around, showing off the institute. Looked like they were developing all sorts of handy tools with magic.

Mom’s house has some convenient gadgets and furniture too, stuff I never saw twenty years ago. Must be the work of Selen and the folks here.

“Selen-san.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re really incredible. Seriously.”

Pure, honest praise from the heart.

Her eyes widened, then she crouched to my level, arms spreading wide before pulling me into her chest.

Buried in her soft, bouncy embrace, I let my face slacken into a goofy grin, knowing she couldn’t see. Dehehe.

“It’s so strange… I’ve heard words like that a million times. But coming from you, they make me so happy, warm my heart… Talking to you just calms me.”

“That’s… really flattering.”

“Also, I’ve been thinking—you really ten? You’re way too sharp. Even noble kids with fancy educations aren’t this quick.”

Hesitated on how to respond, but Selen just hugged me tighter, like she didn’t care about an answer, so I figured I’d stay put. Only a little thrilled about it, okay?

“It’s so calming… like Towa’s come back to us.”

For a while, she just held me.

She only let go when a crowd started gathering, murmuring about the scene.

Snapping back to reality, she looked embarrassed but kept glaring at everyone, never letting go of my hand.

“Ugh… they’re eating this up like it’s a show.”

“Haha… guess it’s just that rare?”

“Probably. But this might become a regular thing, so they’d better get used to it.”

“Huh? You mean…”

She gave me a look like it was obvious.

“I’m planning to bring you back here. Bring your mom along, I don’t care. You’re not gonna turn down my invite, are you?”

“No way… that's cool?”

“Of course. You’ll be seeing Lilith again too, right? So I figured I’m fine with it.”

She winked.

A playful gesture for a holy elf, but it hit the crowd hard—men and women alike blushing and gasping.

“Gorgeous…!”

“That’s our Selen-sama.”

“I’m pulling an all-nighter at work!”

“Me too!”

“Count me in!”

…These people are a bit unhinged, aren’t they?

Blushing faces, starry-eyed stares, someone doing an otaku dance, another waving a “Selen-sama is Life” T-shirt—it’s a lot.

The institute turned into a full-on festival, and Selen finally noticed the chaos.

“What…? You guys really lost it today, huh?”

“Woo! Selen-sama’s scolding!”

“It’s a festival, a festival!”

“Selen-sama! Scold us more!”

…Okay, this is getting a little creepy.

Selen’s initial grimace faded into a blank, noh-mask stare, and she silently tugged my hand.

“This place is dangerous. Too many weirdos—bad for your education.”

Led by Selen’s exasperated sigh, we ventured deeper inside.

The building’s structure didn’t change much, but the deeper we went, the more serious the research seemed. Earlier, it was mostly young folks, but here, it was all seasoned veterans radiating focus, not even blinking as Selen passed by.

“Man… the air feels heavy.”

“They’re really serious. Not that the others are just goofing off—they step up when it counts.”

“Huh.”

“So don’t hate on ‘em, okay? But if they say or do anything weird, tell me right away. I’ll make ‘em disappear.”

“No need to go that far!”

Said it in a panic, and she just laughed.

From there, Selen guided me through more of the institute, teaching me tons.

Now, she’s in the middle of a passionate rant about her own research.

“So, this magic tool lets you talk to someone else who has one. Teleportation magic could do the same, but for regular folks without mana, this is super handy, right? It’s not quite finished yet… but that’s what makes it so worth working on.”

“Nice, nice.”

“These are useful too, but there’s also these. Once they’re done, things’ll get even more convenient—”

How long did she go on, lost in her own world?

She seemed to forget I was even there, but I just watched her with a fond smile. Seen her get like this plenty of times before.

Staring at her, all caught up in her passion, I didn’t notice someone sneak up until a hand landed on my shoulder.

“Fufu, getting carried away like that’s Selen-san’s bad habit, isn’t it?”

A familiar woman’s voice, but so sudden I whipped around.

“…Huh?”

Right there was a pair of round, massive breasts.

Lately, I’ve been going on about chests and boobs, but c’mon, they were right there.

“Lilith…-san?”

“Yup♪ Good to see you again, Towa-kun♪”

Sure enough, it was Lilith standing behind me.

In the same sultry witch outfit she wore when we wandered the city days ago, Lilith gently ruffled my hair before turning me toward Selen.

Her hand rested on my shoulder, and her ample chest plopped softly atop my head.

“When I got close, I sensed Towa-kun’s presence, but I really didn’t expect to find you with Selen-san.”

“Haha… long story.”

“Long story?”

“Got caught up in some trouble, and Selen-san bailed me out.”

“…What?”

Her grip tightened on my shoulder, her voice dropping low, barely audible.

That chilling tone—so unlike Lilith—made me flinch. Before I could react, her hand slid to my neck, then my cheek, her cool fingers sending a shiver down my spine.

“What happened? Care to share?”

“Y-Yes…!”

Still with her chest perched on my head, I spilled everything honestly.

How I locked eyes with some shady guy trying to strong-arm me into buying stuff, how they pinned me down, how one of them covered my mouth and nicked my lip… and how Selen saved me, leading to me visiting the institute. All of it.

“So that’s what happened… got it.”

The prickling pressure on my skin finally eased.

She wouldn’t really do anything to those guys, right…? I wanted to ask, but her answer—either way—seemed like it’d be terrifying, so I let it go.

“But really… Selen-san, you’re such a handful.”

Meanwhile, Selen was still lost in her passionate rant, oblivious to the world.

Going on nonstop like that was seriously impressive, but her not noticing Lilith’s arrival was a bit concerning. Finally, she seemed to catch on.

“…Oh, Lilith, you’re here.”

“Been here for a while… Selen-san? Your enthusiasm’s something else, but what if I’d been an assassin after Towa-kun?”

Selen snorted at Lilith’s jab.

“I’d sense anyone with bad intentions coming near. If they tried to hurt Towa, they’d be done for the second they stepped in here.”

Setting down the invention in her hand, Selen stood.

She walked over, reached out slowly, grabbed my shoulder, and yanked me into a tight hug, pulling me away from Lilith.

“Hey!”

“Fufun, I’m looking after Towa right now. That gives me the right to do this.”

“…Hmph!”

Lilith puffed out her cheeks, glaring at me for some reason.

Not that her glare was scary—it was more like a strange, dizzying sensation washed over me, like I was falling for her… Oh, I love Lilith—

“Quit it with the charm.”

Her hand gently covered my eyes.

The cool touch on my eyelids calmed me down. From Selen’s words, I realized I’d been caught by Lilith’s charm when our eyes met.

“But you’re hogging Towa-kun…!”

“I’m saying I’ve got him right now.”

“Then switch with me!”

“No way!”

“Whoa!?”

It wasn’t just a verbal spat—Lilith lunged in, hugging me to match Selen.

What happens when Lilith piles onto me while Selen’s already got me in her arms? I get sandwiched between their massive chests.

Th-This…!?

It was, without a doubt, pure heaven.

No inner angel or devil could complain about this. The sensation from both of them was so overwhelming, my brain was on the verge of short-circuiting.

“Let go, Selen-san!”

“You let go, Lilith!”

“Mmph… mmph!?”

Instead of pulling me away from each other, they both squeezed tighter, fighting to claim me. Caught between them, I was subjected to a relentless boob-sandwich attack.

Their busts, easily in the triple-digit range, sMomed me completely. I was definitely enjoying it, but since neither would let go, I had no choice but to stay trapped in this blissful vice.

“Hah!”

“Nooo!!”

But the moment didn’t last long.

In a flash, Lilith hoisted me up, snatching me from Selen.

Instead of bolting out of the room, she plopped onto a nearby sofa, setting me right beside her.

“Saved Towa-kun from those wicked claws♪”

“I’m gonna blast you, you know that?”

“Haha…”

Lilith’s smug grin made Selen’s forehead vein twitch. She raised a hand, magic crackling, but let out a deep breath, calming the raging energy.

Even with Lilith here, I was half-worried Selen might let loose with her magic, so seeing her hold back was a relief.

“No need for that scared look. The old me might’ve done something, but with Towa here, I wouldn’t.”

So she admits the old her would’ve…?

Anyway, here I was, surrounded by Lilith and Selen, but for a while, none of us spoke.

Oddly, the silence didn’t feel awkward—just nostalgic, comforting.

“…?”

Leaned into Lilith as she pulled me close.

“Oh?”

But the next moment, Selen tugged me her way.

No words, just a back-and-forth of pulling me between them.

Their touches were gentle, making me feel like a kid being fussed over by two grown-ups.

“…Ufufu.”

“Fufu.”

After a bit, Lilith and Selen laughed, stopping their tug-of-war and resting their hands on my shoulders.

“Being around Towa-kun really calms me in the strangest way.”

“Exactly… Why is that? It’s like we’re back in the old days.”

“True… oh, sorry, Towa-kun. Got caught up in old memories and left you out.”

“Nah… it’s all good.”

Told Lilith it was fine, and Selen ruffled my hair.

Truth is, I wasn’t left out at all… because I was remembering too. The three of us chatting like this? Happened all the time back then.

To shake off the slightly heavy mood, Selen clapped her hands sharply.

“By the way, we haven’t really heard much about you, Towa. If you’re cool with it, tell us more.”

“About me?”

“Like, what was life like before you came to the capital? How’d you spend time with that mom you love so much? I wanna know.”

Selen’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and Lilith chimed in.

“May I hear more too? Please, tell us everything about you, Towa-kun.”

“My life so far… alright. Well—”

No resistance at all to opening up to my old comrades.

Part of me really wanted them to know the new me.

Thought I was just talking, but apparently, I got as fired up as Selen during her earlier rant.

“Wow… fufu, you’re a total mama’s boy, huh? You love your mom way too much.”

“Selen-san? That’s not nice. Given Towa-kun’s circumstances, it’s only natural he feels that way.”

“N-No, I’m not making fun! Towa, I didn’t mean it like that, okay!?”

“It’s fine! I don’t take it that way… and, yeah, maybe I’m a bit of a mama’s boy. I mean, I really love Mom.”

Didn’t bother denying the mama’s boy label.

She gave me the love I never got in my past life, raised and protected me… even now, at ten years old, she says she’ll always watch over me. She’s so kind, so amazing—how could I not adore her?

“…Phew.”

Let out a breath—couldn’t help it.

Stood up from the sofa for a quick stretch, loosening up… and that’s when something on the table caught my eye.

“Selen-san, what’s this?”

Pointed at a cube-like object.

“That’s a Memory Cube, a magic tool. Pour mana into it, and it lets everyone around experience the holder’s past like they were there.”

“Whoa…”

That’s… a seriously cool magic tool.

Apparently one of Selen’s creations, but it’s broken, so the past-viewing function doesn’t work anymore.

“If it wasn’t broken, we could’ve seen an even younger, cuter Towa-kun.”

“Oh… true. It’s tricky, but maybe I’ll try fixing it…”

“…No way.”

Talking’s one thing, but having my past shown on video? No thanks.

Me calling her “Mama Fia,” or worse, scenes of baby me nestled in Mom’s chest, clinging to her… not bad memories, but letting others see that? Hard pass.

“C’mon, no need to fix it, right? Memories are better just told, that’s what makes ‘em special.”

“You’re talking awfully fast.”

“Fufu, embarrassed?”

Of course I’m embarrassed!

Felt my face heat up, and desperate to steer attention away from the cube, I went to put it back—when it suddenly glowed hot in my hand.

“Huh… what’s—?”

“No way… it was definitely broken.”

“Did it… activate?”

Activate… it activated!?

Knew that was bad news and tried to drop it, but blinding light poured out, engulfing us.

The brilliance was like an explosion, sparking a twinge of fear, but Lilith and Selen rushed to my side, shielding me in their arms.

“What… just happened?”