Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“Mm… Fwaaaah…”

Rocked gently on Behaki’s back, I let out a huge yawn toward the sky.
As I breathed in fresh air to replace the breath I’d exhaled with that yawn, I felt a slight chill.

“I could really use some clothes.”

It’s no use saying that. I’d like to get some somewhere if possible… but I guess that’s not going to happen until we cross the border. I guess I’ll just have to wrap myself in a blanket and tough it out.
The mountains we need to cross to get from the kingdom to the republic that Oswald-kun showed us are gradually getting closer.
According to Behaki’s estimate, we’ll arrive as early as today. Apparently, we could get there faster if we ran, but I asked him not to because it would make for an uncomfortable ride.

“Well then, I’m going to get some more sleep.”
“Arje, didn’t you just wake up a little while ago?”
“That’s right. Is there a problem with that?”
“…No, never mind.”

With a weary snort, Behaki continues on his way.
It feels like his gait has become a little rougher, though I might just be imagining it.

……Did I say something weird?

Though the question crossed my mind, if Behaki wasn’t going to say anything, I figured I didn’t need to bring it up. It’s a hassle anyway.

“Let me know if you get hungry, tired, or thirsty.”

After setting aside my inner doubts and speaking to Behaki, I closed my eyes to sleep.
As soon as I blocked out the scenery, drowsiness washed over me, and just as I was about to let my consciousness fade as well, I sensed something.

“Behaki, could you stop for a moment? I think this scent is probably from that girl.”
“Indeed, it seems she’s getting closer.”

Since it was a scent we both recognized, we understood each other immediately. Behaki stopped in his tracks.
A faint animal scent mixed with the sweet fragrance unique to young girls. It was definitely Kuzuha-chan’s.
The animal scent seemed weaker than yesterday. Maybe she took a bath or something.
The scent grew stronger and stronger, so she was clearly heading this way. When I looked over, a fox-colored figure appeared on the grassy plain.

“Arje-saaan!”

Calling out to me in a loud voice, Kuzuha-chan picked up even more speed.
She was no longer wearing shabby clothes. Her kimono, adorned with red flowers just like the one her mother used to wear, was clearly of high quality at a glance.
The number of tails on her had increased from two to three—perhaps she’d leveled up or something.
Wagging her three-pronged tail as she made her way over, she took a moment to catch her breath.
She was now carrying a backpack nearly as big as her own body. Running at full speed in that state would certainly be exhausting.

“Arje-san!”
“Ah, yes. What is it?”
“Why didn’t you wait for me!?”
“……Huh?”

Unable to grasp the meaning of her words, I tilted my head in confusion.

……Wait? For what?

Seeing that I had no idea what she was talking about, Kuzuha-chan looked thoroughly angry. She dropped the backpack she was carrying onto the ground with a thud and glared at me.

“Come on, Arje-san. I told you I’d be back shortly when I left you with my mother’s body, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“Then don’t you think it’s only natural that I’d come back? I finished my mother’s funeral rites and rushed right over to you!”
“No, I did think you’d come back, but my duty is done. You’ve repaid your apology for attacking me, and I returned the favor for the meal you’ve served me with. I figured it was okay for me to leave now.”
“……You don’t have any friends, do you?”

She said this with an incredibly piercing glare.
Now that she mentioned it, I realized I didn’t have a single friend.
I’d never even wanted any.
I’d just always taken whatever was given to me, exactly as it was.

“That’s right. Not a single one.”
“See? I knew it… Well, I’m not really one to talk. But even so, my mother has thoroughly taught me how to get along with friends! I’m fully prepared!”

……so, imaginary friends?

I didn’t say it out loud. Kuzuha-chan looked so smug that I didn’t feel like pouring cold water on her enthusiasm… Actually, no, I just felt bad for her.
Kuzuha-chan swayed her large bag as she walked over to me and stroked Behaki’s body. Then she looked up at me and formed her words.

“So, with that said, I hope we get along from now on.”
“……? What do you mean?”
“I will be going with you, Arje-san. That’s why I said I hope we get along.””
“……Why? You don’t even know where I’m going, do you?”

I didn’t understand what she meant—or rather, I couldn’t grasp her intentions.
Our relationship should have ended last night, yet she insists on staying involved with me. I can’t understand that.
Seeing me still looking puzzled, Kuzuha-chan smiled cheerfully for some reason.
That face resembled her mother in some way.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t have anywhere else to go anyway. Besides, you’re the one who told me I could live however I wanted, right? So, I’m free to follow you, aren’t I?”
“……I did say you’re free to live as you please.”

When she put it that way, I couldn’t refuse.
I don’t like it when others’ freedom is infringed upon, nor do I like it when my own freedom is infringed upon.
I don’t really want to do that kind of thing unless it causes me discomfort or harm, or if I’m repaying a favor to someone.
Fortunately, I have plenty of food and water, and with that huge bag, Kuzuha-chan must have her own supplies as well. It seems like it won’t be a problem to take her along.

“As your Friend Number One, I hope we get along, Arje-san!”
“Uh, yeah, let’s get along.”

I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but she’s already declared me her friend, and she seems like the type who’d follow me even if I told her not to, so it’s a hassle to refuse.
I’ve ended up with an unexpected companion, but what I need to do hasn’t changed.
Leave the kingdom and find someone to support me. That’s all.

“Well then, shall we go, Behaki?”
“Understood.”
“Ah, wait a minute! Before that, we need to get you some clothes, Arje-san!”
“Clothes? Oh, did you bring some with you?”
“No, I’m going to take your measurements and make them. So please come down here for a moment—come on, hurry!”

Kuzuha-chan’s eyes are shining for some reason, and she’s beckoning me over.

……So she can sew, huh.

I can sew up torn clothes myself, but making clothes from scratch is impressive.
For some reason, she seems to be breathing heavily, but since I’d be grateful to have clothes made for me, I obediently climbed down from Behaki.

“…I’ll be hanging around here. Give me a shout when you’re done.”
“Understood.”
“I think it’ll take about a day. Is that okay with you?”
“No problem. See you later, ladies.”

Behaki seemed to be trying to spare my feelings as he walked away.
It doesn’t really bother me if people see my body, but if he’s the one who’s self-conscious about it, it would be rude to stop him. I’ll just let him be.

“So then, um, you’re going to take my measurements, right?”
“Yes. I’ll certainly take my time with that. Hmm… Arje-san, your skin is so pale!”
“Is it? Well, I am a vampire, after all.”
“Speaking of which, are you okay in the sun? My mother once told me that vampires are incarnations of dark-attribute magic, and that exposure to sunlight—which is a holy attribute—causes them considerable pain…”
“I have high resistance to both sunlight and holy magic, so I’m fine. Um, should I turn around?”
“Oh, no! You can stay just as you are! Please, definitely stay like that!”
“Is that so?”

I don’t know why, but Kuzuha-chan is wagging her ears and tail and seems unusually cheerful.
I wonder why. Is she that happy just because she became friends with me?

……Friends, huh.

A word I’d never even considered before. A concept I’ve only just become aware of.
Rolling that word—which still didn’t quite feel real—around in my head, I slipped out from under the blanket.
The breeze blowing against my bare skin was a little cold, but it felt pleasant too.
I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away.
I have so many questions, but when I close my eyes, what I feel is just the same as always.
Ah. I just want this to end so I can take a nap.