Shizu slept incredibly well. The tranquility that emanated from the depths of her body and soul enveloped every part of her being like a warm, comforting cloak, bringing her a serene joy she had almost forgotten. It was such a gentle, complete sensation that, for a moment, she felt as though all the weight she had accumulated throughout her life had finally faded away.
She couldn't even remember the last time she had slept so comfortably, so deeply relaxed—without pain, without anguish, without that constant discomfort that always accompanied her whenever she closed her eyes.
It felt as though she was dreaming again.
A dream in which she encountered the heroine who had once rescued her from the Demon Lord Leon's castle.
In the dream, Shizu ran desperately toward that familiar figure, her heart pounding in her chest, driven by the urgency of not losing her again. However, unlike every other time, this time the heroine did not move away.
She did not vanish into the distance.
Instead… Shizu finally reached her.
And then, she truly embraced her.
The warmth of that hug was so real, so comforting, that Shizu felt her eyes fill with tears. Her heart cried out for it not to be just a fleeting illusion.
With all her strength, she wished it were real.
She had had this dream countless times.
Always the same.
And always, without exception, when she opened her eyes, the beautiful dream dissolved like mist at dawn.
However, this time felt different.
Her body was relaxed in an unusual way. Her mind was calm and clear, as if it had been purified. Her physical condition was astonishingly good—almost perfect.
When Shizu finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an unfamiliar room… and yet, inexplicably familiar.
Where did that sensation come from?
After a few seconds, she realized it—it must have been because of the Japanese-style room.
The arrangement of the furniture, the tatami mats on the floor, the wooden sliding doors—all of it evoked a deep nostalgia. The decoration and layout were incredibly cozy and welcoming, conveying a sense of home she believed she had lost forever.
Despite Shizue's age, a childlike sparkle of joy appeared in her eyes.
On the bed, a large stuffed lion immediately captured her attention—and her heart.
[A/N: I love lions]
"How cute!" Shizu exclaimed without thinking, instinctively hugging the stuffed lion.
The soft, fluffy texture wrapped around her arms, filling her chest with an almost unnatural calm, as if that simple gesture were soothing something much deeper within her.
"This must be a dream… it has to be a dream…"
Still, to be sure, Shizu pinched her own cheek.
The sting came instantly.
It was far too real.
Her heart raced.
Was this… really real?
Had she truly returned to Japan?
A faint fragrance of jasmine lingered in the air, refreshing and invigorating, like a spring breeze laden with memories she had long forgotten. As she inhaled deeply, Shizu's heart beat even faster, excitement mingling with a hint of apprehension.
When she realized she was wearing a beautiful floral-patterned yukata, her heart filled with joy once more.
She got out of bed and, in that very instant, noticed something strange.
Her body… was different.
She could no longer feel Ifrit's presence within her, nor the constant need to suppress the fire spirit's will.
It was as if she had returned to being a fifteen-year-old girl.
Shizu could hardly believe it, yet a genuinely joyful smile spread across her face. Admiring the beautiful yukata she wore, she spun around once, twice, feeling the soft fabric follow her movements.
"What will the world outside be like…?"
Her heart was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension—perhaps more apprehension than excitement.
After all, nearly seventy years had passed since she had left that world. From Yuuki and Hinata's stories, Japan had changed drastically.
So many things that hadn't existed in her time had appeared.
Televisions. Computers. Games.
Whenever Yuuki talked about them, his eyes sparkled—especially when he mentioned Akihabara, which he even called a "sacred land."
Despite all her unease, Shizu gathered her courage and slowly pushed open the wooden door.
The first thing that caught her attention was the sunlight, making her instinctively shield her eyes.
As her vision adjusted, she was able to take in everything before her.
It was an old-fashioned courtyard, adorned with cherry trees in full bloom. A gentle breeze blew, causing pink petals to drift slowly down, creating a scene of almost unreal beauty.
For a moment, Shizu felt such an intense surge of emotion that she nearly cried.
As a child, during the war, very few people had truly had the privilege of appreciating cherry blossoms like that.
But life was like that.
We didn't need to deliberately seek it out; some things simply became part of our memories.
At the center of the cherry trees, a stone path stretched out. As she stepped onto it, feeling the slightly rough texture beneath her feet, Shizu's heart filled with joy.
She felt like running, spinning beneath the petals, dancing like a child.
Outside, the world was completely different.
Paved roads stretched everywhere. The streets were full of pedestrians, and countless four-wheeled vehicles sped by.
"So… these are cars…?" Shizu thought, recalling Yuuki's words.
The appearance of the buildings filled her with awe. The dazzling variety of goods excited her. And the schoolgirls walking through the streets with their friends, wearing surprisingly short skirts, made her feel a little shy.
The skirts were really short… but strangely, they looked beautiful.
Were those the sailor uniforms Yuuki had mentioned?
So those girls were the famous "JK"?
How wonderful!
Still, it was a bit… too erotic for her.
Or was she just being too conservative?
The tempting aromas of street food made her mouth water instantly. Unfortunately, she didn't have any money.
Unexpectedly, as she was walking, she passed by a shop, and the manager took an interest in her appearance and insisted that she work there.
It was a maid café, and he wanted her to dress as a maid and serve customers.
"Ahhh… how embarrassing…!"
Even so, Shizu knew what it meant to be a maid.
To her surprise, by the end of the day, her performance and kindness were highly praised by both the customers and the manager.
At the end of her shift, she received 10,000 yen.
She had earned money through a part-time job as an ordinary person.
It was unbelievable!
She was glowing with happiness.
And of course, with money came food. Shizu ate with great delight, savoring every bite.
"So… this is the world seventy years in the future…"
It was truly incredible.
So beautiful that it felt like a fantasy.
When night fell, neon lights began to flash everywhere. The city became vibrant, alive, and almost ceaseless.
Shizu once again felt the charm of that future city—the city that never sleeps.
To her surprise, she even witnessed a fireworks festival.
The colorful explosions in the night sky reflected in her irises, illuminating her thoughts and bringing her a deep sense of peace.
The future… was truly wonderful.
"I really don't want to leave…"
She watched everything eagerly, trying to engrave every detail into her memory.
After a long while, Shizu slowly lifted her head.
"Thank you very much, friend who helped weave this dream. I truly loved this dream. But… may I return to reality now?"
The moment her words faded, the fireworks vanished. The metropolis dissolved. The starry sky unraveled.
In its place, a simple tent appeared.
"When did you realize this was a dream?" Arthur asked, sitting beside her, smiling calmly.
"You are…?" Shizu asked curiously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he replied with a gentle smile. "My name is Arthur Morgan, and I'm Japanese as well."
(End of Chapter)
[I didn't find any of her wearing a Yukata lol]