People generally have at least one mysterious aspect to them.
People with a strong ability to sense the supernatural.
People who can create drawings that are alive.
People who are beautiful, but can't carry a tune.
People who are slender and also big eaters.
People who don't have great facial features and are still very attractive to others.
And so on.
I have one mysterious aspect like that, too.
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
Oh, Kitase-kun.
There's a department party today. Want to come?
Oh, no. I don't think I will, thanks.
Yeah, I didn't think so.
I've never seen Kitase not leave exactly on time.
Thank you, everyone!
My name is Kitase Kazuhiro.
I prioritize leaving work on time over promotions.
I'm just your ordinary office worker.
My hobbies... don't include cooking, though I don't dislike it.
My primary hobby, or rather, the thing that makes life worth living...
is, you guessed it, sleep.
What? You're asking why I packed myself a lunch?
Well, that's because...
No, I think it'd be faster to just get started rather than explain it to you.
Ever since I was a child, I've loved fantasy worlds.
Swords and shields. Fighting monsters with magic and being victorious.
I read stories like that over and over, until the books were worn out.
And then one day, I started having dreams.
In those dreams, I was in a world like that. A world of swords and magic.
So it's seven in the morning here.
Is this where I fell asleep last night?
I'm an adult now, but in my dreams, I'm still having fun adventuring.
I'll try battling monsters...
only to be beaten by them instead,
and then bolt awake in bed. Things like that.
I run into scary situations all the time,
but getting to gaze out over vistas like this isn't half bad.
Looks like I'm still a kid.
I age really slowly over here.
Oh! Good morning, Kazuhiho.
Morning, Marie!
This is Mariabelle, Marie for short.
She's an elf, and despite her appearance, she's been alive for over a hundred years.
Her eyes are the color of amethyst.
It's been a while.
You've been busy since you switched to the Sorcerer's Guild, haven't you?
Yes, and I see that you're still camping in the same primitive way, as always.
From where I'm standing, you seem more like the elf here, Kazuhiho.
What? You think so?
In case you were wondering, "Kazuhiho" is my name in this world.
Ka-zu-hi-ho?
I entered it wrong a long time ago, so I only have myself to blame.
Oh, right. Want to join me for some fun exploring the nearby ruins?
What's that supposed to mean?
Do human women like being invited to ruins?
It depends on the person.
But if you do come with me,
I'll treat you to my packed lunch again.
W-Well... If you insist, I suppose I could go.
If they're near here, then they must be the Nazul-Nazul Ruins, right?
Right.
The Nazul-Nazul Ruins...
an underground city that perished suddenly a thousand years ago.
But there aren't any signs of fighting in the ruins themselves,
and most of it hasn't collapsed. It's still standing.
That could be why the prevailing theory is that
the civilization collapsed due to an unknown pathogen...
but would a city with such advanced magic really fall to such a simple blunder?
I hear it's one of this area's seven unexplained mysteries.
And you think you'll be able to solve it?
Not solving the mystery wouldn't bother me.
I just want to give it a try. Besides...
you're with me today, Marie!
Honestly! Can't you do something about those sleepy-looking eyes of yours?
I wa' born wit' 'em.
Tweel!
It's quite large on the inside.
Yes. Well, it was once a city.
The technology is amazing!
To think this has survived a thousand years.
Being born in a country with a lot of earthquakes
makes me jealous of strengthening magic.
A country with a lot of earthquakes?
Marie!
That looks like a good place to rest.
Shall we have our lunch there?
That would be wonderful!
What will there be today?
I-I'm going to open it.
Please do.
This aroma... is so wonderful!
Go on. Don't hold back.
It's so sweet!
Oh, right. Here's some tea.
Drink it slo...
What is this called?
It's called oinari.
The flavor really comes together as it cools down. It's good, right?
That's chikuzenni.
I made it with spring vegetables, so it's packed with nutrition.
Coming with you was definitely the right choice, Kazuhiho.
But I've never seen food like this before.
Where were you born?
Oh, it's a place called Japan.
Jahpan?
It probably isn't on any map.
It's an island country far away.
You know, I'll happily treat you to a meal anytime,
so whenever you've got nothing to do, come adventuring with me.
Didn't I mention? I am very busy, you know... studying sorcery.
But I suppose...
if it's only occasionally, I wouldn't mind.
Stop!
It's a monster. It would be very bad if it noticed us.
Wait here.
What?
Yay!
Well, if it isn't Mister Kazuhiho.
Are you on a stroll with an elf today? I'm jealous.
No, I'm pretty sure she's only after my packed lunches.
I thought I'd mention that we're speaking monster language here.
Marie doesn't understand the language.
Rrrr, rar, rar, grah. Grah, rar, rar.
When I speak with Marie, we speak Elvish.
I can't believe you. You've learned monster language, too?
Yes, I threw myself into it.
I got attacked a bunch of times, so it took me about three years, I think.
So what did that monster say?
He said that the dragon that nests back there is in its breeding season,
so we should be careful.
What?
Yes. But dragon eggs, huh?
I'd love to see them!
What are you talking about?
A breeding dragon is savage and dangerous!
Getting close to that is simply...
Hey! Are you listening?
Is something there?
Quiet!
I'll cast Night Vision on you.
It's so big.
So that sound was the sleeping dragon's breathing.
It's dark in coloring and this place is thick with magical energy. It might be an Arkdragon.
Look at that! Its markings are glowing!
It's really true that it creates magical energy just by breathing!
Are you listening, Kazuhiho?
Y-Yes! Of course I am.
If this really is an Arkdragon, we're in trouble!
It's only visible once every thousand years during its breeding season and we—
Oh no! Did I wake it?
Don't worry. If anything happens, we can just go back the way we came.
Could it be that we're cornered with no escape?
Yes, it could be.
Marie!
Looks I'm dying again today.
I wish I could've at least seen the eggs.
This is the one mysterious thing about me, an average office worker.
I have fun in my dreams and I can eat lunch in them.
But I wish I could have stayed a little longer.
It was a dream where I got to hang out with Marie.
Huh?
Wh-Wh-Why?
That was the day that my idea of "the most mysterious thing in my life" got revised.
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
Kazuhiho?
Hey. Morning, Marie.
You look like you've gotten older.
But you're not his father or anything... you're you?
Yeah, it's me.
I'll explain that later.
First, do you hurt anywhere?
You know, because we got caught in that dragon's breath, so...
Wha?!
Y-You!
I'm sorry! I swear that I didn't lay a finger on you!
Thanks to you, I'm not injured,
but would you mind explaining all of this to me?
Of course I will!
Don't look at me!
First, bring me my clothes!
And so I took the day off and came here to shop.
But why was she naked?
Actually, why is a girl from my dreams here at all?
Or maybe that world I always thought was a dream is...
Look at him staring.
Honestly.
He's really staring. Why is he picking out so many? Really.
Thank you!
The next time I come, I'll bring Marie shopping with me.
I'm back.
Kazuhiho, what is this place?
Well...
It must be such a shock for her.
Transported alone to a world she's never seen—
If you live in such a tall building, you must be very wealthy, Kazuhiho!
Nope. I had it wrong.
It's incredible! Incredible! I've never seen a city this advanced before!
Oh! When I look down, my knees get all wobbly!
She's as excited as someone visiting an amusement park for the first time.
Say, what is that tower?
It must be where a renowned archmage lives, right?
Oh, that's the Skytree.
It must have a great view right now. It's cherry blossom season.
Cherries?
Cherry blossoms are...
How about we go and see them?
I took the day off, so I'll show you around the area where I live.
And you must be hungry, right?
We can go have a meal somewhere.
You really wouldn't mind?
Oh, I would love that!
I'm counting on you, Kazuhiho!
Marie!
No. 901002439 Size: Small Col. 004 Materials Rayon 50% Cotton 38% Polyester 12%
If that world is a different reality...
then, in that moment, the dragon's breath definitely...
Did I bring her with me?
Sorry to keep you waiting, Kazuhiho!
These are so light! And they stretch!
I can move so freely!
I'm just glad you like them.
To be honest, I wasn't at all sure what I should choose.
But looking at you now, I'm sure you'd look nice in anything you wore.
My! Feel free to keep saying those things.
They look really good on you.
Oh! Those sleepy-looking eyes!
You really are Kazuhiho. I feel better now.
Does that mean that this is the "Japan" you spoke of?
That's right.
I'll explain while I show you around.
Wonderful!
But first...
Here.
What is it?
Please use this hat to hide your ears, if you wouldn't mind.
I don't mind, but...
The thing is, there aren't any elves in this world.
Really? Well, that's fine.
It's quite a lovely hat!
And now we'll step out into a world you're not familiar with.
You're all right? You're not scared?
Of course!
I'm humming with excitement right now!
This... seems like a nice place.
Very easy to live in.
Y-Yes, I guess it is.
There aren't any monsters here.
Maybe it was a little too soon for cars.
A i y a
Aiya
Let's see. Two of these... and one of the special.
Oh, right. Could we have a fork, too, please?
Of course. I have your order.
Please relax and enjoy yourselves.
What did she say?
She said that we should relax and enjoy ourselves.
I see.
Would it be all right for me to ask now?
Please explain. Why am I in Japan?
I don't remember anything after the Arkdragon's attack.
Suddenly, I'm in a land where I don't understand a single word, written or spoken.
And to add to that, you seem to have grown into an adult.
I don't understand any of it.
To be honest, there are a lot of things I don't understand either,
so some of my explanation will be conjecture.
Is that all right?
At night, sometimes you dream, don't you?
In dreams, have you ever traveled to places you've never been before?
I have, but why do you ask?
For me, all those times I adventured with you, Marie,
were exactly that.
They happened in a dreamland.
When I woke up this morning, for some reason, you were there too.
And that's when I realized for the first time that the place
I'd thought was a dream was actually reality.
So, in your sleep, you traveled back and forth between two worlds. Is that right?
It seems so.
But it wasn't just sleep that returned me from there to here.
Monster attacks did it, too.
The Arkdragon's breath!
Maybe by grabbing you in that moment,
I brought you back to this world with me.
W-Wait just a moment!
Does that mean...
Does that mean... I've died?
Oh! No. It's just as you see. You're alive, Marie.
I think that when you fall asleep,
you'll be able to go back to your world.
Really?
Oh, and about my age...
I think that time flows differently in the two worlds.
Or it could be that it's only the time I spend there that counts toward my growth.
Then, how old are you now, Kazuhiho?
I'm twenty-five.
T-Twenty-five? That old?
But, yes... I did think you were quite reliable.
Thank you for waiting!
Shall we wait to continue this until after our meal?
Yes, yes, yes, yes!
It's incredible!
This place is filled with cherry blossoms!
There are so many spirits I've never seen before,
I fear I might grow giddy!
It's beautiful.
Yes, it really is.
In Japan, cherry blossom season is special.
Since you're here,
I want you to experience our best season to the fullest!
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf.
And just like that, we stepped into a new story, together.