After a long journey, Sota and Medusa finally reached Otter City just as morning arrived.
At first glance, nothing seemed particularly special to Sota.
The two of them checked into a hotel and took separate rooms.
Sota entered his room and sat down.
He was completely exhausted—his body had already given up.
The moment he lay on the bed, his eyes closed, and he fell asleep almost instantly.
Medusa was in the room next to him.
Standing near the window, he looked outside.
A cool breeze brushed against his face as his gaze drifted down to the streets below.
This city feels… strangely calm today.
he thought to himself.
After a while, he lay down as well.
Closing his eyes, he slowly drifted into sleep without even realizing it.
Some time later—
A faint noise reached Sota's ears.
His eyes fluttered open.
Using his hands for support, he slowly sat up on the bed.
He stretched his body and let out a long yawn.
"…What is that sound?"
he wondered.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood up and walked toward the window, his vision still half-blurred from sleep.
He reached out… and slowly pushed the window open.
A warm breeze entered the room—
along with bright sunlight that gently touched his face.
The moment he looked outside—
His eyes widened.
His body froze.
For a few seconds…
he couldn't move at all.
Then—
A bright smile slowly spread across his face.
People were moving through the streets, busy with their daily lives.
Shopkeepers called out to customers, their voices echoing through the air.
Children walked happily with their parents on their way to school.
Carriages rolled across the road, their wheels making rhythmic sounds.
In the sky, colorful balloons floated gently—
while a clown performed tricks on the street, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Sota stood there, completely stunned.
He could hardly believe what he was seeing.
"Th-this… this is what a real city looks like…!"
he thought to himself.
Without wasting a second, he rushed out of his room and knocked on the door next door.
Knock. Knock.
Inside, Medusa was still asleep.
The sound woke him up.
He sat up suddenly, stretching as he walked toward the door.
W-who is it… this early in the morning?
He opened the door slightly and peeked outside.
Sota…? How is he awake this early?
Medusa opened the door fully, narrowing his eyes slightly as he asked,
"What happened, Sota? Why are you awake so early?"
Sota's eyes were shining with excitement.
He stepped forward eagerly.
"Sir… let's go explore the city!"
"It's my first time ever seeing a real city!"
"Please… can we go outside?"
Medusa looked at him, slightly annoyed.
"You woke me up… just for this?"
The bright smile on Sota's face froze instantly.
He lowered his gaze.
"Sorry… I didn't know you were sleeping…"
The excitement in his voice completely faded.
Medusa noticed the sudden change.
…Maybe I was too harsh.
He looked away for a moment, rubbing his temple lightly.
"…Fine. We'll go after a while."
"And Sota… if you're smiling, then stay that way."
Sota kept his head lowered and replied softly,
"You don't have to do all this for me…
just staying with me is enough."
Medusa gently lifted his face with his hand.
"Get ready quickly, I'll be there too."
Hearing this, Sota's eyes lit up again.
He quickly ran back to his room.
Medusa let out a quiet breath.
Fixing his long hair, he returned to his room and closed the door.