Author's note: My bad, it took a bit longer than I planned. The story just keep changing as I was writing lol. It be like that sometimes. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

I carefully approached the mansion gate, making sure the coast was clear. The night sky was clear and the moon was almost full, so it wasn't as dark as I thought it'd be.

I couldn't sleep a wink, since I was worried about missing the meeting time. I rubbed my eyes a bit as I walked.

I made sure to dress lightly, not bringing anything I didn't need. Actually, I was wearing my original outfit that I came to this world in.

The fedora was stuffed in my back pocket. I had been debating whether or not to bring my weapon. Not that I'd need it for this, but if Chris knew about that hat, she might also know what this pipe-sword is supposed to be, so I thought about asking her.

But then I remembered how she looked at me suspiciously when I didn't know what my own "divine relic" did. I don't know exactly what her deal is, but my gut's warning me that it wouldn't be a good idea to let her know I have multiple relics. And since I trust my gut, I left it back in my room.

Just as I was wondering where the silver-haired girl was, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder.

"Ah, fuck! Dont sneak up on me like that!"

"Aha, sorry, I couldn't help myself."

It's scary how stealthy she is. I made a mental note to never get on the bad side of a Thief.

Chris turned to the mansion.

"Anyways, at this time of night, they should all be dead asleep, so now's the time to strike."

Uh... should I mention that I've known Kazuma to stay up til sunrise playing games?

But then again, there aren't any video games in this world. And Chris seems to be experienced in burglary, so I guess I'll just trust her on this.

... wait a second.

"Hey, Chris..."

"Hm?"

"This might be a little late, but... wouldn't it be easier for you to go alone?"

She shrugged.

"Well, yes, but I don't know what our objective looks like, and it'd be a bother if I grabbed the wrong item."

"I think it looks like a small box, and it transports you when you open it."

"Yeah, so how am I gonna check it without transporting myself? Better to have you there with me, since you want to go anyway. And since the difficulty for this job is pretty low, I figured it'd be easier to just bring you with me, since you seem reasonably light-footed... although, those boots might be a problem."

Oh right, my motorcycle boots. I didn't buy any other footwear cause I didn't see any reason to, but I guess there are times when sturdy boots aren't desirable.

"I'll take them off once we get inside. Speaking of which..."

I looked at her as she sized up our target.

"So, Chris, how are we gonna do this? Climb in through the window?"

"Hold on, gimme a sec. Detect Treasure! ... hm."

She rubbed her chin.

"It's my first time searching this place for treasure, and I'm getting a lot of weird reactions. I think I'm getting multiple divine readings, but I'm not sure, it could also be just one. But that's not what we're here for anyway."

She pointed at a place on the right side of the second floor.

"There's one strange, isolated reading coming from there, and I know from the times I've visited that there's an interior storage closet around that area. We can try checking there first."

I eyed the place she pointed at. There was a large window there.

"Alright, sounds good. So, do you have some rope, or–"

Creak

"Eh? Nah, that's too much hassle. We're taking the front door. Now come on."

"Oh."

Somehow, I felt a little disappointed as I followed her through the door and took off my boots.

"... wait, shouldn't the front door be locked?"

"Kiriya-san, I'd hardly be a Thief if I couldn't open locks."

Right, that was a stupid question.

The moonlight streaming in through the windows made it easy to see, which was lucky for me since I don't have any skills or magic to see in the dark.

I suddenly gulped as the gravity of what I was doing sunk in. I'm sneaking into the home of the very person I want to avoid at all costs.

"This way. Keep an eye and ear out for anyone. My Detect Enemy skill won't help us here since Kazuma and the girls won't be exuding any killing intent. And stay close to me in case I need to use Lurk."

Chris whispered to me, and I shook myself out of it and nodded in acknowledgement.

The mansion looked just as impressive from the inside as it did from the outside. Personally, I'm happy as long as I have a roof over my head, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little envious.

Chris led me up the stairs to the second floor. The stairs didn't creak or anything, but my nerves were still on edge. Imagine if this was how I finally came face to face with Kazuma. I'd probably just commit seppuku right there if that happened.

Wait, I don't have a bladed weapon for that. Darn.

Chris held up a hand as we entered a hallway, and we both checked for any signs of movement, but none came. Chris pointed down the left side of the hallway. There were two doors on each side, and a fifth at the end.

"Those are their bedrooms on the sides, Kiriya-san. That door at the end should be the closet."

Illuminated by the moonlight, I saw a mischievous grin appear on the Thief's face.

"Heh, I kinda want to play a prank on Darkness while I'm here..."

"Please don't."

I just want to get that item and go. For once in this world I just want things to go according to plan. That's not too much to ask, right?

Chris's footsteps were completely silent as she crept down the hall. I did my best to follow suit, but I couldn't avoid making light thumps as my feet hit the floorboards. My brain keeps telling me that there's no way anyone would hear that, but my gut is screaming to get out.

I'm sorry gut, but this time I can't afford to listen to you.

Our progress was super slow, like maybe a few meters per minute. Chris could probably go faster on her own, but I don't have any special Thief skills to help me.

We passed the first set of doors without incident. Okay, we're halfway there.

Chris stepped out between the second set, and I followed suit—

Creak

"Lurk."

Chris grabbed me and pressed me against the wall behind the opening door as she whispered her skill.

I held my breath as I listened to the footsteps of someone exiting that bedroom...

"Eh? Did I hear something? Maybe it was little Anna?"

Flowing blue hair entered my vision... oh no. I forgot that Kazuma wasn't the only person I didn't want to meet. Why does this bitch of a goddess live here too?

This is bad. Getting caught by Kazuma would mean dying of embarrassment, but getting caught by Aqua... I might actually go to hell.

"Ah, whatever. I'll ask her after I get out of the bathroom."

She shrugged, then went down the way we came from, disappearing into another hallway.

I breathed a sigh of relief as Chris released me.

"That was way too close."

"Yeah. Aqua-senpai can be strangely perceptive at times, so I was worried she might notice somehow, but it looks like we were safe."

"Yeah, that— wait, what did you say?"

"Hm? Did I say something strange?"

"Chris, you just called that girl senpai."

"No I didn't."

"You definitely did."

"I did no such thing. Now come on, we need to get in the closet before she comes back."

"Wait, you're avoiding my ques—"

"Less talking, more moving! Come on!"

"Wait, hold on!"

Chris grabbed me by the wrist and rapidly dragged me to the closet door. I did my best not to make too much sound, but it still felt unbearably loud to me. But thankfully we made it.

"Gah, never do that again."

"Shush."

Chris tried the doorknob.

"It's already unlocked, so come on in."

Once inside, Chris closed the door, leaving us in total darkness. A few seconds later, though, light filled the room, coming from Chris's hand, which was holding...

"Wait, is that a lighter?"

Chris smiled smugly as she held up the tool from modern Earth.

"Pretty nice, right? I picked it up from the shop with the kind shopkeeper and the weird masked man. It's so much more convenient than a magic tool since it doesn't need any mana."

Other reincarnators are totally making bank off these modern inventions, aren't they? I wonder if there's anything left that I could sell. Though, my area of expertise is something that isn't easy to recreate from scratch...

"Detect Treasure... it's somewhere in the back here."

With the lighter's flame illuminating the room, the two of us started digging through the junk piled up in the closet. There's so many random things here: cold weather clothes, an old staff, some broken armor, several kinds of rope, one with a grapple hook attached... Kazuma and his friends must've had many adventures during the time he's been here.

"Hey Kiriya-san, any idea what this thing is?"

Chris had picked up something that looked like it was made of rubber. Is that a balloon? Or...

"... throw that away. We need to focus."

"Yes, right, of course."

Welp, my curiosity is now dead. I hurried up and moved things out of the way, until I uncovered a small box.

"Yo, Chris, is this what's giving you the treasure signal or whatever?"

"Detect Treasure. Yep, that's it."

I got it. Well, I won't know for sure until I try it, though.

"Alright, now hand me the fedora. I'll leave the room so you can try opening the box. If it's correct, you'll be in Japan, and if it's not, then we can look elsewhere in the mansion."

"Wait, you want to leave the room with my fedora? How do I know you won't just ditch me?"

Chris put on a faux hurt expression.

"Wow, I can't believe Kiriya-san has so little faith in me. Even after I went through all the trouble of getting her to this box, when if I wanted to I could've easily just stolen the fedora back instead. I'm so hurt."

"Okay, I get it, I'm sorry. Here, take the stupid hat. Oh yeah, if this works, can you take the box to my inn room? I don't want to have to break out of here when I return."

"No problem!"

Chris took the hat, then exited the closet.

I held up the small, unassuming box.

So, this thing can take me back to Japan? Well, here goes nothing.

I gently opened the—

"Aha! Thief! I knew I sensed someone!"

That doesn't sound good.

The closet door opened and shut quickly as Chris hid herself back in here, then braced herself against the doorframe to hold the door shut.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit!"

"What the hell happened!?"

"Uh, no idea, I was being sneaky, but she got lucky, I guess..."

"... you put on the hat, didn't you?"

"..."

"Why'd you put the hat on!?"

"It was just for a second, I wanted to make sure it still fit properly!"

BANG BANG

"I know you're in there, thief! Now come out and face my divine judgement, or when I get in there I'll beat you up!"

The hell, both of those options are shitty!

"... say, Chris, I don't suppose this closest has another exit?"

"Not as far as I know."

"Yeah, I figured as much. Welp, guess we've only got one option, then. Here goes nothing!"

I shut my eyes in anticipation and pulled open the box's lid—

The banging and shouting stopped. I slowly opened one eye.

I saw a field. Blades of grass, colorless in the moonless night.

That box definitely took us somewhere.

"Hey, Kiriya-san, what's that over there?"

Chris, who was still beside me, pointed in the opposite direction from where I was looking. I turned around.

"That's a convenience store."

I really did it. I made it back to Japan.

"I'm home."

I suddenly hugged Chris.

"Eh!? Hey, what are you—"

"I'm home, Chris! I'm really home!"

She paused for a moment, then patted my back and spoke in a surprisingly gentle tone.

"Yes, you are. Welcome home."

Once I released my companion, I started trying to get my bearings.

"This place is... have I been here before? Maybe in the daytime? No, wait, I know this place!"

Okay, it's about a dozen kilometers from my house. It'd take a few hours by foot, but there are other options.

I reached into the pocket of my jeans to confirm that I still had my wallet.

"So, uh.. Kiriya-san... how long does this item last again?"

"About 12 hours, and it'll wipe your memory once you return... oh."

What is Chris going to do? She wasn't originally supposed to come with me, but now that she's here I can't just abandon her in an unfamiliar world.

Hm... I guess I'll take her somewhere safe where she can hang.

"Just stick close to me for now. I'm trying to make my way back to my old home, but there are also some fun places I want to show you while you're here."

Chris smiled.

"Alright, sounds like a good time."

There's a bus stop right in front of the convenience store. I told Chris about what buses are and asked her to wait there for it while I went inside to get us some snacks.

After I made my purchase, I came out to see Chris chatting with an old man, whose wrinkled face was beaming with joy.

"Made a new friend?"

Chris turned to me and grinned, while the old man waved farewell and headed off.

As I handed Chris the soda I bought, she leaned in and whispered.

"He was telling me about his late wife. It seems that he's been in need of someone to share his wonderful memories with, so I was entertaining him."

That's... surprisingly saint-like of her. I wouldn't expect that from a thief.

"Wait, you can speak Japanese?"

Chris jumped a bit as she opened her can.

"Hm? Ah, uh, I guess that magic item gives the users some kind of translation magic?"

"... I guess that makes sense. It'd be a useless item if it sent you to a world where you couldn't understand anyone."

"Yeah, exactly! Sip... hm, I prefer the vanilla flavor, but this one's good too."

"Huh?"

"Oh, Kiriya-san, something's coming!"

I looked down the street where Chris was pointing and saw the bus approaching.

"That's the bus. Okay, when it stops, we enter through the back door and take a ticket, and then we pay and exit through the front door when we reach our destination."

"Sounds easy enough. Do you have money?"

"Of course I do."

We got off at a stop about 3/4 of the way to my neighborhood. After guiding Chris through using the fare box, I led her to a building glowing with lights despite being it the dead hours of morning.

"Wow... it kind of reminds me of Elroad. Is this also a casino?"

So they even have casinos in the other world?

"Not quite. This is an arcade. It's less about winning money and more about enjoying the games themselves. Come on, I'll show you around."

First, I took her to a crane game.

"Okay, so first, you need to line it up just right–"

"Oh nice, I caught two plushies at once."

"Eh?"

Um, beginner's luck I guess? Let's try a shooter next.

"Chris, on your left, on your left!"

"I got it!"

"Nice one!"

She kept up surprisingly well for someone that should be unfamiliar with guns. Maybe it's the high Dexterity that the Thief class gives?

... hold up. Does it work like that? Do all the skills and abilities from the other world carry over here?

"Hey, Chris, I want to try that machine next."

"Oh, how does that one work?"

I walked up and took up a fighting stance in front of the punching bag.

"It's a test of strength."

I was always a decent fighter in my last life, but in terms of raw strength I wasn't exceptional. But now I'm strong enough to lift up a girl my size with one arm.

I twisted my hips back, cocked my fist, and lowered my stance. I inhaled deeply.

Then,

"Hiyah!!!"

I pivoted my entire body and nailed the punching bag with a cross.

The score on the machine jumped straight to 999.

Chris let out a low whistle.

"That's a good score, isn't it?"

"It's the best score."

Amazing. Imagine if I could use magic. That'd be so much fun to mess with people...

Oh, I just had a better idea.

"Oi, Chris."

"Mhm?"

"You interested in rat races?"

A smile spread on her face.

"Now you're talking!"

"Come on, come on, come on, co– FUCK YEAH!!!"

"Oh, did you bet on that one too? Nice!"

Turns out, I can use my Beast Comprehension skill to predict which rat is going to win.

Chris, meanwhile, seemed to be betting randomly based on her gut, and yet she got the same results as me. That luck is seriously abnormal.

"Haaa... you know, Chris, I'm starting to feel bad about getting all this easy money."

"Oh, just do what I do then."

"What's that?"

"Donate the money to charity. If the money is going to a good cause, then what you're doing can't be considered a bad thing."

"Haha, what's with that logic? You Robin Hood or something?"

"Hey, it clears my conscience, so that's enough, right?"

"Heh, fair enough!"

God, this is so much fun. Now that I think about it, it's been forever since I just hung out with a friend. Maybe I should call out to Chris more once we get back to Axel.

Ah, wait, I'm getting off track. There's a time limit.

Let's see, it's been about 3 hours since we arrived, so I still have around 9 hours left. But I shouldn't waste it, or it'll be gone before I know it.

"So, Chris, I'm gonna head to my home now. You wanna hang around here for a bit, and I'll come meet you in, say, 4 hours?"

That should be long enough.

"Alright, seeya in a bit! Now lemme see if there are any casinos around here..."

I waved to the silver-haired girl and went out to catch the next bus.

There it is. The house I thought I'd never see again. I noticed that a certain car wasn't parked outside anymore.

But something else was.

"Hey old girl, I'm back. And you're just as beautiful as the day I lost you."

Sitting in front of the house, in perfect condition, was my '86 GSXR-750G. It was a bike my dad got in his youth, then passed on to me a few years ago.

The last time I rode this bike... was when I died.

It seems like Dad's been restoring it since then. You wouldn't be able to tell that it had been smashed beyond recognition. Even the paint job seemed brand new.

In fact, you might even think that it was a new bike altogether. I took a closer look.

... it's still here. The little sticker I snuck onto the handlebar back in primary school.

I wonder how long it's been in this world since I died. It was impossible to keep track of time in Purgatory, and I have no clue whether time in the other world moves at the same speed.

Dad would've done this restoration by hand, so it would've taken several months at least.

Well, enough stalling. I'm going in. I pulled out my housekey from my wallet, and let myself into the house.

I flipped on the lights. It... was very clean. Much cleaner than I remember. I looked at the sofa. It doesn't look like it's been used as a sleeping place recently.

Something else was off too, and it took me a minute before I realized it. The smell. The ever-present scent of alcohol that used to sicken me to my stomach was now gone.

It's still early to jump to conclusions, but my heart was starting to rise up in anticipation. I walked over to the fireplace, where the family photos should be.

There was only one photo now.

It was me and Dad on my 13th birthday. It was his favorite photo.

Did he really do it?

I rushed upstairs to the master bedroom, and then I gently opened the door...

The room was mostly the same as I remembered, but without the mess that always plagued it. There was one major difference, though: the king-sized bed had been replaced with a single twin-size.

So he really did it. He's cut her off once and for all. I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders as my biggest worry was assuaged.

I stepped forward as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, but stopped once I got a better look.

The bed was empty. I ran back downstairs and checked the kitchen. There were dirty dishes in the sink that looked to have been used very recently. So he is still living here.

So where the fuck did he go at this ungodly hour!?

Okay, calm down. Let's think this through. He's (supposedly) now a single middle-aged man living alone. Where would he go at a time when most of the city is asleep?

While pondering this, I wandered back upstairs and went to my old bedroom. I actually rarely slept here since I started middle school. At first I slept over at Kazuma's a lot, but then after that happened, I mostly bummed around at net cafés.

I flicked the lights on. My bedroom was, like the rest of the house, very clean and ordered.

Then I looked at my desk. And saw a memorial photograph of myself sitting on it.

It... felt very surreal. I knew I had died, of course, but this was the first time the weight of it really sank in.

I picked it up, then sat down on my bed while looking at it. The bed felt really soft. It's been so long since I even touched it. It's in a completely different league from the inn's bed in Axel.

I laid down on it, just to feel it. This sensation... it brings back memories. Of times when I was a little kid, and my parents smiled, and Kazuma and I would play around without a care in the world.

Hm? Oh, is this why I keep waking up to a wet pillow? Maybe I'm always dreaming about these things without remembering.

I suddenly felt really tired. Well, of course I'm tired, I haven't slept in almost 24 hours. The travel box lasts 12 hours. I've used like 4 so far, so I have time for a short nap...

Meanwhile, at the arcade

"Woohoo, another jackpot! This pachinko thing is amazing!"

I collected my winnings, but I also heard muttering from the less fortunate people around me. My Detect Enemy skill was even sensing some hostility.

Well, that's to be expected if I pull off a winning streak like that. But it's not like I can help it; my luck isn't something I can turn off.

Still, it might be better to call it quits now. I gathered up all the tokens I won, then dropped them at the entrance to the pachinko parlor for anyone to take as I left.

The sun was rising now. Kiriya still hasn't come back like she said she would. Wonder what's keeping her.

I hope she accomplishes what she wanted. She said something about our memories being wiped on return? That's a bit depressing, since she won't know if she succeeded or not. It shouldn't affect me, though, since I have Mental Corruption Immunity.

... you know, since I'm here on Earth anyway, I might as well make a house call.

I found an isolated alley where I wouldn't be seen, and then...

...

...

...

"... hello?"

"Eh? A visitor? Who... Eris-sama!?!?"

I giggled at the angel's flustered reaction.

"Yes, that's me. How are you holding up?"

The angel, who had been bowing to me while standing behind her desk, straightened up.

"Oh, well, you know... it could be better."

I looked around the reception room that I had entered in when arriving. This is the same room where this angel (and previously, Aqua-senpai) guides the souls of lost young lives.

In other words, it's here that all those divine relics that caused me trouble were sent on their way. I mean, I know many of them did help save humanity from the demon king, but there's also the fallout that needs to be considered, you know?

Oh, speaking of reincarnation,

"By the way, congratulations on your first successful reincarnation! I know you have been struggling with convincing youths to come over, but your hard work finally paid off! Though, next time, please be prompt with sending me the documentation."

The angel looked at me... with a puzzled and troubled expression.

Huh? That wasn't the reaction I was expecting.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean, Eris-sama. I still have yet to successfully recruit anyone. I'm sorry for being a failure. Sniffle."

What?

"Wait, hold on. You're saying you haven't reincarnated anyone?"

"Y-Yes..."

What the heck is going on here? I had assumed that the reason I hadn't received the documents regarding Kiriya's reincarnation was because this angel simply forgot.

"... who was the last person reincarnated from Japan?"

"T-That would be Satou Kazuma, the one who took Aqua-sama with him. No one else has reincarnated since."

That can't be right.

"Is the Fedora of Meetings here?"

"It should be. It hasn't been given to anyone since the last time you returned it here. Should I check for it?"

"That won't be necessary. Rather, do you know anything about an Akechi Kiriya?"

"Akechi... hold on."

The angel sat down and pulled open a drawer in the desk, and began searching through some papers.

"Found it. Akechi Kiriya. Female. Age 16. Cause of death: motorcycle accident. Judgment: sentenced to Purgatory to atone for the sins of deceit and betrayal. Current status: in Purgatory."

"..."

"E-Eris-sama? Is everything okay?"

"Oh, everything's absolutely perfect. Now, it was nice talking to you, but I must go. I have an errand to take care of."

"A-Ah, yes! May you have safe travels, Eris-sama!"

I appreciate the blessing, but I'm not the one you should be praying for right now.