Chapter 2

The stay at the pension turned out to be more enjoyable than expected. In the previous life, even though vacation days were used, I mostly stayed at home, so I didn’t expect much, but after actually experiencing it, it was different.

Walking along the nearby trails and having a barbecue party naturally brought smiles. Moreover, the best part was the bench in the pension’s yard.

The bench was located under the shade of a large tree, and the scene was picturesque. Fortunately, I had brought a book, so I went to the bench and started reading. Feeling good, I even struck a pose when Dad tried to take a photo.

However, I couldn’t properly focus on reading, thanks to Doyugeon, the child of my parents’ friend.

While the adults probably hoped we would play together happily, I had no intention of going along with that plan. At least, that was my initial thought.

The reason I didn’t want to hang out with the kid was that it was obvious it wouldn’t be fun. He hadn’t been reincarnated, wasn’t a genius, and was just your average kindergartener who was about to enter elementary school at the age of six. What was there to talk about with someone like that?

Nevertheless, as someone who remembers their past life, I do feel some responsibility to take care of preschoolers. But I had prepared a policy beforehand to avoid this situation.

That policy was to calculate my age only by my current life, regardless of the advantages from my past life.

In other words, I am a kindergartener. That means I have no responsibility to take care of others. It might seem brazen, but I had made up my mind.

However, things didn’t go as planned.

The boy kept following me around and trying to talk, making it awkward to continue ignoring him. Doyugeon came to me with a smile even though I hadn’t done anything for him, which made me feel worse.

After putting up with it for a while, I had no choice but to stop reading on the bench and interact with him.

Though my initial plans didn’t work out, Doyugeon seemed to enjoy it, so I didn’t mind too much.

That’s how the pension stay went smoothly.

And before long, I entered elementary school. It wasn’t a coincidence, it was as if it was predetermined that Doyugeon would be at the same school.

We weren’t in the same class, but Doyugeon would come find me during breaks. I suggested a few times that he spend time with his classmates, but he wouldn’t listen. So, I decided to go find him instead since if he became isolated from his classmates, it could lead to problems.

This routine changed when we reached the fourth grade. Apparently, he was being teased because a girl from his class kept coming to find him, so he declared she should stop.

“Alright, fine with me.”

Though I felt a little sorry, it was also a hassle to keep visiting, so I happily stopped. However, Doyugeon seemed visibly flustered but didn’t say anything. He only occasionally came by the classroom.

Later, after graduating elementary school, I entered middle school.

—

Being a middle schooler, I don’t think about my previous life much, but every time I look at the sky, I become aware.

What are those patterns drawn in the sky?

Is it a language or a picture covering the sky like this? Something unidentified, as old as humanity’s oldest records, that remains without a scientific explanation up to this day.

While the people of this life seem to just go about their daily lives, I feel uneasy every time I see it. Though I know these feelings won’t help, I can’t shake them off.

The subway doors opened, and Doyugeon came in. He looked around and came over to me.

We ended up in different middle schools, so we only occasionally meet during subway rides or when he invites me to play.

I asked him,

“Did you properly study for the weekend’s exam?”

“What’s with the sudden question?”

He stood next to me.

“Since you’re so confident, I just wondered.”

“Well, I did well in elementary school, so middle school should be the same.”

“Hahaha, that’s good. Then today’s exam should be fine then?”

“Of course.”

In elementary school, he didn’t study but still got good grades, so he developed an excessive sense of confidence.

I remember that when he first received a middle school textbook, he was shocked by the difficulty. It seems like he has now rationalized it.

He frowned.

“Are you not overestimating yourself too much?”

“Because you haven’t studied at all. How can you keep asking me to hang out?”

“That applies to you as well. You always came out when I invited you, so why the change now? Don’t you care about your title as top student slipping away?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What? I’ve already finished the middle school curriculum long ago. Didn’t I tell you last time?”

He appeared surprised.

“Huh? Was that not a joke?”

“Did you really not believe me? I don’t know who’s underestimating whom.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t lie. We’ve only been in school for a short time. Isn’t it too early?”

“Of course, I studied in elementary school.”

“But we played together too back then.”

“At home, without you. Alone.”

Suddenly, his face went pale, and he fell silent.

Could it be that his confidence all this time was because his childhood friend didn’t study either? Alright, maybe I’m partly responsible.

I tapped his back lightly.

“It’s okay. You might fail too.”

“That doesn’t give me any comfort…”

He wiped his face and continued.

“What should I do? I promised Mom that I would get good grades.”

“Did you really make a promise? Oh dear, you won’t be able to keep it.”

“If I break my promise, I’ll have to attend cram school…”

I sighed.

“Did you make such a promise and still didn’t study?”

“Not exactly. I did study a little.”

“Hmm, if you do well, then it’s fine.”

“Yeah, right, Mr. Top Student. Sounds easy, doesn’t it?”

Despite his words, his expression clearly brightened.

By the time the next station arrived, he spoke up again.

“Have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor?”

He looked around, then cleared his throat as if he was about to say something embarrassing.

“They say slime monsters are appearing.”

“Which slime?”

“I guess the rumor hasn’t reached your school yet. The story is that slime occasionally shows up in the city.”

“Wait a second. Are you saying that slime toys people discard show up?”

“No, a fantasy slime.”

“Like a slime model?”

“No, a living one.”

This was absurd.

“Ah, okay. Makes sense why your school doesn’t know.”

“Listen seriously. I didn’t believe it at first either, but it’s surprisingly credible since it’s not just a rumor going around in our school.”

He opened Facebook on his smartphone and searched for slime appearances.

Several posts popped up. Many were posted by random people, and some even had attached photos showing something that looked like a blue slime.

Since I don’t use SNS, I’m not sure if this is a joke or real.

“Is this just an internet meme?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Hmm…”

Maybe the boy is joking and messing with me.

He shrugged.

“If you don’t believe me, then don’t. The reason I mentioned it is that we should look for some slime after today’s exam, just for fun.”

“You said you don’t believe it though.”

“Just for fun. Anyway, you’re done early, so we have nothing better to do.”

Current Sky blinked.

“You were just worried about messing up the exam moments ago?”

“That’s… Anyway, are we playing or not?”

“We’re playing. Just not today because I already have plans. Let’s meet tomorrow. And don’t blame me if you fail your test.”

After deciding on the time and place to meet, we arrived at the station stop. Since it’s closer to my stop, this is usually when I would get off before Doyugeon.

When I arrived at school, the classmates were all talking about the slime that Doyugeon had mentioned. It seems that it was discussed over the weekend on SNS.

I heard their explanation. Apparently, slime monsters are appearing in the city, and you gain experience points when you catch them, and there’s even a level-up system. The experience points and level-up were said in jest, but the appearance of the slime was taken seriously.

The talk was interrupted when a classmate by the window shouted for everyone to look outside. Everyone gathered by the window.

Current Sky also approached the window. The sky outside looked abnormal.

The sky was blue with white clouds drifting, but what was different was that the mysterious unknown patterns that once existed were now gone, looking normal as if it was from my previous life.

The students took photos with their smartphones, and gasps of admiration could be heard.

—

The next day, Current Sky got on the subway after school.

The place I’m heading to is a neighborhood with low housing prices and decent location, mainly inhabited by working professionals.

Therefore, after the morning rush, the area becomes deserted until people return home during evening rush hours.

Since slime is said to appear in less crowded areas, I decided to search in this neighborhood.

With the exam period underway, I can roam around before people return home, making it a good situation.

After getting off the subway,

I looked around the station and saw Doyugeon sitting on a chair, looking at his smartphone. He lifted his head and stood up.

“You’re here. Listen, I’ve thought of something important.”

His voice was excited.

“What is it?”

“Slime monsters are appearing in the city, right?”

“Could happen, might not.”

“Anyway, they are appearing, right?”

“Alright, let’s say they are. So what?”

“Then this is a sign of fantasy.”

Doyugeon’s voice echoed in the station, with a serious expression on his face.

…?

I quickly glanced around. A few people were looking at us, some even smiling when our eyes met.

I grabbed Doyugeon and headed out of the station.

“Hey, why?”

“All’s good, but let’s change places first.”

Honestly, the boy is embarrassing at this moment. Though Doyugeon grumbled, he didn’t say anything embarrassing until we left the station.

When we came across a fresh fruit juice shop nearby, we went in.

I asked him,

“What do you want to drink?”

“Hmm, either mango or melon.”

“Should I choose for you?”

“No, let me think for a moment.”

While he was thinking, some customers came in, so I gave up my turn and stepped out of the shop.

The boy, deep in thought, looked up at the blue sky and said,

“The appearance of slime and the change in the sky must be related somehow.”

“Wait, are you thinking about this now? I’ll listen to that a bit later. First, choose your drink. What do you want?”

“I’m still thinking.”

“Show-off.”

After careful thought, Doyugeon chose mango juice. After buying mango juice and strawberry yogurt, we left the shop.

“Alright, explain now. What is this sign of fantasy?”

“Hmm, listen. Slime is appearing in the city and the sky has suddenly become strange. Plus, catching slime gives you experience points.”

“Wait a second. Experience points? That’s a joke, right?”

“Until yesterday, it was. But today, some people decided to test it, and a few succeeded. When you catch a slime, it turns into golden dust and gets absorbed into your body.”

Now I don’t know if the boy is joking or serious. His expression is very serious, but the content doesn’t make much sense.

“So, that golden dust is experience points?”

Doyugeon avoided my eyes.

“Whether it’s experience points or not, it’s almost a given fact. You caught the slime, so what else could it be but experience points?”

“That’s true for games, but this is reality, right?”

“Since slime has already appeared, why cling to reality?”

“Even the slime seems like a lie.”

The boy pointed at the blue sky.

“Then what about the sky? It’s changed, hasn’t it?”

Honestly, the mysterious marks disappeared from the sky. By past-life standards, this seemed more normal, so it didn’t evoke much emotion.

“Alright. The sky has changed.”

“Good. My point is, this current situation is a sign of a fantasy world. The world is already becoming fantastical. So, bigger, more unimaginable events are going to happen. Fantasy-breaking things.”

“Ah, okay. If the slime is real, it’s worth considering. But I still think it’s a hoax.”

The boy gulped down the juice and said,

“We’ll find out today.”

“Hmm… Alright, let’s do that. By the way, won’t you get a headache if you drink that much juice?”

“My head hurts already.”

Doyugeon scrunched up his face, clearly in discomfort.

Since we agreed to look for the slime, we wandered around the neighborhood without much of a plan.

We ate street snacks and strolled through the park. Fortunately, there was an art exhibition happening, so we also looked at the artworks. However, after spending a while strolling around, we saw no slime.

Current Sky sat on the swing in the playground and swung her legs.

“Be honest here. Isn’t this just an excuse to play around with the slime as an excuse?”

“It’s not entirely an excuse; we simply don’t know where the slime appears yet.”

He was sitting on the seesaw, looking down at his smartphone. He wasn’t sending messages but was likely searching for slime appearances.

“Alright, that makes sense. Let’s call it a day and head to the PC cafe. My legs are getting sore.”

He said nothing. He seems to be searching rather than chatting.

I pushed off with my feet. The swing rocked back and forth.

When pushing off again, I saw something blue in the corner of the playground. It was a round, translucent blue slime. The slime slipped forward and swallowed a leaf in its path.

“…”

It’s actually here. How does this even make sense?

The slime moved toward the seesaw where Doyugeon was sitting.

“Yo, Doyugeon! Yo.”

“Hmm, let’s call it a day and head to the PC cafe.”

“No, look over there.”

He turned around after I pointed where the slime was and saw it.

“Wow!”

“It’s really here.”

The slime had already reached near Doyugeon. Doyugeon cheered and came over.

Current Sky got off the swing.

“I thought this was impossible but it’s real. Should we proceed according to the plan now?”

The boy took pictures of the slime with his smartphone.

“Of course.”

“It seems strange to believe that catching this thing will really give experience points.”

Doyugeon smiled slyly and rummaged through his bag. A rubber hammer came out. He had shopped at a dollar store while looking for slime.

Doyugeon crouched with the rubber hammer ready as the slime approached. As the slime drew near, he hit it with the hammer. The slime burst, and blue liquid splashed everywhere.

Then, in the blink of an eye, it turned into golden dust and flew toward Doyugeon, getting absorbed into his body.

“Whoa.”

“Saw it, didn’t you? See, what did I say? I was right!”

Doyugeon suddenly stood up and shouted excitedly.

“Wow, impressive.”

Whether the absorption was experience points or not, I still clapped. It feels like something fantastical is truly starting.

The boy shouted again,

“Our adventure is about to begin!”

Don’t shout out things like that randomly…

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