Re: Growing Up In Another World From Zero (Seichō If)

Seichō If : Transported to Another World

A young man was walking out of a convenience store, carrying a few bags. The deep dark circles under his eyes and his vacant stare made it clear that he was trapped in his own thoughts, playing the same ideas over and over in his mind. He felt the weight on his eyelids increase. He closed his eyes and rubbed them overrides with exhaustion... an extreme cold rushed through his entire body. Darkness completely enveloped him for a brief instant. And then, he felt the warmth of the sun.

Subaru — thought :"Why does my face feel warm if just a second ago it was night—"

When he opened his eyes, Subaru froze.It was daytime. Stretching out before him was a completely unfamiliar city: massive European medieval-style buildings, stone streets, merchants shouting out deals, and, most shocking of all... humans coexisting with demi-humans as if it were the most normal thing in the world. His eyes gleamed with excitement. He had always fantasized about the idea of being transported to another world, and now he seemed to be living exactly that.He was so thrilled that he began looking at everything with an absurd smile on his face, causing several passersby to stare at him with strange looks.  As he walked aimlessly, a vendor called out to him from a stall piled high with fruit.

Kadomon Risch: Hey, kid! Want some appas? They're the best in all of Lugunica!

Subaru stared at the fruit for a few seconds.

Subaru — thought : "Those are apples... not 'appas'."

Before he could reply, a female voice interrupted him.

— If you're not going to buy anything, could you move aside?.

The voice sounded arrogant and somewhat annoyed. Subaru took a few steps back and turned around slowly. Standing in front of him was a short girl with pink hair, wearing a perfectly tailored maid uniform. Subaru stood completely frozen.

Subaru — thought : "What a pretty girl..."

The young woman paid for her purchases quickly and began to walk away. Without realizing it, Subaru started following her at a distance. He noticed that she seemed worried. She was walking fast and muttering something under her breath.

— Where could you be, sister...? —she whispered.

The girl turned into a narrow alleyway. Subaru hesitated for a moment... but ended up following her cautiously, hiding himself as best as he could. Then, three men appeared, blocking her path. A disagreeable-looking dwarf, a thin guy of average height, and a tall, heavy-set man smiling intimidatingly. Subaru watched the scene unfold from where he hid in the shadows of the alley. He wanted to help the pink-haired girl... but fear paralyzed him. He didn't know how to fight. He didn't know what to do. His thoughts raced and crashed into one another, keeping him from moving. The young woman let out an annoyed sigh as she watched the three men slowly approach.

— What a nuisance for you to come bother me right now... I have to return to my master and I still haven't found my sister.

The thugs smirked arrogantly as they closed the distance. The girl clicked her tongue, clearly irritated.

— I'm warning you... step aside now.

But none of them backed down. In a swift movement, the pink-haired girl pulled out a small wand and pointed it at them.

— Fura!

A powerful gust of wind exploded in front of her, creating barriers of air that shot forward at high speed. The first two men were thrown backward without any trouble. But the third one... The tall, heavy man barely stumbled back a single step before lunging directly at her.

— Eh?!

He grabbed her tightly, partially pinning her arms. The girl tried to break free, but the man's size completely overwhelmed her. And then—

— Let her go!

The man was sideswiped by someone throwing their entire body weight into him. It was Subaru Natsuki, who fell right alongside the thug after the impact, breathing heavily. Still trembling with fear, he looked up at the girl.

Subaru: Are you okay?

The pink-haired young woman stared at him in surprise for a few seconds... and then nodded slightly. But the relief didn't last long.

— You damn brat!

The man raised his fist, ready to strike Subaru. However, this time the girl reacted faster. She pointed her wand once more.

— Fura!

The blast of wind hit the thug head-on, sending him crashing violently into some wooden crates at the back of the alley. The alley fell silent.The thugs had fled after taking the magic full-force, and the atmosphere gradually calmed down. Subaru Natsuki let out the breath he had been holding in.

Subaru: Well, that went bett—

Ram pointed her wand back at him, glaring with obvious suspicion.

— Who on earth are you, and why are you following me?!

Subaru raised both hands quickly.

Subaru: Whoa, calm down! I just saw you earlier and noticed you were in danger.

The pink-haired didn't lower her guard. Subaru smiled awkwardly, trying to look friendly.

Subaru: I'll introduce myself first. I'm Subaru Natsuki... and you?

Ram watched him for a few seconds before answering coldly.

— I will not tell you my name. I am not stupid enough to give it to a stranger.

Subaru let out a small, nervous laugh.

Subaru: But I saved you, didn't I? — he said, smiling proudly.

Ram sighed in exasperation.

Ram: You are total garbage... but I suppose I can tell you that much.  My name is Ram.

Subaru repeated the name several times in his head.

"Ram... Ram..."

And then he smiled genuinely.

Subaru: What a pretty name.

Ram narrowed her eyes.

Ram: You are weird, Barusu.

Subaru blinked in confusion.

Subaru: What did you just call me?

Ram: Barusu.

Subaru's face immediately contorted.

Subaru: Don't call me that! But anyway... I'm just glad you're alri—

Before he could finish his sentence, another female voice echoed from the entrance of the alley. A blue-haired girl appeared and said

— Sister! I felt your mana and thought you were in danger.

Ram turned around quickly. The blue-haired girl, who looked almost identical to her, ran until she reached them.

Ram: Rem, where were you? I was looking for you.

But the moment Rem arrived by her sister's side...Her gaze locked directly onto Subaru. A strange pressure ran through Subaru's body from head to toe. Rem's expression changed completely as she stared intently at the unknown boy.