It looks like Ruri and Miriam are going to teach me magic. "Ah, but I'm sorry, could we possibly do it later? There's a lot I need to prepare for the move." "Moving? Oh, right. You were living somewhere else... Understood." "Please make that your priority. After all, life comes first, right?" Both the person and the creature nod in agreement. "Then, I'll head off now." With those words, I stood up, walked to the door, and paused to look back. "By the way, do you both live here?" "Yes, we do." "Indeed, meow." Has it been that way for a while? "Do you ever cross to the other side?" "We do not. Miriam and I are under strict orders not to go there." Grandpa's orders, huh? "Hmm... I wouldn't mind if you came over, though." "Would that be alright?" "Would that be okey, meow?" Could there be a problem with that? Ah... "Miriam, please don't talk in front of others." "Old man, don't people ever tell you that you're a bit off, meow?" I haven't been told that! "Sorry. So anyways, would that cause any problems?" "No, personally, I'd prefer if we could head over there, meow." "I'd be able to take care of you over there as well." Take care? Such a child would? It feels like I should be the one taking care of her... "Well, it doesn't matter. Come on over. I'm thinking of making moving-day soba for dinner tonight." "I've got it covered. Cooking's my specialty." "Old man, I'd really like some meat, meow." Meat... Pork slices should be fine, right? "Miriam, I'll go buy some meat, but I have a request for you." "What's that, meow?" "Can you drop the 'old man'? I have a name, you know – it's Yamada Tatsuya." "Such a sensitive age, meow... Alright, meow, Yamada." Yamada... Well, that's fine, i guess. "How should I call you?" Ruri asks. "Anything's fine. Oh, but hold on." If this child stays at my house, someone could think it's a kidnapping? In that case, I don't want to be called 'father', so maybe a 'younger sister' role would work? No, perhaps it would be better to simply say we're relatives. If she was made by the old man, that should be close enough. "What's the matter, meow?" "I was just pondering our backstory a bit. You'll be a relative, Ruri." "Understood. There are considerations for your world, so i don't mind that. Does that make you my... 'big brother'?" Big brother... It's doesn't have a bad ring to it, but it feels a bit embarrassing at my age. "Yamada will do, meow." "Got it. I'm in your care, Yamada." Doesn't that feel incredibly out of place though? "Actually, let's settle on Tatsuya, meow..." It seems Miriam thought the same. "Then, it's decided. I'm in your care, Tatsuya-san." The polite language doesn't quite suit relatives, but let's chalk it up to personality. "Alright. Come on over, then." As I said this, a single person and a creature came over to our world, passing through the door and we all returned to my grandfathers home.

"So this is a different world...?" "The vibe is so different, meow." The uneven pair, enter the living room and survey the room. "I see. From you guy's point of view, this side is like another world..." "That would be correct. Tadashi-sama had told us, but seeing it firsthand is quite impressive. By the way, you said you were moving? Is there any way I can assist?" Hmm... Well, when you put it that way... "We'll mostly be using the things that are already here, mainly getting rid of stuff. What's left, is just bringing over personal belongings." Like clothes. "If that's the case, I believe I can be of help. I'll use spatial magic." Spatial? "What's that?" "It works like this." With those words, Ruri reached out and touched the large TV. In an instant, it vanished from sight. "Wait, what just happened?" Where did my adored giant TV go!? "It's spatial magic. I've stored it in another dimension. But don't worry, I can bring it back out." As Ruri spoke, the large TV reappeared in its original place. "You can do something like that too?" "It's not particularly difficult magic, and I believe Tatsuya-san will be able to master it quickly." It's not difficult? Wow, magic is incredible... "Well then, maybe I'll ask for your help... By the way, Ruri, is that the only outfit you have?" It's a white hooded robe. Not odd, but it's not typical attire for a 10-year-old girl. "I have others. Ones without hoods, red ones, and such." But they're all robes? "Err, how about pajamas or something?" "I don't have any." Really? "Guess I'll need to do some shopping then..." The expenses... Oh, but now that I won't have any rent to pay, I suppose it's fine to use some of my savings. "Let's go shopping before we head to my place." This phrase feels a bit inappropriate to say to a girl who appears to be about 10. "Are you sure? I am fine with this outfit. And i can deal with any problems with my perception blocking magic." What's this perception blocking magic? "Still, I think it's not right for a girl to always dress like that..." "I see... Every place has its own rules and culture... Understood." This kid is definitely sharp. "Can I tag along too, meow? I'm curious about the outside, meow." Miriam starts pleading. "A cat, huh... I don't think that'll work in the shop." "Then I'll just use my vanishing magic, meow." With that, Miriam raises her tail. "That's a cute tail." "Thank you, meow. Now I'm all set, meow." Huh? "What's all set?" "I've already vanished, meow." But you're still here... "Are you suggesting it doesn't work on idiots or something?" "If that were the case, Yamada shouldn't be able to see me, meow. I'm only visible to Yamada and Ruri, meow." Really now...? I can't tell... "Well, whatever. Just don't talk, okay?" "Like i said i am not that den..." "Okay then, let's head out." When we left the house, we decided to start by buying Ruri's clothes and other daily necessities.

So, we went from one clothing store to the next, picking up everyday items. Naturally, I didn't have a clue about any of it, so I left it all to her and the store clerks. It cost a pretty penny, but after we finished shopping for necessities, we made our way to my apartment. "This is Yamada's place, huh... It's so cramped, meow, and dirty, meow." "It looks like you've had it tough..." As we walked in, both Miriam and Ruri gave me looks of pity. "No, this is pretty standard. Most bachelors' places look like this." Probably... It's just that I haven't done much cleaning. "I see... Men can be a bit sloppy, can't they? Leave it to me from now on. What should we do next? Is it okay if I store everything?" Ruri asked. "You can do that?" "Yes. If you specify, I can also selectively take out only what's necessary." That's amazing... "Then, please go ahead." "Alright..." With a nod, Ruri began to touch the furniture and appliances, storing them away. I thought I had quite a bit of stuff, but in less than 10 minutes, everything had vanished. "Is this what magic is...?" "Yup, meow. You'll pick it up in no time, Yamada." But what if i feel like i will never be able to? "We're done here, let's head back." "Ah... yeah, you're right." After leaving the apartment, we did some shopping at the supermarket, and then went back to grandpa's house. Once home, Ruri and Miriam taught me about controlling magical power at the kotatsu in the living room. "The reason your fire magic failed earlier was because you used too much power. It's rare for someone to be able to concentrate magic so easily, but it seems Tatsuya's issue is having too much power and being too good at controlling it. Try to focus just a little bit." While Ruri was folding the freshly bought clothes, I followed her instructions and concentrated a slight amount of magic on the tip of my finger. A flame the size of a lighter appeared. "Yamada... you're incredible, meow. It's rare to find a human who can control magical power like that, meow." "I think it's magnificent." I'm just a novice. I don't even know if this is supposed to be impressive or not. I stand up, head to the kitchen, and turn on the ventilation hood. Taking out a cigarette, I place it between my lips and light it with the magic I just used. "Phew... no need for a lighter anymore..." It's handy but not something I can use in front of others. Kinda iffy... "Yamada... you shouldn't smoke when you have a cat, meow." Is that supposed to be a recognition of pet ownership? Yay! My dream life of having a cat, finally a reality! "Ah, sorry..." I quickly put out the fire. "We've also got kids around, remember." Well now that you've mentioned it. "Sorry about that, Ruri." "No, I can endure it." Alright, that settles it! I'm quitting! After tossing the cigarette in the trash, I went back to the living room. "I've decided to give up smoking." "Eh? That was sudden..." "Oh, you don't have to quit on our account, you know?" They both look a bit taken aback. "No, it's something I've been considering. Life's taken a new turn, so it's the perfect chance to stop." Besides, the cost of cigarettes keeps climbing. "Is that so... It's bad for your health anyway, quitting is for the best." "It's definitely a good move, meow." After that, they both kept teaching me about magic control, and eventually, I was able to fully control my powers. At night, I showed Ruri how to use the kitchen, boiling soba noodles and stir-frying pork slices. And then, the two of us, along with our feline friend, shared a meal. For some reason, the food tasted better than the expensive sushi at the funeral yesterday, and the room seemed brighter and warmer.