Jigglypuff's Diary

Tasulag Ranch, Sieb First Stable.

Located in a corner lined with buildings of the same “skin” as their surroundings was a civilian facility some ways away from the main avenue where they were riding the Gorado just a moment ago.

Succinctly, it was a massive single-story warehouse, a structure with the height of a five-story building and a floor plan roughly the size of four soccer fields combined.

The buildings in the vicinity were all more or less the same, at most having a difference in the color of the walls and the roofs, but that was less decoration and more a marker for convenience’s sake.

Even with a cursory glance, it was evident that these buildings were all constructed using technology and materials unlike those of Earth.

There was a mysterious texture to these buildings that was unlike that of metal, concrete, wood, or stone. And to Shinichi, who was yet unaccustomed to such alien tech, the sight of these constructs felt eerie to say the least.

Of course, even if the Garestonians bothered to include a brief explanation regarding the different materials involved, it would have only served to confuse Shinichi more.

Unfortunately, his poor comprehension and memory made wrapping his head around such alien buildings even harder than the normal person.

That’s why Shinichi simply put away all of that extra knowledge in a corner of his brain and called them “Garesto Materials.” As for whether such an attitude could be said to be flexible or lazy is another topic.

“Bwooo!”

In front of one such building, particularly one which gave the impression of a loading dock, the Gorado let out a happy cry, perhaps relieved to finally be back home.

“Well, this is the place.”

It was the foster’s navigation system that had guided them here, but of course, the reaction of the Gorado told them as much. So, Shinichi got off its back and extended his hand.

“Huh?”

He’d extended it for Aristel, who was riding double with him and was yet mounted, but she only looked at him blankly. That lasted for a good moment or two until confusion turned into a smile, and she took his hand to help herself.

“Thank you.” She said. “However, it would be best if you refrained from doing that for anyone other than myself, especially in Garesto.”

“Why?”

“Garestonians could take it the wrong way, as though you’re implying that they cannot get down on their own,” Aristel wryly smiled. “A cultural issue, I suppose.”

Earthling considerations were sometimes seen as condescending by the Garestonians. They did possess greater physical abilities than their counterparts, and while the extent to which varied, a considerable number of them did look down on the Earthlings for that.

To that, Shinichi had no choice but to accept that he was in a different land. Well, this wouldn’t be his first time in foreign culture, a foreign world more so, so he knew not to take Aristel’s advice lightly.

“…I’ll be careful. Was it unpleasant for you?” He asked her.

“No, of course not!” She said. “I know you meant well. Besides, the only reason I was surprised was because I thought you weren’t someone who would offer help for such things–Things that a person can do themselves. Well, I suppose in that regard we are even.”

“Well, you’re not exactly wrong,” Shinichi said. “Even that just now was just good manners.
Still, as the saying goes, I should do as the Garestonians do since I’m in Garesto. I guess I should’ve read a simple etiquette book beforehand. Unfortunately, I didn’t exactly have the time.”

The young lady nodded understandably.
This year had been quite restless to say the least, and even the school trip had been pushed up.
Moreover, Shinichi was also busy with entirely different matters even during their breaks in Japan.

“In that case, shall I send you a few e-books that might help even from a native’s perspective?”

“That would be appreciated, but you could just send me a list of titles. I’ll buy them properly myself.”

Feeling a fondness for his strange integrity, that he would feel bad for the author otherwise, Aristel smiled and nodded, saying, “Understood.”

Just as she was immersing herself in the somewhat warm atmosphere of their casual chat…

“Are you two done?”

Aristel jumped in surprise when that voice came out of nowhere, while Shinichi just grinned, having apparently noticed the woman for a while already.

Despite that, he mischievously turned his gaze only at the same time as Aristel.

Floating there was a spatial monitor, and on it was a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties, with her red hair cut to shoulder length.

From the blue jumpsuit she wore, she probably worked here.

“I-I’m so sorry. We got caught up in the conversation!”

Realizing they had essentially been loitering in front of the door, the young lady bowed almost reflexively, and Shinichi followed suit.

“Well, I don’t really mind, but having people flirt right in front of the loading dock can be troublesome,” the woman laughed cheerfully.

She had come out to greet the Gorado she’d lent to the students, only to find a pair of student lost in their own world. Understandably, she couldn’t help but tease these two lovebirds about their youthful romance, but…

“Flirting?” Aristel and Shinichi asked.

Apparently, they had no such intentions. It didn’t look so from the woman’s perspective, though, leading her to say.

“Is that level of intimacy normal for kids these days?”

After all, from her perspective, they were holding hands while gazing at each other and whispering sweet nothings. They were even perfectly synchronized.

“Ridika, is there trouble!?”

“Nah, everything’s fine! I’m opening up now. Hey, you two, get in!”

At her behest, the shutter rose, and Shinichi and Aristel stepped inside the stable.

“Whoa.”

Shinichi gasped in admiration.
Beyond the loading dock entrance was a completely different world.
Real grass, still green, still fresh, grew thick across the entire floor, even rustling as a gentle breeze blew past by.
On the heavens (ceiling) above was a blue sky and many suns hung from it.
Beneath were about ten Gorados scattered, leisurely grazing on the grass.
It was an almost perfect recreation of what an Earthling might imagine a ranch to be, and it was being reproduced inside a building that looked nothing more than a giant warehouse.
A testament to just impressive Garestonian technology was.

“So, these critters were herbivores?”

But of course, Shinichi being Shinichi was taken by something else altogether.

“Ahaha, that’s what stuck out for you?” Aristel said. “Strictly speaking, they are omnivores, but I’m told that grass is easiest for them to digest.”

“I learn something new every time,” Shinichi said.

“Don’t mention it.”

“…So, you two really weren’t flirting? Kids these days just make less and less sense,” a tall woman, who could only be Ridika from earlier, grumbled to herself as she approached. Aristel was already taller than Shinichi, but this woman was a full head taller than even her.

“Yes, about earlier… Oh my–!?”

Aristel intended to speak with composure, but when she saw the woman, her jaws dropped.
The woman was also dressed in a jumpsuit, making clear the curves of her figure, to which, Aristel could think just one thing–Big.
That was the only thing Aristel could think as she found herself homing in on the woman’s chest.
Though she would never say it, she was actually quite proud of her own assets, but this was on a whole ‘nother level.
Moreover, not only did the woman possess a pair of enviable mountains, they were wonderfully sculpted as well, and coupled with her height and confident posture, Aristel couldn’t help but be stupefied.
Without intending to, she compared herself to the adult woman and felt a distinct sense of defeat. When she remembered Shinichi, she snapped to him with great anxiety at the thought of such a powerful rival; however…

“Oh?”

Shinichi only stood there beside the Gorado completely indifferent.
Furthermore, despite his sunglasses, it was clear that he wasn’t the slightest bit interested.
If anything, he seemed more interested in the Gorado.

“Wow, it really is Number 29,” the woman said. “I can’t believe you were the first one back… Ah, excuse me. I’ll take him from here.”

“Is that so? Well, looks like this is where we part ways. Good job,” Shinichi told the Gorado.

“Bwooo,” or rather–No, no, it was nothing, the Gorado seemed to say as it shook its head, visibly relieved to have made it back here alive. Of course, such an attitude didn’t escape Shinichi, and the corners of his lips lifted into a crescent moon.

“…Number 29, huh,” Shinichi said.

“Bwooo!?” The Gorado said.

“Come to think of it, we’ve been together for so long, but I still don’t know if you taste good,” Shinichi said.

“Bwoo, bwoooo!!”

–No, no! I absolutely unquestionably do not taste good! Don’t eat me!
The Gorado shook its head violently from side to side in a panic, as the boy teased the creature.
Evidently, the boy was more interested in the Gorado rather than the healthy busty beauty.

“Heh, it’s a joke, a joke. I appreciate your help getting here. Thank you,” Shinichi said.

Satisfied with the reaction, he patted Number 29 on the back and sent it off, who in turn, practically ran over to the woman.
Meanwhile, Ridika was surprised to see their exchange.

“Wow. You’re like an expert rider,” She caught herself admiring before remembering that she had a job to do. “Ah, sorry, I need to grade the Gorado’s condition to complete the check-in process, or rather, I need to verify your identities first. Can you both show me your Fosters?”

Realizing she had gotten the steps wrong, the woman bowed her head in apology, allowing her breasts to bounce wonderfully in front of Shinichi. Boing, Boing, they seemed to say, giving Aristel plenty of fuel to glare at the woman. With Shinichi completely unresponsive; however, Aristel’s glares only served to make her look suspicious.

“Something the matter, Alice?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. Aristel F. Padyuel, Garesto Academy, Class 3-A. Please confirm.”

“Shinichi Nakamura, Class 1-D. Please confirm.”

Managing to calm herself, Aristel held up the Foster displaying her student ID and introduced herself with practiced ease.

In contrast, Shinichi struggled for a moment, feeling embarrassed at the thought of announcing his own name, but it was only for a moment, and in the end, he followed procedure.

Meanwhile, the woman didn’t notice his reluctance at all as she was shocked by their respective names and grade levels, but she was professional enough to carry on with the process and finish verification.

“All set. Sorry about that. I’m actually a dedicated Gorado breeder. Oh what am I doing, I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Ridika Fronson, a Gorado breeder affiliated with this facility. We’re a little short-staffed right now and this request was very abrupt to say the least, but I guess telling that to you students only puts you in a bind. Anyway, just wait for a while, and the check will be over soon… Boss! Number 29 is back!”

At her behest, a stout woman came over from the back, and Ridika walked the Gorado to her.
All the while, Aristel glared as her chest continued to bounce. Boing. Boing.
Meanwhile, Shinichi just groaned.

“When the repercussions follow you across worlds,” Shinichi shook his head. “Wait. Did she say that she would check the Gorado’s condition? Oh, no! Alice! We might get our points deducted for increased stress!”

The sight of Shinichi genuinely worried about that brought a smile to Aristel.
More than the strange embarrassment of her earlier panic, and more than any sense of superiority regarding his reaction to her own, Aristel’s cheeks relaxed simply because that was just so like him.

“Fufu, please don’t worry about it. Even if there were a deduction, we are in first place by a wide margin. Besides, it seems that isn’t the only reason for the busyness here.”

The young lady’s words, inferred from the conversation that was audible even without eavesdropping, coincided almost perfectly with another person’s arrival.

“Sorry to keep you waiting! My apologies, especially since you’re a runaway first place and yet here I am late!”

A middle-aged woman with green hair, a round smile, and a wide frame stood before them. She spoke in a tone that was a mix of familiarity and loudness.

“Nice to meet you! I am Mira Tasulag, the manager here. Though I say Tasulag, we’re more like a distant relative from the main branch’s perspective, but because we seem to have quite a knack for it, we’ve been allowed to breed Gorados here for generations.

Here, this is Number 29’s data. I’m glad to see he wasn’t handled roughly. The stress value was within the acceptable range for a first-time rider, and your handling just now was good. Those kids are smart. They understand words of appreciation properly.

In fact, I’d say your future is so promising that I almost wished you’d come work for us right now! Honestly, it’s night and day compared to that kid!

Always grumbling, saying it’s outdated or uncool. What nonsense! That stupid son of mine! I begged him to at least help out just for today, but he won’t even show up!!”

“…That’s tough.”

“Ahahaha…”

Her words, filled with indignation and helplessness, explained everything.
In fact, she spoke so much in one breath that they couldn’t even get a word in, leaving Shinichi and Aristel with no choice but to just smile wryly.

“Mujika is just at that age, Boss. Besides, he’s still a child, so let’s overlook it for now. More importantly, we need to let these kids get back,” Ridika said.

“Oh, that’s right. Ridika, you really are a thoughtful, good girl. If only my son weren’t such a stupid slacker, I’d be bowing my head begging you to marry him,” Mira said.

“Haha, I feel like Mujika would hate that too, but thank you.”

Was this just how she was?
Ridika, who seemed used to it, casually deflected the words and signaled Shinichi and Aristel with her eyes that they were free to go.
In turn, the couple responded with a bow and left the stable.

“S-She was quite the energetic person, wasn’t she?”

Aristel was still wryly smiling due to the impact of their brief but impressionable meeting with the boss.

The sheer intensity of that woman with a “chatty auntie” disposition, a type she had never encountered in her circle before, had left quite the impression on her.

“I guess you can’t take care of that many animals, docile or not, without being like that… Though I feel like a flag might’ve just been raised.”

Shinichi, on the other hand, perhaps having more tolerance for such characters, was looking into the distance, focused more on the strange premonition he felt from the conversation.

“Is something the matter?” Aristel asked.

“…Nah, just wondering what the schedule is for later,” Shinichi said.

Aristel could tell that he was doing his usual ‘deflecting with a question he actually wanted to ask thing’, but she answered all the same and didn’t pry, only smiling.

“We’re free until all the squads arrive, so we can see the sights in Sieb until then if you’d like.”

“We’d have to predict when they’ll arrive, though, no?”

“Yes, that is also subject to evaluation,” Aristel said.

Shinichi wryly smiled. “Should I call the Academy meticulous or rigorous? They like to grade everything, don’t they?”

“Well, gathering data, analyzing it, and predicting results is a necessary skill in any field. That might be why they tend to test them in these events.”

“Sounds tough,” Shinichi said as though it were someone else’s problem, while Aristel just smiled and drew closer to him. Like that, they walked back the way they came from, side by side.

“Um, do you mind?”

However, once they reached the main street, Aristel directed a gaze at him that held a hint of expectation.
When he responded with a “What?”, she spoke with a hushed intensity that she barely kept back.

“Walking side by side like this certainly does wonders for the heart, but if we are late, everyone’s free time will decrease by that much, so…”

“So?”

“I will obtain flight permission right now, and if you’d let me, we can fly the way back!”

Shinichi found himself blinking at the proposal for a moment before sending his gaze up to the vast Garestonian sky. When he pulled his gaze down back to those innocent yet powerful eyes staring, he asked.

“You can fly with your exoskeleton, but what about me?”

“I will fly with you in my arms, of course!”

As far as Aristel was concerned, she was being considerate.
She knew that Shinichi was self-conscious about being seen by others while they were riding double on the Gorado, but she wanted to be as spend as much time as possible with him while being as physically close as possible, so she figured: Why not carry him in my arms and fly high up in the sky so she can have him all to herself!

“And then we return to everyone like that?” Shinichi asked.

“Yes!” Aristel exclaimed.

Her energetic reply demonstrated both her lack of self-awareness and how serious she was.

Shinichi didn’t particularly have any feelings about being carried by a woman. It happened quite often.

He also didn’t think that seeing the sights while flying with her was a bad idea; however, at the same time, it was all too easy to imagine how a certain female student would end up looking at him weird, and that’s putting it likely. Just the thought of how grave the reaction could be nearly broke his spirit.

“You don’t want to?”

Sensing the boy’s mood, Aristel wilted. Had she a pair of fox ears, they would have surely drooped with her eyes.

Though her lips might say ‘it can’t be helped,’ the sorry sight she made nearly broke Shinichi’s heart. If only Aristel knew how effective this technique was. Alas, it was done purely by accident. Oh, what an innocent girl she was.

The thought of breaking a girl’s heart when all she wanted to do was to help him was too much for most to bear. But it was especially worse for Shinichi who had an almost fatal flaw to his personality that prioritized others. Particularly, those he liked.
As such.

“Actually, you know what, let’s do it. Let’s do it right now. It’s not that far, but let’s go on a date, Alice! Let’s go on a mile-high date!”

“Yes! Thank you very much, Shinichi!”

Aristel bloomed like a flower at the sound of those words, and Shinichi too faintly smiled.

“Just make sure no one sees us, okay?”

---

No matter the origin, history, or role of a place, so long as people gather to form a society, the emergence of “dimly lit underbellies” cannot be helped.

However, while such places on Earth tend to form in the alleys, away from the brighter parts of the city, that is not exactly so for Garesto.

Here, the cities show little variance in their shape, and the same could be said for their internal layout.

The outer sectors were constantly guarded by the military or equivalent organizations as a countermeasure against the Raybeasts.

So, the inner-most area was naturally the safest, and it was where most of the civilian residences and facilities concentrated. Then the next layer, the middle layer, was for the administrative agencies. This was due to a need to keep an eye on problems both external and internal. Also, if an external threat were to breach the middle layer, the citizens in the inner-most layer would need to be evacuated, so it was more convenient for them to be gathered in the inner-most layer from the start.

Though, there was also the unfortunate fact that civilians were useless in combat, so they would just be in the way if they were closer outside.

Perhaps this approach worked best for the Garestonians.
Although it has not been mandated that cities take this approach, all cities naturally settled into it.

Inevitably, the city’s dark side would naturally form in the place where the eyes of the military and administration reached least. In this case, that happened to also be the place that was furthest from the threat of external enemies.

Further inside the dome, even past what was considered the inner-most area was the dead center.
An area that was known problem to all Garestonians and all cities, an unreachable blank zone in the dead center of the dome-shaped cities known as “Central Hole.”

“H-Hiiiieee!!”

“Stop! N-No! Waaaaah!!”

“Help—Gah!?”

Sieb’s Central Hole was currently being destroyed.
One such base that was established by those living a life of crime was currently in the process of being wiped out.
By a single beautiful young man with long flowing blond hair, who showed no reaction whatsoever to screams of these criminals.
The destruction was carried out simply and exceptionally without anyone outside knowing.
The city’s administration will find out about this event later, but by then, all they will find are the traces of gore.

“Processing at Point C33 is complete. Master, your next orders please.”

The perpetrator, the beautiful young man, was of course none other than Ein.
After mechanically disposing of dozens of villains as though cutting grass, he opened a pitch-black monitor from his terminal and initiated a call.

“‘Dahahahaha!! That bastard is actually being carried like a princess by a princess!!'”

But on the other side of the call was only laughter.
There was his boss, the man who ordered the destruction of these villains, banging his hand on the desk and crying about how much his stomach hurt from laughter.
He didn’t even notice the call.

Ein waited patiently and without so much as an eek.
For him, the Master’s joy was more important than anything else. For better or worse, his people were truly Master supremacists.

“‘Whoops, my bad, my bad.
I was watching Shinichi when he started doing something weird, so I just couldn’t help myself.'”

“Not at all. If you are enjoying yourself, then nothing could be better.
However, with all due respect, the processing is complete. I am awaiting your next instructions.”

“‘Oh, right. Good work.
But… Hmm, what should we do now?'”

“Is there a problem?”

“‘The problem is that I had to clean up Sieb’s Central Hole in the first place.
I thought this place was safe, but the moment I took my eyes off it, this happens. If trouble starts right here at the gateway and the trip gets canceled, all the preparations I made will go to waste. Geez!'”

“Haha, true… However, things really had taken a strange turn for a place like Sieb.
If we had left it alone for one more day, the security level would likely have changed.”

Structurally and purposefully, Sieb was a “Welcome City.”
It was the first city visitors from Earth would reach after passing through the Gate City, Orgen.
The aim was of course to welcome Earthlings into Garesto without causing them any ill will.
As a result, significant effort has been put into maintaining order and preventing crime.
The Central Hole here was relatively small-scale, and the outlaws within were nothing more than a group of two-bit thugs, or so they were supposed to be.

“‘So, what exactly were they plotting?'”

“From a quick look around, it seems kidnapping, human trafficking, illegal drug distribution, the diversion of military equipment, and bombing plots bordering on terrorism were all on the verge of execution.”

“‘They really skipped a few steps there. There’s a limit to overreaching.
Sure, crime escalates if left unchecked, and the guys in the Hole have nowhere else to go. Plenty of them probably want to make a name for themselves in the underworld. Sieb isn’t anyone’s turf, so if they pull something off, they keep all the profits and their reputation in the underground goes up. But still…'”

“Yes, just like the others, the preparations were proceeding far too smoothly.
Despite being executed with obviously poor planning, progress had reached an actionable level without any issues.”

“‘…Tch. That’s a trend I’ve been seeing a lot lately.
It’s as if the possibility of failure has been eliminated as much as possible… It’s almost like an Apostle Weapon.'”

“Are you suggesting someone is using something like an Apostle Weapon on a location or region?”

“‘Hoh, that’s an interesting thought. But this trend started at almost the exact same time everywhere, covering the entirety of Garesto. There’s no way, a weapon is responsible–Wait.
If it were possible, what would that mean?'”

“Master?”

“‘……'”

A moment of silence followed.
Knowing this was proof that his Master was deep in thought, Ein remained silent so as not to disturb him.
It took only a few seconds, and in the end, he said this.

“‘What an unfunny Protagonist Buff.'”

“Gh.”

Although the tone was slightly mocking, Ein could feel the tension from it, as he realized that his Master had noticed something troublesome.

“‘Good grief, things have gotten messy. If that’s the case, is this just the prologue?
It gives me the chills. At this rate, everything is going to spiral out of control… Hmm?'”

However, a light electronic sound from the other side of the monitor and the absentminded voice that noticed it instantly relaxed the tension.
This was partly because his voice in response sounded somewhat amused.

“‘Eh? You’re here too!?
Of all the places to get lost, just what are you doing here, Daigo!'”