ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!

After nearly an hour of slow walking, warm food, stolen fruit, and quiet company, the sun had dipped low behind the stone ridges surrounding the dwarven town.

The streets were quieter now. Lanterns began to glow softly on wooden poles. The sky was painted in faded orange.

Hazuki stopped at a corner, glancing around the narrow paths branching off the main road.

Then, without warning, he looked up at Ellyn.

And smiled.

A rare one.

Not tired. Not forced.

Just… genuine.

"Ellyn?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "Y-yes?"

"We're going to find an inn," he said simply, still smiling. "Probably rent two rooms."

"Why two rooms?" Ellyn asked, tilting her head down to look at him.

Hazuki didn't look up. "Hmm? You're a girl."

Ellyn pouted instantly. "I'm still a kid."

"Yeah… but still."

"No!" she huffed, tightening her legs slightly around his shoulders. "We're engaged. I'm not going to sleep alone in some other room."

Hazuki glanced up, half-lidded. "You're not alone. Syaria will be with you, right?"

"No!" Ellyn snapped again, tail flicking behind her. "I don't care!"

He didn't respond for a moment.

Just kept walking, the same steady pace beneath her.

Hazuki looked up at her again, his expression calm but steady.

"Hmm… you're acting really different lately."

"W–what? I don't!" Ellyn replied quickly, eyes darting to the side. Then, in the most suspicious tone imaginable, she added, "Whistle~"

Hazuki blinked.

"Weird," he muttered to himself.

But then shrugged like it didn't really matter.

"Anyway," he said casually, eyes forward again, "since we've already eaten… if you get hungry later, we can find more food."

Ellyn just sat there—face flushed, tail flicking lightly—still trying to act casual while hiding a dozen things at once.

Hazuki didn't push.

He never did.

He just kept walking.

Hazuki walked slowly along the edge of the town's quieter district, Ellyn still resting comfortably on his shoulders.

The light from the evening lanterns flickered across the cobblestone, casting warm shadows between tightly packed buildings.

As they passed a small alley, Hazuki slowed his steps in front of a cheap-looking inn—its wooden sign half-hanging, one window cracked, and the faint sound of snoring echoing through the thin walls.

He stopped.

"Hm. This one's close," he said casually.

But the moment he did—

Ellyn tugged on his hair sharply.

"No," she said firmly. "Not this one."

"Eh?" Hazuki blinked. "Why not?"

"Just... no! Keep looking!"

Hazuki tilted his head slightly, confused. "...Okay."

He didn't argue.

Didn't question it.

Just turned and kept walking, as if it made perfect sense.

Ellyn relaxed again, arms lightly wrapped around his forehead.

Her cheeks were faintly red.

I'm not going to experience our first...

—in a room with paper-thin walls and a moldy mattress.

Her thoughts drifted far ahead of where they were now.

Far ahead of what she was ready to say out loud.

But still...

She looked down at Hazuki beneath her. Steady as ever. Just walking.

"Hmm?" he asked casually, sensing her staring.

She hesitated, then spoke quietly.

"Can I be selfish?"

Hazuki didn't even glance up. "Sure. Just tell me."

There was a small pause.

Then her voice, almost a whisper:

"Can we get... the best room? Or maybe… a rental house?"

Hazuki blinked once.

Then shrugged. "Alright."

Simple as that.

No questions. No teasing. No misunderstanding.

Just a quiet yes.

Ellyn bit her lip slightly—and smiled.

Up above and behind, Ridan floated lazily through the evening air, Syaria still clinging lovingly to his side, humming a soft tune as she fed him the last piece of fruit they stole earlier.

But Ridan's gaze flicked toward Ellyn.

And the sly grin returned.

He drifted closer—only close enough that she'd feel it—and whispered into her mind.

So… you're thinking about it, huh?

Ellyn's tail stiffened instantly.

Her ears twitched sharply.

Shut up, Ridan.

Her telepathic reply was sharp.

Just go glue yourself to Syaria and stay out of my head.

Ridan floated back with exaggerated mock fear.

Ohoho~ Fierce little catgirl. Scary~

The fire in her eyes! The heat in her thoughts!

Syaria giggled from his side. "Ridan~ stop teasing her…"

"Can't help it. She's fun," he smirked, still drifting backward like a smug puff of mist.

Ellyn just clenched Hazuki's hair a little tighter.

"Hmm…" Hazuki glanced around the stone streets, now tinted in the warm gold of dusk.

"Since you mentioned renting a temporary house… I don't know where to look," he admitted, eyes scanning the nearby signboards. "Never bothered with that stuff."

Ellyn rested her chin on top of his head again, her voice light.

"Just go to any property manager's office."

Hazuki scratched his cheek. "Err… I'm not a permanent resident here, and you do know that."

She smiled against his hair.

"Then ask around. It's not like dwarves eat humans."

Hazuki chuckled. "They do eat meat."

"Yeah," she nodded smugly, "but not human meat. They like booze more."

"That's fair."

He looked up at a nearby side street, then back toward the market path they came from.

"Well… guess we're asking the next dwarf that looks sober."

Ellyn giggled. "Good luck finding one."

Hazuki stopped at the corner of the street, his eyes settling on a slender dwarf girl standing beside a crate of herbs and clay jars. She looked youthful.

Beautiful, long auburn hair tied back in a messy braid. Clear eyes. Slender frame.

He raised a hand casually.

"Hello… can I ask something?"

The girl blinked, flustered for a half second. "H–Hello? Ah, yes?"

"I'm looking for the property office. Want to check if there's a house I can rent. Temporary stay."

Her fingers fidgeted slightly as she pointed upward. "Oh, the office? It's not that far."

She raised her index finger proudly.

"You walk from hereeeeeeeee—"

Her hand swept dramatically across the entire horizon.

Then dropped it directly in front of them. A small stone building just five steps ahead.

"There! That's the property office!" she giggled.

"...Thanks."

"You're welcome," she grinned. "Good luck, mister tall human!"

As the dwarf girl waved and turned back to her stall, Ellyn stared down at her with narrowed eyes.

Pout forming. Tail flicking once.

She wasn't angry.

Just…

She's smiling too much.

Laughing too much.

Looking at Hazuki too much.

Hazuki was already bound to her.

That pinky promise wasn't just some ancient curse.

It was hers.

And it worked both ways.

He can't touch other women…

And I can't be claimed by any man.

So try whatever you want, dwarf girl. He's mine.

Without a word, she raised her small hand, and bonked Hazuki's head with a firm whack.

"Ouch!" Hazuki flinched, looking up at her with a frown. "What was that for?"

Ellyn looked away quickly, arms crossed.

"...Nothing."

Hazuki blinked.

Then kept walking toward the property office like it was normal.

"Ellyn?" Hazuki said as they reached the short doorway ahead. "Climb down first. The door's small."

"Hmph!!" Ellyn pouted, but did as asked, sliding off his shoulder with slow, exaggerated effort.

Once down, she landed lightly, dusted herself, and immediately reached for his hand.

Hazuki gave her a glance.

Then simply let her hold it.

She smiled—quietly satisfied.

He pushed the door open, ducking slightly, and stepped inside. Ellyn followed behind, hand still in his.

The air inside smelled of wood polish, scroll ink, and pipe smoke. It was cozy, but well-kept.

From behind a low desk, a stocky dwarf looked up. He had a thick copper beard tied into two knots, and wore a vest that didn't quite fit over his belly.

"Ah—welcome, human!" the dwarf barked cheerfully. "What brings ye in t'day?"

Before Hazuki could answer, the dwarf raised a hand.

"Wait, wait, let me say this first, lad—this shop don't sell heels."

He laughed, a hearty sound. "Aye, I know ye lot love them fancy boots!"

"Ah, no," Hazuki said calmly, stepping forward. "I'm looking to rent a house. Temporary stay."

The dwarf raised an eyebrow, nodding thoughtfully. "Oho? Lookin' for a house, are ye? Good, good. We don't get many humans rentin' 'round here—but coin's coin, eh?"

Then he glanced down at Ellyn, tail swaying slightly beside Hazuki.

"So this catgir—"

"I'm his fiancée!" Ellyn declared proudly, puffing her chest and raising Hazuki's hand like a trophy.

The dwarf blinked.

Then slowly leaned back in his chair.

"…Hoh."

His eyes shifted between them, beard twitching once.

Inside his mind:

Man… humans got some strange tastes.

I know it's normal for 'em to marry young, but a catgirl? Really?

Not unheard of—but still rare. Most humans stick with their kind.

Ah well. Not my business. If they got the coin and don't wreck the place, I don't care if he's marryin' a tree spirit.

He cleared his throat.

"Well then! Let's see what we've got in the listings, eh?"

Hazuki watched the dwarf flip through the leather-bound binder, each page marked with sketches, notes, and old rental tags.

He spoke up with his usual plain tone.

"Well… I don't really care about the house."

The dwarf raised an eyebrow.

Hazuki glanced down at Ellyn.

"Let her choose."

Ellyn's ears perked up instantly. She looked up at him in surprise, then smiled—tail swaying once behind her.

"I want something small," she said, voice soft but sure. "Not big or flashy. But… it should have a nice view. Beautiful scenery. And if possible…" she hesitated slightly, then added, "...a small lake nearby."

The dwarf gave a long "Hmm…" and flipped a few more pages.

"Well now… got one like that," he muttered, squinting at the page. "A bit outta town, though. Quiet. Lake's more like a large pond, but it's clean. Got a fence, a lil' flower patch, and a bench lookin' west. Not many folks rent it 'cause of the walk."

He slid the paper toward Hazuki and Ellyn.

"Price is decent. I'll even knock off a few silvers since ye ain't causin' trouble."

Hazuki looked at Ellyn. "Sound good?"

Ellyn nodded quickly. "Mm. I like it."

( End Of Chapter )