The bells on the café door chimed gently as the trio stepped in, bringing with them the scent of the late afternoon air and just a little too much exhaustion for such an early hour. The small café, tucked between a flower shop and a used bookstore, had a cozy charm—wooden beams, soft jazz from hidden speakers, and the comforting scent of roasted beans and warm pastries.
Anisphia collapsed into the nearest chair with a dramatic groan. "If I see one more sign that says 'waitlist only,' I'm going to scream."
Hajime followed more quietly, dropping into his seat with the heaviness of someone ready to challenge gods—but not realtors. "We've technically walked three districts. I think my boots have filed for leave."
Alice smiled faintly as she took her seat across from them. Her movements remained graceful, though even she let out a tired sigh. "At least this place has seats. And tea."
A waitress arrived, bowing politely before taking their orders—one iced cocoa with extra whipped cream for Anisphia, a double espresso for Hajime, and a traditional black tea for Alice. When the waitress left, the table fell into a brief, comfortable silence.
Anisphia rested her cheek against the table, mumbling, "So, where do we go from here? We can't exactly do hotel-hopping. We'll burn through our credits."
Hajime tiredly sighs as he rubs his temples. "Yeah…. Who would have thought that home searching would be a battlefield on its own."
Alice tilted her head thoughtfully. "…..There may be guesthouses for short-term rent. If we find something small and quiet, it could serve as a temporary base."
Anisphia perked up slightly. "Can I still decorate it? Even if it's small? I brought sparkle string lights."
Hajime didn't even flinch. "I'm not surprised. But sure, go ahead. As long as it doesn't glow bright enough to attract angels."
That earned a giggle from Alice. "There's something oddly grounding about this. Talking about such a mundane thing while sitting in a normal café. Watching people pass by. We're just… people right now."
Outside the window, students laughed in groups, couples shared ice cream, and old men read newspapers in the park.
"Yeah…" Hajime leaned back, thinking back at his once normal life, before gods, magic, Herrschers, the Crew, Anisphia and Alice. "We're now more than 'just people,' Alice. But we can still slip moments like this whenever we can."
Their drinks arrived, and for a time, they allowed themselves to simply be—no royal duties, no divine titles, no Herrscher burdens. Just three travellers, resting in a town that hadn't yet realized how much its fate would soon change.
-------
After a few minutes of relaxing and talking about every normal thing that their age does, the conversation naturally drifted back to their housing situation.
"So," Anisphia began, twirling a spoon in her cocoa, "since hotels are overpriced and ghost-hunting isn't on our itinerary, maybe we just crash at a manga café or something? They usually have showers, snacks, and—if we're lucky—blankets that aren't paper thin."
Alice nodded slowly, thoughtful. "Internet cafés might be more discreet too. We'd blend in with the late-night crowd and it's easy to leave without notice."
Hajime nearly choked on his espresso. "You two… staying in a manga café?"
Anisphia raised an eyebrow, amused. "What, too low class for royalty?"
Hajime looked away, ears slightly pink. "That's not what I meant… it's just—you're both technically princesses. It feels… weird."
Alice tilted her head, then gave a rare, mischievous smile. "That's oddly charming, Hajime. You being flustered, I mean."
Anisphia burst out laughing. "Aww, look at you being all noble and embarrassed. It's cute!"
"Stop," Hajime muttered, covering his face with one hand. "I regret saying anything."
But the girls only giggled more, the mood light and warm. In this tiny café in a peaceful corner of Kuoh, for one golden hour, they weren't carrying any of their titles or responsibilities. They were just a boy and two girls, teasing each other over drinks and uncertain plans.
Outside, the sky began to tint rose with the setting sun, promising that tomorrow would bring new trials—and maybe, if they were lucky, a real roof over their heads.
As twilight settled, the trio stepped out of the café, stretching slightly as the breeze brushed past. The streets had quieted somewhat, and a golden-orange glow painted the storefronts with a sleepy warmth. They walked slowly, half-wandering, half-scanning the area for anything that resembled a promising temporary residence.
That's when they noticed her—a young woman in a school uniform, politely handing out flyers near a street corner. Her posture was perfect, her smile unfaltering, but something about the way she stood felt practiced… too refined.
Hajime's eyes narrowed as he caught a glance of the paper.
"Is there something you desire? Call with your deepest wishes and you shall be heard."
The words were bold. The font, decorative. And the bottom? Marked with an ornate sigil—one that felt… wrong. Like a whisper brushing against the edge of his mind.
Anisphia frowned as she leaned closer. "Seriously? This looks like a scam ad straight out of a shady magical girl anime."
Alice took a step forward, her expression unreadable. "No phone number. Just simple instructions." Her brows furrowed as she sensed mana in the piece of paper. "There is a spell matrix engraved in it. It has dimension tracking and intent base reading from what I decipher."
Hajime stared at the flyer, memories tugging at the edge of his thoughts—bargains made in desperation, miracles offered with strings hidden beneath. "That kind of wish always has a price. Even if it says otherwise."
Across the plaza, the girl handing out flyers caught his gaze. Her smile didn't fade, she gracefully bowed before continuing.
Alice's clairvoyance momentarily flares ,"That… She—-wasn't a human… She…"
"..Has the presence of a mystical creature." Hajime folded the flyer carefully, slipping it into his coat. "She may be familiar. Once we settled, let's follow that lead. But tonight we will keep a low profile."
Anisphia bumped his shoulder. "Or we try this wish granting paper."
Alice and Hajime look at Anisphia in disbelief.
"What? We do have some urgent wish right?" Anisphia shrugs seeing the look of her partners. "We get our home, we get our questions answered. Easy right~?"
"Maybe," Hajime, for all of the Reason he has, actually considers Anisphia's words, "But let's have that as the last ditch option."
Alice sighs. "Yes, let us not gamble our living space on such suspicious contracts." Her expression turned grim at the thought of a magical contract being handed over to the public like some kind of flyer. "It seems this world is more complicated than we assumed."
-------
They continued walking past the plaza, the last of the sun dipping beyond the rooftops. Anisphia yawned, stretching her arms skyward. "I still vote for staying in Manga cafe's and building a pillow fort out of manga volumes."
Hajime gave her a look. "You're lucky you're not wrong enough for me to argue."
But just as they were turning the corner near a quiet neighborhood, a rustic wooden sign caught their eyes. It swayed gently in the breeze, fixed above a charmingly old-fashioned gate that led to a traditional inn.
Yuragi-sou
Below the sign was a handwritten note tacked to the gate: "Rooms available – affordable, quiet, with baths. Inquire within."
"Wait…" Anisphia squinted. "Did we just find an actual functioning inn that isn't pink-blinking, expensive, or fish-scented?"
Alice studied the building. The inn had a slightly otherworldly charm, with paper lanterns glowing gently at the entrance and the warm scent of tatami and spring water wafting in the breeze.
"It feels... strange," Hajime muttered. "But not harmful."
They exchanged glances—hesitation, curiosity, and exhaustion playing tug-of-war in their expressions.
Anisphia stepped forward first. "Well, worst case? It's just quirky. Best case? We get real beds."
They rang the small bell at the entrance, and the wooden door slid open with a faint creak. A cheerful young woman in a light yukata appeared, her eyes sparkling with warmth. She bowed low, her long hair tied neatly with a ribbon.
"Welcome to Yuragi-sou! We rarely get walk-in guests these days," she said with a gentle bow. "Are you perhaps looking for lodging for the night? We do have a few rooms open if you're in need of a place to rest."
The trio paused for a second, glancing at one another. It was Anisphia who stepped forward first with a bright smile. "Actually, yes. We've been walking all over town looking for a place. This place looks… perfect."
Alice gave a polite nod. "Good evening, we thank you for receiving us."
Hajime simply offered a courteous bow, though his eyes remained alert.
The young woman beamed. "That's wonderful to hear! I'm Chitose Nakai, the manager here. Please make yourselves at home."
"I'm Anisphia," Anisphia introduced cheerfully. "This is Alice, and that's Hajime. We're new in the town, and looking for a temporary housing."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Chitose said warmly. "Let me show you the available rooms.""
The trio glanced at one another before stepping inside. The entrance hall was warmly lit by cascading lights, twinkling as they cast a nostalgic glow across the polished wooden floors. A faint scent of sandalwood drifted from deeper within the inn, and they could hear the distant sound of running water—perhaps a spring bath.
Anisphia leaned in to whisper. "Okay, this is weirdly nice."
"It's like stepping into a slice-of-life anime," Hajime muttered, still on alert.
Alice offered a serene nod. "Indeed, nothing feels malicious. Only... the warmth of home."
As they removed their shoes and followed the innkeeper further inside, the trio passed sliding doors, tatami rooms, and a common area that overlooked a tranquil courtyard garden. Wind chimes jingled softly above.
"We usually host long-term tenants, but you're welcome to stay for as long as needed," Chitose said, her smile never fading. "Please be mindful of the house rules. No loud magic, no midnight sword duels, and definitely no spectral summoning in the hallway."
They all paused.
Anisphia blinked. "Wait... what?"
"Just a joke," she added smoothly, then turned away. Or was it?
The trio exchanged cautious glances.
And so, as twilight turned to night, the trio found themselves checking into the most unusual inn in Kuoh. One that was quiet… warm and strangely… protective.
So after wandering around the whole day, tonight, they finally found a roof, possibly real beds. A bath that steamed with promise.
And if anything stirred in the dark… they'd deal with it tomorrow.