“I have three points to tell you.”

“First one. Now Ren and I are 25 years old, so don't call me or Ren as your uncle and dad.”

He glanced at the confused faces of Hisagi and Sakura, his expression tightening.

“Why do you look so confused? You’re already calling us that, right? But if you call him ‘Dad’ in the capital city, people might get suspicious. This isn’t like the village. You can call us whatever you want. Master, Senpai… even just our names. We don’t mind.”

– Hey, are you telling them to call us Ren and Kazuma?

– What will happen? Are you ashamed of being looked down on?

“Second one…” He swept his gaze from head to toe over Hisagi and Ren, then crossed his arms. “You have to change your clothes.”

Hisagi puffed up with stubborn pride. “Uncle, they have to see skills…”

Kazuma leaned in and flicked Hisagi’s forehead. “They’ll allow us. Sakura only said that carelessly. But think about the human mindset, they form thoughts in just a fraction of a second when they first see us, right? Look at Sakura and me.”

He tugged on Hisagi’s cheek with a smirk. “And I already said this, didn’t I? Don’t call me uncle. Why are you still doing it?”

Hisagi winced, squirming. “Ahw-aa, uncle stop pulling my cheek! We’ll call you that in the capital city! And we’re already doing that when others are in front, right?”

“Okay, Master,” Sakura called him sweetly.

“That’s my disciple. Watch and learn, you punk.” He jerked his thumb toward Hisagi.

Hisagi blinked and tilted his head. ‘In what way can I call him? Master? Wait, uncle always pulls my cheeks and ears. I didn’t call him by name in front of others either, but I have to tease him…’

“Okay, Kazuma-kun.”

A sudden sharp pulse of green aura flared around Kazuma. “Call me again.”

Hisagi flinched, taking a step back. “Uncle, you’re the one who said it’s okay to call by name!” He edged further away, teasing. “Or can I call you more affectionately? Like… Kazuma-chan?”

With a long sigh, he dropped his shoulders. “Third one. Don’t call us by our real names.”

Hisagi was still backing away, half-jokingly yelling across the yard. “What, Uncle? Really now you are saying that?”

He waved him closer with an exasperated sigh. “First, come here. It’s not that I get angry if you call me by name. What I’m saying is… we’ve already participated in the tournament.”

He continued, “So let’s use different names. Until now, it’s been different, but there we have to use a name.” A sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Or can I suggest some myself?”

Ren looked over with a tilted head, puzzled. “Don’t we just use fake family names like Osu Ren?”

“You dumb idiot, we shouldn’t leave hints by using last names. They don’t even ask, and we will only give the last name, right?”

“Dad, you didn’t say it… what’s your full name? I mean, our family name?”

Both Kazuma and Ren stiffened, a flicker of panic in their eyes. Kazuma’s lips parted, then pressed together as he lowered his head.

‘How can I say this? She might even ask again during the tournament…’

“We… are orphans.”

Hisagi and Sakura both stared.

“So we became friends, learned on our own, and after accidentally using it, we came to this village and have been living here.”

There was a drop in Sakura’s voice, her tone softening. “Is that right, Dad? But you didn’t say a thing about it?”

Before Ren could open his mouth, Kazuma jumped in, waving a hand dismissively. “Hey, don’t show sympathy, Sakura. Just leave it. That doesn’t matter. Anyway, let’s pick names.”

Hisagi scratched his head sheepishly, then smiled. “How can I say this… Can we just replace R with K? Then it becomes Ken.”

“Okay. That’s simple enough. Then what about me?” Kazuma asked.

Sakura tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Then we just swap the first letter like Dad… But weird names come out if we do that. How about… Azuma?”

“Well, I don’t have any particular preferences.”

Ren chuckled quietly at their exchange, a soft smile on his lips as he stepped back. “It’s fine. Call us as you like.”

******

“Huh!”

A woman jolted upright. Her chest rose and fell quickly, and sweat clung to her skin. Her hands trembled as eyes blinked rapidly to clear her vision.

‘Ah… was it a dream? What happened to me? Who were those guys…? Why did I dreamed about that? I don’t even know them…’

‘What is this place!?.…..huh! How did I get here!? Am I still dreaming…?’

She ran her palm across the rough bedsheet, eyebrows tightening as her gaze swept the unfamiliar room.

Her hand moved up to her face.

“What the fu⬛? Ahhhh!”

The door creaked open.

A boy stepped in, rubbing his eyes lazily. “Neesan, what happened?”

‘Who is he calling Neesan… Me? What the hell is happening?’

She looked at him, dizzy. Her voice came out dry and low. “Where is my smartphone?”

The boy tilted his head. “Huh? What are you talking about, Neesan? Actually, what’s a smartphone? Again the headache came?”

She didn’t respond. Her hands clenched into the blanket, and her gaze fell.

A sudden pressure hit her mind. ‘Ugh! What is this, suddenly!?’

– “Huh... What’s happening!?”

Her eyes darted around. ‘Where’s that voice coming from…!?’

– “Huh!...? Hey, who are you? How did you get into my body?”

‘Is this my imagination? I am clearly listening to the voice…’

– “That’s not your imagination.”

The boy squinted and rubbed his eyes. “You’re being weird, Neesan. Can I make herbal medicine for you?” He yawned, gaze still hazy. “Do I dreaming now? You look a bit younger now.”

Her eyes locked on him, face stiffened. “Shut Up and go Outside!”

The boy jumped back, then puffed his cheeks with a childish pout. “What happened now? Well I am going, I came because I heard your shout.” He walked off, muttering.

The woman in bed (Yui, outfit of a fitted, high-collared tunic with reinforced padding along the arms and torso, paired with sturdy yet flexible leggings. A knee-length overcoat with weighted hems prevents wind interference but allows swift movement. Made from earth-toned, dust-resistant fabric, the overcoat includes interior pockets. She has a long, shining black ponytail, light fair skin tone, and captivating eyes.)

Yuki (25 years old, wearing a hoodie and night pants, with short-cut hair and fair skin tone)

Conversation between Yui and Yuki.

– ‘Hey, Who are you? Why am I listening to your voice? Wait!…’

– “That is my question. How can you enter my body?”

– ‘...’

– “Say something. How can you get into my mind?”

– ‘That's what I want to know! How did I come here?’’

A dull breath slipped out. – “Well, first we have to be calm. Do you remember anything before coming to my body?”

Yuki’s tone quickened. – ‘Huh!?… ah… well I will tell. I was sleeping in my room and a strange dream came. When I woke up, everything changed… now…’

– “...”

– ‘Tell something. And if you ask, you should have a solution, right?’

– “I am listening to this for the first time,” Yui lowered her eyes, “How can I know the solution?”

‘Huh… wait!…’ Yuki’s thoughts turned quieter. – ‘Hey… can I ask you a question?’ she hesitated, her voice dropping into a cautious whisper.

– “Why are you asking cautiously?” She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Okay, ask.”

– “Hey… what do people do in this world?”

– “Huh, why are you asking?”

– ‘Hey, tell quickly. In this world what do you do?’ her tone picked up, a little annoyed.

– “Well, how can I say…” Yui leaned slightly back, crossing her arms, “I work as a sake hostess and take some missions from people for extra coins. Of course, not big missions.”

– ‘Huh… missions?’ Yuki’s voice slowed, puzzled.

– “Yeah, I have to carry luggage or protect their belongings or something like that,” Yui said simply, “and they pay me coins. Why are you asking this?”

– ‘One last question… are you a ninja?’

– “Yes, So what?”

‘Ah… of course. I knew I was right! I came into the ninja world…’ her thoughts broke into a soft sob.

– “Hey, why are you crying?” Yui’s expression shifted slightly. “Of course, this is… wait, why are you asking about it? Are you from another world?”

– ‘Hey, you’re even listening to my thoughts!’ Yuki’s voice shot through, sharp and offended. ‘Where is my privacy?... Wait… what are you even talking about?’

– “Now I understand,” Yui slowly exhaled, narrowing her eyes. “You definitely came from another world. Well, from what I know, we can open dimension portals with scrolls and travel to other worlds.”

– ‘Wait, are you telling me we can open dimensions and pass to other worlds… like Naruto?’ Yuki’s eyes lit up briefly, then narrowed with suspicion.

– “Huh, what is Naruto?” Yui tilted her head. “Is it some art? Well, yes, we can open dimensions and pass.”

– ‘Huh… you don’t know about Naruto?’ Yuki scratched her head slowly, her lips twisting. ‘He is a famous Ninja.’

– “I don’t know any person with that name.” She blinked, confused. “Is he a ninja from your world?”

Yuki froze. Her cheeks puffed slightly in irritation. ‘Wait… now I understand. It’s anime.’ Her thoughts were spiraling. ‘But what I want now is… how can I come to this world? Did I die in my world and come here? Is it Isekai? No no… how can anime become real? But if it is Isekai, can I become a protagonist? But wait… who is that guy in my dream? He’s more like the protagonist…’

– “Hey, what are you mumbling? I’m listening to your thoughts.”

– ‘Huh? Is my life over?! Hey, I want some privacy!’ Yuki’s voice rose, a hint of panic slipping into her tone. ‘Can you please not listen to my thoughts?’

– “Hey, I’ve stayed calm until now, and you’re blaming me?” Yui snapped, her voice sharp and rising. “You think I’m happy to listen to your thoughts? I just hear them even if I don’t do anything. First of all, get out of my body.”

– ‘I’m sorry… I don’t know how this happened.’ Yuki’s voice slowed, trembling slightly. ‘I don’t even know how to get out. I’m frustrated with myself. I’m truly sorry for coming into your body.’

– “Ok, I can understand your frustration.” Yui’s posture softened, her voice growing quieter. “Well, can I ask something?”

– ‘Ask.’

– “What were you thinking about before?” She tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “You were thinking about dying, something named Isekai, protagonist… even about some guy.”

– ‘Well, how can I say that? I don’t know exactly. I just listened to my client doing as freelancer.’

– “Freelancer?”

Her voice became light, almost lecturing. – ‘Ah, that is like… you’re taking missions from people, right? In your way, I also take missions. And about Isekai… well, in your world can anyone write stories or draw the stories?’

– “Yeah, Some people write.”

– ‘Then Isekai is kind of like that too.’

She spoke slowly, carefully. – ‘It is one type of story. Some random guy who feels useless and does nothing, then dies… and comes to another world… but with his previous world knowledge. So he becomes a hero in that world.’

– “So are you saying you are that pathetic girl who came to this world by dying?”

Yuki’s voice jumped, defensive. – ‘Hey! I am not a pathetic girl! And I don’t even know how I came to this world. And according to my knowledge, all members are born in another world but I came into your body! Of course, I don’t know much about that. My client always keeps telling me.’

– “Okay, okay.” Yui’s lips twitched. A quiet chuckle escaped. “You are not a pathetic girl.”

– ‘Hey, don’t laugh!’ Yuki's voice pouted, sulky. ‘By the way, do you know anyone named Ren?’

– “Ren? Hmm… I know a couple of people with that name.” Yui crossed her arms again, eyes narrowing slightly. “Can you give a specific family name? Then maybe I can know.”

– ‘According to my dream he is an orphan. So I don’t know about a family name. Well, I don’t even know if that dream is real or not. All I know is… he has the capability of a king.’

– “A king? That much powerful?” Yui leaned back slightly, thoughtful, her fingers tapping on the bed. “Well, in this kingdom, some members are even more powerful than a king.”

– ‘Um… hey, king is the most powerful person in the kingdom, right?’ Her voice slowed, puzzled. ‘Then only able to rule, right?’

– “Um, you are also correct, but not only powerful person become king.” Yui rested her hand against her thigh, nodding faintly. “If people acknowledge him, then he becomes king. And experience also counts. Also king’s sons might rule if they are good.”

– ‘By being strong then only people acknowledge right?’

– “If he’s strong and has the heart to protect others, people acknowledge him as king. Not all strong people think that way.”

– ‘Hey, what are you saying? If a powerful person becomes angry…’

– “How many people can he kill? Suppose he kills everyone in the kingdom… after that, how can he rule without anybody? At some point, he has to stop. Of course, that is if people are seriously rebellious against him. Some people may feel fear and obey the person.”

– ‘Ahh… my mind is burning. According to my understanding, the king is a good person, right?’

Yui rested her elbow on her knee and leaned slightly forward. – “Yes, of course. And if the king dies, another member takes that position. That may be his wife, or his children, or some random guy who comes forward for people.”

– ‘So, does their power go to their family?’

– “No. If that family member rules wrongly, then a strong person may come forward and fight with him.” She shook her head slightly, gaze steady. “And if the people like him without fear of king, then he becomes the king.”

– ‘Why do you always say two things at once?’ Her voice rose, frustrated. ‘Just pick one side!’

– “Because every coin has two sides.” Yui smirked faintly, tilting her head. “Your coins have two sides too, right?”

– ‘Hey, you're getting off topic! I’m asking about someone named Ren! Focus, focus!’

– “I told you already. Without a family name, I don't know. But… I heard a rumor about one person named Ren. Nobody knows where he is. Some say he’s dead, some say he’s living far away. Some—”

– ‘That’s him! That’s the guy from my dream!’ Her voice cut in sharply, heartbeat quickening. ‘I swear it’s him!’

– “Are you sure? Even though he lives not in our kingdom, our allied kingdoms near him are able to find him…” Yui’s voice turned confused and doubtful, brows furrowed. “So that may be false… once upon a time—”

– ‘Hey, I am sure he's the one I saw in my dream… Wait, I’ll ask you one question.’ Her voice sharpened again, intense and urgent. ‘If your answer matches my dream, then I can confirm two things. My question is… there is some tournament in 30 days, right?’