ISEKAI? More like I See Crap!-Chapter 140: A Hand to Hold ( )

Ridan, floating stiffly after his "meeting" in the alley, drifted quietly back toward Hazuki and Ellyn.

Ridan glanced down at them—

Then sent a telepathic whisper directly to Ellyn.

"Oi, Princess," Ridan said quietly.

Ellyn tilted her head slightly, pretending not to notice anything strange.

"Hmm?" she replied casually through telepathy.

Ridan hesitated.

He looked at Hazuki, who was currently arguing with a food vendor about "how much one roasted meat should cost."

Then back to Ellyn.

"...Today’s the last day this idiot is going to stay in this town," he said.

Ellyn’s golden eyes flickered slightly.

"Why?" she asked, her voice calm.

Ridan spun nervously in the air.

"N-Nothing... just... err... it’s better that way, okay?" he said quickly.

"Just trust me on this, Princess."

Ellyn didn’t answer immediately.

Instead—

Quietly—

She closed her eyes for a second.

When she opened them again—

Her Absolute Eye glowed faintly for just a heartbeat.

She peered silently at Ridan.

She saw the tiny ripple of fear and tension in his aura.

Saw the flicker of shadow that hinted something powerful was moving behind the scenes.

Ellyn closed her Absolute Eye.

She smiled gently.

And simply said—

"Okay."

Ridan almost collapsed in relief mid-air.

He floated lazily, pretending to whistle innocently.

Ellyn giggled softly, acting normal.

But deep inside—

She was already preparing herself.

Tomorrow, Uncle’s journey would continue.

And she would have to say goodbye... for now.

Ellyn, still swinging the coin pouch on her shoulder like a little boss, leaned her head slightly toward Ridan, speaking through telepathy.

"Old man?" she called out sweetly.

Ridan twitched violently mid-air.

"Haaa... stop calling me old man!!" he grumbled, swirling in a little irritated spin.

Ellyn just giggled.

Then her voice softened slightly.

"Just... don’t let Uncle go tomorrow without saying goodbye, okay?"

Ridan floated lazily, pretending not to care, but inside he sighed.

"Oho~ you really attached now, huh?"

Ellyn pouted.

"Just make sure Uncle says goodbye properly."

"Okay, okay! Jeez!!" Ridan flailed a little, pretending to be annoyed.

As he spun lazily, Ridan’s cloudy eyes caught something.

A small glint of silver around Ellyn’s neck.

He floated closer, squinting.

A necklace.

Simple.

Elegant.

"Since when you have that necklace?" he asked casually through telepathy.

Ellyn looked down, her fingers brushing the little pendant fondly.

She smiled softly.

"Oh, this one? Uncle gave it to me back when we were at Yumia Town~" she said.

She spun once playfully on her heel.

The necklace shimmered faintly under the morning light.

Ridan floated there silently for a moment.

Inside his mind—

A small flicker of recognition.

Wait... I’ve seen that necklace before... somewhere... long, long ago...

Ridan shook himself back to the present.

He floated closer, voice suddenly serious through telepathy.

"Oi, Princess brat."

Ellyn blinked, surprised at his tone.

"What, old man?" she answered, slightly wary.

Ridan floated still for a moment.

Then said, with unusual calmness:

"Make sure you don’t lose that necklace, okay?"

Ellyn tilted her head, curious at his rare seriousness.

She smiled warmly.

"Of course. I’ll treasure it forever."

As Hazuki finished stuffing a fried meatball into his mouth, he heard a soft voice behind him.

"Uncle?"

He turned, wiping crumbs from his lips.

"Hmm?"

Standing there, smiling gently, was Ellyn—

her small hands held behind her back, her tail swaying slightly.

Her golden eyes shimmered with a strange light.

A warm, gentle light enveloped her.

Soft golden magic wrapped around her body like a cocoon.

The light faded gently, revealing her true form.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Her long golden hair cascading down her back, her Absolute Eye glowing softly, like a jewel.

She stood there, smiling warmly.

Before Hazuki could even process what he was seeing, Ellyna stepped closer.

She placed one gentle hand on his arm—

her touch soft, delicate, real.

Hazuki froze, his heart hammering wildly.

Ellyna tilted her head slightly.

Her smile deepened.

"Just for today~" she whispered.

Hazuki blinked dumbly.

"Huh...?"

Ellyna leaned up—

close—

closer—

And pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.

Mwah.

A warm, tingling sensation spread through him.

Hazuki stood there, eyes wide, his face turning bright red in an instant.

Ellyna giggled softly, her hand still resting lightly on his arm.

"Just for today, Uncle... a special transformation. A real date."

Hazuki’s brain completely fried.

Smoke practically rose from his ears.

Ridan, floating above them silently, whistled low through telepathy.

"Oho~ Well damn... this is serious now, huh, Princess..."

But even Ridan, even the silly old spirit, felt the faint weight of sadness behind that glowing smile.

Today would be their real date.

Today would be their memory.

Before fate dragged Hazuki onward again.

Hazuki pumped his fist high into the air, grinning like a maniac.

"Alright!!" he cheered.

He swung Ellyna’s hand playfully as they strolled through the market, fingers intertwined tightly like two kids who had won a prize.

Ellyna giggled, her cheeks faintly red, but she didn’t let go.

She squeezed his hand tighter instead.

All around them, the beastkin townsfolk froze mid-step.

Whispers buzzed through the air like summer bugs.

"Is that... the princess...?"

"Hand in hand with a human...?"

Even the vendors paused, fruit halfway into baskets, tails stiff with shock.

High above, hidden among rooftops, cloaked informants scribbled furiously.

Our lord must know. The princess’s partner... confirmed. Black hair. Human.

Hazuki didn’t notice.

He marched ahead proudly, swinging their hands like a parade.

"Look, Ellyn! That stand has a meat skewer fountain!"

"That’s just decorations, Uncle~" Ellyna giggled.

Ridan floated nearby, spinning lazily in the air.

"Haa... this idiot has no idea half the city’s spies are watching."

Hazuki’s eyes gleamed as he stared at the necklace around Ellyn’s neck.

"You’re still wearing the necklace I gave you..."

Ellyn smiled softly, brushing the little pendant with her fingertips.

"Of course. After all... it’s a gift from you. I’ll cherish it forever."

"Alright!!" Hazuki pumped his fist up high like a lunatic.

Without warning, he spun around dramatically, scanning the streets.

"Where’s the jewelry shops?! Where’s the accessories stores?! My wife needs new treasures!!"

His voice echoed across the market, drawing curious looks from beastkin vendors and passing guards.

"I still got sixteen gold coins loaded in my adventurer card!" Hazuki shouted proudly, flashing his card at random strangers who didn’t ask.

"Let’s buy something shiny for you, Ellyn!!"

Ellyn tugged lightly on his sleeve, cheeks red with embarrassment.

"Uncle~ calm down! It’s okay, really!!"

But Hazuki didn’t hear a word.

He was on a mission.

After all—

Ellyn was his first girlfriend.

His fiancée.

His real one.

His future wife.

Wife!! Wifey!! Buy her everything!!!

"WHICH WAY IS THE JEWELRY STORE!?" he yelled at the sky.

Some beastkin vendors ducked, while a couple of small children clapped in amusement.

"Uncle!! Calm down!!" Ellyn panicked, grabbing his arm.

Hazuki kept spinning wildly, searching every signboard.

Finally, Ellyn sighed heavily.

SMACK!!

She bonked him cleanly on the forehead with her tiny fist.

"Ow!!" Hazuki stumbled back, rubbing his head, blinking at her like a dazed puppy.

Ellyn pouted.

"Calm down, Uncle! You’re embarrassing yourself!!"

Hazuki scratched his head sheepishly.

"...Hehe. Maybe I got a little excited."

"Way too excited!!" Ellyn huffed, cheeks puffed adorably.

Hazuki puffed out his chest proudly, still rubbing the spot where Ellyn had bonked him earlier.

"Of course I am!!" he declared loudly.

"You’re the first girl who ever became my girlfriend!!"

Ellyn’s eyes widened.

"For real!!??"

Hazuki nodded like a proud idiot.

"Yeah!! You don’t believe me?"

He grinned even bigger, hands on his hips like he’d just conquered the world.

And then—

Ridan floated lazily beside him, smirking wickedly.

Speaking out loud, his voice dripping with sarcasm—

"Yeah, you dumbass," Ridan said casually.

"You always got rejected back in your old world. That’s what you get for being an idiot."

Hazuki flinched as if he’d been stabbed in the heart.

"Oi, Ridan! That’s cruel!!" he cried, his face turning red.

He stomped his foot like a child.

"At least let me enjoy my first girlfriend moment in peace!!"

Ellyn, still holding Hazuki’s hand, just smiled sweetly, pretending perfectly that she didn’t hear a thing.

But her ears twitched faintly, and her tail swayed happily behind her.

Inside, she was giggling like crazy.

Uncle’s really mine. I’m his first... and his only.

Hazuki kept grumbling as they walked, while Ridan floated above, whistling innocently as if he hadn’t just shattered Hazuki’s pride.

"First girlfriend at your age... tsk tsk. Record-breaking stupidity," he teased.

Hazuki gritted his teeth.

"Shut up, stupid spirit!! I’m finally living my romantic life, okay!!"

He turned back to Ellyn, putting on his best proud face.

"Come on, my one and only girlfriend! Let’s go find something cute for you!!"

Ellyn giggled softly.

"Okay~ Uncle~" she said sweetly, pretending she hadn’t just heard the entire roast session between him and Ridan.

( End Of Chapter )