Volume 2 Chapter 4 The Matter of the Lieutenant General
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
NatsuFuyu and Winter’s live stream “Ellulu’s Zerlant News” is already on its tenth episode.
The town is starting to feel all Christmas-y, and there’s a festive buzz in the air. But Tomori, Ellulu, and even Natsumi and Mifuyu seem to have no romantic interests at all. It looks like their main focus is figuring out how to spend Christmas.
Ellulu has been getting textbooks and materials from Natsumi, and somehow even brought in a mannequin. Whenever she has free time, she’s been holed up in Yuuta’s room, working on her designs.
As for this Zerlant News, every time, Ellulu designs outfits and accessories, and her classmates help her make them. Then, Ellulu wears them and explains everything. Her popularity is skyrocketing, and she might hit a million followers by the end of the year!
Honestly, this Ellulu craze is giving Tomori a headache. At first, she thought it would be fine if people just recognized her as a cosplay enthusiast, but now, the area of Osetokura in Katashina Village is considered Ellulu’s birthplace, and fans are making pilgrimages there. In response, fans from Tokura Village in Nagano Prefecture are claiming that their place is the real deal, sparking debates online about which rural area is more authentic.
Tomori is trying to avoid media attention, so she’s completely rejecting interviews from TV and magazines.
”Tomori, the manager. I got an email from a confectionery business in Numata City asking about licensing for Ellulu rice crackers and Ellulu buns…”
Since Tomori and Ellulu aren’t in the spotlight, Natsumi sends Tomori a LINE message whenever something comes up.
Manager? When did I become Ellulu’s manager? But with her rising popularity, the income from affiliate links and super chats is starting to add up.
(Seriously, Ellulu is amazing. She’s really become a designer and is even modeling herself… Compared to that, I’m just… I thought I was resetting my life, but here I am.)
In the end, Ellulu was busy with Zerlant communications and couldn’t work as a shrine maiden during the New Year, but Yuuta’s mom borrowed a kimono for Tomori and Ellulu, so they wore it and went to the first shrine visit of the year with Natsumi and the others.
After finishing their prayers at the shrine, when they entered a family restaurant, Natsumi said.
”This year, how about we challenge ourselves to a designer contest?”
”A designer contest? Is there really such a thing?”
Tomori replied.
”Yes! There are various ones. There’s even one organized by Tokyo. Mifuyu and I will graduate from junior college in a year, and I thought it would be nice to make a splash. So, how about we form a team with Ms. Ellulu’s designs and other friends from the fashion department to participate? If we win, there are cases where companies sponsor and help launch a brand!”
”Wow. That sounds interesting. But, Natsumi. I’ve said this before, but Ellulu has her reasons, so I don’t want her to stand out too much. You understand that, right?”
Tomori confirmed just to be sure.
”Yes, of course. It seems complicated with the third wife and all… Since we’ll be participating as a team, we’ll make sure Ms. Ellulu doesn’t stand out too much.”
Everyone seemed to misunderstand the reasons behind Ellulu’s situation, but Tomori thought it was fine to skip that explanation.
That day, they didn’t specifically discuss which contest to aim for, and it was decided that they would consult everyone once school started, so Tomori left that part to Natsumi and the others.
”What do you do in a contest?”
On the way home, Ellulu asked Tomori.
”Huh? You were nodding along without understanding? We all bring our own designs and compete to see which one is the best. If you get recognized there, you’re already a proper designer!”
Ellulu said excitedly in response to Tomori’s words.
”Wait? I can become a designer? Even though I haven’t passed the designer exam? Is it okay for me to join?”
”Huh? What’s the designer exam? Since it’s a team effort, not everything will be credited to you, but you said you wanted to go with your design, right? If we win, you can think of it as being recognized as a designer!
”Ah, I see… That makes sense. Just like Yuuta said.”
Ellulu looked really happy about something, so Tomori decided not to pry too much.
* * *
The cherry blossoms bloomed, and the summer-winter duo became second-year students at the junior college.
The fashion department students formed a team targeting the Tokyo Student Designer Contest.
The application period lasts until autumn, so there’s plenty of time. They scheduled to create a prototype of their submission by the school festival in June.
Today, they were having a strategy meeting at a family restaurant near the college.
Based on Ellulu’s design, everyone was lively discussing what kind of fabric and colors would be good. Tomori felt like she had learned a bit about fashion since getting involved with these students, but still thought she couldn’t compete with those who were studying it professionally.
While Tomori was zoning out, listening to everyone’s conversation, Mifuyu called out to her.
”Hey, Tomori, why don’t you try modeling too?”
”Eh?”
Tomori jumped in surprise at Mifuyu’s sudden suggestion.
”Yeah! Tomori, you have a nice face and figure. Well, you might not be model-shaped, but… we want to create clothes for people with body types like yours.”
”Yay! Tomori, you should totally do it! I’ll design something super sexy just for you!”
Ellulu said excitedly.
”Not sexy! I want something that has an adult charm!”
Tomori shouted.
”Haha, but Tomori, you’re not that much older than us, right?”
Natsumi teased. As if she has enough adult charm!
In the end, Tomori agreed to model as long as she liked the design, and she left the family restaurant with Ellulu.
Then, she felt like a big limousine was slowly following them.
(What’s that? Something feels off.)
Tomori thought this and grabbed Ellulu’s hand, taking off running.
Suddenly, a few men jumped out from the limousine.
”Wait! We’re not suspicious!”
Hmph, it’s definitely suspicious! Anyway, they have to run.
But just as they were about to turn the corner of the alley, Ellulu tripped over a sign and fell, getting surrounded by the men in no time.
Damn, she needs to shout!
”Wait! I’m related to Gregory!”
A middle-aged man shouted loudly.
”Huh?”
At that moment, Tomori realized.
…They figured out she delivered Mr. Gregory’s military tickets?
”Don’t worry. We won’t harm you. Let us talk.”
The middle-aged foreign man spoke fluent Japanese.
* * *
After that, Tomori and Ellulu were politely guided into the limousine, sitting across from a man who claimed to be Mr. Gregory’s relative in a room that looked like a reception area.
The limousine started moving slowly.
”Let me introduce myself again. I’m Mihail Anderson. Gregory’s father. I’m a Major General in the U.S. Army.”
A Major General in the U.S. Army! Oh no, she has to protect Ellulu at all costs.
”Wow, Major General Anderson, your Japanese is excellent. So, what do you need from me?”
Tomori asked with a straight face.
”Yes, I’ve been stationed at Camp Zama for a long time, so my Japanese is fine. Now, the matter I want to discuss is regarding the military tickets and knife you delivered to the Yokosuka base for my son.”
”Huh? I have no idea what you’re talking about…”
Tomori could only play dumb.
”Well, it took me 6 months to track you down. There are hidden cameras all over that back alley to ensure U.S. soldiers don’t cause trouble in Japan. Plus, you and Ms. Ellulu have been recorded multiple times, and the description matched the soldier who received the paper bag.”
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
”Using AI image searches, I found several people worldwide based on their bone structure, physique, and movements. One of them turned out to be Ms. Ellulu. The matches were consistent, but I needed confirmation,”
He continued, his tone growing sharper.
”And then, I was convinced after watching Ms. Ellulu’s online video. Ms. Ellulu, you’re from another world, right?”
He concluded, his eyes narrowing as he awaited a response.
”Um… I can’t believe someone as important as you, like a general, would take the nonsense of a cosplay setting seriously… that’s just weird.”
Tomori desperately tried to push back, but the general continued talking.
”So… you’re Ms. Tomori, right? I’ve looked into you as well. You went missing over 6 years ago with your mother and a young man next door.”
He leaned forward slightly, studying her reaction.
”And now you’re here, yet for some reason, the police haven’t been contacted… You must have gone to another world and come back, right?”
His voice was steady but carried a hint of intrigue.
”Otherwise, there’s no way someone from another world would understand the meaning of that military note. When I think about it that way, everything adds up.”
Tomori’s head was drenched in cold sweat.
Oh no, oh no, oh no… the U.S. military knows everything!
What’s going to happen to them? Is Ellulu really going to dissect them?
Seeing the terrified look on Tomori’s face, the general smiled gently.
”Ms. Tomori, please don’t worry. I didn’t come here to corner you… Please! Tell me about my son! What happened to him in the end… Share what you know with me… This is a heartfelt plea from a father, not a soldier.”
As he said this, the general shrank his large body as much as he could, tears streaming down his face, pleading with Tomori.
Those tears aren’t fake…
Tomori felt that way, took a deep breath, and began to speak.
”This is just something I heard from others; I wasn’t there myself.”
She paused for a moment, as if recalling the details.
”Mr. Gregory was teleported to a remote mountain in that world and was killed by local warriors who mistook him for a bandit. There was a woman with him, but she was killed at the same time, and her identity was unknown.”
She sighed, shaking her head, before continuing.
”I heard that they were both buried together at the foot of that mountain. Last year, since Ellulu and I were able to come here, we were entrusted with that military note and knife.”
”…I see… I understand. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Tomori.”
Saying this, the general firmly grasped Tomori’s hand to express his gratitude.
After crying for a while, the general started to speak.
”My son… Gregory was in a special forces unit, and that unit was investigating a supernatural phenomenon where people suddenly disappear one day.”
He spoke slowly, his voice heavy with emotion.
”This happened about 5 years ago. There was a report of a glowing space appearing in a small town near Florida, and Dr. Cattleya Moore, the lead researcher of that unit, along with the team members, went there.”
He paused briefly, as if gathering his thoughts, before continuing.
”There, it seems that by accident or on purpose, Dr. Moore ended up stepping into that light. Witnesses say that my son, who was a bodyguard, immediately followed and jumped into the light after her. They apparently tried to rescue them with ropes right away, but because of the shock of the two entering, the light eventually disappeared.”
I see. So it’s a naturally occurring gate. Still, the U.S. military was really investigating stuff like this, Tomori thought.
The general continued.
”Of course, we can’t make this public. My son and the doctor were classified as missing in action (MIA) during combat.”
He spoke firmly, his tone carrying an air of finality.
”And now, here we are… I’m really glad to know the truth.”
His expression softened as he looked at her with gratitude.
”Ms. Tomori, please rest assured. I won’t tell anyone about you and Ms. Ellulu. I won’t pry into how you got back either.”
He raised his hand slightly, as if to reassure her of his sincerity.
”…In fact, I will pressure the military not to investigate Gregory’s military ticket any further. Fortunately, I have that power.”
His voice took on a confident, almost commanding tone.
”Of course, there are many who want to know the mysteries and connections between this world and the other. But it’s still too early! We need to prepare more to avoid repeating tragedies like Gregory’s and Dr. Moore’s. I believe it’s the same for the other world as well…”
He concluded, his voice laced with determination.
”Can I trust your words, General?”
Tomori asked.
”Of course! If anything comes up, just email me. Here’s my private address.”
The general handed Tomori a business card, and she registered the email on her phone, confirming the empty email as well.
”Thank you… really, thank you.”
As the general said this, he brought the limousine close to their home and dropped off Tomori and Ellulu.
(So they know where I live. I guess I have no choice but to trust the general…)
Thinking that, Tomori walked into Yuuta’s house.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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