The Earthy Smell.

“I am beyond exhausted today!!” Hitsuki fell under the shade of a tree. “I can’t do anything anymore!!”

The leaves blocked his vision. Only a few rays of sunlight hit his face. He lay there, taking a deep breath. He felt the moist grass underneath his arms.

It felt so long, yet the first day wasn’t over. It was still sunny outside, as if it were only midday. He got freed from court, visited the village, confronted the Queen and the Assassins, and now successfully captured the Golden Egg.

“I am surprised. Catching a Hattim’s egg is so rare that it’s used as a competition in our country. You know that?” Sol sat beside Hitsuki by the tree trunk.

Hitsuki closed his eyes, letting his body rest after a long time. “My whole body aches.”

“Figured. Using the Acting Queen Chiyoshi’s powers is bound to take a toll on your body.”

Hitsuki felt a gentle touch on his face. He felt slender fingertips gently move his head towards something soft. It was warm, gentle, and fuzzy.

“You can rest here for some time. I don’t mind.” Sol said, unhinged at her actions. “You got the golden egg, you deserve some rest.”

Hitsuki opened his eyes. He found himself on the lap of Sol. She was looking at him with her eyes open.

“Thanks. I needed that.” Hitsuki replied. “Golden eggs for dinner, am I right?”

“Right you are.” Sol smiled.

Hitsuki took a deep breath. An earthy smell hit his nose, probably from Sol’s dress. It felt welcoming and weirdly nostalgic.

Hitsuki shook it off as he thought about his life.

He had so many questions but so few answers, and it seemed like he was discovering more questions. His journey from another world is encrypted by his book, and he doesn’t know their language. And among all these, he only has 25 more days to live. Tomorrow, it’s going to be 24.

He asked himself, “Am I really living a real life? Or is it just some fiction? Some dream?”

It wasn’t a dream, he knew. But he still doesn’t believe it. That’s why he seems so nonchalant, as if nothing bothered him. But deep inside, he knew he was shoving away his worries and questions deep inside his heart.

His head felt a dizzying warmth as he played with his pocket watch. It wrapped around his palm and hung before his eyes. Its arms worked perfectly as he watched. But it seemed worthless right now, showing nothing but the time he needed to wait before he could go back to his world.

“Do you think I can find the assassins after 25 days?” Hitsuki asked Sol. But she looked through the skies above the horizon.

“I think you can.” She replied. “Today was fun.”

“This and that doesn’t connect, you know?”

*****

Hitsuki blinked.

And suddenly everything changed. From under the open sky to under a roof. From lying on Sol’s lap to lying in a bed. He now watched the open skies from the corner of his bed, and the Seven moons shone over the horizon. But the moonlight left him unaffected.

He lay there with his own thoughts and nothing else.

He was happy he could sleep with a full stomach, but deep down, he was worried. He wasn’t a detective. How will he be able to find the assassins in just 25 days? Isn’t that too short a time?

He shook his head. The scene of the forest changing now flashed in his mind.

“I wonder if there is some sort of magic item that negates magic itself…” Hitsuki mumbled.

Thats when he heard a knock on the door.

Three times, no more.

“It’s time.” The voice mumbled behind. “I am coming in, Hitsuki.”

He jolted up. The muffling of the big doors confused him. He didn’t know who was speaking behind the door.

The door creaked open. Came inside was a lady, wearing a night gown. She seemed as if she were ready to sleep.

“Acting Queen Chiyoshi?” Hitsuki stared in wonder. He had seen her before in her usual outfit, but he didn’t know she was this… feminine.

Hitsuki tensed up a bit. “W-what brings you here?”

Chiyoshi sighed. “I thought I needed to arrange some ceremonial things. But it seems like you have already proved yourself.”

“Eh?” Hitsuki tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

Chiyoshi pointed. “You are currently under the moonlight, unaffected. I came to see this.”

“That’s all?”

“Don’t ‘that’s all’ me,” Chiyoshi said, irritated. “You know, if your powers were to be public knowledge, then a war might even start amongst the nations of Solaris.”

“Over me? That’s exaggerating.” Hitsuki said sarcastically.

“I’m serious. This is serious.”

“Then how are you not surprised?”

“When you hear the Lunaris is making something that makes you immune to both moon and sunlight, how can you be surprised? Sorry, but I still don’t trust you.”

Chiyoshi proceeded to exit the room when Hitsuki called out to her.

“Wait!” Hitsuki said. “I have something to ask.”

“Do it fast. I have work to do tomorrow.” Chiyoshi crossed her arms.

“Do you know anywhere where you can buy items that negate magic?” Hitsuki asked.

“Well, that’s a sudden question. Why do you ask?” Chiyoshi replied. “I can contact some merchants if you want.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. It’s related to the assassin's case.” Hitsuki awkwardly scratched his head.

“I will look into it then. And about the case, you can just inform Sol as she would be there all the time.”

“Thanks,” Hitsuki said. “I can’t thank you enough for saving my life. I get why you don’t trust me, but I will work on building that trust.”

Chiyoshi laughed. “I have never seen someone say that after I say ‘I don’t trust you’. Anyways, you should go and sleep. You might have a tougher day tomorrow. I will let you know if some artifacts negate magic altogether.”

Chiyoshi left the room, and Hitsuki instantly fell onto his bed.

He closed his eyes, expecting nothing. He knew the next day wasn’t going to be something regular anyway.

“What a way to spend the first 24 hours as a free man in another world…”