Cote: Parallel World

Prologue

"We are at Maltris now!"

This soon? Normally I would be woken up by Megu-chan, but now the first thing I hear this morning are sound of the coachman and the rustle of rock and dirt on the ground as the carriage moving. Aww-ouch! The wheels must have hit a big pebble. Is the cart always occasionally shaking like this? How could I even have slept last night?

Of course I could have started in the morning and I would be here by evening. But for some... err reasons, I stayed too long in my hometown and forgot that I have to show up at school by 10th of Brumaire. I felt sorry for those two so I stayed as long as possible; and then I got in the carriage after dinner. The coachman sure is a nice person; he didn't mind starting a little bit late; though the passenger seemed to be a bit angry. As far as I know, he is a good acquaintance of Oba-chan; he let me be on the ride free of charge. He also promised to help her with the orphanage. I wonder why? Hm... At least, thanks to him, I don't have to worry about Oba anymore.

But ah, it was such a hard time telling my family that I would attend a magic school in the capital. I managed to convince Oba chan quite easily; well actually when I told her, she told me not to refuse this invitation. She sure is an understanding person. But the two sisters though... When I called them to my room, not only Megu, but also Matsuri hugged me tight and cried. "No I don't want you to go Kei neechaannnn!" She said so. *sign*. I'm really weak to tear, you two know that? They must had eavesdropped on my conversation with Oba-chan, cheeky... Then I had to promise to stay as long as I can; I didn't bother explaining to them, but I'm sure they will understand when they're a little older. Good thing Rito has been better now; he did hold me from going at first, he worried about Oba-chan. He understood afterward, however.

"Karuizawa! Don't you get off here? Everyone has gotten off."

Oh, uhm, yeah right. I picked up my bag and get off the cart.

"Thank you for having me on the ride!"

"No it's nothing; Anko-san is a good friend of mine. I wouldn't mind these little things."

So I must get going now.

"Wait a bit Karuizawa, this is your first time at capital, right? Take this map. Also I'll be staying here a few days for a business. So if you need anything, you can go find me."

I am really comfortable with his helps, but why the posture? You aren't a teenage kid anymore coachman-san. I don't remember his name, but can't let him know that.

I take the map and thank him again, then go onto the main street.

Now that I take a good look at it, the capital sure is big.