How To Spend A Day

What's wrong, Yakumo? You look a little down.

Have you ever seen me look anything else?

Huh? Oh, um... (Maybe when he was laughing like a maniac? Or that doesn't count?)

Huh? Oh, um... Maybe not.

Don't you have the day off work today? Why so glum?

Come to think of it, Kumos isn't with you. Is that why?

What? No! This isn't about Kumos. I left him behind on purpose. I couldn't bear his constant chatter. I guess I'm down because today is my day off.

All vacations have to come to an end. Once today is over, I'll have to go back to work. Even now, the clock is slowly counting down. It's like being a prisoner awaiting execution.

A-A prisoner?

You won't be able to rest if you're feeling this way. Maybe we should find some way to distract you.

A distraction?

Yeah. Is there anything you want to do? Or anywhere you'd like to go?

Hmm. I wish there was...

But right now, all I want is to look forward to tomorrow. I don't really know what I want to do specifically.

Oh... Then how do you normally pass the time?

There's nothing in particular. When I'm feeling like this, I can't enjoy anything.

Those with enough energy to distract themselves aren't gloomy to begin with.

Oh? Then how do you normally pass the time?

I don't. I just sleep. I don't go anywhere. All I want to do is feel less exhausted. To be honest, I still just want to go home and crawl into bed.

Hm. So you really like sleeping, huh?

What? No, I wouldn't say I particularly liked it...

Let's see... Lying down... Relaxing...

Hmm...

I've got it! I know where we should go!

Where we should, Wait. I didn't think we were...

There's a village in my time called Zarbo. There's something there I think you should experience. It's the perfect distraction for you!

There's a village in my time called Zarbo. There's something there I think you should experience. What do you say? Shall we go?

Look, all I want to do is stay home and⁠...

You're taking me whether I like it or not, aren't you? Fine. Just make sure we're not back too late.

Noted. To Zarbo we go!

Great. Then let's ask Synth Hydra to take us to Zarbo!

Ack! It's so hot! Um, Aldo? Is this really the place you wanted to take me?

Hm? Yeah, that's right.

What could there possibly be to do in this desert?

You'll see. Let's go to the inn.

The inn? You know I can't stay the night. I have work in the morning.

Great. Now work's back on my mind.

We're not here to stay the night. Remember how I said there was something you should experience? Well, come on. You're just going to have to trust me.

What kind of a fool blindly follows someone without knowing what they're getting themselves into? On second thought, maybe everyone would actually trust a goody-two- shoes like you...

Fine. Let's go already. Indoors has gotta be cooler than out here.

Good. Let's go inside.

What could there possibly be to do in this remote inn?

Whew...that was great! What'd you think, Yakumo? Do you feel better?

No. It exhausted me.

I'm glad to hear⁠...

Wait, you didn't like it?! You're kidding!

It was stupid. Anyone who goes out of their way to be buried in sand is clearly insane. It was hot, it was humid, I couldn't move, and when I closed my eyes, I remembered I have work tomorrow.

I felt like a prisoner under torture.

Not this again...

Sorry, I guess. I really thought it would be perfect for you. Y'know, lying down, relaxing...

Don't apologize. You tried to do something nice...so...thank you, for that. Besides, most people would love it. Some of my colleagues go to the sauna on the way home from work.

This is a me-issue.

A you-issue?

Let's just drop it. The sand bath simply wasn't for me.

No, I guess not. Shame though.

Hmm. So that sand didn't cut it.

I'm so sorry your experience didn't meet with your satisfaction.

Hey, aren't you the sand bath guy? So there is something different about the sand?

You see, the sand I've been using in the baths recently was collected near the village. I usually only use the quality sand exclusively found in the Rucyana Sands...

Of course a discerning regular like yourself could tell the difference.

Ah, so the sand comes from a different area.

If you knew it wasn't as good, why aren't you using the desert sand?

Ah, well, you see... A giant monster appeared in the desert recently. It's attacking anyone who comes close.

A monster?

Yes. It's appeared three times, and attacked three villagers. Luckily they escaped with minor injuries.

Huh. So you can't get to the desert.

I asked the Miglance Knights to send out a strike team, but the monster never showed up for them.

They haven't been able to defeat the monster? This does sound dangerous...

Aldo, are you thinking what I think you're thinking?

We will take care of this monster for you!

Y-You will? But it's dangerous!

We're used to that. We can't let it take any more victims.

Wait a minute! You don't get to decide this on your own.

Now I have to fight monsters in the desert on my day off? Far from relaxing, wouldn't you say?

No, you're right. I'll go on my own. You can wait in the village.

You're going alone? Are you serious?

Thank you so much! It would be a massive relief for all of us if you were able to defeat that thing! If this continues any longer, I'll be forced to close down the sand bath.

You will? The type of sand you use is really that important to your business?

I've been getting more complaints from customers lately. I've been trying to improve the sand quality. I even spend all my days off on it. But it's not working.

......

I'd rather close down than disappoint my customers any further.

Tch. Fine. I'll go with you, Aldo.

Really? But it's your day off...

No one should have to work on their day off. That includes him. Besides, there's nothing for me to do in this village. Now what kind of monster are we talking here?

It's a giant earthworm big enough to swallow people whole.

And how do we find it?

Hm. The three people who were attacked were all either digging in the sand or walking around...

Maybe it senses vibrations on the ground.

Vibrations on the ground? Okay, we just need to do the same, and maybe it will come to us.

So we lure it out? The sooner it turns up, the better.

Okay. Let's head to Rucyana Sands.

Hmm. No signs of any monster so far.

Let's keep walking. Yakumo?

Hah... Gah...

A-Are you okay? You've gone all pale.

Do I look okay to you? Ugh, I hate this place. There's sand between my toes, it's difficult to walk, it's too hot, my skin hurts... No human should ever have to set foot in a place like this.

You think? I come here pretty often, and I've never had a problem.

I would have thought you were strong enough to cope...

Just because I was given powers, it doesn't mean by body was suddenly made stronger. I'm still an indoor person, unlike you.

I'm an indoor person, unlike you.

Anyway, surely here will do? I don't want to walk any further.

Fair enough. Let's lure in that monster. I'll start digging up the ground over there. You start walking around.

Sounds like a waste of time. Can't I just blow up the whole area with my powers?

What? No! We can't risk hurting any other creatures around.

Argh. What a pain.

It's not coming out.

It sounds like it didn't when the strike team paid it a visit, either. If there's nothing here, maybe it starved to death already?

Hmm... I think I'll go a little further in after all. Maybe it can't feel the vibrations from all the way out here.

Just so that we're clear, I'm not going with you.

It's fine. You just stay here. I'll call you over if I spot the monster.

Aldo, wait.

Do you always do this kind of thing?

What do you mean?

Volunteering for complete strangers. Why would you do all this for someone you don't even know?

Why? Um... I don't really have a reason. I hate to see people struggle, that's all.

The nicer someone is, the more others will use them. Did you know that? Someone like you would be in high demand at my company.

Really? I wouldn't know. I've only ever done that temp work for you.

Really? I can't imagine ever working in an office.

I'll be on my way. See you later.

...... Doesn't he get sarcasm?

(What am I doing?) (I'm exhausted from work. All I want to do is spend my day off asleep at home.) (Yet here I am, volunteering as pest control out in this stupid desert...)

And my stamina's so poor, all I'm doing is getting in the way. What a joke.

(Charity should only have to be done by those with enough in them to care about others.) (So what if there's a giant earthworm? It's probably even sweet in comparison to most people.)

Why should I care about other people's problems? I can barely manage my own.

(Ugh. Why am I so irate?) (Is it because I'm baking in this heat? Or...)

He and I are very different, I know.

He's been gone a while though. Where did he wander off to? There's no way he's been defeated by that monster, is there?

Wh-What the?

Whoa!

How odd. I would have thought it would have appeared by now.

Whoa! What was that?

I think the tremor's coming from where Yakumo was! Uh oh! I'd better get there, quick!

Ugh...

Hm?

Where am I? How did I get here?

Right now, I, Oh!

Oh no! If I don't hurry, I'll be late for work!

Ack... I can't keep going... It's like my legs are being pulled down...

No, I can't take any more...

Tch!

(R-Report? Oh no, I haven't prepared anything...)

I...

Kumos? What are you doing here?

What is this ridiculous doodle? You call this a doll? I thought I instructed you to create a company mascot.

Is that voice...Chief? No, it can't be! You're⁠...

Kumos? What are you doing here?

What is this ridiculous doodle? You call this a doll? I thought I instructed you to create a company mascot.

Is that voice...Chief?

Huh? What are you doing here?

What is this ridiculous doodle? You call this a doll? I thought I instructed you to create a company mascot.

Is that voice...Chief?

I'm disappointed, Yakumo. I had high hopes for you.

No, I... I'm trying my hardest!

I don't want excuses. Such a shame.

Whoa?

What?

Wh-What are all these things?

From now on, you will spend the rest of your life surrounded by them. Observe them, study them. They will help you make a decent mascot.

M-My whole life?

This is for your own sake. I hope you understand that.

Don't be ridiculous! How is this for my sake? That doesn't make any sense!

Hey! Stop that! Shoo!

Stop! Get away from me!

STOPPP!

Huh?

Huff, huff... Was that...just a dream?

Heheh. Hahaha... What a stupid dream. Although...

What am I looking at? Normally when I wake up, all I see is the ceiling. I'm in the middle of the desert, facing some enormous earthworm... Is my nightmare not over?

Yakumo! Are you okay?

Aldo. You're late.

Sorry! I didn't expect it to turn up over here.

Maybe it was waiting for us to part ways, so that it could get one of us on our own. For something so big, it sure is cowardly. Heheh.

Yakumo?

I thought earthworms had no eyes or ears.

I even thought it might be sweet compared to other people.

But I was wrong. It looks down on others, it doesn't listen to what anyone has to say... It uses its size to intimidate others, then gobbles them up. It's no different from the guys I hate.

Let's go Aldo. Let's crush this hideous thing!

Let's do this!

And done! Who'd have thought it would only prey on people when they're on their own?

I should have realized when the sand bath guy told us about it. Three appearances, three people attacked. In other words, it only attacks people on their own.

There was no way the strike team was ever going to find it.

Sure, that makes sense. It attacked you, right? Are you okay?

No, I'm not okay. I had a terrible nightmare.

You did?

Yes. And infuriatingly, I think that nightmare saved my life. If I hadn't leapt over there and passed out, I think that monster would have killed me.

Weird. What was the dream?

At first, it was just a regular nightmare. The same I've had a thousand times before.

You know what, let's just drop it. I don't want to talk about it.

Anyway, our volunteer mission is over. Let's get back to the village before I burn alive.

Um, Yakumo. Sorry to ask this, but could you help me with something?

You mean this torture isn't over yet?

I'd like to take the sand I dug up back to the village. I can't manage it alone.

Yeah, I think I'll pass on that one. Why would I do anything so laborious?

You really won't help? Looks like I'll be coming back and forth here all day.

Great. Now I sound like the bad guy if I don't help out. Fine. But I can't carry much.

I appreciate it! Okay, let's get this sand back to Zarbo.

You two are absolute lifesavers! You exterminated that monster in no time at all! And there's only two of you. You must be really strong.

Yeah. I couldn't have done it without Yakumo.

I'm not so sure... I bet you could have... Ugh... Could... Damn...

Are you okay there? You don't look so good...

Screw...off...

Sorry about him. I think I pushed him a bit too hard, that's all. By the way, would you mind if I asked you a favor?

Ask away. I owe you.

First, take a look at this...

Oh! Is this desert sand? Just feel it! Perfection, isn't it? So smooth, so fine-grained. The only sand good enough for my sand baths.

Good, so you'll be able to make a sand bath out of this?

Absolutely. This should be enough for two. Ah, I think I see what you're getting at...

Yes. I'd like you to prepare Yakumo and I a sand bath.

Wait, wait, wait. I have to go in that thing, again?

We came all this way here. You should at least try the real thing before we leave. Now that it has the proper sand, it should feel really relaxing.

Ugh, you're so pushy. Fine. If we're gonna do this, let's just do it.

Great! Give me a minute or two to prepare!

Whew! I feel totally refreshed now.

How about you, Yakumo?

It was better than the first time.

You did look like you were having a nice nap...

It's perfectly normal to fall asleep when you're that exhausted! That's what beds are for. And they're a lot less hassle than any sand bath.

Oh, there you are. How did you find the sand bath this time?

It was great. I feel like all the fatigue has been drained out of me.

Right? The sand bath does have a regenerative effect.

And you appeared to enjoy your nap.

Ugh!

Fine. I admit it. It felt good. I feel less exhausted now.

Here, take this. It's purified oasis water, nice and cold.

Thank you! Don't mind if I do.

Mmm... This water is delicious! It feels like it's permeating through my whole body.

Let me make you dinner, as thanks for exterminating that monster. Our food's highly reputed, you know.

Are you sure? That sounds great.

......

Are you okay, Yakumo? Are you thinking about work again?

No, I was thinking about something else entirely. But now you've reminded me. So thanks for that.

Oops, sorry... What were you thinking about?

...... Walking in the desert, fighting a monster, taking a sand bath, then eating at an inn...

Never have I had such an action- packed day off before.

Sorry. I was selfish in making you do all these things.

Yeah, you were. Although...this sort of thing isn't so bad, every once in a while.

Haha. I'm glad to hear it.

Let's go back to the inn. I wonder what they'll cook for us.

I'll eat anything at this point. I'm starving.

You know, I'm really glad you liked the sand bath.

I never said I liked it. I'd have to be really exhausted to even consider doing it again.

That can be arranged. I'll just tire you out with another long walk around the desert beforehand.

Not on your life! I'm never setting foot in that desert again.

Ooh, look! What a gorgeous dish!

Were you listening to me, Aldo? I hate people who don't listen...