1:30 PM — Moving from the mine shack door to Warehouse No. 4.

On the cart lay cardboard boxes containing armor, coins, accessories, magic stones, and other items—all collected by adventurers dispatched from the Adventurer’s Guild earlier that morning.

By now, the floor was deserted, save for the occasional monster appearing out of nowhere.

“Alright, it’s a little dangerous, but wait here for me, okay? Gatt and Zurah will protect you. Now, Dada, you’re coming with me!”

1:35 PM — Takana Mika and Dada moved from the door of Warehouse No. 4 to Acid.

“Oh? Where’d Gatt and Zurah go?”

A familiar guard called out to them, but Mika brushed him off with a quick “Later!” and dashed toward the guild.

1:42 PM — They arrived at the guild in record time.

After a brief wave at the reception desk, she barged straight into the Guild Master’s office on the second floor.

“Hey, hey, at least go through reception first.”

“No time. Dada and Guild Master, how quickly can the two of you reach the deepest part of my dungeon?”

“Huh? Well, if we use the emergency key stored at the guild, we can get there instantly, but… What’s going—”

“Got it. Alright, Dada, explain the situation. We’ll regroup at Warehouse No. 4 in two hours. Guild Master, listen while you get ready. I’ll go ahead!”

1:58 PM — Mika returned alone from Acid’s door to Warehouse No. 4.

“Gatt, Zurah, we’re meeting back here in two hours. Hold down the fort until then. Himawari, wait just a little longer, okay? I’ll come back after finishing my work, Asako!”

2:05 PM — From Warehouse No. 4 to the office at Himawari Mart.

As usual, she unloaded her belongings, punched her time card, and exchanged greetings. Normally, she’d chat or do some grocery shopping for dinner, but today, she quickly said her goodbyes and headed home.

“Well, I rushed back, but… what should I make for dinner?”

She took chicken out of the fridge, along with carrots, potatoes, and onions.

On days like this, curry was the answer.

Humming to herself, she swiftly chopped the vegetables.

3:05 PM — Ryouhei and Kouhei returned home.

“Yay, curry! We’re home!”

“Hey, look! I found a ladybug! In winter!”

“Alright, alright, wash your hands first. Kouhei, ladybugs hibernate in winter—you shouldn’t wake them up. Go release it in the garden, quick.”

“Okay!” “Okay!”

The curry was ready, so she turned off the heat. The rice cooker was set on a timer.

After washing their hands, the two started on their snacks. Mika sat across from them, watching their faces intently.

“Hey, I have a favor to ask.”

“Huh? What is it?” “Mmph!”

“Mom’s going out for a bit. Can you two hold down the fort?”

Their mouths stuffed with snacks, they nodded vigorously, unable to reply.

“Dad’ll be back around 8. I’ll try to come home as soon as I can, but if I’m not back by 6, go ahead and eat the curry, okay? Just microwave it. Ryouhei, can you prepare Kouhei’s portion too?”

“Mmph. No problem. Where are you going?”

“Well… Mom made a little friend—a girl. She’s lost right now and really upset. So I asked an old man I know to help me figure out what to do.”

“Ehhh? A friend? Is she coming over?”

After somehow convincing the excited kids (“Not today!”), she checked the clock—3:30 PM.

In a hurry, she packed the things she needed to bring to the other world, grabbed her keys, and ran to the shrine.

3:55 PM — Mika dutifully tossed a coin into the offering box and prayed.

“Please let Himawari find her home soon. And… let me use the door again.”

Making sure no one was around, she stuck her head into the shrine’s door.