I look at the statue that has an almost uncanny resemblance to my best friend.

  Although, at the moment, she looks a lot different.

  Or well, her avatar looks different.

  But back to the matter at hand.

  How is this possible!?!

  "Damn, this is so cool! Can we take pictures in front of it, Iori? Can we?!" (C)

  While I'm staring, I have to ask myself how they could get the details so close.

  Not only to make something so accurate without a respective model, but to even find someone skilled enough to create this statue made of white stone.

  Wait!

  White stone?

  I look back at the little fluffball.

  I whisper in her direction, hoping that speaking to something like a divine messenger isn't considered crazy by the People.

  "Did you have anything to do with this?" (I)

  "If that's the case, I'm flattered, but it's a bit much." (C)

  "Would you please not speak so loudly?!" (I)

  "As if any of these mortals would notice a thing while your mind begs for nobody to notice us within your very own hemisphere." (So)

  Looking around, it might be true that everyone is minding their own business.

  "As for your question, of course, I didn't personally give the order for these sculptures. However, when the wish came up and the polite demand was brought to me if I could lend my assistance in some way to make the statue of my great intimate to be a sight to behold, the very least I could contribute was the slab. Of course, I also gladly provided the details for the artisans they put on the task. A divine vision is among the absolute basics. Also, I couldn't endure the thought to have my intimate eternalized by a shabby statue that wouldn't give favor to her magnificent glory." (So)

  So the wish for a statue of Chiaki didn't come from her?

  That's hard to believe.

  Yet Soraja is surely not a liar.

  "But why Chiaki? She wasn't even the one who struck me down!" (I)

  I made extra sure to take her out as quickly as possible!

  "Politics. The lord commander of the knight order became a lot more oppressive in his way of ruling the People, to make sure that he may never again lose control. He eventually lost favor when calamity struck and the military couldn't do much against the general ruin. In turn, the clerical order came into power, as is not uncommon when people have nothing else but their faith to turn to. Interestingly, a part of their dogma very much revolves around how they defeated the great evil that threatened them all. However, praising the man who stands for their great rivals was not feasible. Therefore, they focused on the figure who was the second-most involved in their defeat. My intimate!" (So)

  "Still, isn't this a bit excessive? I didn't do all that much." (C)

  "Of course, some was embellished. Time and hearsay, as well as a longing for fantastic stories in an otherwise rather dull world. No offense." (So)

  Okay, here I'm rather sure that was meant offensive.

  Be that as it may, I don't really know how to handle this.

  Everything looks different from how I left it.

  To think that this whole dimension they're living in is basically me.

  I'm air, ground, water, space itself, and could basically do everything with it with a single thought.

  Simply that this possibility exists and would affect so many people is frightening.

  "Alright! Then let's talk to the locals!" (C)

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Just why can't this girl have any sensibilities one would expect from a girl her age?

  Aaand, she already got herself someone.

  A young woman in bright blue.

  "Hello, good lady. I'm new here and would like to ask something." (C)

  I can literally feel how my "ignore-us" bubble bursts.

  "Oh! You're from another district? Quite the distance to walk if you're not living here. What brings you here?" (blue woman)

  "I wanted to see the statue! It's quite the sight! What can you tell me about it?" (C)

  "The statue? But doesn't your plaza have one as well? I thought each district got one?" (blue woman)

  Districts?

  How many of those statues exist?!

  "Oh yeah, but I heard this one was looking far better." (C)

  "Ah, so you're a pilgrim! I should've noticed. You're even accompanied by a divine messenger. Your journey must be truly blessed! May Soraja's fortune be with you!" (blue woman)

  Could that little fluffball please stop looking so smug?

  Well, at least she can't complain that much about her current circumstances.

  She seems pretty settled in.

  Meanwhile, Chiaki seems to have finished up her talk with that woman.

  Which means she comes running back to me.

  "Hey, Iori! I want to go to that cafe!" (C)

  Sure, as if that could go wrong.

  Chiaki shows off the coins she just got from her sugargoddess and runs there without waiting for my input.

  It's an open business, with seating that allows one to look into the center of the plaza, right at this statue.

  Chiaki runs past them and right to the counter.

  Seriously, did she even think this through?

  What exactly is she planning to order there?

  We don't even know a single dish that they usually serve in cafes like that?

  What if she shows off her lack of knowledge so much that they see through our shallow disguise and notice that we aren't from here?

  "Hello! What can you recommend to me?" (C)

  "Oh, our menu is actually not so different from other shops. You'll find all the classics here." (clerk)

  "But I'm sure that you can provide an assessment of the menu. So what do you think is really good here? I'll buy it this instant!" (C)

  Of course, she could also simply push through any possible social hurdles with the power of an extrovert.

  "Oh my, if you ask me like that, well, give me a moment." (clerk)

  The clerk looks friendly enough, even though she seems more used to having only the locals as her clientele.

  She rummages a bit around the shelves on the other side of the counter and a moment after she's done, she presents a glass to Chiaki with a red-brown murky liquid that seems to sizzle.

  "That looks interesting." (C)

  "Of course! This is my personal favorite. Heated orato juice. The taste isn't everyone's favorite, but you'll find a lot who swear they won't even start their shift without it." (clerk)

  That sounds a lot like a coffee pitch.

  "Then I'll have just that! Two please, for me and my friend!" (C)

  Why do you have to pull me into this?!

  If you want to poison yourself with some outer dimensional drink, fine, but I...

  Okay, I probably shouldn't be concerned whether I can stomach this or not, given the things I swallowed already.

  Technically it even is within my stomach.

  Oh damn, is this my stomach acid?!

  No, no, that would be crazy.

  Why would they even drink this?

  "Glug, glug, glug"

  Sure, Chiaki.

  Just throw any caution overboard.

  I don't see any issue with that.

  I'll just puzzle you back together if this bursts you from the inside.

  Okay, how should I interpret that look on her face though?

  "Uh, wow, okay. Not quite what I expected. Hey, Iori! You need to give this a taste!" (C)

  I roll with several displaced eyes.

  However, as Chiaki doesn't lie writhing on the ground or show any other noteworthy reaction, I suppose it can't be that bad.

  Also, the clerk looks so expectantly at me, which puts me a bit on the spot.

  Alright, here goes nothing.

  "Gulp"

  The moment the first careful sip goes down my gullet, my eyes flash open.

  Spicy!

  This stuff is terribly spicy, with a faint sweetness.

  As if someone got a glass of watery milk and decided to empty a can of pepper inside.

  I look at my friend who somehow manages to massage her tongue and make a smug face at me at the same time.

  Oh damnit, Chiaki!

  She even acted as if it would be fine in order to pull me into this prank!

  "You see? Isn't this just the best to get yourself awake after a long sleep and get the body running?" (clerk)

  I'd certainly be running.

  From that drink!

  "If this wasn't to your taste, we also have dishes that are not as extraordinary." (clerk)

  "Cool! I want the whole card!" (C)

  "Ehm, card?" (clerk)

  Chiaki, do you really think they'd have paper here for this kind of thing?

  "I just meant, I want to see every dish you have here!" (C)

  This declaration now even gains the attention of the surrounding passersby.

  "Oh, uh, what!?" (clerk)

  "What you got. All of it. No worry, I have the money." (C)

  "Uh, I wasn't doubting you, my, my lady." (clerk)

  She totally thinks now that Chiaki is some big shot, who can afford to throw money out like this, without any care.

  Which honestly, isn't even all that far from the truth.

  Next, I see how a table is specially prepared for her and gets subsequently stacked with food.

  I can literally say nothing about these dishes, aside from them having the different crops native to this world.

  Chiaki doesn't seem to want to waste any time and sits down.

  "Come, Iori! I got us food!" (C)

  That's one way to refer to this.

  There's no real point to deny Chiaki, so I sit down and try the first plate.

  A nice vegetable assortment that tastes fresh and both sweet and sour, depending on the bite.

  Abruptly, a certain little fluffball jumps on our table.

  Before I can find a suitable response, she speaks to both of us.

  "Now that you're all sitting, we need to talk about Aureas." (So)

  Sure, what would my life be without trouble?