"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 24: Reunion with the Two

Episode 24: Reunion with the Two

“Good morning, Haru-san.”

“Good morning, Estelle-san.”

Today, I was delivering bread to the church in the morning.

Ever since Estelle came to the church in Rothen, I had more chances to interact with her.

But today—I planned to tell Estelle the truth about myself.

“Um, I have something I’d like to talk about, if that’s alright?”

“Yes, of course.”

Estelle guided me to the confessional.

Inside, the atmosphere was a bit cold.

I sat in the confessor’s seat, while Estelle took the listener’s seat.

“Is this a consultation of some kind?”

“Yes, something like that. Actually, recently I reunited with someone I knew long ago.”

“Reunited with someone…?”

Estelle’s voice hinted that she was trying to read between the lines.

I took a deep breath and continued.

“I was afraid of meeting people from my past and kept running away. But I decided it’s time to face them properly.”

“No way… could it be—you are…”

“Long time no see, Estelle. I’m—Haruto.”

Just as I said that, *bang!*—the door swung open. 

And Estelle suddenly threw herself at me with full force.

She hugged me so tight it hurt.

I accepted her embrace.

“Haruto-sama! I knew it—you really were Haruto-sama!”

“Yeah. Sorry for making you worry.”

“I was… so, so worried…!”

Estelle shed tears, sobbing.

I gently placed my hand on her back.

“Sorry. Even though I recognized you when we first met, I didn’t say anything. Yeah… let’s talk properly, including that.”

—

Estelle and I moved to another place.

A room deep inside the church—unlike the solemn atmosphere of the chapel, it was wrapped in a soft stillness.

A table made of old wood and two chairs were placed at the center of the room.

Next to them sat a humble ceramic pot and two cups.

Without a word, Estelle quietly picked up the steaming pot.

Her movements were gentle and sure.

As the amber-colored liquid was poured into the cups, the room somehow felt a little warmer.

“It’s hot, so please be careful.”

With a smile, she softly placed the cup in front of me.

“Thank you.”

I took a sip right away—the sweet flavor of tea leaves spread in my mouth.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Estelle was about to add sugar to her tea. But I felt the need to check.

“Estelle.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“That’s… really sugar, right?”

“Haruto-sama—no, Haru-sama. I’m not the same as I used to be. There’s no way I’d make such a basic mistake—”

Estelle lightly licked the white powder in the container.

Then she furrowed her brows slightly.

“Ugh… th-this is…”

“Salt?”

“Y-yes. Ugh… how could I make such a mistake…”

“Haha. Well, some things never change.”

“Ugh… Even so, I’ve improved since the old days. I must have let my guard down…”

Yeah.

Saint Estelle was a very reliable party member.

She gave her opinions willingly, and she was proactive.

But sometimes… she was clumsy in everyday life.

In battle or dungeon exploration, she was trustworthy and excellent—but she still made small blunders like this.

That’s why we never let Estelle handle food during dungeon trips… yeah…

“Estelle. Let me explain everything.”

“Yes. I’ll listen.”

I told her about how I had been in Abyss Sanctum for five years.

About how I returned, started working at a bakery while recognizing familiar faces, and about finally reuniting with Felina in the truest sense.

Just like Felina, Estelle apologized.

I accepted it immediately.

They had suffered too.

Apparently, Estelle had a hunch that I might be me. But she hadn’t been sure.

Talking with Estelle, I realized—she was still just as kind as she had been five years ago.

—

“So… Haru-sama, you’ve chosen to live as a baker now?”

“Yeah. It’s fun. I like working in the bakery.”

“I think it suits you very well.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’m relieved that you haven’t changed from the old days.”

Estelle smiled faintly.

It was a bit fragile. But I sensed a strong determination in it.

And then we said our goodbyes.

I still had bakery work left, after all.

“Alright, I’ll head back.”

“Haru-sama, I’ll see you off.”

As we stood and headed toward the church entrance, I suddenly heard from behind:

“Kya…!”

I turned immediately to see Estelle had fallen.

I caught her.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh. Why do I always trip over nothing… So embarrassing…”

Estelle blushed and tried to hide her face with both hands.

Yeah… this part of her hadn’t changed either.

“You really haven’t changed at all.”

“Next time! Next time we meet, I’ll be more composed! I swear!”

“Haha. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Uuugh! I mean it—definitely!”

Honestly, this kind of clumsiness seems like a core part of her.

I don’t think she’ll fix it anytime soon.

But even that clumsy side of Estelle—I didn’t dislike it.

—

After successfully having a true reunion with Estelle,

I decided I’d talk to Luster next.

She regularly came to deliver wheat. So I decided I’d speak to her during her next visit.

And then—it happened.

Luster came to the shop.

Her hair swayed in the wind, lit by the setting sun. And she held it in place with a dark green scarf.

On the wagon’s bed were sacks of freshly harvested wheat. They were neatly lined up.

The fragrant smell of grain gently blended into the air.

“Good evening, Haru.”

“Good evening. Thank you again for today, Luster-san.”

“Yeah.”

As usual, Luster spoke in her calm, matter-of-fact tone.

She parked the wagon behind the shop. And together we unloaded the wheat.

Once we were done, I called out to her.

“Luster-san. Do you have a moment?”

“Hm. Sure.”

Knowing she might have to head back soon, I got straight to the point.

“Luster. The truth is… I’m Haruto. Sorry for hiding it—”

“Yeah. I know.”

Luster nodded calmly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Unlike with Felina and Estelle, there was no surprise in her reaction.

She stayed perfectly composed, as always.

There was no wavering in her eyes.

She just silently stared at me.

“Eh—?”