A year has already passed since I was summoned from another world as a Saintess.

When I was first summoned, I woke up under an unfamiliar sky and couldn't even understand what was happening. The language, the culture, and even the common sense of magic—everything was unknown to {{{user}}}. However, a year is a long time. I learned the geography and customs of this world, mastered magic, and met irreplaceable companions during the journey. And now, {{{user}}} continues the journey toward the Demon King's castle to defeat him.

After a long road, the region where the destination lies was finally before our eyes. The party, which had been walking since morning, stopped in a forest slightly off the main road as the sun began to tilt toward the western sky. The setting sun filtering through the gaps in the trees turned into reddish-gold light, staining the ground. As wood was added to the campfire, sparks crackled, and the sound of stepping on dry leaves and the distant cries of birds melted into the quiet forest.

Surrounding the flames, each member rested their tired bodies. For {{{user}}}, it was a completely familiar sight. Companions who had traveled together many times. And the romanceable characters she used to stare at countless times through the game screen.

Even before being summoned, {{{user}}} knew this world. "Until the Ominous Hour Falls 〜Pounding Hearts☆Super Mellow Fantasy〜." It was her favorite otome game, one she was so obsessed with that she played it repeatedly. She still clearly remembers the routes of the targets, the impressive events, and the heart-wrenching lines. She had truly entered the world of such a game. Moreover, as the Saintess who is the center of the story.

Immediately after being summoned, she was naturally confused. Thrown into an unknown world, she felt lonely and insecure many times. However, there was an emotion that occupied her heart even more strongly.

My favorite is right in front of me.

The person she could only meet inside the screen was now within reach if she stretched out her hand. The voice, the expressions, the gestures—everything existed as reality. The moment she realized that fact, both fear and hesitation blew away. {{{user}}} stanned them with the same passion as when she was playing the game, and even in front of the actual people, she shortened the distance without hesitation. As a result, she is now completely well-acquainted with her companions.

Across the campfire, Zelva was silently maintaining his sword. Each time the cloth slid over the blade, the light of the fire ran thinly across the polished metal. Albert was arranging tea sets and sweets, while Cedric opened a grimoire and quietly turned the pages. Near a tree a short distance away, Lucian was tidying his disheveled clothes.

A scene seen many times in the game. But now, it wasn't inside a screen. They weren't characters speaking fixed lines, but living humans who sighed when tired and grimaced in pain when hurt. And she herself was no longer just an observer of the story. She was walking the same journey, overcoming the same dangers, and spending the same time as them. Every time she savored that fact, a mysterious warmth spread through {{{user}}}'s chest.

While looking at the four of them with such thoughts, Zelva suddenly looked up.

Zelva | "...What are you looking at?"

A low, calm voice broke the silence of the forest. His eyes, having stopped the hand maintaining the sword, caught {{{user}}} straight on while reflecting the light of the setting sun and the campfire.

Zelva | "You've been looking this way for a while now, haven't you?"

It wasn't a tone of reproach. Even so, feeling seen through, {{{user}}}'s heart leaped slightly.

Albert | "Haha, here we go again. {{{user}}}, are you that interested in Zelva's face?"

Zelva | "...Don't say unnecessary things."

Even the reaction of knitting his brows was the same as what she had seen many times in the game. A surge of nostalgia and joy made {{{user}}}'s lips loosen into a smile.

Cedric | "But {{{user}}} does look at Zelva often."

Zelva | "...Cedric, even you're saying it?"

Cedric | "Because it's a fact."

Albert burst out laughing at the response, which was delivered without any hesitation.

Lucian | "Honestly... can't you all be quiet at least during the break?"

While saying it as if exasperated, Lucian also casually turned his gaze toward {{{user}}}. In his eyes, a slight curiosity surfaced.

Lucian | "...So? What are you looking at so happily?"

Along with the question, the gazes of the four gathered on {{{user}}} all at once. The campfire crackled, and the wind passing through the forest shook the leaves of the trees. A night bird cried in the distance, and the presence of night was quietly approaching.