Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - v 2.1 Chapter 3.22

After using the teleportation gate to return to the dungeon’s third floor, we finally retraced our steps and managed to exit the dungeon. I hadn’t realized while inside, but apparently, we’d been in that dungeon for over a whole day.

Stepping out of the hole, it was a clear morning outside. The real sunlight made me squint my eyes. Somehow, it felt different from the light inside the dungeon.

“Ku-chan!”

“!”

We checked our gear and confirmed that the fluffballs were all accounted for, then started walking back to the guild. From across town, Ruri and Dan came running toward us.

“Ruri!”

I couldn’t help but run forward. Ruri dashed over too, and we hugged each other tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re safe…!”

“Yes, I wasn’t injured anywhere.”

Unexpected things happened along the way, but I was very well.

Ruri patted me all over to be sure I had no injuries, then finally looked into my eyes with relief.

“We were worried sick about you.”

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“No, it’s okay. As long as Ku-chan is safe, that’s all that matters.”

She hugged me tightly again. Dan, who had come closer, widened his eyes at the fluffy creatures around me. When he reached out his hand, Pipi perched on his thick finger and chirped.

“Have they evolved?”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“I see…”

Little chicks — no, not chicks — birds perched on Dan’s head and shoulder.

“That must be why they got so fat before.”

“Hey, but don’t you think they’re still round?”

The two poked the little birds playfully.

The birds, sparkling-eyed, snuggled up to them.

“?”

I realized all this fuss was because they wanted Dan to cook them a delicious meal.

“…The inside hasn’t changed at all.”

Dan muttered quietly, as if realizing the implication. Then Lulu, who had jumped out of the backpack, joined in, rubbing against Dan just like the little birds did.

“Luu!”

Ruri and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

After a good laugh, Ruri wiped tears from her eyes with her fingers and turned back to me.

“Ku-chan.”

“Yes.”

“Welcome home. I’m really glad you’re safe.”

“!”

She said that and hugged me tightly once more. Dan tousled my hair affectionately.

— I deeply understood how precious it was to be able to say those words.

“I’m home!”

I said loudly, beaming with a full smile.