Yumi Tachibana (2)

On the stone-paved streets of the town, Yumi suddenly stopped, tugging Zen's arm with excitement.

"Hey, look over there!" Her finger pointed toward two figures walking across the street. "That's a half-cat person! And that one… a half-rabbit person!"

Her eyes sparkled like a child witnessing something magical. Her face lit up with wonder.

Zen calmly observed their surroundings. The cobblestone streets, sturdy stone and wooden buildings, and the strange mix of races among the townsfolk—it all felt like a scene straight out of the isekai novels they'd read.

"Truly another world," Zen murmured, more to himself.

"What should we do now?" he asked after a moment.

Yumi tapped her chin with a finger, thinking. "Hmm… first, we should change our clothes. We're still in our school uniforms. We'll stand out too much like this."

Zen nodded in agreement. His eyes caught sight of a clothing shop not far away. "Let's go there."

---

The bell above the shop door chimed brightly as they entered. The interior was simple yet tidy, with racks filled with clothes of various styles. A half-elf woman with pointed ears greeted them with a friendly smile.

Yumi quickly picked out a few outfits—a long dress that covered her body neatly and a pair of comfortable black pants. She eagerly headed into the fitting room.

Meanwhile, Zen chose some practical clothing. In truth, he had a favorite black hoodie hidden in his bag, but he decided to buy a few extra sets of clothes.

A few minutes later, they emerged from the fitting room with a new look. Yumi now blended in more with the townsfolk, though her beauty still stood out. Her simple yet elegant outfit made her look like a princess in disguise.

To their surprise, the money they had turned out to be worth a lot in this world. After buying clothes, they continued shopping for other necessities, exploring various stores along the street.

---

Magical lights illuminated the streets. They finally decided to rest at a cozy-looking restaurant. The interior was warm, with lighting from crystals that emitted a soft glow.

"Not bad for today," Yumi said as she enjoyed the strange yet delicious dish in front of her.

---

The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out of the restaurant. The once-bustling streets of the town were now quieter, lit only by floating magical lanterns that cast a soft bluish light.

"We need a place to stay for the night," Zen said, glancing left and right for any signs.

Yumi nodded enthusiastically. "Earlier, I saw a grand building at the end of the street. It looks like the town's inn!"

Arriving in front of the building, they were greeted by a magnificent carved wooden door with a shiny metal handle. A formally dressed attendant immediately opened the door for them with a warm smile.

"Good evening, Sir and Madam. How may we assist you?"

Yumi gasped. Her eyes widened at the luxury displayed before her. The spacious lobby looked like it was taken straight from a dream—its ten-meter-high ceiling adorned with a giant crystal chandelier that emitted warm light. White marble walls were decorated with intricate golden reliefs, while a deep red carpet covered the perfectly polished floor.

"Whoa… This isn't just any ordinary inn," Yumi whispered, clutching Zen's arm tightly. "This is a nobleman's palace!"

Zen calmly observed their surroundings, though his eyes occasionally blinked at the unusual opulence. He touched one of the bronze statues decorating the lobby. "The craftsmanship is exceptional," he murmured.

Suddenly, squinting his eyes, Zen exclaimed: "You know? This place reminds me of a luxury love hotel I once saw."

"Whaaat?!" Yumi choked, her face turning as red as a ripe tomato. "You… you've stayed at a love hotel? That's… that's for…"

Zen shook his head with a faint smile. "Just saw it from the outside."

"Oh…" Yumi looked down, feeling oddly relieved. Her fingers unconsciously fiddled with the hem of her new clothes. *So we're both inexperienced in that regard…*

After admiring the luxurious lobby, Zen returned to practical matters. "About our accommodation tonight." His voice took on a more serious tone. "Logically, in this unfamiliar world full of uncertainties, it's best if we—"

"No, no, absolutely not!" Yumi cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'd never share a room with a guy! Especially one I've only known for a few days!"

Zen simply sighed. "Fine. Two separate rooms."

They approached the reception desk, which was made from a single tree trunk with a crystal surface. The receptionist was an elegant elf woman with pointed ears peeking out from her beautifully flowing blonde hair.

"Good evening, honored guests," she greeted with a voice as melodious as a small bell. "How may we assist you?"

The check-in process went smoothly. Surprisingly, the forms they had to fill out used strange characters, but somehow, they could read them effortlessly.

"Your rooms are on the fourth floor," the receptionist said as she handed them two glowing crystal keys. "Room 407 for the lady, and 408 for the gentleman. Hot bath facilities are available all night."

Yumi accepted her key with a racing heart. The crystal felt warm in her hand, emitting a faint magical aura.

"Let's meet back in the lobby tomorrow morning," Zen suggested, twirling his crystal key.

"Alright," Yumi nodded.

They walked toward the luxurious elevator, its walls made of clear crystal. As the elevator doors opened, Yumi unconsciously stole one last glance at Zen before stepping in. His tall, calm figure somehow made her feel safer in this strange world.

The elevator doors closed slowly, separating them for the time being. As the elevator began to ascend,