I was led by a pink Centaur to buy some clothes.
Does this continent have ice cream too? Seeing it for myself, this place is different from what I imagined. There are wide, clean, well-maintained roads, buildings with intentional designs, and food and culture. Perhaps civilization is far more advanced than I thought. I had expected something similar to where I came from. I was anxious about a world without humans, but this place might actually be easier to live in.
A little while later, a boy Centaur returned, holding an ice cream. He handed me the clothes he had just bought.
“Here. I figured you’d want to wear them now, so I told them you didn’t need a bag.”
The ice cream was on a stick and a deep orange color. It was common in the world I came from, but seeing it after so long made it seem strangely novel.
“What? I’m not giving you any. Buy your own if you want some. There’s a restroom over there, go change.”
I did as he said and entered the public restroom located near the sea. Clean white porcelain toilets stood in a row. They were even flushable. Seeing this sight after so long, I couldn’t help but walk around inside the restroom. There were standing urinals, Western-style toilets, and at the very back, a larger Japanese-style toilet. I hadn’t delved deeply into restroom situations before. It was, well, something I didn’t want to think about. When I was sleeping outdoors, there was naturally nowhere to go. I decided to change before anyone else came in.
I took off my old clothes and changed into the short-sleeved shorts he had bought for me. They were perfect for this hot region. When I went outside, he was eating a melting ice cream. After receiving my change, I went shopping myself this time.
“Thanks. Wait a sec. I’ll go buy some things now that I’ve changed.”
“Buy me another ice cream!”
Ignoring the boy’s words, I entered the store. I wanted many things, but for the time being, I focused on the absolute necessities. I bought underwear, a towel, and some food and water. In these clothes, I could search for my companions without needing a bath. Besides, if there’s a sea, there might be a shower somewhere nearby.
“I’m back. Say, is there a shower around here?”
“What about the ice cream? Oh well, can’t be helped. This way.”
I was led by him back to the beach.
“Come to think of it, I never asked your name. I’m Hiroaki Arisugawa.”
“Arisugawa? That’s a funny name. Where did you come from? I’m Chester. See, there’s a shower over there. Well, bye! And if you get into trouble, don’t come to me.”
With that, Chester stomped his feet and left. He had guided me, so he was probably a good guy after all. Plus, I didn’t have to buy him a sundae. I rushed to the shower. Looking around, Harpies and Centaurs were wearing swimsuits and playing happily. In the distance, I could see people on surfboards. Food stalls were selling delicious-looking food, and on the road above, I saw a Satyr walking a dog. It was all so modern. Very similar to the world I came from. The only difference was that there wasn’t a single human in sight.
