Ex-Machina on a Dimensional Travel

Overwhelmed by "human emotion," Mashu could only give a muffled response. Seeing this, the young man gave an awkward laugh before looking at everyone else.

"Fou~"

A small white creature also sprang out from the corner and landed on Mashu's shoulder.

"Ah, Fou, we're back~"

Seeing this creature that was supposedly a "pet," Mashu looked especially happy.

"I wouldn't say it was that hard..."

At least, in the young man's eyes, this journey through the Singularity had started strong but fizzled out. Strictly speaking, aside from getting beaten up, it seemed they had not really done anything.

Well... if talking to the mastermind and "persuading" her to show mercy counted.

Seeing the young man's dejected expression, Roman did not say much. He simply sent everyone else off to rest before walking over to him.

He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, and under the latter's puzzled gaze, the orange-haired young man gave him a thumbs-up with his other hand.

"Don't overthink it. You just got back, so get some rest. And while you're at it, get a checkup."

At that, Roman's expression swiftly turned serious.

"We're still worried about that thing inside your body."

He still remembered the "cube embedded in your body" that Fujimaru Ritsuka had told him about over the communications line. Though Xiu Er had explained what it was for.

But as a doctor, Roman still could not put his mind at ease. He worried that the object might harm the young man's body.

However, that expression vanished just as quickly.

"But before that, do you want something to eat?"

"No, I ate right before coming back. I'm not hungry yet."

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled as he declined Roman's invitation.

"Then I guess it can't be helped. I'll treat you to strawberry cake next time."

Roman