Part 2

Days had passed since Hoshi found himself stranded in this unfamiliar world, and in that time, he had managed to adapt. His potato crops flourished at an astonishing rate, yielding a fresh harvest every morning without fail. It was almost surreal—something that should have taken months was happening overnight, as if the land itself wanted him to thrive.

With such an abundant supply, he had taken to trading with Zabuton. The massive spider, despite its silent demeanor, seemed to understand him well. In exchange for potatoes, Zabuton had provided him with finely woven cloth materials—soft towels, sturdy washcloths, a sleeping bag, and even extra fabric to reinforce his tent.

Now, sitting by his fire, Hoshi carefully peeled and roasted another batch of potatoes, the earthy aroma filling the cool morning air. He had gotten used to this routine—wake up, check the crops, harvest, cook, and repeat. And yet, no matter how well he managed to survive, a single problem remained. The gate still refused to open.

His gaze drifted toward the glowing white structure, standing there just as silent and unmoving as the day it had pulled him in. Hoshi clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling in his chest.

"Still nothing, huh?" He muttered, tossing a small rock at its base. The stone bounced off harmlessly, disappearing into the grass. "Figures."

By now, his friends and Fellows back home must have realized that he was missing. They were probably sending out search parties, scouring the village and beyond for any sign of him. He could only hope that Keimonomimi Village was managing without him. A gust of wind rustled the leaves, and Hoshi exhaled, rubbing his temples. He had to stay calm. Panicking wouldn't solve anything. For now, all he could do was wait and keep surviving—until he found a way back home.

Hoshi had barely set the roasted potatoes aside to cool when a sudden glow from the gate caught his eye. His breath hitched, the gate was reacting again. He shot to his feet, heart pounding with anticipation. He desperately asked if the door was finally opening? Was he about to return home?

Without wasting a second, he rushed toward the glowing doorway, hope surging through him. But just as he reached out—BOOM! The gate burst open, and before he could react, a flurry of girls came tumbling through—straight on top of him.

THUD! Hoshi barely had time to register what was happening before he found himself slammed to the ground, buried under a pile of unfamiliar people.

"Oof! What was that?!" The exasperated cry came from a cute-looking silver-haired vampire, her blue eyes blinking in surprise as she sat up, brushing dust from her skirt.

Beside her, a blonde-haired angel with radiant wings huffed in annoyance, crossing her arms. "I told you not to push me!" Her sharp tone carried the frustration of someone who had clearly been ignored prior to arrival.

An elf in a green tunic let out a dazed whimper, still sprawled out from the unexpected tumble, her long ears twitching slightly as she tried to process what had just happened.

"Oh…" The younger of the two vampires blinked, shifting slightly as if something felt… off. She glanced down—and immediately froze. There was a long pause before she gasped.

"Guys…" she said slowly, realization dawning on her. "I think we're sitting on someone." Beneath the tangled mess of limbs, Hoshi, face firmly pressed against the dirt, let out a muffled groan.

A chorus of shrieks filled the air as the women quickly scrambled off of him, their movements frantic and flustered. Hoshi groaned, pushing himself upright as he rubbed his sore back. "That landing was not pleasant," he said.

As he dusted himself off, his gaze met theirs. For a moment, there was silence—both sides staring at each other, cautious and curious.

Hoshi was the first to break it. "Who… are you guys?"

The silver-haired vampire straightened her posture, brushing stray dirt from the elegant black-and-violet dress she wore. She gave him a confident smile. "My name is Lulucy Lu. Call me Loo for short."

Beside her, a blonde-haired woman in her elegant white dress beamed, her golden wings shifting slightly behind her. Her voice was warm and full of energy. "I'm Tier, an angel!"

A few steps away, the silver-haired elf—who had been rubbing the back of her head sheepishly—offered him an apologetic look. "I'm Ria, a High Elf… And uh, sorry about sitting on you."

Finally, the other silver-haired vampire, who had remained quiet up until now, twirled a strand of her shoulder-length hair between her fingers. Her white dress, trimmed with delicate blue frills, fluttered gently in the breeze, the soft ribbon in her hair swaying along with it. She carried herself with a reserved elegance, yet there was a hesitation in her movements, as if unsure whether to meet his gaze. Her deep blue eyes flickered downward, before she finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "I'm Flora… Loo's sister."

Hoshi offered a friendly smile, trying to ease the tension. "I'm Hoshi. Where are you guys from?"

Loo crossed her arms, her expression turning thoughtful. "We're from Great Tree Village. Do you know how to get there from here?"

Hoshi rubbed his chin, the name unfamiliar. "Great Tree Village? Never heard of it."

Tier's brows furrowed. "Really? Our village is pretty famous for trading. Maybe we're farther from home than we thought."

Ria tilted her head, curiosity flashing in her blue eyes. "What about you, Hoshi? Where are you from?"

"Keimonomimi Village," he answered.

The four women exchanged confused glances. Loo raised an eyebrow. "Keimonomimi? Never heard of it."

Hoshi blinked in surprise. "Seriously? You know, the village where the people have dog, cat, and rabbit ears?"

Ria clapped her hands together in realization. "Oh! You mean Beastmen?"

Hoshi hesitated. "Uh… Beastmen?"

Tier gave him an incredulous look. "Wait, you don't know what Beastmen are?"

Before Hoshi could respond, Loo suddenly waved her hand, summoning a blue holographic screen in front of her. Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. "I can't connect to the Vampire Network."

Flora quickly followed suit, her own screen flickering into existence. A moment later, she frowned. "Me neither."

Loo's confident demeanor crumbled into panic. "That… That means we're not in our world! We have to get back—now!" She bolted toward the gate, her blue eyes blazing with determination. She gripped the handle and pulled with all her strength. Nothing, the door refused to budge.

Gritting her teeth, she stepped back and raised her hand, summoning a surge of magic. Dark energy crackled at her fingertips as she unleashed a powerful spell against the gate. A loud thud echoed through the forest, but when the dust settled, the door stood completely unscathed.

"Tch… Open, damn it!" Loo growled, trying again, pouring even more power into the spell. But no matter how hard she tried, or how powerful her spell was, nothing happened.

Hoshi sighed as he approached. "It's no use. That door can only be opened by the one who summoned it."

Loo turned sharply, frustration flashing across her face. "But I have to get back! My husband and son—" Her voice wavered, panic creeping in. "They'll be worried sick if I don't return soon."

Hoshi's expression softened. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "But for now, we're stuck."

The forest grew silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. The weight of their situation settled in. They weren't just lost in a foreign land. They were completely cut off from home.

That afternoon, the crackling of the campfire was the only sound filling the heavy silence. The women sat quietly, their expressions a mixture of frustration and unease.

Hoshi could see it in their faces—the weight of their predicament. Just like him, they weren't just lost. They were stranded in a place that existed outside of their own worlds, somewhere caught in between.

There was no sign of civilization in any direction. No villages, no roads, no distant smoke trails rising to mark another soul's presence. Only endless forest and the silent, watchful presence of Zabuton, the giant spider who had become their unlikely companion. The world felt eerily empty, as if they were adrift in some forgotten pocket of existence.

The tension hung in the air, heavy and stifling, thick enough to cut with a knife. Every anxious glance, every silent worry weighed heavily on the small group. They were trapped in a world that wasn't their own, with no clear path back to where they belonged.

Hoshi stood quietly among them, his gaze sweeping over the uneasy faces of his new companions. He didn't know how to get them home—yet. But if there was one thing he could do, it was make this place feel a little less like a prison and a little more like a home.

Exhaling through his nose, he rolled up his sleeves with deliberate calmness. The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin full of determination and stubborn warmth. He clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and grounding in the heavy silence.

"Well," he said, voice light but sure, "if we're going to be stuck here for a while, I may as well make us comfortable."

The women glanced at him, momentarily pulled from their worries. With a thought, Hoshi summoned his magical tool, and it shifted in his grip—morphing into a sturdy axe.

Loo arched a brow. "What are you doing?"

Hoshi smirked. "I doubt you all want to cram into my tent, so I may as well build you a house."

Before they could respond, he strode up to a thick tree, gripping the axe tightly. With one powerful swing, the tree snapped at its base and toppled over with a mighty crash. The women's eyes widened in astonishment.

Without missing a beat, Hoshi's axe shimmered once again, its magic responding to his will. The sturdy blade morphed into a saw with a ripple of silver light. Hoshi made quick work of the fallen tree, slicing off the thick branches with swift, practiced motions.

As the last branch clattered to the ground, the tool shifted yet again, transforming into a sharp, broad blade. Hoshi crouched low, running the blade skillfully along the trunk, peeling away the rough bark and shaping the raw wood into smooth, usable lumber. Each stroke was precise, methodical—he worked like a man possessed, driven by the simple but fierce desire to give his new friends a place of comfort in this unfamiliar world.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hoshi wrapped his arms around the first heavy stack of timber, bracing himself to drag it to the clearing where he planned to build. He heaved with all his strength—but the massive beams barely budged, scraping stubbornly against the ground.

Gritting his teeth, Hoshi tried again, muscles straining, but the wood refused to yield. At this rate, moving the beams one by one would take the entire day, if not longer.

A soft laugh broke through his frustration. Hoshi turned to see Tier smiling slyly. With a graceful lift of her hand, she murmured a few words under her breath. The ground trembled, and from the earth itself rose a hulking stone golem, towering and obedient.

Without hesitation, the creature lumbered forward, scooping up the heavy lumber as if they weighed nothing at all. It trudged toward the clearing, carrying the materials with mechanical, unwavering purpose. "You can't do it all yourself," Tier teased. "Let us help you!"

Ria's elven instincts kicked in at once. With a graceful leap, she sprang into the trees, her movements light and effortless. From her high vantage point, she flicked her hand in elegant motions, directing the placement of the beams and boards. Her sharp eyes and innate sense of balance ensured the foundation was perfectly aligned, sturdy enough to withstand anything this strange world might throw at them.

Meanwhile, Loo and Flora set to work on the ground. With practiced ease, they summoned their magic, weaving spells to clear away debris, flatten the earth, and smooth the clearing until it was level and firm. Soil shifted and rocks tumbled harmlessly aside under their gentle command, making way for the beginnings of something real.

Working together in seamless rhythm, the group transformed the empty patch of wilderness into a bustling hive of activity. Hoshi coordinated the building, guiding the lumber into place with the golem's help, while Tier occasionally strengthened the frame with earth magic to ensure it would endure.

As the roof beams rose, Ria climbed to the highest bough of a nearby tree. From her perch, she called down instructions, deftly guiding the stone golem as it lifted heavy timbers into place. Her voice carried clear and sure through the crisp evening air, every command shaping the cottage inch by inch.

Finally, as the sun dipped behind the trees, painting the sky in a breathtaking tapestry of oranges, purples, and deepening blues, their work was finished. The house stood proudly at the center of the clearing—a sturdy, warm structure of polished wood and woven silk, a testament to their shared efforts and determination.

The women stepped back, their faces lit by the glow of twilight and the satisfaction of a day's hard work. For the first time since arriving in this strange, in-between world, they had built more than just shelter—they had built a home.

Zabuton had been hard at work as well, tirelessly weaving luxurious silk-filled sleeping bags, soft sheets, and plush pillows for each of them. When the final stitch was complete, the group let out a cheer, excitement bubbling in their voices.

"It's perfect!" Ria beamed, hugging one of the silk pillows to her chest.

But just as their spirits lifted, Flora's voice cut through the celebration. "Wait… but what about Hoshi?"

The group turned, their gazes falling on the lone tent still pitched a few feet away. A wave of awkwardness settled over them. He had worked himself to the bone, building them a home from nothing—yet he was still stuck sleeping outside.

Loo cleared her throat. "You could always sleep inside with us…"

Tier and Ria nodded in agreement, but Hoshi only smiled, waving off the concern. "Don't worry about me. I like my tent. Besides, it's not like I built the house alone—you all helped."

Despite Hoshi's reassurances, the girls exchanged hesitant, uneasy glances. It didn't sit right with them—after all he had done, after all he had given, seeing him return alone to his small, weathered tent felt wrong. Yet, for now, there was little they could do to change his mind. With reluctant steps, they turned toward the house, leaving him behind beneath the starlit sky.

Flora's gaze lingered on Hoshi a little longer. She watched as he moved toward his tent, his silhouette framed by the flickering, amber glow of the campfire. His steps were unhurried, his posture relaxed, as if he truly was content with the simple shelter he had crafted for himself. A bittersweet ache bloomed in her chest. Somehow, despite everything, he really did seem at peace.

Inside, the girls eagerly explored their new home. Warmth seeped into their chilled bones, and they marveled at the sturdy craftsmanship—every plank expertly placed, every surface smooth beneath their fingertips. The walls gleamed softly in the firelight, a comforting embrace against the vast, unfamiliar wilderness outside. The floor was polished and even, and the beds, woven with Zabuton's finest silk, promised the sweetest sleep they had had since arriving in this strange world.

"I never thought we'd end up with a house this nice in a place like this," Tier admitted, running her hand along the finely cut wooden frame.

"Hoshi really outdid himself," Ria added, flopping onto one of the silk-filled sleeping bags with a satisfied sigh.

Loo stretched, already making herself comfortable. "It may not be Great Tree Village, but this will do just fine for now. I just hope my family back home is alright."

Flora, however, remained quiet, stealing a glance outside where Hoshi sat by the fire, peeling potatoes. Despite the long day of work, he looked completely at ease, his hands moving methodically as he prepared their next meal. The firelight flickered across his face, casting warm shadows that made his expression unreadable.

She smiled softly. "We were lucky to have found someone like him."

As the girls settled in for the night, the comforting scent of roasting potatoes filled the air—signaling the end of their first day in this strange, in-between world.