Kazuki took a deep breath, the fresh air filling his lungs with a hint of adventure. “Wow, that’s a weird thought. I’m actually in a fantasy world! What’s next, finding a cute sidekick?” he joked, looking around.

The girl with red hair remained watchful, her bow still at the ready. “You’re not going to just speak nonsense the entire time, are you?”

“Nonsense? This is my life now!” Kazuki declared dramatically. “I’ve been isekai’d! The main character of my own story! I’ll definitely need a flashy catchphrase.” He struck a pose, pretending to hold an imaginary sword. “Kazuki, wielder of ramen and eternal awkwardness!”

The girl facepalmed. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

Kazuki chuckled. “No, but seriously! You must have a name, right?”

“I’m Tsubasa,” she stated, lowering her bow but still eyeing him cautiously. “And if you’re immortal, what exactly do you plan to do here?”

“Well, unfortunately, I can’t just plop into a café and order a coffee, can I?” he quipped. “I mean, just look at this place! No WiFi, no cozy spots, and I’ll probably have to learn to hunt. But hey, think of the stories! I could have my own travel blog. ‘Kazuki’s Adventures in Fantasyland: Unfiltered.’” He winked at her.

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow. “A travel blog? You do realize you’re in a cursed forest, right?”

Kazuki shrugged. “What’s a little danger? It’s not like I can die!” He shot her a cheeky grin.

Tsubasa narrowed her eyes, but a hint of amusement danced in her expression. “You’re incredulous.”

“Yeah, but I think it’s charming! Being alive—but also, not alive—can be liberating, you know? And maybe it means I can help people along the way!”

“Help people?” Tsubasa crossed her arms, skeptical. “What can a city boy like you possibly do?”

Kazuki pointed a finger at her, grinning widely. “You’d be surprised! Good looks and charm can go a long way!” He couldn't resist the urge to wink again, making a show of his carefree attitude.

“Looks certainly help, but it’s not the only qualification,” Tsubasa replied, rolling her eyes, though a smirk threatened to break through. “You might need a bit more than that to survive around here.”

Before he could reply, a loud rustling emerged from the foliage nearby, and both turned their attention toward the noise.

“Great, I hope that’s not a monster,” Kazuki said, his playful demeanor faltering slightly. “I’ve always pictured my heroic debut as more grand than running away from a giant, slobbering beast.”

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“Stay quiet!” Tsubasa whispered urgently, her eyes fixated on the moving bushes.

With a sudden burst, a small, furry creature scrambled out, tripping over its own paws and rolling directly toward Kazuki's feet. It was a peculiar-looking animal with bright blue fur and exaggerated features that could easily be described as ‘cute’.

Kazuki couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, that’s adorable!” He bent down to pet it, but the creature darted away, stopping just a few paces in front of him, sniffing the air cautiously.

“What—did you bring your pet from the city?” Tsubasa asked, half-amused and half-annoyed.

“My pet? If I had one, you’d think I’d let him wander off like that?” Kazuki shrugged, standing back up. “Besides, the only pet I’ve had is that stray cat who always sneaks into my apartment for snacks.”

Kazuki tried to approach the little creature again. “Hey there, buddy! Be my friend! We can help each other out! You can be the cute mascot of my travel blog!”

The blue creature blinked at him, its eyes wide with caution, before it carefully approached Kazuki’s outstretched hand. “Aww, look! A sidekick already!” He chuckled. “What should we name you? How about ‘Ramen’? Because I’m still obsessed with it!”

Tsubasa snorted. “Is that really the best you can come up with?”

“Hey, it’s fitting! Just think of the potential: ‘Kazuki and Ramen’s Epic Adventures!’” He glanced at Tsubasa, his expression earnest. “I’d read that, wouldn’t you?”

“Only if it had a decent plot,” she shot back, but there was a playful glint in her eyes.

“Fine, fine,” Kazuki said while scratching the creature’s chin. “But we need to get moving. This place might have dangers of the magical and non-magical variety limping around. Can’t hold off my adventures forever!”

“And what’s our plan? Let’s say we survive the next five minutes…?” Tsubasa challenged, eyeing him with curiosity.

Kazuki stepped back, a finger on his chin. “Hmm, let’s think here. Option one, I train to become a hero. Option two, I locate a town or a guild, or whatever it is that people do in this world. Option three… just wing it!”

Tsubasa rolled her eyes again but started walking forward, leading the way. “As if I’d let you wander off into danger.”

Kazuki fell in step beside her. “This is going to be—ah—fun! An opportunity to show off just how fit I am! Just a warning, though; I might need another selfie along the way! Fans of my travel blog will want to see my heroic stance in this magical world!”

“Selfies? You’re seriously planning to take selfies while running for your life?” Tsubasa shot back, incredulous but still smiling slightly.

“Hey, if my cute face gets me a following, I’m going with it! Besides, I bet my life in design would make for some interesting photo angles, right?” he smirked.

“Just keep moving, Kazuki,” Tsubasa said, chuckling in exasperation. “And for the record, I think I prefer my heroes a bit more… well, heroic.”

Kazuki grinned, shooting back, “Aww, come on! Just think how glamorous I’ll look bursting into heroic poses! Just wait for the fan art.”

“Fan art?”

“Right! I can already see it now. ‘Totally Immortal Hero Kazuki with the Lady Archer Tsubasa.’ I can already tell it’s going to be a smash hit!” He dramatically struck a pose in the middle of the path, arms pulled wide, fully embracing his newfound reality.

“No more poses, Kazuki,” she laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “We have to focus on surviving. Let's find a town, shall we?”

“Yes, yes! Adventure calls!” Kazuki replied enthusiastically, a grin etched on his face as he followed Tsubasa deeper into the unknown, ready to embrace whatever awaited him in this world—new friends, new challenges, and perhaps a few more encounters with captivating girls worthy of his eccentric charm.

After all, if immortality meant anything, it was a chance to dive into life headfirst, and he intended to make the most of it.