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Chapter 1.6 - Echoes of the Past
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Igarian Calendar, Year 10013
“Hey, I know you wanted to show me around the academy… but why did we have to leave so early? Huuuuuuah… I’m so tired.”
“Well if we’re gonna visit the stores Cece, we have to get there before the lines build up… obviously.”
“Can you please just call me Cael?”
“Rejected. I like Cece better.”
“Alright then… Lulu.”
“W-what?”
“You know... Lulu. That’s my nickname for you.”
“Wait, you can’t do that!”
“Huh, why not? If we’re gonna be roomies we should be able to address each other casually… Lulu.”
“Uuuuuuh, nobody’s ever dared to tease me like this!”
“Well there’s a first for everything now isn’t there… Lulu?”
“Tch. Whatever Cece, let’s go.”
I swear I’ll get you back for this Cael Ver. Nobody gets away with taking advantage of me. Nobody!
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…
...
We’ve just arrived at the marketplace. It’s a bit quieter than I expected it to be, but that’s probably because we’re early.
“Hey come on Cece, you’re gonna lag behind if you just stand around thinking!”
I feel her hand grab my hand as I’m forcefully dragged forwards. Soft… Are girls hands supposed to be this soft? Grandma Estel had a lot of wrinkles on her hands. I never knew they could be this soft. It’s almost like jelly…
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Inside the store...
“So which one do you like the most, Cece? Personally, I like the second one the most.”
Wait. Does she not know that I’m blind? Are you kidding?! How oblivious can you get?! Oh Sol, this is cracking me up!
“Hahahahah! There’s no way you couldn’t have noticed by now Lulu.”
“Huh? Noticed what?”
“Really?! You really haven’t noticed? You’re almost as oblivious as my grandpa, Lulu! Hahaha…!”
“Grrr, out with it! Just what is it that I haven’t noticed?!”
…
…
“Newsflash Lulu... I’m blind. So if you’re asking for an objective opinion on the dresses, I’d say they all look equally good on you hahah...!”
What a blunder. Cael’s blind?! How is that possible?! He can walk around fine and even do so well on the exams that he got first. Wait in the first place how does he even know how to read or write?!
“What?! You’re blind?! Then… then how did you get first on the exams?! How could a blind boy… b-beat me?!”
“Elementary... my dear Lulu. The grooves left by quill writing isn’t particularly difficult to read. And I’ve practiced a looooot. Writing is more of a struggle for me, but I think I’m up to par with it now.”
“But if you’re blind… then how do you find your way around? You’re not being guided by anyone are you?”
“Nope. I use this pendant here with a spell engraved into it that I call ‘Pulse’. It sends out waves constantly, so I can create a general feel for everything around me based on the rebound of the waves. Though the details are pretty fuzzy, It’s sufficient enough for me.”
“Wait. So you can function just as well even while blind? That’s amazing, Cece! This is the first time I’ve been genuinely impressed in another person.”
“Ah… uh… thank you, Lulu.”
I’m not used to getting compliments when I tell people I’m blind. They usually start talking as if they’re pitying me all of sudden. Lucia’s the first person outside of grandpa and grandma that treated me the same after learning of my blindness.
“Seriously! You’ll have to show me how you manage to do everything, Cece!”
“Alright, alright Lulu. And in return you’ll tell me all this secret knowledge you seem to know about the academy, how’s that sound?”
“Deal!”
We continued to visit some miscellaneous shops and had lunch at this great noodle shop. I should probably mark its location down. Ah, I should probably ask for a map of the academy first. Anyhow, It’s been surprisingly fun going out with Lulu. I wonder if she feels the same. Can I consider our relationship as being friends? Let’s ask her.
“Hey Lulu. I just wanted to ask you a personal question if that’s alright with you.”
“Hmm? Shoot.”
Oh Sol, has he already begin to catch on? There’s no way his observation skills could be that good, could it? At this rate I’ll have to transfer again. Just what could his question be?
“L-lucia, would you consider us to be friends?”
Huh? Is he an idiot? Of course we’re friends. Would strangers have nicknames for each other? Or go out together for that matter?
“To answer your question, I’ll have to ask you two questions. Do strangers give each other nicknames? Do strangers invite people each other out to have fun?”
“Well I mean I guess it wouldn't be comm…”
Hah… this fool just doesn’t get it does he? Guess I’ll have to be blunt. Before he can finish his sentence, I decide to cut him off.
“Yes, you dummy. We’re friends, maybe even good friends at this point.”
“A-ah… thank you Lucia…”
“What are you thanking me for? It’s not like you’re paying to be my friend, we’re equals in this relationship.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Wooo! My first friend! This feeling is so foreign to me, but I don’t dislike it. I bet grandpa and grandma would be proud of me!
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…
“Didn’t you say you could show me how they managed the mana around the academy, Lulu?”
“Oh, I was lying about that. I’d thought you’d be more convinced to go if I mentioned that. Whoopsies!”
“Arrrgh! I’ll get you back for this, Lulu!”
“Awwww, don't be like that, Cece. How about I treat you to a meal prepared by yours truly as an apology? I’ve been meaning to try out the kitchen in our rooms.”
“Fine, I Cael will so graciously accept this mortal’s offering of a meal as an apology.”
“What the heck are you, an old man? Who uses that archaic gibberish nowadays? Let’s just head back before it’s dark, we have a curfew to follow.”
Does she need to one up me every single time? Can’t she just accept my goodwill? Geez! What a stubborn girl. Hah, let’s just hope her cooking is good.
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“Ack! This tastes terrible! “
Talk about subverting expectations…
“What?! This is meal prepared by the O’ mighty Lucia, how could it possibly taste bad?”
I decide to take a bite of my creation just out of curiosity. Bleugh! Oh Sol, this really is bad. But why…? I followed the recipe instructions to a tee, there’s no way it could be this bad. Holding down my urge to vomit, I try to formulate an excuse.
“Augh. Well it’s taste is certainly unique, but it’s based on a recipe that’s been proven in countless starred restaurants. It probably just doesn’t match your palate, Cece.”
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…
“You said it has a recipe?”
“Correct, Cece.”
“Do you happen to have this recipe with you?”
“Well I do but I don’t see why that would...”
Taking the recipe from her hands, I decide to read it through. What the heck. These instructions are so simple and the ingredients aren’t too complex either. How in Sol did she manage to screw it up so bad?
“Could I borrow some ingredients and your kitchen for a moment?”
“Huh? Why do you - ”
I decide to cut her off again to establish dominance to improve our friendship.
“I’d like to confirm a suspicion of mine. So do I have your permission, Lulu?”
“I mean I guess so…”
“Alright. I’ll be right back.”
Stepping into her kitchen, I quickly determine where the stove and pots are. I slowly and carefully prepare the vegetables and beef because I'm not used with using a knife. The stovetop is still hot so I quickly heat a pan. I’ll cook it based on sound and smell but the recipe has a estimate time so I’ll try to keep it around there.
I briefly sear the vegetables and gradually add warm water to bring it to a gradual simmer. I add the specified spices and wheat flour until the soup is a bit thicker. After ten minutes, a pleasant aroma greets my nose and I know it’s done. I scoop out a small bowl and take over some leftover bread that I found near the fridge. I take a spoonful and slowly taste it. Hmm… this is much better. It’s shocking how Lucia could of messed up so hard using the same recipe.
I bring the small bowl and bread sticks out the door and slowly put it down on the table. Not to rub it in or anything, but I can feel a superiority smirk come over me as I wait for her response. After a brief five minutes, we’re still sitting there at the table in complete silence. I finally decide to break it.
“So, what do you think of it, Lulu?”
“H-h-h-h-h…”
“Come on, use your words, Lulu.”
“H-how is this possible?! I understand for the exams maybe, but how can you be so good at cooking as well?! Why are the gods so unfair?!”
I can feel my smirk extending as I ready my thoughts.
“I’d hate to break it to you, but I’m afraid that’s the first time I ever cooked. I don’t think it's a matter of talent but rather… you don’t have any affinity for cooking do you Lulu?”
“W-w-w-w-w…”
Lucia seems to be in shock. Hehehe, this’ll knock her down a peg, surely.
“It’s alright Lulu… nobody can be perfect at everything. Not even me.”
I smirk even wider whilst saying that.
“B-but, I’m a girl! I’m supposed to be skilled in housework and artsy stuff. I’ve been taught since young to master all of it! But every time I try… I always fail miserably. Why?! Auuuuuuuwaaa!”
Huh. I was just joking around but it seems I’ve poked at a sore spot for her. Ah… how should I comfort her? I wouldn’t say I’m socially inept, but the only interactions I’ve ever had are with grandpa and grandma, so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say here. Arrrgh, let’s just go with my true feelings.
“Lucia.”
“Wuahhhhhh!”
“Lucia!”
“Auuuuuh. W-what is i-it…? Are y-you gonna make fun of me again?”
“No. We’re friends, and you should know I was just joking with you.”
“I-I know, but every time I visit home, girls always make fun of me for always failing at housework.”
“Hmm? So what? Are you friends with any of those girls?”
“N-no…”
“Then why do you care what they say about you?”
“B-but they… they always use hurtful words and I can’t just ignore them outright...”
“Look Lucia. You’re the first friend I’ve had outside my family, and I hate to say it, but it was because of your uncharacteristically bubbly personality for a girl. All the novels I’ve read had girls acting shy and reserved, to which I subconsciously concluded that all girls had to be like that.”
“B-but why does that mat - “
“Just let me finish first, Lucia. I’ve been rejecting people outside my family for a loooong time now. I’ve never told you this, but I was bullied for being blind back at the village where I used to live. However... because of your unconventional personality, it sparked my curiosity in you, and before I realized it, I had opened up to someone. Something that I thought I would never do again. And now I’m telling that very someone my oh so very personal past that I’ve never shared before.”
“A-ah. Thank you… Cael.”
“Hah… It looks like you’ve calmed down.”
“Hehehe… yeah.”
“Hmph. You’re pretty cheerful for someone who was bawling their eyes out a minute ago.”
“I was not!”
“Judging by how wet my shirt is, I’d have to disagree Lulu.”
“Well you have no evidence. What are you gonna say, that you saw it happen? Nobody will believe you! Bleh!”
I hear Lucia stick her tongue out at me and finally knew for certain that she was back to her usual self.
“Hahaha! That’s the Lucia I know. The happy go lucky and ever so slightly quirky one.”
“Hehe… thank you.”
“No problem. I’ve never had a real friend before but I just want you to know that as your friend, I appreciate you for who you are as it is... not what society says you have to be. What I’m trying to say is, I don’t think any less of you for your apparent lack of housework skills, hahaha…”
“Hey! I’m just out of practice, I swear!”
“Pfft. Whatever you say, Lulu.”
“B-but… really… thank you. For comforting me… and helping me come to terms for who I am.”
“It’s fine. I had to go through the same thing back when I was young.”
I suddenly recall the time where I almost got killed. I was angry at myself for being born blind, and at the gods who allowed it to happen. So I foolishly decided to go into uncharted areas of the forest alone, and got lost. In the end grandpa saved me and reminded me that I’m not living only for myself. Gramps cared for me so much that he would risk his own life for mine. My unworthy life which has only burdened him. Hah… thank you grandpa… for everything.
“Back when I was young? I’m seriously starting to consider whether you’re an old man in a young kid’s body.”
Kuh… just when I was reminiscing on good memories.
“Pffft. I don’t want to hear that from Miss Second. Lost to me in the exams, and now in cooking? Are you sure you’re not an old man in disguise?”
“Grrr… don’t get ahead of yourself Cece. You just got lucky, alright?!”
“Hahaha… sure, sure. Whatever you say, Lulu. Let’s just finish this meal before it gets cold, alright?”
“Fine.”
“Though this ‘curry’ is a bit more watery than I remembered. How peculiar, kukuku…”
“Grrrrr! I’ll get you back for this humiliation, Cece!”
“And I’ll be waiting, Miss Second.”
“Arrrrrrgh! Cael Ver…!”
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