2.1

Reminiscing

By slaying the monster, Hiro earned hours spent in containment. After the battle, the heroes met a truly intimidating figure. It was a woman cladded in a black long coat reaching her feet. Her face covered completely by a plague doctor mask which was rather ominous. But most unsettling was a monocle on the right eye glowing a bright red.

In her hand was an engraved canister. With one hand behind her back, the woman pointed the item toward the monster carcass. Then came a surge of violent flaming engulfing the beast remain. In an instant, there was no trace of the creature.

Just like that, gone in a blink of an eye. This was definitely no ordinary flame.

The woman then turned to Hiro, pointing her cannister toward him. Before anyone could react, a stream of steam shot out, cleansing the young man of the beast vile blood. The same process was then repeated with the other two. The three were then directed to a building in the outskirt of town where they were then isolated.

Hiro had been staying in this room for hours now. After the adrenaline fuelled battle with the monster, the young man couldn’t help but feel dead bored. He was still too alerted to sleep, however, being contained by someone like that wasn’t too comforting.

His companion, Momo-chan was also silent.

And so Hiro sat there unmoving for what seems like an eternity. He wanted to think but his mind was too tired for any coherent thought.

Finally, the door swung open to reveal the figure in black, her right eye still glowed ominously. Not someone you would want to see in a dark or alley or any time at all, maybe a convention would be passable? The woman removed her mask, it was Caron, who had come to the conclusion that none of them contracted any disease.

Exhausted both mentally and physically, the young man didn’t really remember what happens next. People seemed to be congratulating him on the deed, patting him on the back. Up in the sky, the sun was shining annoyingly bright.

Everyone noticed the condition he was in though and Hiro soon found himself back in Owain’s darkened room. Completed with Suiren sitting next to him dutifully. The woman was wearing something different though, a shirt and pants combo this time. Fresh from the bath, she certainly smelled nice…

Since when did he become his younger self, it was probably the scent of new blanket. Hiro turned into the wall and closes his eyes.

Hiro: {Good night, or more like good morning}

Momo-chan: [… Good night]

Those were Momo-chan first words with him ever since the incident with the monster. The young man paid them no mind though, he was too tired right now. He then fell asleep, a rest well deserved, the best rest he had gotten these past two years.

___

A whole week had passed since the incident with the monster. Hiro had somewhat gotten used to life here. For once in his life, his presence, his existent was celebrated. For an unwanted child basking in the glory sure was intoxicating. The young man and Suiren still stayed at Owain’s place. He would of course help out with whatever chore they need, but even that wasn’t much. At least with all his free time, Hiro could go around and learn more about this world. Even with the language barrier, he still picked up quite a bit.

Everyone in this world seemed to have magic power. Most people, however, were so weak that it was insignificant. Others were only trained in one field and one field only. The chief fisherman could alter the current of sea somewhat, the head lumberjack could chop down trees with bare hand.

While these may sound exciting, there seemed to be a great deal of limitation. The most powerful in this village, however, was undoubtedly the Pryce couple.

Caron ability was simply astounding. Not only could she disinfect and clean a wound in an instant, the healer could also mend any injury no matter the severity. Apparently, someone had their head cut off once by a freak accident. In just a blink of an eye he was back to normal. As long as a person was still alive, Caron could save them.

That only applied to physical wounds though. Hiro couldn’t really ask about illnesses and the like, communicating about those were a challenge. Also, the woman couldn’t heal the young man and the knight for some reason, they were treated with old-fashioned way which she was clearly trained in. Also asides from her vocation, Caron could also summon fire and more. She was truly amazing and talented, but outside of work, she looked just like any other girl in town.

Her husband or fiancée, on the other hand, stood out quite a lot. He was certainly the loudest and most enthusiastic out of everyone. Now that was quite a difference, while the people here could show interest such spirit and passion are nowhere to be found. Most of them, including Caron, were simply content.

This made Owain’s overwhelming enthusiasm stood out. It was also contagious, everywhere he went, people became clearly spirited and energetic. The world around him was so bright and vibrant that everything around just seems pale in comparison. Even Hiro couldn’t help but filled with optimism around the young man. The only exceptions were Suiren and the knight, although in both cases their faces were hidden.

He was also an important member of this town. Owain could condensed energy into colourless gems in which cases they are filled with power and colour. This seemed to be his only ability but it was invaluable.

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A great many things in this place needed energy. From transporting logs to lighting to water filtration. All of them used the gems provided by Owain.

The most important use for those thing, however, was to keep the tram system functioning. Hiro was confused at first, he never seen it being use and yet the people were very protective of it. Soon he realised why.

The people here could build rudimentary structures and items out of wood but that was all. Everything else like metal equipment or ingredient like wheat and flour and rice were transported here using the tram. Hiro had never seen anyone tended to the pipes so that was probably also outsourced. The aforementioned water filtration system and even the tram itself were built by experts who of course used this mode of transportation.

In short, his hosts turned out to be quite incredible. Hiro thought to himself as he was having a leisure stroll.

Momo-chan: [Are you alright?]

Hiro: {Why are you asking that, of course I am fine. Is there any reason for such a question?}

Momo-chan: [An ‘I’m fine’ would have sufficed you know]

Hiro: {…}

Momo-chan: [It’s fine, I understand. I miss it as well, home]

That couldn’t have missed the mark any further. Hiro didn’t really think of home that much. He did miss his sister and worry for her a lot. But still, he had worked hard for her, he had prepared enough backup plan in case anything happened to him. She would be fine, maybe even had a better than with him.

No, the young man was simply restless because there was nothing to do. Back ‘home’, Hiro was worked to near dead every single day. There was no rest, even during holidays. He had thought that to be free would be the best he could ever hope for.

But it was not, his body, his mind was now accustomed to the workload. Without anything to do, no one to take care of, he was nothing.

Still, he shouldn’t leave Momo-chan hanging.

Hiro: {You would certainly want to go back}

Momo-chan: [Now what does that mean]

Hiro: {I do remember looking forward to school every day at your age. After all, you would get meet with Class Rep}

Momo-chan: [That was uncalled for…]

Hiro: {What’s wrong with that?}

Momo-chan: [Didn’t you say that she already has a boyfriend!]

Hiro: {I did?}

Momo-chan: [Yes, when we were being suffocated by Suiren!]

Hiro: {Oh right, I did say that. Sorry that joke was a bit insensitive of me}

Momo-chan: [Darn right it was…] From the sound of his voice, Momo-chan was probably pouting. Now wasn’t that just too precious. Still, Hiro understood the young man frustration. He could still remember it vividly, Class Rep, who was his first love. It was the first time he was struck by such a feeling.

An outcast he was but she was always there to drag him along. She was always enthusiastic, always pushy, always positive and never gave up. No matter how many times he tried to push her away, she was always there to try and help him get along with everyone.

The young and recluse Hiro finally gave in, he had to interact with those he once despised, those he once looked down upon. Those were the best time of his life. To be a normal high schooler with many friends, turn out they weren’t as one dimensional as he had thought… no, he was the one dimensional one.

Indebted, he soon harboured feeling for his saviour. His first love sure was a burning one. He had never felt such a strong emotion like that before.

Then turn out, she had a boyfriend, even before they first met. That sure was a short tale.

Hiro: {Oh well, maybe you would be able to find someone here}

Momo-chan: [Was that supposed to be encouraging…]

Hiro blurted out that line for that very reason. But the meaning behind those words sure weren’t.

Momo-chan: [So you really believe that we won’t be able to return]

Hiro: {No, it’s not that, I just haven’t seen a way yet. Besides, I never remember going to this world six years ago}

Momo-chan: [So you really believe that we won’t be able to return]

Hiro: {… Not that concrete but yes}

Momo-chan: [If that is to be the case, me finding someone else won’t do]

Hiro: {Eh?}

Momo-chan: [YOU should be worrying about that, after all aren’t you the owner of this body. You better find someone both of us can agree upon!]

Was Momo-chan… teasing him! Oh, two could play that game!

Hiro: {Maybe I should, after all, a young man your age sure can be easily… distracted}

Momo-chan: [Me from the future would of course know all about that]

Hiro: {Well, I don’t really remember being pervy like you}

Momo-chan: [Now where does that come from!]

Hiro: {Remember when you wanted to order Suiren to strip}

Momo-chan: [I told you that was a slip of the tongue! And yes, I know I don’t have a tongue!]

Hiro: {I also notice you staring at her lately, at all the questionable places}

Momo-chan: [Well, I only look at what YOU are looking at]

Hiro: {My vision is much wider than that, I simply focus on different places than you!}

Momo-chan: [Really? Admit it, all the time spending in an office, you must be quite pent up] Hiro never said anything about his job. But from what he had known, Momo-chan could make quite an accurate educated guess.

Hiro: {Are you saying that about an older you?}

Momo-chan: [Well, I can still change before becoming as sad as you]

Hiro: {Oi, who are you calling sad}

Momo-chan: [You, I for once never remember being this weak. You let Suiren, who was in a komon no less, to catch up to you. And here I thought we are always proud of our athletic ability. You sad old man]

Hiro: {Now you are calling me old, huh}

Momo-chan: [If you aren’t then prove it!]

Hiro: {Alright, just watch and learn boy!}

Suddenly filled with energy. Hiro broke out into a sprint, out of the town, into the green field. But Momo-chan was right, two years slaving away behind a desk wasn’t best for one cardio. It wasn’t long before the young man was drained. His just now burst of youthful spirit nowhere to be found.

Momo-chan: [We are slowing down, are you tired with just this?]

Hiro: {Of course not}

Hiro kept on running and running before he had to give up, which didn’t take long at all. Still, the young man had gone quite a distance. As he turned around, Suiren was still there with, she hadn’t even broken a sweat. The supposedly young man, meanwhile, was completely drained and drenched.

Huh, what was he even doing. Running like this, so ridiculous.

“Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!” He broke out laughing, this was an idiotic idea but it sure was refreshing.

Momo-chan: [Are you even right in the head now]

Hiro: {Probably not, but still, if you turn out just to be a figment of my imagination created by a suffocated me then it would suck}

Momo-chan: [Now where does that even come from!]

Hiro: {Actually, if all of this is just a part of my mind then it would suck even more}

Momo-chan: [… It sure would. If that is the case, then you sure have some imagination]

Hiro: {Of course I do, am I…}

Hiro stood here, still exhausted but alive. He could feel the wind gently on his burning skin. The sight of an never ending green field was also a sight for sore eyes. This was certainly relaxing, therapeutic even.

Just like that moment, when he opened his eyes the first time in this brand new world.

The young man continued to stand there, taking in the moment. That was until a growl disrupts his down time. It was another creature, another affront to nature, here to confront him.