I left the room and went downstairs.

The cafe is starting to get busy.

Kyle is waving his hand while sitting on the chair of one of the tables.

I walk towards Kyle with a tired expression.

Kyle: “What happened? Did she confess? You handsome man you!”

Kyle teased in a jovial manner.

I dismissed him with a wave.

Michael: “She just thought I’m some sort of powerful mage.”

Kyle: “Izzat right? I think she’s just interested in you man.”

Michael: “Who, me? A recently fired salaryman with no future and having problems paying the bills? I can’t even manage to buy food for my pet. Not that I have one.”

I signal to Kyle that we should get going. He stands up with his affogato in hand and we head back to the car.

The ride to my apartment went without a problem.

Upon arriving, I lay down on the bed in thought.

I’m gonna need to find a new job soon. Otherwise, I’ll be homeless.

Luckily for me, I still have some savings. I can last for two more months.

Probably.

----------------------------------------

A month later.

I am currently at the cafe. Ever since that conversation with the bartender, Camelia, she has been glaring daggers at me.

Every time she would try to rope me into talking about that incident, but too bad for her I always leave if she starts to try to question me.

I am also still jobless at the moment.

It would be nice to actually find a job now. All of the nice ones are too far from here though.

I am spending time here at the cafe while browsing my terminal for job applications.

The customer here was only me at the moment. I fear this cafe would close down because of its lack of customers.

Suddenly, I hear a loud voice in the kitchen.

???: “I. AM. BACK!”

T-That voice—?!

There’s no mistaking it!

A figure pops out the kitchen door.

Short ruffled ash gray hair and golden eyes, and a fairly muscular body with a height of 170cm.

She is wearing an unzipped black and white jacket over her dark green tank top that is short enough to show her abs and cargo pants with boots.

Her toothy smile is a hint of mischief and trouble.

???: “Oh? Is that Michael I see? Oiiiii!”

Michael: “Daniela?!”

Daniela: “Why so cold? Call me Sister like you used to!”

Daniela was a person who used to take care of me back then. She suddenly disappeared a few years ago and hasn’t contacted me since then. She’s also this cafe’s store owner.

She’s a free soul that likes to travel and wander around, and would always be caught up in trouble. I’m surprised this cafe didn’t get into trouble because of her.

Michael: “Why should I? You suddenly left one day and never contacted me!”

Daniela: “You felt lonely without me? Awwww that’s so sweet!”

Michael: “I didn’t miss you! Not in the slightest!”

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She approached my table with that toothy smile of hers and started patting my head roughly.

Michael: “Stop that, I’m not a child anymore!”

Daniela: “But you liked this didn’t you?”

Michael: “I was a child back then!”

While she frolicked and started messing with me, the cashier employee entered the floor. She was just upstairs, must’ve checked the storage room. On her side was Camelia, who immediately glared at me when she saw me.

Daniela: “Heya, Mitra, Camelia. I’m back!”

Apparently, Ms. Employee’s name was Mitra.

Mitra was all smiles upon seeing Daniela, while Camelia did a small bow.

Daniela stopped playing with my hair and went to them. The small Mitra (148cm) hugged Daniela. She looked like a child welcoming her mother home. It was a heart-warming sight. If only the mother was a bit proper.

Mitra: “Ms. Daniela! Welcome back! How was your trip?”

Daniela: "It was pretty fun! I visited a friend on the way back and kinda forgot the time and a few months went by! Too bad time flies when you're having fun."

Wait a damn minute.

I stood up and approached Daniela.

Michael: "You return here often?"

Daniela: "Of course I do. I'm still the owner y’know. Although every time I return, I would just look for a bit and leave after giving my presents to the employees. And you're too busy at work for me to even visit."

How did she know that? Also, I know that you give presents to your employees but how about contacting me if you're here?

Michael: "You could've contacted me. I wasn't always busy."

Daniela: "I can't. I don't carry those terminals. Those stuff are too complicated."

What are you, a cavewoman?

Daniela: "Besides, you always sleep after getting home. It would be rude to disturb your rest."

How did she know that?

I shudder at the thought of her breaking into my apartment at night.

Michael: "How did you know? Do you break into my apartment every night when you return?"

Daniela: "I can't leave my gifts outside the door you know?"

That explains the gifts that were suddenly appearing in the living room. At least wake me up!

Daniela: "Besides, I'm visiting my dear little brother anyway so it's fi~ne!"

Michael: "It's not fine at all! How did you even get in?!"

Daniela: "No locked door is a match for me!"

She laughs heartily at her statement. Mitra watches with a smile, but even her face says "You can't do that". Camelia watches silently.

She's pretty docile today. Maybe because of Daniela?

Daniela: "Anyways, did something happen to you recently?"

Michael: "Don’t you “anyways” me. Sigh forget it. Nothing much happened. I got fired from my job recently. Other than that, nothing I can think of."

I leave out the incident with Camelia. I mean, I can't even explain that shit you know?

Daniela: "Really? The spell I placed on you was gone so I was worried."

Excuse me, what?

Michael: "What spell? You placed a spell on me?"

Daniela: "Oh you know, a teleportation spell. In case you get into trouble because of me. It teleports you to your apartment immediately."

Wait a damn minute!

Michael: "So it was your doing?!"

Daniela: "Eh? Why? Did something bad happen after all?!"

I pinch her cheeks furiously. She becomes flustered and flails her arms about. The other two watched in surprise.

Mitra has her hands opened and was being flustered, saying wawawawa!. Camelia has her eyes wide open in shock.

Though Camelia may be shocked because of a different reason.

I sigh.

I release Daniela and press my fingers on my forehead. I'm getting a headache.

On one hand, I'm grateful for her concern. It did save me, though it also brought me another trouble afterward. On the other hand, I'm pissed because I don't recall her casting that spell on me. Since when did I have that?!

I look at Camelia with a gaze that says I told you so!

She shifts her eyes sideward to avoid my eyes. If only she learned to listen.

I returned my gaze to Daniela.

Michael: "Since when?"

Daniela: "Hmmm, I don't know. It was a long time ago y'see. I was being chased by troublesome people so I thought they'd come after my acquaintances and friends, so I put a spell on you that teleports you somewhere else if you get into trouble. Good thing they didn't, so the spell wasn't used until now."

Michael: "Wait, if that was a long time ago, how did it teleport me to my apartment?"

Daniela: "The return point was updated by yours truly!"

Michael: "This is why I told you to contact me if you've returned! At least tell me about those things! I didn't notice all this time you know!"

I furiously pinched her cheeks again. This time with no mercy!

Daniela: "Ouch! Ouch, I say! I get it! I get it so please stop! I’ll properly tell you next time!"

Michael: “As you should!”

I release her and sigh again. I am for sure, running out of happiness. Not to mention getting a headache because of this woman.

I return to my table to get my coffee.

Michael: "I'm going home. I'm sure you have a mountain of things to do. I'll visit again. And this time don't go disappearing on me."

Daniela: "Yes…"

Daniela was rubbing her cheeks when she replied.

Mitra waved as she said Please come back soon!

What a sweet child. It must be because of her that the cafe was able to get by all this time.

As I left the cafe in a hurry, I was not able to notice Camelia's sharp gaze and its meaning.