Simon's First Fight

Chapter word count: 1036

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"So, what are you?"

Airot didn’t know how to answer, as he had just lived like this without asking questions. To him it was his common sense and how things naturally worked.

“Hey, Narro! Nice of you to bring a new customer. What’ll you both be ordering?”

A waiter interrupted their tense atmosphere with a joyous tone.

“Indeed, he’s new here,” Narro shifted to a more joyful tone himself all while smiling.

“Oh, is that so? Condolulations,” he greeted Airot. “Should we give him a newcomer special?” The waiter asked Narro.

“Hmm, sure, why not,” he smiled. “As for me, I’ll have something simple,” he tapped on the menu.

Affirming their orders the waiter went to the back and in a few minutes came out with their orders.

“Are they usually this fast?” Airot asked, hoping to forget their previous topic.

“Yup. The chef is a yapper, after all.”

The waiter brought Narro some green fritters and a side of salad. Airot was given some sort of stew.

For a stew it was very crowded, they had stuffed a wide variety of things into it.

Leaning to look closer at it, Airot was surprised that it was steaming hot.

While Airot was marveling at how many different ingredients were used in his stew, Narro began biting into his fritters.

Lifting a spoonful of the stew Airot prepared himself to eat for the first time in who knows how long.

Putting the spoon in his mouth, Airot was bombarded with differing flavors. It felt like every possible flavor was punching him in the mouth. Using his free hand to cover his mouth, Airot's eyes began to tear up.

“How is it?” The waiter and Narro asked with a grin.

“I–It’s not awful… but I don’t think I could call this great…” Airot weakly replied.

Satisfied with his reaction the waiter left while Narro moved onto his salad.

“I… I don’t think I’ll be finishing this…” Airot admitted after a second spoonful.

“That’s a shame, but I guess it’s fine for you.”

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Narro munched through his salad as Airot tried eating his stew a few more times.

“Say, why did Simon go picking a fight? Even if he had special powers, isn’t that reckless?”

“I suppose so,” Narro nonchalantly replied while chewing.

Airot wanted an answer but since Narro didn’t seem like he would give one he gave up on prying.

“Maybe he wants to climb the ladder of yappers and reach the top or something fitting for a youthful ambition.” Defying Airot’s expectations, Narro went on.

“Climb the ladder?”

“Obviously those with special powers would have special privileges and luxuries beyond the average person. Though, those at the top are quite eccentric so I doubt they indulge in as many luxuries as they could.”

“And Simon wants in on that life?”

“Who’s to say?” Narro asked with a mischievous smile. “You can’t expect me to know what he’s thinking.”

“Ah, my bad.”

“No need to feel sorry, it’d be correct after all.”

“Huh?”

“I’m joking. We shouldn’t make up fake scenarios about other people’s thoughts. And it’s about time we left.”

Narro got up from his seat with a completely emptied plate left behind.

The plate looked as if it was licked clean despite Airot seeing that Narro never actually licked his plate.

But while the plate was empty he was still holding two fritters in his hands. The last two out of the stack that was brought out.

“It’s not like you were going to finish that stew or anything, right?”

“No…” Airport looked down at it and got reminded of its taste as he had stopped eating it halfway through their conversation.

“Still though, you pushed through more than most people. I think there’s been only three people who’ve eaten more of that stew than you.”

“Three whole people? Ate all of this?”

“Well, two definitely finished their bowls, while the third one got around where you’re at. Though if I recall correctly it was a bit more than you.”

“They must’ve had special powers to finish that.”

“Mmm, something like that,” Narro extended his hand. “Here, have one. It might do something about the stew’s taste still in your mouth,” he offered a fritter.

Airot took one and then followed Narro out of the store, taking a few bites out of it on the way.

“These taste better.”

“Just ‘better’?”

“Well, I’m not too into the…” Airot pondered on what he was eating.

“Spinach? It’s a spinach fritter.”

“Yeah, that. I’m not into the leafy greens.”

“What about the cheese?”

“Mozzarella and feta, right? They’re great.”

“You knew what types of cheese they used yet couldn’t figure out it was spinach?”

“Well, I like cheese.”

“Fair enough.”

Exiting the restaurant, Narro began leading the way again.

They headed back towards the hospital that Simon was staying at.

Just like before, despite supposedly being his guide, Narro didn’t bring attention to any specific building or location.

They just silently strolled back.

Once back, Narro stopped in front of the hospital, though he didn’t enter it.

“Now then, how about we see Simon’s battle?” Narro turned to Airot.

“Huh?”

“Show me where you found Simon.”

Ushered to lead them back to where he first entered the city, Airot, confused, retraced his steps.

They reached back to where Airot picked up Simon after his defeat.

The leftover bubblegum and damages were left untouched, seemingly never to be cleaned and fixed.

Narro moved past Airot and stood right above the spot where Simon laid defeated.

His coat began swaying even though there was no wind. A light emanated from his feet as the rest of his clothing and hair flung upwards. His eyes even seemed to glow.

“I see. For his first real battle, he did alright.”

“Did he? From when I stumbled upon him, I wouldn’t say he did that well.”

“Would you like to see for yourself? To witness beyond?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Narro grabbed Airot.

The light that was surrounding Narro began to envelop Airot as well.

As the wind encircled him and reached his head, Airot’s eyes began to be filled with visions.

*Pop*

“So,” Simon chewed some bubblegum. “Are you Dolen?”