“Umm… Mi– Bobby,” Elaine said to me. It was a bit awhile after I had finished the meal. She took a bit of time before she finally spoke out again. “Perhaps. I’ve said this before. But, I really want to thank you for what you did. Despite, I tried to not ask for your help. But, you really helped me. Really, thank you very much!” She bowed.

In front of me, I saw Elaine, bowing gracefully as she tried to give me an apology. Her shoulder-length auburn locks fell on her face, which unfortunately covering her face. But, it wasn’t hard to guess her expression right now.

And, how about me? Well, of course I just sat there in front of her, quite comfortable if I would say myself. While, on my hand, I was holding a cup of water. And, perhaps, with a look of surprise in my face. Or perhaps not. As I was taking a bit of a sip of water whilst I listened to her words. Or I would choke if I did that, no?

Aaaaaahhhhh…..

I could feel the water smoothly went down through my throat. Going all over my body. Revitalizing every single part of me from the deep inside. It felt truly excellent experience. Once again, I was being reminded of the reality of being alive. It was horrifyingly good and bad.

Oh, for the record, by the way, I used my left hand. My left hand, like how I’d always told myself, alright? Perfect.

But, still, when I looked at her like this. Perhaps, I was reminded of what kind of person she was. An honest one, if I would say. In the forest before, I could see some glimpse of it. But, it became much apparent. For me, I didn’t quite hate that kind of person. In fact, I was quite fond of that, for the good or the worse of course.

If the world was like a rotten corpse, ugly and smelly. Perhaps, the one that didn’t want to be around. Then, perhaps, an honest one was the opposite of that, a breath of fresh air. Fragrant, and beautiful. Pleasing to the five senses. Even to the likes of mine.

Even without me, needing to listen to her words, everything that she wanted to say had already been conveyed. Her gesture, her voice, and her slightly downcast eyes which a bit hidden behind her hairs. They were mean exactly what they what to mean. Beautiful, wasn't it? There was no hidden meaning at all. No sly movement. Winkie-winkle-wink or whatever even that supposed to means.

However, perhaps, because often times the beautiful catch eyes of its surroundings. It bought its worsts, the vultures. They who love to fly around on the rotten corpse. And, when there are no more corpses. They would ready to hunt for one. Prey to its weakness, and strike when it's at the lowest.

And, definitely just from what she had said alone, and her expression, obviously. It wasn’t pretty hard to guess of what she would say next.

“... But, it was because of me that bought you into that situation. And it was also because of my fault, you are injured. ..If, –if I were only following your plan like how the plan says, then maybe, maybe, you don’t need to be gone through that, and everything can just go smoothly,” she paused for a moment, trying to get her words through, and after that she looked at me in the eyes. “I’m really, really sorry.” She bowed once again.

I didn’t respond immediately, instead took another sip of fresh water through my lips. Once more, I could feel how refreshing it was.

It’s really the privilege for the living…, huh. I took a mental note in my mind.

“Sure.” I said.

“Y, yes..?” she raised her eyes upward, looking at me, bewildered.

“Yes, I accept your apology,” I said to clarify her bewilderment.

“Is that all–I mean, is just that?”

“Yes, it is? I mean, in the first place, there is nothing for you to apologize for.”

“Nothing? B-but, because I didn’t follow the plan. I-I’ve caused you trouble, didn’t I? If I were just exactly did what you say, maybe, it could have gone to better direction. And, you would not need to be injured, and maybe —”

“Let me clarify this first, the plan went exactly to what I was hoping for.” I cut her sentence short, “There is nothing wrong with what you were doing. ”

“But… No, no, it's not actually right. What I was doing was wrong. There is an undeniable fact on that. Why–why are you kept insisting on denying it? This kind of thing… is just not right. F-false kindness like this is not right. When is wrong, it should be wrong? Please, tell me honestly, what you are thinking,” she said, firmly. Every word that she poured out of her mouth filled with so much emotion.

Particularly, her expression, it was quite different of what she’d shown to me so far. There was a bit of willpower behind. Quite unusual for a timid little girl that I’ve seen in her. Had something made her change? Well, to me, once again, it didn’t matter much in any way, whether I put something like ‘empty kindness’ or if I were to lie about my name. They would not make any significant value in my life, as whatever I did, was just a bunch of failure. Tied to together by nothing but a string called something as ridiculous as fate.

I put the cup down. With a clunk noise in this almost breaking calming atmosphere, I looked back at her. Her clear blue eyes flinched a bit, perhaps, sensing that I would be angry. But, of course, I wouldn’t do such a thing, no? Besides, why should I be angry?

It was exactly what I just said, the plan literally went exactly to what I was wanted. Not falsity in that statement itself. And, I wouldn’t exaggerate if I would say, it actually went much better that I’ve ever hoped for. In the end, what I did for her was just giving her a choice. A choice that she needed to choose of whether she chose the plan number one, or the plan number two. Or perhaps, the plan number three or four that I haven’t even considered.

Still, the end result would be similar or close to the same. Her choice was just one of false effect, which would result nothing much but to give her a sense of understanding of what she ought to do when such a situation arises once more.

Or was it?

Perhaps, there were hidden factors that I didn’t factor well, such as the involvement of the mischief spirit, for example. Perhaps, such a thing could very well open a different conclusion. Yes, might be, might be, or perhaps it might be not.

In the end, it was all a hypothetical question, just once again. But what already happened, happened. There is not a time machine to turn over the time and re-undo everything. And, even if there is, I would never have used it. Ever.

So, there is nothing to be angry about, I reaffirmed myself. Nothing to be angry about. Really. Except for one person. The person who fumbled on the only chance of making his wish complete. When everything seems to align perfectly. And, he fumbled it. His only chance. Like a fool. Like a FOOL, He ought to be…

Holding back my inner sigh, I tried to calm myself down before said my piece to her, “Well, I mean what I meant. I’m not trying to give a false kindness or anything that you suggested at all. Perhaps, I’ve said it before, regardless of the fact, whether you choose to follow my plan or not, it shouldn’t be any significant different.”

“B-But, I believe it could make a significant different. Didn’t you put the plan together because you’re confident that it will be succeeded? Besides, it was nothing but my lack of confident that bought the trouble… For that, I’m really sorry.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“That’s certainly true. The plan that I bought should have a better chance to succeed–”

“Then–” she tried to interrupt, but I immediately stop her.

“It wasn’t precisely because the plan that I came up was flawless or anything. It was because I understood well how the plan should work. What factors that I should push to make it work. And, of course, the advantage of it, and as well the flaws in it. Besides, the fact that you were hesitant to use my plan. Perhaps, you’re also sensing the flaw of the plan, no?”

“No,” she said, hung her head. “No, it wasn’t that. I-it was just because of my weak heart.”

“Well, there’s nothing to be ashamed of having a weak heart, either. Intuition, especially the one from weak heart. It often comes with a great boon when dealing in situation like that. Perhaps, you saw something that I didn’t see at that time, whether you realized it or not, of course. And immediately your heart trying to tell something.”

“...”

“And, the fact that you two, come back alive. Is something worth to praise, no? Especially when dealing to something in a situation like that. Perhaps, the situation would be different, yes. If my situation and their situation were reversed, for example. Often times, there are need some kind of different measure to deal with monsters. And, more so, a concerned monster is a concerned beast, nonetheless. They are worth nothing but a hassle. So, once again, there is nothing to be apologized for. As for my injury, thinking it as nothing but calculated injury instead. Besides, I don’t quite understand why you’re so persistent about it.”

She looked at me for a second, her mouth trying to make a word, but immediately shut itself. “…no, it’s just..--nothing. I understand…”

Even though, she said, she understood. I could see it very well on her expression, she didn’t mean much to that end. Or perhaps, what I was said to her was a bit too much. I should have realized I was talking to a little girl, instead of a hard blocked head adventurer - who would listen to nothing except a hard smack in the face. But, yeah, she isn’t.

Although, if there was one thing that I puzzled about was, what was the reason behind her persistency. Usually when people care about so much, it was usually stemmed from something. And, that something was something unknown to me. Perhaps she wanted something from me. But what? On what end?.

Human’s mind is always but one, a complicated structure. Perhaps, It is one of many things that I couldn’t comprehend, even after this long time. And, every time, I thought I understand something. I felt like I just back to square one. Perhaps, that was also the reason why I had never succeeded with people.

She didn’t say anything after that, instead she looked downcast. When I saw her looked sulking, it didn’t quite sit well for me. It was like I was the bad person. Well, perhaps I am in many cases, but not this time, surely. Like really.

“Look, I’m sorry, … I think. I’m not trying to be mean or anything,” I said to her. “I just said what comes into my mind. And, yes, maybe it was a little too much. Besides, I accept your apology, no? So, there is no reason for you to be sulking?”

“No- I mean, Jeez, I’m not sulking. But, really....,“ she paused for a moment as she was thinking about something, but immediately changed her mind, as her mouth flapped open and immediately closed. Before she finally continued. “I don’t want to be rude, but somehow I noticed you are a little peculiar before. But, you really do…” she gave a long sigh in the end.

“Besides,” she raised her voice, as if it wasn’t directed to me. Or perhaps it literally meant that way. “How long are you going to hide there, Dad?”

As soon as she said that. The door that slightly ajar slowly opened, as a man tall as the door itself entered the room. If I remembered correctly, he was the man that I saw in the Lagorya forest. I thought he was huge before, but he really was. His height, probably around 190 cm or perhaps more, where I could see that he needed to duck his head a little to avoid getting hit by the door frame.

He dressed in a short-sleeved white tunic, where in his right upper arm, adorned with white bandages. It was probably from the wounds before. A stern expression marked his face, framed by red eyes and a cascade of flaming red hair that seemed billowed after him as if there was endless wind swept across his face. Of course, it was just a metaphorical.

From the way he looked alone, probably the first thing that fly to one's mind was to not try to mess with him. Of course, as a person with decent sanity like myself, I would never have considered that idea. Besides, I have no reason either.

Though, it would be interesting if it could lead to guarantee death, but on the second thought, instead of death I would only arrive at the doorstep. And, it would fill me with nothing but broken bones, bones, and many more bones are waiting to be broken. Crack. I could vividly hear the sound of it. Of course, it wasn’t a bad idea, but definitely not a good idea either, right? Also, it sounds painful. Ugghh.

“You have become pretty observant, Ellie. So, the little bird has finally learned to fly. How times have truly fly fast,” The man said cheerily with a smile that didn’t befit him, as soon as he entered the room.

“I’m not a small bird,” Elaine retorted. “Besides, why are you even hiding? And, if I were to be honest, it wasn’t me that noticed. But, it was Mr. Bobby.”

“Well, I couldn’t help it, didn’t I? I mean, my sweetest daughter wants to talk with a man as a dangerous as an adventurer. Your mother would drag me alive if something were befallen to you.”

“You know me, an adventurer?” I inquired.

“Well, of course. There is no man capable of taking down a monster without becoming an adventurer, no?”

He said it as a matter of fact. But, of course, there was barely any truth within that, because didn’t he take down that so-called monster by himself? If I were following his logic, he should be an adventurer like me. But yeah, maybe he is. Still, I doubted it.

It wasn’t like I remembered every single name and face of adventurers in this world. It was precisely, because, even a man with a little experience like just your run-off-the-mill villager could actually take down D-rank monsters such as red lythantes by themselves with a proper weapon and knowledge.

As I was rummaging on my mind, Elaine continued. “I don't mean to worry you, like that. However, I believe Mr. Bobby is not a dangerous man.”

“Of course, of course, I’m just doing a little bit of jests,” he said, smiling. Shortly after, he turned to me, and said. “My apologies, I don’t mean to offend you. Of course, our savior wouldn’t be a dangerous man, right?”

Even though he said that, the pressure that he gave with his red flaming eyes seemed to try something. Yes, as if it was tried to tell me to confirm it. To confirm I wasn’t a dangerous. But, of course, as a fool as I am and would be. I decided to pretend to not noticed, and poured a refill to my drink from the jar, and briefly said to him, before once again I took advantage of this privilege of living.

“I guess, no.”

He only smiled to my response, before proceeded to talk to Elaine again.

”By the way, didn’t you say earlier, it wasn’t you who noticed? But, it was Bobby. What’s that mean?

“Yes, I mean what I meant.”

“How so?” He raised his eyebrows, not understanding.

“It's from his gaze, even though I was talking to him, but I noticed his eyes were often wandered like he was bored. But, it was pretty subtle, and at one point I noticed his gaze would fall around by the door behind me. I thought why, so I decided to follow it. And, I found a huge shadow blocking by the door.”

“...”

“Ohhh!”

“Yes, just like I said, it was Bobby’s not mine. I only followed his gaze, that’s all.”

“I see,” he only said that word, before he decided to move on to another topic as he approached me, after giving a little pat on her head.

“So, Bobby, is that right?" He said. "I supposed, I forgot to give you a proper thank you before. You really saved us. Thank you very much.”

“No problem.”

“… I’ve never thought we would be attacked by monsters. Usually at this time, monsters would be a shy away from the forest. Especially since the forest is a little more than forest. Oh, where is my manner? The name’s Belaius. Belaius Raveest. You can call me Bel.”

He offered his right hand toward me for a handshake, instead I took it. I offered my left hand. He looked a bit baffled, but nonetheless, he didn’t seem to pay it too much mind, as Belaius took my hand, and shook it. His handgrip was as strong as I’ve expected, or perhaps much stronger.

“So, do you have time after this?”

Perhaps, I have no reason to accept it in the first place, but at the same I have no reason to refuse it either. So, what was the harm, I said to myself. My thought directly went into this direction with no particular reason as I answered him. Perhaps, it sounded like an excuse.

But, hey, who doesn’t like an excuse? It could come in handy, when the time arises, you know.

“Sure.”