***

Man, this cave is longer than I thought it would be! I’ve climbed upwards and descended downwards countless times, and the cave is getting smaller like it’s becoming a tunnel. Also, it’s starting to get harder to breathe in here! Who even made this place? What is this tunnel? It seems like it wasn’t made as a hiding place but as a passage.

I saw light shining from the other end of this narrow tunnel. In my delight, I ran to it, but in my carelessness, I tripped into the mud.

Ew, now I got my clothes all stained… Wait, mud? Is there water nearby? Well, it seemed like it did rain back in the castle, but how would rainwater seep in here?

I stepped out and saw a sight to behold that I dropped to my knees.

From a high point, I overlooked a forest that lay before the plains. And the plains lay before a large lake that reflected the rising sun. Then I saw a large, bustling town on the other side of that lake.

This is where I should have been reincarnated in. Truly, a different world!

I trudged through the forest and the plains before arriving in the town. The roads started as dirt roads before becoming stone roads in the middle of the town. But I can only look at that from the edge of the large town. And I saw new creatures carrying wagons and carriages.

One looked like a wingless dragon, one looked like a combination of a donkey and a camel, and one looked like the rhinoceros.

I was terrified every time they passed by me because of the stomping of their hooves. It felt like they made the earth tremble.

I sensed a couple of stares sent in my way, and I realized why. It’s because I have these muddied clothes, isn’t it? Well, I’m sorry, I just tripped on my way here. It’s just one of those days, isn’t it? I wonder why they keep staring at me even though some of them have smudges themselves.

But I didn’t let that bother me, as I leisurely strolling around the town. I wonder if I can join the famous ‘adventure guild’?

Then an intimidating fat person halted my walk. He held a spear in his hand, and he had armor pieces on his chest, shoulders, and legs. He didn’t have complete protection though. Compared to the full armor the soldiers in the castle wore, his was lacking.

I feel like he didn’t have enough budget to buy oversized armor. I giggled.

He startled me as he spoke with a deep voice. So, I paid my full attention to him. But, as usual, I couldn’t understand his language, but I can poke similarities to the language spoken at the castle.

***

“What are you laughing at, boy? Are you lost? Because you seem to be a new face around here, and you look mightily suspicious. You must come with me to my station. If you resist, expect a harsh beating!” The burly man reached out his hand toward the boy, but the boy avoids it.

“Eh? Didn’t I tell you to not resist? Fine, tell me where you are from.” He waited for an answer, but the boy provided him a silent treatment. “Boy, do you even speak? Do you not have manners, child? Or didn’t your parents teach you that? In any case, I’ve been sensing danger from you, and I shall imprison you. Resist any longer, and I shall take the appropriate action!”

“Sir, is there anything troubling you?” a man’s voice called out in the street?

“Eh?” he looked back and saw a good-natured old man who called out to him. “Nothing, sire, all is well. I am only taking this boy into custody.”

“What boy?” he gently asked.

“This boy,” he pointed, “please tell me, sire, do you sense a dark presence from him?”

The old man carefully looked at the boy with sharp eyes. His brilliant eyes seemingly spelled wisdom from within, and his gray-haired, which has aged gloriously through the years, gave him a noble impression.

The old man shook his head, “No, I don’t see anything emitted by this boy. It’s this boy, am I correct?”

“Yes, sire,” he nodded his head respectfully, “but are you for certain that you don’t see a dark presence around him?”

“No, I’m positive he doesn’t. Was he the trouble?”

“Not really trouble, though he seems to be mute. If that’s the case, thank you for telling me, sire. It must have been my imagination then. My apologies.”

“Not at all! I’m glad to help.”

“Please excuse me, sire,” the man bowed down and went on his way.

The old man took the chance to fully examine him as he approached the boy. He saw his pitiful state and his muddied clothes. He must have been through a long and tough journey. What an admirable child! But he does emit a dark presence, and I’m not mistaken. I will ask for forgiveness from Malko for being dishonest.

The boy staggered away from the old man as he approached, and the man, sensing the boy’s fear, kneeled to the ground with his hands raised in the air, “Boy, it’s alright. I’m not going to harm you. I only just want to speak to you, if that’s alright.”

But the boy didn’t utter a word to him, but only glared at the old man.

“I promise you; I won’t hurt you. I feel like you are lost. Where are your parents?” Still, the boy didn’t give a response. “Please, I would like to help you, but I can’t help you if you won’t talk to me. Do you hear me, perhaps?”

The boy’s eyes keenly scanned the old man and slowly walked to him.

“Are you alright, son?” he concernedly asked. “Could it be that you are deaf?” For a moment, I forgot that a deaf person could not possibly hear me. I should try showing him some gestures.

In the middle of the street, some of the passers-by stopped to watch what seemingly is a ridiculous street performance. The old man began to play charades in front of the boy as he slowly spoke to him.

“Can. You. Hear. Me?” the old man gestured.

“Hey, hey, mum! Look!” a young boy tugged on his mother’s skirt. “What kind of act are they playing?”

“I—I’m not sure son,” the mother of the boy glanced, “but would you like to stop to watch it?” The boy responded with eager nods.

“Is this some kind of game?” another whispered

“This is interesting, old man, keep at it!” a teenager exclaimed.

But the old man ignored their insulting praises and observing eyes, and the boy seemed to understand the old man’s charade.

“Y—you can hear me? Then…” The old man prepared another dance, “Can. You. Talk?”

This time, the boy shook his head as an answer.

“So, you are mute? I see. What a pity you are. Come,” the old man beckoned, “I’ll. Give. You. A. Place. To. Stay. Before. Your. Parents. Come. If you please.”

The boy hesitated.

“You. Can. Trust. Me.” the old man ended his charade with a hand on his chest.

The boy reached out for the old man’s hand and took his pinky finger.

“W—what’s this?”

The boy averted his eyes.

“Ah… I understand. It’s an act of trust, isn’t it? Yes,” the old man took the boy’s hand and wrapped his pinky finger with his, “you can trust me.” He ended with a smile.

And the growing commotion applauded.

“That was an amazing play!”

“It should be in a theater!”

“I know, right? Unfortunately, we don’t have a theater around here.”

“Well, it’s a small town.”

People tossed some coins of gold and silver to the ground as they start to disperse.

“Good job, old man, keep it up!” a teenager lightly patted him on the back.

“Ah, err, sure, thanks,” the old man weakly laughed as he started to gather up the stray coins. Then he noticed the boy’s curious stare.

“Ah, don’t worry,” he chuckled, “I’m not stealing. You do know this is money, right? I won’t take this. I’ll give them to the town hall because they don’t belong to me. But it would be more of a hassle to give these back to their owners.” He laughed again. “I’m an old man, you know?”

***

I and the old man, which I seemingly have made an acquaintance with, led me to a wooden two-story building.

I—is this his house? It looks so cozy! But, wait…

­Through the wooden window sills, and an open double wooden door, are a few wooden tables and chairs. People were dining inside the house.

Is this a restaurant?

I faced the old man who seemingly told me by his gestures that it was his house that doubled as his business space. I nodded to show that I understood.

He beckoned me in his restaurant and to seat on the tall wooden stools by the long wooden counter.

Then, he gestured to me that he will serve me food. I gestured my thank you in response.

All this time, I haven’t spoken or made a sound with my mouth. I think I will keep it this way…

Then my stomach growled. I looked around and noticed some of the customers stealing glances at me. Please excuse me, everyone.

I watched the old man graciously cooked the hospitable meal. I smelled the egg and meat that he was cooking. His actions suggested that he was a seasoned cook, and he has been running this business for a while.

The kitchen wasn’t far from the customer’s tables. Therefore, whenever a customer made an order, the old chef was able to hear and answer their requests.

I observed the stove that he cooked on. I didn’t notice that it wasn’t connected to any gas tank and never burned out. He frequently placed the pans or the pans to a marble counter nearby, and placed the new ones, and started cooking an entirely new dish.

He really planned the layout for efficient cooking. Even the ingredients are already prepared, the meat pre-washed, and some of the easy-to-cook meals that can be preserved are premade. He is a genius of fantasy world cooking!

In probably what was two short minutes, my meal of fried eggs and porkchop alongside a cup of water was served to me. And I showed my thanks before I ate.

It’s delicious! The perfect crispiness of the eggs, but the perfectly preserved egg yolk, the soft, and easy to eat, but not too chewy, porkchop, complimented each other. The adequate saltiness of the egg and the juiciness of the meat were delectable. And to think that he made all of these in a short time! No wonder why his restaurant is always at half capacity.

Wait, only at half capacity? People around here haven’t realized this old chef’s prodigious skills! Though, his skills were probably honed in time. So, him being a prodigy is too much of an exaggeration.

This is my first meal in this wo— wait. I did eat dinner at the castle, but it was mostly fried fish and a side dish of soup. It was nothing amazing.

Comparing this old man’s cooking to what I assumed is the maids’ cooking, the maids’ cooking stales in comparison. Their cooking was mediocre and unremarkable. The choice of the dishes was too unmatched and failed to complement each other.

Though the cooking process and presentation were more complex than that of the old man’s, the old man’s simple cooking was more polished and tuned to bring out most of the taste in the dish.

But maybe this is my bias because I feel so famished right now, and this meal fulfilled my hunger. It also kind of reminds me of my mom’s cooking…

I really want to go home…

The old man gestured to me a question about the food. Maybe he is asking if it was good?

Then I danced about how delicious it was and shortly felt embarrassed due to the stares of the customers.

Whoops, I might have been too enthusiastic.

But then, the old man heartily laughed and slapped my shoulder to bear with it. He said something in a nostalgic tone and said his thanks to my compliment, and continued in his business.

I sat and observed the shop, taking mental notes of the sounds they make.

So that is what they call a fried chicken… Oh! I get it now! That is what he says whenever a customer finishes saying their orders. It’s like, ‘Please wait for a moment while I prepare your order,’ or maybe that’s too long. More like, ‘Your order will be coming right up!’ Alright, I’m getting the hang of this language, though I am yet to learn how to write it.

I yawned, and my vision became fuzzy. I’m becoming sleepy. I’ve used my brain too much. Oh, right, I didn’t sleep the night before, then I ran and went inside a cave. It felt like a hike in there.

I drank some water to refresh myself. That helped only a tiny bit, but I’m still feeling drowsy. Maybe I’ll sleep on this counter… no— I must not sleep! What if my pursuers find me… and that girl, Parey-san…

Come to think of it, I didn’t address her with the ‘-san’ prefix. Maybe it’s because I automatically thought that they were not needed. Wait, if they don’t use the Japanese system names, then, ‘Parey’ isn’t actually her last name? Yikes! I accidentally called a girl by her first name! What was her last name again? It’s… something like… ‘Shiru…’ I don’t remember. It was too complicated.

Ugh, no, I used my brain again, and I made my drowsiness worse. I can’t help it. Then I fell to sleep on the counter.

***

Oh, he fell asleep, and it’s late in the afternoon. Well, he has been on a long journey after all. Poor boy. I wonder where his parents are? I hope the customers won’t be too bothered, but it would be nice if he vacates this seat before evening. I have a patron who sits here every time he visits. And he is my good friend. I won’t interrupt his sleep though.

The old man left him be and catered to his customers.

Hours have passed, and the sun has started to set, and my loyal patron with his companions have arrived for what they called ‘breakfast.’

“Yo! Barnum!” my friend has arrived and noticed the boy who resided in his usual seat. “Hey, kid, that’s my seat. Care to scoot over?”

But the boy was fast asleep and therefore unheeded his words.

“I do not know who you think you are, kid, but you have a long way to go to adulthood,” he placed his heavy hand on the boy’s frail shoulders.

I called out to him, “Sorry, Grucious, I let him stay at your place. I’ll remove him shortly.”

“You know him?” he asked.

“Not really, but he came from a long journey so I let him nap over there,” I replied.

“You are way too kind to a stranger, especially this one. Don’t you see his dark presence perhaps?”

“Dark presence?” I feigned ignorance, “no, I don’t see it.”

“Ah, I’m too paranoid nowadays. Well, if you allowed him to stay there, I’ll let him have my place for this day.”

I laughed, “Still going on with the inverted time, huh?”

“Yep,” he replied as he took a seat beside the boy. His companions thus followed. “Have to hunt the higher valued nocturnal Nagebeasts at night. But they seemed to have been thinning in numbers nowadays.”

“Nowadays,” I chuckled, “more like, ‘nowanights.’

“Very funny, so funny. I applaud you for your ingenious invention, sire,” Grucious teasingly laughed.

“Oh, shut up, will you?” I chortled. “Also, I didn’t invent anything. I merely borrowed it.”

“From your wife, yeah, yeah,” my friend dismissed my statement, “unless you filed a prenup, you could proudly declare that you own the invention. Heaven’s sake just files a patent.”

“It’s already too late for that,” I waved my hand.

“It wouldn’t have been too late if you did it earlier. Look,” Grucious pointed outside the window toward another bustling diner. It was at full capacity, and there were waiting for customers lining up to dine in. “They stole your menu and made business with them, without paying you royalties or credits, mind you!”

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay. Competition is healthy for business,” I stated.

“Right, right, not if your business is slowly staling.”

“Whatever, my guy. I’ll get the usual, correct?”

“Yeah, for me and my squad,” Grucious looked at his two companions. “Your invention, please!” he bellowed.

“I told you to stop with that. It’s just ‘kohi’ and bacon. Coming right up,” with that, I left to work in the kitchen.

Shortly after, I served them their three usual meals, which were three cups of ‘kohi’ and fried pig fats served in larger ‘extra’ quantities.

“So, who is this kid?” Grucious asked while he ate.

“I found him wandering around the streets when I went out of my diner to search for something.” I went out of the diner to initially looking for any trouble, for I sensed this boy’s dark presence, but once I saw him, I can’t help but take him in. I’m sure he wasn’t aware of his over-exceeding power. And he didn’t pose any danger.

“I see, but why?”

“W—well, his clothes are muddied and he seemed lost. So, I gave him something to eat, and I told him that he could stay here while his parents searched for him.”

“Very kind of you, Barnum.”

“It’s just common courtesy.”

“Don’t be so humble now. No one would dare take him in,” Grucious said. “But will you let him stay in your house?”

“Yes, without anything in return. Until his parents find him, I will shelter him.”

“I swear, your kindness will come back to bite you.”

“Don’t say that.”

***

Something smells good. The aroma’s familiar. It’s a hot drink I always smelled whenever I go down for breakfast. Ah, yes, my parents frequently drank coffee, but I preferred soda. Wait, coffee? No way.

I slowly opened and rolled my eyes and saw a large wooden cup towering over my face. The scent’s coming from there.

The man drinking it said something to the old man, and the old man turned into surprise. I raised my head slowly from my nap and stared at the cup filled with black liquid.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

It looks like soda, but it’s definitely black coffee from the scent. So, this world has coffee, huh?

The man drinking from the cup showed me his cup and pointed to it, seemingly asking me a question. I faced the old man for advice.

The old man pointed at the cup and uttered a word, ‘kohi.’ He repeated it three times.

No way. They called this ‘kohi’ too? That means, someone taught him this drink, and this is not original to the world!

I pointed eagerly to the cup, and the old man repeated the same word. I showed him that I knew the drink and was familiar with it.

The old man responded in surprise and seemed to ponder for a moment. He then talked a few words with the drinker. Then he faced me. He pointed to the drink and me, then crossed his hands making an ‘x’ position.

Is he disallowing me from drinking coffee? Well, my body is that of a kid, probably twelve years old, but I have a mental age of a seventeen-year-old. Doesn’t matter, I prefer soda.

I nodded to show that I understood him. He beckoned me to come behind the counter. He led me through an opening at the side of the counter so that I could enter. We went upstairs to a hallway. The hallway was narrow and had two small rooms on each side. He led me to the last room on the right side, which is the front of the house. He opened the door and gestured me to enter.

I saw some clothes folded neatly on the bed, and he seemingly signaled me to get changed. He took my dirty clothes, but I tried to tell him that I’ll do my own laundry. It’s too shameless to lodge and not do it on my own. But he kindly insisted.

Why is he helping me? Why is he letting me stay? I should remain cautious nevertheless the motives. I don’t want to be captured by that woman and their soldiers.

In the small and humble room was a single-sized bed in a corner between two wooden windows. To allow light in, I had to open the window doors. The windows had no glass. To the other corner of the room was a wooden cabinet, where I would place my clothes, but I didn’t have any. A bedside table is set with a lamp on it.

I wonder how this lamp works.

I inspected it and discovered a red gem in the light bulb.

Wait, this looks similar to the gem piece attached to the Hero’s sword. But this should work differently.

I tapped the light bulb, and the lamp shone, but it didn’t shine as I expected. Instead, it was colored black, emitting almost no light.

Why did it turn black? Did I destroy it?

I tried to grasp the mechanics of the lamp when the old man returned to my room to have a ‘word’ with me, but it was more like a game of charades.

I showed him the darkened lamp which seemingly worked the opposite of its purpose.

The old man took the lamp into his hands and tapped the light bulb twice. This time, it shone a white light.

Didn’t I just do the same? What was the difference? Is there a technique for switching lamps?

The old man laughed at my confused face, and he assured me that the lamp wasn’t broken. He then gestured to me to ask him for any help, and that he has prepared a bath for me. He pointed to the opposite room marking where the bathroom is.

I gratefully bowed toward him for his hospitality.

If I haven’t met him, I would probably be struggling to survive around now.

He waved his hand seemingly signaling that ‘it was nothing,’ and left the floor to attend to his business.

I walked across the creaking hallway to the bathroom and rested in the hot tub.

Who would have thought? I still got a chance to bathe again!

I saw my dirty clothes on top of a sink in the bathroom and thought about washing them myself. But I hesitated thinking that it was rude, but then, it was also rude to ­not wash them myself. I had a dilemma with my laundry. Who would have thought that it would come to this?

But I took my thoughts off from that topic, figuring that it was trivial to the situation that I am in now.

Somehow, someway, this old man’s kindness took me in and gave me a place to lodge the night, but why? Did he have a motive behind that? What if he would take me to the authorities? Is this town part of the Brisieon Kingdom? No, it is. The knight that I bumped into had a similar outfit. It seems like I wasn’t wanted in the meantime.

But if I were to leave the day after, where will I go? I have nothing, no connections, or someone who is my company. Isn’t it usually, when the protagonist of an isekai gets reincarnated, they had some companion that helps them or something of that sort? How come I don’t have that? Didn’t someone summon me into this world? Where is that summoner? Or could it be…

…

…

…

Could it be that I am not a protagonist of this story?

No, no, it can’t be. I have powers myself, and I am yet to progress with them, but with the beginning that I have, it seems insufficient.

What is the goal? I want to leave, but what is the goal of my reincarnation? No one told me of anything, but I did meet what could be the antagonist. The Devil, Milfizier.

Wait, didn’t he call me by name? No, he spoke to me, with fondness in his voice, for some reason. He didn’t immediately kill me. No, he didn’t try to kill me at all!

And I remember what he called me, and what Narey called me, ‘Mielfizun.’

Why does that name sound similar to the Devil’s? Do I have a connection with him? He was the one that called me by that name.

Or maybe it’s just a common word in this world’s language. Maybe it means, ‘to kill’ or something. I must have been too worried about it.

But then, Narey did call me Mielfizun with a sentence in Japanese.

Then… my name must be really…

Mielfizun.

If I were the Hero, then why is everybody trying to kill me?

Alright, I need to learn this world’s language first before I jump to conclusions. Maybe Mielfizun isn’t a name, but a word that is unable to be translated to Japanese.

Yes, yes, that’s correct. My deduction is precise.

In the meantime, I should stay with the old man, but I wouldn’t want to free-load myself in here.

I am good with chores. Back home, I did the chores fifty percent of the time. But that still makes me experienced! Then I should be able to help the old man. No, I am not helping him. I am paying for my stay here.

That’s a plan. While I try to learn more about this world, I will work under the old man’s restaurant!

With that, I finished my bath.

***

It seems that he is fast asleep. It’s time for my bath now.

Ah, nothing beats a hot bath after a day’s work. I need to have a helper soon. My back and knees are getting worse.

And the boy. Who is he? Why does he have such dark prowess? Though, I haven’t seen him use it in action. Perhaps he doesn’t know how to use it?

And he knows what kohi is. His hometown has to grow kohi beans. But then, is there such a town? The person who introduced me to kohi, was the Hero…

Ah, she was beautiful. I wonder how is she doing. It’s been a while since I’ve last seen her. I heard in the gathering at the town square a month ago that she is chasing after the Demon. I hope she is safe and well. She has mastered the craft of wind after all. Though, she can be overconfident.

I want to return to her. I missed her so much. But the castle doesn’t allow me to meet her. Why were they against our relationship?

I hope she doesn’t have another lover, though it won’t be helped, she is so beautiful. Though, I wouldn’t want to chain her to the ground. She can do as she wished.

Ah, I did it again. I thought too much of her. I’m starting to get dizzy. I should think about what’s on hand right now.

The business is failing, my health too, and the boy.

Yes, the boy. I sidetracked quite a bit.

He is dark but harmless. I feel obliged to keep him in my home. I just have an inkling that he will grow into a great man. It’s a waste for him to be lost by his parents.

Perhaps he and his parents were running away from the Demon hunters, and they got separated. So tragic. I feel sad for the boy.

I have an intuition that his parents may be already dead, but I shall not keep his hopes down. I want him to live for his family.

It seems that he is mute too. I wonder how I should interact with him. I should try writing to him sometime.

I asked Grucious if he knew any towns growing kohi beans, but he said that he doesn’t. Well, that’s bad for me and the boy. I can’t bear to grow my own kohi beans any longer, and I can’t trace the boy’s origins.

But I shall put that off for a later time. Right now, what matters is my aching back— agh! Time to lie to rest.

***

I actively bowed down to the old man, and his face brightens up, and he nodded enthusiastically.

Before this, I have requested if I could work in his restaurant, and he was amazed, and he let me serve under his service.

Immediately, I started cooking. Only the basic meals though. I have learned half of the menu’s simple dishes by deciphering the sounds into the names of the food.

The old man told me this, and I interpreted it into that. Though, he cooked the rest of the menu that was too hard for me to cook or understand. I also acted as the server of the restaurant. And the old man was pleased.

Though something struck me.

A customer shouted at me and pushed me away. He then yelled to the old man seemingly sounding a complaint and left the restaurant.

Though I didn’t think that I made a mistake somewhere during my order-taking process, I apologized to him due to my disappointing performance.

But his face was amicable, and instead, he seemingly gestured an apology to me, but I didn’t understand what he is apologizing to me for. I should be the one who owed him an apology.

Other than that, everything went smoothly, if the stares and sometimes glares of the customers were part of their usual demeanor toward me.

It was clear that they treated me differently from the old man. When I served, their faces were stone cold against me, but when he served, they were amicable in their words.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a young child who can barely understand their orders, and that they were impatient with me. I hope it’s only that because I can fix that matter quickly.

***

The night settled in, and the shop’s time to close has arrived. The last customers paid their bills and left. And the old man and I started to clean up to prepare to close the shop.

The old man showed me his thanks, and I did the same. I was gratefully to find a job, even though I won’t be paid for it. It’s fair since I will be lodging in his home, and the meals and clothes graciously provided.

He urged me to stay with him for as long as I wanted before my ‘parents’ found me. That much I understood, finally, after I deciphered his charade of a ‘mother’ and ‘father.’

I didn’t tell him that I didn’t know or have even met my parents, or at least this body’s parents.

I was not the owner of my own body. It was somebody else’s. Someone I haven’t met, though I have seen him in the mirror.

And so, the slow days at the old man’s began.

***

A month has passed, based on my tracking of days, which I made into a daily routine after I wake up, though I have lost what day or month in my country’s calendar.

As a NEET, the days, weeks, or months, didn’t matter to me, unless there was a sale or a giveaway of some sort. Other than that, I was separate from space and time in mind, but not in body.

And preserving my ‘NEETness,’ I barely emerged from the old man’s restaurant, in fear of being spotted, and in laziness.

Only on rare occasions have I accompanied the old man outside, and that was to explore the crowded market.

Flies buzzed. People pushed. And we sliced our way to the crowd to our selected stalls. The old man taught me more of the language in those trips and back in the shop. I learned what the things are called in their language, meat, pork, beef, chicken, and among other things.

***

The market in itself is no different from the public market that I have known. We were always tight on the budget, and thus our food had to be as inexpensive as possible. We couldn’t afford the grocery and not much of the convenience store except for the cup noodles that we frequently ate from. I pitied myself and my parents every time I think about it. And that was most of the time we ate. My conscience begged me not to eat my share and instead give it to my family, but at the same time, it would be misconstrued as my dissatisfaction.

But I’m always complacent with what we ate, and what we wore, but I was not content with the lack of material things around the house. That was a nice computer, a phone, a faster internet. But of course, we can’t afford those things, but I often complained. It’s a bad habit of mine.

***

The simplest words and forms of the man’s language, I have been taught by him, and some I strived to learn by myself. And, finally, I got to know him by name.

His name was Barnum…

…

…

…

Barnum Langstrom.

Then he asked me for my name. I hesitated for a bit.

Should I tell him my Japanese name, or make one up myself? I realized eventually that the word Parey and the Devil directed to me was not a word. What if I try…

“Mielfizun,” I said.

And the old man’s face grew dark, “What did you say?”

“My name is Mielfizun.”

Barnum weakly laughed, “Could it be that you are jesting? Because that is not something to be joked about.”

“Is it actually a valid name?”

“It is an existing name, and a forbidden one at that.”

“Why?”

“Because that is the prophesied child of the Devil.”

I was stunned.

“Surely you know who the Devil is, right?”

I nodded in silence. So, it is a name. And I was that prophesied child?

Another revelation burdened me to the floor.

The old man kneeled to my rescue, “A—are you alright? I’m sorry. Your joke is funny, okay? Look at me laugh!” he feigned.

I understand… I understand it all now!

…

The contempt of my arrestors.

…

The cloaked hatred of Parey.

…

The fear and sanguinity of the guards.

…

The wariness of the passersby.

…

The scornful gaze of the diners.

…

…

…

All because I am the Devil’s one and only son.

“I’ll give you a better name,” Barnum comforted, and I looked up trying to seal by disconcertment. “I’ll give you my last name too. So, please, calm down.

I waited as his eyes showed me affection.

I—I don’t get it. Why are you kind to me, despite me being the literal Son of Devil?

“Your name shall be…”

…

…

…

“Ramiel Langstrom.”

“R—Ramiel…” I breathed under my words. “Ramiel,” I repeated.

“Yes, that's your name now. From now on, may I treat you as my son?”

“…as y—your son?”

He smiled and nodded, “Yes!”

I bowed my head, “If I am worthy of having a father again…”

He hugged me tightly into his arms, and I wrap mine around his large back. My tears began to flow, and so did his behind my back.

My heart warmed. It felt so comforting. I sighed as I felt a heavy burden lifted from me.

“I—I will give all of my effort to be worthy to be called your son, Barnum!” I spoke.

“Don’t call me by that anymore. Don’t talk too politely to me any longer. You can call me your father.”

***

One of these late nights, I decided to shop for ingredients in a nearby shop. I sneaked out of the diner into the murkily lit street. But the street was wide that it gave me a sense of safeness. I walked excitedly for this was my first time shopping by myself.

I turned into a narrow street to where my target shop is, which sold seasonings and spices. We were running low on those items. But suddenly, I sensed an alarming presence blocking my way.

“You!” a frightening voice called out, and I stood my ground, in fear. “Wha’ccha doing here late at night, huh?”

Recently, the town square had a gathering about incidents of stickups around town, and they have told us to be cautious. Father sternly warned me to be careful of them. And that was unusual of Father, for he was usually casual about these types of matters.

But now that I have encountered them. I should have listened.

“Oh? Do you see this?” the ruffian looked behind towards his two, less-intimidating companions.

“Ye, he reeks of the dark stench!”

“’Tis perfect, dont'cha think?”

“You’re right! We get to beat up one of these punks!” the main person pointed at me.

Oh dear, what trouble have I gotten into! I’m going to be lectured about this!

I shakingly slipped backward, but they closed the distance.

“Time to die now kid!” and a powerful fist neared my face.

Then, a hand hacked his elbow, causing the thug’s arm to go down.

“Gagh!” he looked to his side, and I looked toward where the hand came from.

Then a boy, not far from my age, courageously walks in front, blocking the thieves’ way with me.

“I am not letting you hurt him!” the kid yelled.

“Oh? A mere kid challenging me? Do you see this, mates?” he laughed, and his companions followed. “Don’t try to be a hero, kid. You are not one!”

He unleashed a punch on the outmatched boy, and he flew a short distance and landed on the ground. He coughed up in what I can perceive as blood.

These scumbags have no mercy on a kid!

I clenched my fist planning to attack them when I heard him chant.

“Earth Wall!!”

What!?

Then my head got knocked up into the air by something directly beneath the ground. I landed on the ground and faced what appeared below my vision.

A wall made of solid soil and disintegrated at the summoner’s command.

“Ha! Who is this kid? Ya think that yer Dark Hirayios can touch me? Fool! I’ve defeated countless demons stronger than you!”

Hirayios? I’ve never heard that word before, but first, who are you calling a demon?

I stood to my feet with my resolve ever so stronger, “You think you can beat up kids like that? Do you enjoy overpowering people inferior to you? In time, those same people will overpower you!”

“What gibberish are you saying, kid?” he faced toward his companions. “Do you hear a mouse squeaking?” Then they laughed.

“You piece of crap!” I ran at full speed toward them, but then a bigger figure blocked my path.

“Give up! Let me handle this. This fight is not for you, kids,” the guard who I first met in this town came to my rescue.

“Hey, you, wretches! You have been troubling my town, eh?” the fat guard thundered.

“Wha’cha gonna do? Kill us with your fat?” the ruffian mocked.

“Don’t you think I’ll let you get away! I will be arresting you!”

“Try, fat lord!” Then the thug took a deep breath and chanted, “Earth Wall!”

Like last time, a chunk of the soil ground was lifted into the air, but the guard punched it with his fist causing it to crumble.

“W—what!?” he screamed in astonishment.

“Hmph,” the guard blew on his fist that made the punch, “I’ve been training my punches to affect magic. Don’t try to take me down with such a cheap trick!”

He clicked his tongue, “You think that was my only trick? Idiot, that was only a fraction of my power!”

“Only amateurs say that.”

They both started chanting.

“Earth Spikes!”

“Blazing Thrust!”

Spikes made out of stone were hurled toward the guard, but out of the guard’s palms was a flurry of fire. The spikes melted and the flame disappeared.

The thug clicked his tongue and sprinted toward the guard. “Stalagmites!”

“Blazing Thrust!”

The guard flew through the air as the fire tornado propelled him to escape the poking spikes that appeared from below him.

“Fire Storm!” he chanted, and above the thugs rained hails of fire.

“W—what!?” The fire fell on him and he seemingly was consumed by it, but a weak voice is heard through the blazing flames, “Stone Dome!”

In his command, the flames were instantly extinguished and revealed a dome in it.

“You can hide, but you can’t run! You must leave your cowardly panic shelter!” the guard taunted, but no one appeared from inside the dome.

“Fine, if you play this way, then I shall,” he took a deep breath, “Inferno!”

Smoke was seen visibly rising on the surface of the dome, and the dome disintegrates revealing the trio crawling in defeat.

Their body and clothes were charred, but it was surprisingly mellow enough to only harm them.

“You are under arrest, hooligans! And you kids,” the heroic guard turned to us, “you must not be roaming the stree— wait, it’s you from before!” he pointed at me.

“Ah, yes, it was me,” I meekly bowed my head.

“Heard that the old man hired you. Good job!” he raised a thumb. “And you,” he pointed to the boy behind me, “you shouldn’t be playing hero! Be patient to be at an appropriate age!”

“Y—yes, sir…” he bowed his head lower than mine.

“Good thing I was nearby. You, kid,” he directed to me, “you had good fighting over there. It’s just a long way off.” With that, he waved his hand and dragged his opponents carelessly to the ground.

I can’t believe that that fat guy had such tremendous power. I must train to be better than him!

Then I felt a nudge from behind, and I faced the fellow boy.

“Are you okay?” he asked me.

“What? I should be asking you if you are okay?”

“Well, this is nothing! I’m going to be a Hero, you know?”

“Well, you are a long way off,” I replied.

He shrugged, “That’s what they all tell me.” Then sighed. “Anyway, what are you doing late in the night?”

I felt for my purse and was relieved that it remained fastened around my belt, “I was going to buy ingredients for the diner.”

“Where? I’ll come with you!”

“Uh… yeah, sure.” This guy closed a lot of distance quickly…

We entered the shop, and he noticed me struggling to read the labels on the item shelves.

“You don’t know how to read?”

“W—well, I can only read a little,” I replied.

“Well, this is pepper, and this is salt! Then this is sugar! Can you also read the prices?”

“Yeah, I can do that. This costs twenty copper,” I pointed to the sugar.

“Expensive, isn’t it?” he remarked.

Woah, this boy suddenly became mature in an instant. “This is expensive?”

“Yeah! It’s overpriced! We have a supplier that sells them at a fraction of the cost!”

I sensed a glare from the shopkeeper. “Please tone your voice down a little.” Maybe he isn’t that mature after all.

“Ah, sorry, my bad!” he scratched his head casually.

Right, there is no shampoo in this world. Well, maybe, not yet.

“So, are you buying these?” he asked.

“No, I’m going to buy hot pepper, cinnamon, then a bit of pepper.”

“Oh? What are you cooking?”

“I won’t be the one cooking, I’ll cook only with pepper. But we are going to make some kind of hot pot.”

“Ooh! A hot pot! What’s the occasion?”

“It’s not really an occasion, but it’s a special request.”

“Special request? Oh, right! You mentioned you were buying these for a diner, yeah?”

“Yeah, I work at the diner.”

“Where? Show me!”

“Uh… well, it’s late at night—”

“Don’t mind it!”

Your enthusiasm is through the roof, especially for someone who you just met. Care to give me some space?

***

“Ohhhh! So, you are our rival!” he exclaimed as we arrived in front of my Father’s diner.

“Rival? Are you the diner right over there?” I pointed to the opposite side of the street.

“Yeah! Yeah!” he says in delight.

Why are you happy about this?

“I wanted to know more about our competitor! I’m lucky to meet you!” he shook my hands without my permission.

Don’t say that in front of an employee's face so freely, you airhead. Are you an airhead? Anyway, why are you suddenly getting chummy with me?

“Err…” he toned down. “What’s your name?”

“Langstrom, Langstrom Ramiel.”

“May I call you Langstrom then?”

“Wait, sorry.” I forgot that my first name is said first. “Ramiel is my first name. I switched them accidentally.”

He exploded into laughter, “You are so silly!”

Don’t you dare call me silly! The one who is to be called silly is you!

“It’s nice meeting you!” he vigorously shook my hand.

“Ow, ow, that’s enough handshakes, thank you very much!” I quickly retracted my hand and turned to enter the shop.

***

What a gloomy guy! I can’t believe that I would get to befriend a servant at a shop, and a competing diner at that! Wait… I seemingly have forgotten something.

Right! I didn’t introduce myself or even told him my name!!

I’ll meet him in the diner tomorrow! He’s gonna have so much fun!

***

“Yes, coming right up!” I smiled and walked toward the counter, “One pancake and black coffee please!”

“Gotcha!” Father replied as he cooked multiple dishes in a swift but gracious fashion.

I want to cook like him someday…

Yesterday, I introduced Father to a famous food, the pancake. I taught him how to make the pancake and told him how it would suit the breakfast times. Though I flunked up in the production of it, Father was able to catch what I was trying to do and made a fluffy and delicious pancake. Truly, he is a prodigy of cooking.

And my suggestion was accepted instantly and was immediately added to the breakfast menu.

I suggested this so that our diner would break through its stalemate, and I guaranteed success over the rivaling diner. A unique dish for desperate times.

And the amazing results were being manifested. More customers were showing up and started to fill the belvedere of the shop. I had to tell them to properly line up to wait for their turn. The one's dining has a pleasant surprise on their faces while they complimented the new and unusual food that they ate.

And an unexpected customer sat at a prominent table as I served to him.

“Yo!” the boy whom I met last night raised his hand.

It’s the annoying guy again, but then, he is a customer. I put on a dry smile, “Welcome to S’trom’s Diner. What are your orders?”

“What is with that smile?” he pulled me toward him then stretched my mouth lengthwise with his index fingers. “That’s better!”

What do you think you are doing, you dumdum!? But I can’t afford to lose my temper in front of the customers. “Sir, we have many customers waiting. We would appreciate it if you would order as soon as possible.”

“You are so funny! It’s like you switched personalities completely!” he remarked.

This kid!! “Sir, I might have to ask you to leave.”

“How rude! Is this how you serve your customers?” he raised his voice, and the customers in the shop stared for a moment.

Uh oh, trouble! I can’t believe you’ve done this!

I whispered to him, “What do you want to do with me? If you want to ruin my business—”

“Of course not, of course not! I genuinely wanted to try out this ‘pancake’ that you are serving. I heard from those who ate here that it was sweet and delicious. It made me want to try it for myself!”

Really? “Then, your orders are one pancake, sir?”

“Yes, I’d like to have one of that!”

“Is there anything else, sir?”

“N—nothing more!”

“Pancake coming right up!” I quickly left to the counter.

My goal is to make him leave as fast as possible.

“Here is your pancake, sir. Please enjoy your meal!” I slightly bowed my head as I served the dish.

“O—oh!” he gasped. “This looks deliciously fluffy! Hey, hey,” he tugged on my apron, “how do you eat this?”

Are you serious? Also, hands off my apron! “You just hold the knife in one hand, and the knife in another. Then you hold dow—”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. Do you think that I’m too dumb to use these utensils?”

“No—no, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” Yes, yes, I’m pretty sure that you are a primate who needs a tutorial on how to use these utensils.

“I see that you have to pour this white syrup over the pancake and eat it?”

“Yes, that’s how you eat a pancake, though it’s optional.”

“I see, I see! I’m digging in!”

I watched from a distance as he poured the white sugar syrup onto the pancake. This was produced by cooking the sugar into sugary syrup. A decent alternative to maple syrup… for now.

Cooking in this world was surprisingly convenient though there were no gas tanks, stoves, or anything of the sort. Luckily, this world didn’t use the ancient style of a stove, though it looked like one. The stoves used some sort of magical gem to activate a fire as a modern stove would do. This was what the old man told me, and he called them a ‘Varion.’

Can’t they just call it runes or something?

“It’s sweet! How did you come up with this?” the boy remarked as he creepily licked his lips in satisfaction.

“It’s a secret,” I replied.

“Eh? Why is it a secret? Care to tell me of that secret?” he asked.

“It wouldn’t be a secret if I tell you, would it?”

“But, aren’t I your friend? As a friend, you should share me your secrets.”

“Um, when did we become friends?” I said in a cold tone.

“Wait, you don’t consider me as one?” Suddenly, he took on a puppy face with sparkling eyes.

It isn’t cute. Stop being a creepy, weirdo.

“Yes, I don’t. You are just trying to spy on this restaurant, aren’t you?”

“Huh? What makes you think that?”

“Don’t act dumb. It won’t work.”

“But I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Drop the act. I know you are spying on your restaurant. Stop trying to copy my father’s dishes.”

“I wasn’t trying to copy your father’s dishes—”

“You did. You stole my father’s fried chicken dish.”

“What!? No! I totally did not! We are only serving fried raven!”

“That’s a lie!”

“Trust me it isn’t!”

“Then explain your dish called ‘bacon and eggs’!”

“That’s—!”

“See? That was my father’s original dish!”

“It’s not!”

“You stole the entire dish, and now you are making a profit off of it!”

“Well…”

“See? Now, tell me— no, admit it! You are trying to steal our new dish from our restaurant!”

“N—no, I’m not! I am not stealing! We haven’t stolen anything!”

“How could you say that!? Don’t you dare tell me such a bald-faced lie!”

A smug look grew on his face, “But, it isn’t patented, isn’t it?”

Wha—? Patented?

“We technically didn’t steal your dish since your dumb father didn’t apply for a patent!”

“So, you did steal.”

“But it isn’t patented. Therefore, you have no right to call that dish your own!

“How dare you say that!” I shouted.

“Ramiel! Stop that now! You are bothering the customers!” Barnum shouted from the counter. “If you want to have a debate, go to the courtroom!”

“But, father, this person is stealing our dishes!” I retorted back.

“And what makes it our dishes?” Barnum asked.

What? What do you mean? It’s our dishes! Even though it’s not patented!

Barnum beckoned me to come to him by the counter, “Come here. I have to tell you something.”

I stood near him as he looked upon me with a grim face. “W—what is it, father?”

“It’s about those dishes. It’s not ours.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Another person introduced them to me, and sh— they allowed me to sell it in this restaurant. That’s why it doesn’t matter if it’s from this restaurant or not. They wanted to share the dishes to the world.”

“B—but, but they are straight up plagiarizing!”

“Don’t struggle any further. It isn’t ours, and it’s meant to be shared.”

“So, this is why you were never bothered with that restaurant.”

“Yes, so please go apologies to our customers.”

After this quarrel, I bowed to apologize to our bewildered customers, and the boy sat at the same table until the closing time.

“We are about to close,” I said to the boy I exchanged shouts from earlier.

“Ah, really? Finally!”

“What do you mean finally? Did you wait for me to finish my work?”

“Of course! Because you are my friend!” he said gleefully.

Friend? When? Don’t get so chummy with me. I didn’t apologize to you!

“When you finish, please meet me outside the store. I want to tell you something,” he said.

“No, thanks.”

“W—why!? Come on, we are friends, aren’t we? Oh!” He briskly stood up and took both of my hands into his, “Let’s restart!”

“H—huh?”

“It’s nice to meet you! My name’s Warren Grand’stadt! What’s yours?”

I don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t care! Leave me alone!

“Hey, hey, you should reply back out of courtesy, you know?” he nagged, but I didn’t reply.

Barnum slapped me at the back, “Sorry for my son’s rudeness. His name’s Ramiel Langstrom.”

“S—son!? W—when!? Did you ever have a son!? I mean he has the same last name as you and all!”

“Well, he is not really a son by blood. I just took him into my home as a son.”

“O—oh! That’s so kind of you, Barnum!”

Barnum laughed, “Please be friends with my troublesome son!”

“H—huh!?”

“With all my pleasure!”

Aren’t you supposed to ask for my permission first though?

Outside the shop, overlooked by the bright night illuminated by the shining stars, our shadows extending from the light, we stood facing each other like it was some kind of a battle about to start.

“Then? What are you going to tell me?” I sighed. “Make it quick.”

“W—would you like to…” the boy took on a bashful form.

Why are you acting like a girl!? Stop blushing!

“I said make it fa—”

“Would you like to eat in our restaurant tomorrow!?” he shouted, and his voice echoed through the empty street.

Ha… why did you make this look like someone’s confession. “Why would I want to eat in your restaurant of thieves and robbery?”

“Don’t call it that! You are horrible!”

“In summary, I don’t want to. Good night,” I started to take my leave, but Warren grabbed my hand.

Don’t touch me!

“Please!” he begged like a child.

Such a child…

“Let me go!” I shook my hand, but he won’t release my hand.

“I—I won’t let go until you agree to dine in my restaurant!”

This will just go on forever! I sighed. “F—fine! I’ll go eat in your stupid restaurant. Be thankful!”

“R—really!?” Warren’s eyes shone like the stars in the sky. “T—thank you! I will make it worth your visit!”

***

The next day arrived, and I asked Barnum if I could go eat at the next door’s restaurant, and he surprisingly agreed.

“If it’s for your newfound friend, of course, I approve!”

So, you are kind of bothered by your competitor after all. Heh…

“W—what are you smirking for? Go on ahead. I’ll take care of the restaurant today. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll be off,” I waved.

I found an available seat and helped myself in, and the waiter especially picked for me is Warren.

“O—ohhh! You actually came!” He suddenly started to snuggle on my face. “You are truly my friend after all!”

“S—stop rubbing your face on mine!” I pushed him away.

“S—sorry! Anyway, welcome to the Grand Restaurant! May I take your order?”

“Hm? Where are the menu cards?” I searched around.

“Wait, you don’t see it?” Warren asked.

“What don’t I see?”

“The magic cards don’t work on you? That’s why you look so unsurprised!”

“Magic cards?”

“They were supposed to appear floating in midair to act as a cool menu!”

“What an unnecessary feature.”

“I—it’s not unnecessary! It’s cool!”

“Then? How can I order without knowing the food?”

“Um… well…”

Wait, let me guess… “I’ll have bacon and eggs, please.

“Bacon and eggs, coming right up!”

I knew it!!

Warren returned and served the meal at the table, and I was surprised by the presentation.

Woah, the plates look fancy and expensive and the utensils too! Now that I look around, the restaurant looks rather extravagant for a local shop. Truly a Grand— no! Screw this! Now I’m suddenly complimenting such a puny shop!

“Amazed, aren’t you?”

“I—I wouldn’t say that. It’s just not bad… h—huh?”

“Heh?” Warren smirked.

“J—just shut up and wait on the other tables!”

Warren slid closer to me, “What if I don’t want to?”

Don’t try to seduce a person of the same gender! Are you gay!?

“I—it’s hard to eat!”

Warren giggled and left.

You are gay.

“I—I’ll be digging in,” I mumbled as I stealthily clasped my hands before eating. Can’t let other people see my weird customs.

I took a bite off of the bacon.

W—woah! I—it’s unexpectedly good! Are you kidding me?

“So, how is the food?”

“H—huh?” I looked away. “I—it’s not bad. That’s to be expected of a restaurant.”

“Oh~? Really? Is that all you have to say?”

“Y—yes, you should be thankful that I didn’t puke upon eating!”

“You’re horrible!”

“No, I’m just painfully honest.”

Though, I’m lying out of my teeth that the food isn’t good… It’s delicious! Made by a master chef, no doubt!

“If you’d like to order more, please call me!”

“Y—yes I woul— I mean no! I wouldn’t order any more of your tasteless food!”

“Hm? Okay, then. Make sure you don’t regret it,” Warren giggled.

***

After I ate in the restaurant, I exited the place to head back to S’trom’s Diner to continue my work shift there, but Warren called out to me.

“Hey!”

I looked back. Ugh, what do you want this time?

“What?” I shouted coldly.

“Don’t need to be so sharp. I’m your friend, you know?”

No, I don’t know you.

“Anyway, what do you want?” I asked.

“Would you like to go fishing on Mayday?”

“Mayday?” Oh, right.

How time was measured was different in this world too. It took me some time to memorize and adjust to the time. Therefore, I had to remember that every ‘month’ had six weeks each. And every ‘week’ had twelve days each, and the days are called rather differently. Fortunately, the hours and minutes relatively stayed the same.

I believe Mayday is the first day of the ‘rest days.’ And today is ‘Rayday.’ Then, that’s two days from now.

But then, this is the annoying Warren we are talking about. I’ll pretend to be busy.

“Sorry, but I’ll be busy on that day.”

“Ehhh?” Warren slumped in disappointment. “But it’s a rest day, you know?”

“My father has given me errands on that day. Sorry.”

Not that like I need to apologize to you, but I apologize for your pitiful face that screams dismay.

And with that, I hurriedly took my leave and returned to my father’s diner.