CHAPTER 14
STARTING TO GET WEIRD
As Kyoichiiro drifted in his thoughts, images from the past few days flowed through his mind. He mused to himself:
These days have been truly strange. It's not just my own attitude, but even my perspective towards others. Ever since I met the two of them, life has felt… lighter. There are many small things that can genuinely make me relax, even if just for a moment. Does Amura truly know everything like he claims? What is he really hiding?
Kyoichiiro then turned his gaze towards Amura, who was sitting quietly in the corner of the room, leaning against the wall. His eyes stared sharply, analyzing, trying to read past that relaxed smile. Amura, noticing the stare, simply smiled back widely, as if inviting the questions.
Kyoichiiro: (suddenly speaking, breaking the silence) "Amura, weren't we supposed to get today's meal allowance? The package includes breakfast, right?"
Amura was startled, blinking a few times before it registered.
Amura: "Huh?... Oh, you're right! I almost forgot. Sorry, sorry."
He quickly stood up, smoothing out his robe.
Amura: "Alright, I'll go ask about it. You two wait here."
Kyoichiiro: (giving a short nod) "Hmm."
That was enough to mean "yes" between them. Amura turned around, opened the door, and stepped out.
In the hallway, Amura walked with light steps. He passed rows of doors on his left and right, recalling the route from earlier. His mind wasn't empty—he was thinking about many things: about Kyoichiiro's growing curiosity, about Aetheria who was still fragile, about the mission he had to reveal later.
After turning right, he descended the wooden stairs to the first floor. The lobby was more lively now, with a few guests chatting. Amura walked towards the reception counter, where a waitress in a neat uniform was writing something down.
Amura: (politely) "Excuse me. We're from room number 6, second floor. I think we haven't received today's meal allowance yet."
The waitress looked surprised, then her face showed regret.
Waitress: "My apologies for the delay, sir. We'll prepare it right away. Please wait a moment. Oh, for today's meal, what would you like? And for how many people?"
Amura: "Anything that's edible and filling is fine. For three people, with reasonable portions."
Waitress: (nodding) "Alright. We'll prepare your order promptly and bring it to your room."
After the waitress disappeared towards the kitchen in the back, Amura immediately turned and went back up the stairs. His steps were firm, his eyes looking straight ahead. After turning left on the second floor, he arrived in front of room number 6. He opened the door.
The sight inside made him smile. Aetheria was already awake and sitting cross-legged on the floor, while Kyoichiiro—who had been sitting on the bed earlier—was now asleep in a seated position. His face was propped up by his right palm, his head tilted slightly. His expression was much more peaceful than when he was awake.
Amura: (whispering to Aetheria) "Kyoichiiro-san fell asleep?"
Aetheria: (also whispering, smiling) "Yes. When I woke up, he was already asleep like that. He must be very tired."
Amura sat down on the floor beside Aetheria. For a while, they just sat in silence, enjoying the comfortable quiet. Then, Amura started a conversation with a teasing tone.
Amura: "Hey, Aetheria... you know what?"
Aetheria: (shaking her head, confused) "Know what?"
Amura: (a mischievous smile spreading) "When you fainted earlier and fell to the floor... it was Kyoichiiro-san who carried you and lifted you onto the bed. And after you fell sound asleep, he kept staring at you with this weird, curious expression. And then suddenly—" Amura imitated Kyoichiiro covering his mouth, "—he covered his mouth like someone embarrassed at being caught!"
Aetheria's face instantly flushed a deep red. She turned her body away, both hands covering her burning face. Her body trembled slightly, a mix of embarrassment and something else.
And that's when Kyoichiiro—who had actually been awake for a while and heard the entire conversation—slowly opened his eyes. Amura, who had glanced towards him, was immediately startled.
Amura: "Oh? Kyoichiiro-san, you're awake—"
Before Amura could finish his sentence, Kyoichiiro, with a smooth and swift motion, took a single Zeyn coin from his pocket and flicked it. The coin shot forward with surprising speed and hit Amura squarely on the forehead with a loud thwack.
Amura: "Ow!" His body toppled backwards, landing flat on the floor.
Kyoichiiro: (in a flat but firm tone) "Don't tease her, you idiot."
Kyoichiiro then stood up gracefully and walked over to the two of them. Amura rubbed his forehead as he sat back up, smiling wryly.
Kyoichiiro: (changing the subject) "Oh right, Amura. Do you know where the library is around here?"
Amura: (still rubbing his forehead) "Ah... a library? I don't really know if there's one in this area—"
Right at that moment, as if arranged by fate, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock.
Female Voice from Outside: "Excuse me! The meal is ready for room number six!"
Amura: (calling out softly) "Come in!"
The door opened, and a different waitress—not the one from the lobby—entered carrying a large tray with three plates of food, a water pitcher, and cups. Kyoichiiro observed her quickly.
Another waitress? he thought.
The waitress approached and carefully placed the tray on the small table. Her appearance was striking: her long black hair was tied neatly to the side, her brown eyes were friendly, and her posture was graceful. Her waitress uniform was simple but tidy.
Amura looked at Kyoichiiro with a meaningful gaze, as if saying "here's your chance." Kyoichiiro just returned a flat stare before finally giving in and speaking.
Kyoichiiro: (to the waitress) "Can I ask you something?"
The waitress, who was arranging the dishes, was briefly startled.
Waitress: "Ah, of course, sir."
Kyoichiiro: "Do you know where the library is around here? I saw a woman on the first floor earlier, sitting and reading a book."
The waitress smiled, seeming to understand.
Waitress: "Oh, certainly! There's a small library right here in the inn. It's usually for guests who want to read."
Kyoichiiro: (curiously) "Where exactly is it?"
Waitress: "On the first floor. There's an old wooden door with the word 'Library' written above it, in faded silver lettering. It's near the back staircase."
Kyoichiiro shifted his gaze to Amura, who just shrugged, then back to the waitress.
Kyoichiiro: "Oh, yes. May we know your name? So we don't have to keep calling you 'waitress'."
The waitress smiled wider, pleased by the question.
Waitress: "My name is Elaina."
Elaina? Kyoichiiro repeated the name in his mind.
Elaina: (continuing) "And about the woman you saw reading... that might be Miss Hana. She often comes here just to read in our library. A regular guest, but she rarely stays overnight."
Kyoichiiro: (nodding) "Just call me Kyoichiiro."
Amura: (joining in) "Amura."
Aetheria: (in a small voice) "Aetheria."
Elaina: (smiling warmly) "Pleased to meet you all." She then stood up. "Sorry, I must get back to work. Please enjoy your meal."
The three of them nodded. Elaina turned and left, closing the door softly behind her.
A brief silence filled the room after her departure.
Amura: (breaking the quiet) "We should eat before it gets cold."
They began taking their plates. Kyoichiiro went first, taking his plate and sitting on the floor. Aetheria followed, then Amura. The food was simple but looked nutritious: a thick vegetable soup, warm wheat bread, and a piece of grilled fish.
Before starting to eat, Kyoichiiro reflexively brought his hands together in front of his chest, bowed his head slightly, and said:
Kyoichiiro: "Itadakimasu."
It was a habit from his previous life in Japan. The gesture and pronunciation were perfect, natural.
Amura and Aetheria looked at each other, puzzled by the foreign ritual. But they decided to follow along.
Amura & Aetheria: (in unison, mimicking the gesture) "Ita... dakimasu?"
They then ate heartily. The hunger after their long, exhausting adventure was finally satisfied. Midway through the meal, Kyoichiiro glanced at Aetheria.
Kyoichiiro: "Aetheria, are you feeling fully recovered now?"
Aetheria: (nodding, her cheeks still slightly red) "Yes, Kyoichiiro-san. I'm feeling much better. My strength and spirit are back."
Kyoichiiro: (nodding) "Good."
After they all finished, Kyoichiiro placed his plate and chopsticks neatly back on the tray.
Kyoichiiro: "Gochisousama deshita." (Thank you for the meal.)
Amura and Aetheria, though still confused, also placed their dishes down and nodded.
Kyoichiiro then stood up, his eyes gleaming with new determination.
Kyoichiiro: "Shall we start now?"
Aetheria: (smiling brightly) "Let's go!"
Amura: (standing up, rubbing his hands) "Alright, let's!"
They gathered the dirty dishes and placed them back on the tray, leaving it on the table. Each of them prepared themselves.
Kyoichiiro: (to Aetheria) "Aetheria, could you open the door, please?"
Aetheria: "Okay!" She walked over and unlatched the door.
The door swung open, revealing the dimly lit wooden hallway. Aetheria held the door open for the others. Kyoichiiro stepped out first, followed by Amura, then Aetheria, who carefully closed the room door behind her.
Standing in the hallway, the three exchanged a brief look. Their destination was clear: the small library on the first floor. Perhaps there, among piles of old books, they could find clues—about this world, about themselves, or about the strange things beginning to surround them. Their steps began, leading them down the corridor towards the stairs, their hearts filled with curiosity and a touch of caution.