Chapter 55

The bar we went to was called the ‘Fang & Claw.’ Perhaps the most fitting kind of name for an establishment catering to adventurers, or so I think, as I push open the doors and walk inside. Well, this was surprising. Unlike the rather wild-sounding name, the interior had a relaxing mood and dim, atmospheric lights. As it was much the same at the Silver Sky Inn, I wasn’t sure if this was tradition or the new fashion in the city. We looked around a little shyly until the person that we were looking for waved us over. It was Rex.

“Did you wait long?”

“Nah, just arrived. I am glad you have come as well, Daniela. Now, let’s have a drink!”

“I will start with ale.”

Daniela ordered to the barman, and so I ordered the same thing.

“Pretty relaxing in here, eh? Adventurers don’t come around here too often because of it. Those men drink to become wild. But men like me, we come to enjoy the taste.”

Rex says with a shrug. The bar in Fhiraldo’s guild had always been a rowdy place. I didn’t hate that atmosphere to be honest, but I didn’t hate this either. I saw myself becoming a regular in a place like this.

We didn’t wait long before the drinks arrived. Daniela and I grabbed our mugs and faced Rex and the others.

“A toast then?”

“Yes, to our meeting.”

“To that.”

Clank. The mugs lightly hit each other and were then emptied by all. I wasn’t the biggest drinker, but this went down easily. The alcohol content seemed to be moderate and it did not leave a burning sensation in my throat.

“I think we have some introductions to do then. As you know, I am Rex. A swordsman.”

The first of the group that I had seen in the forest. He was also the first to attack the wyvern.

“I am Darius. You have my gratitude for what you did.”

He was the man with the greatsword who had carried Danny. That had been an incredibly tense moment.

“And I am Wesley. Thank you for helping us.”

“Benny. I’m a swordsman like Wesley and Rex.”

They were all advance guards… I couldn’t help but think as I shook hands with them.

“Farid. I’m good with the shortsword.”

“Simon. I use the bow, but I am generally in charge of carrying the luggage.”

One rear guard and six advance guards… Oh well, I and Daniela were generally the same. Though, we were also capable of ranged attacks.

“It’s nice to meet you all. I am Asagi.”

“Daniela. I have also been granted the name Light Wind.”

She was already boasting about her new name. And it seemed to have been effective.

“Hey, hey, you have an alias… Bah, how lucky…”

“I wonder if I shall ever receive one. I doubt it will be any time soon…”

Several of them voiced their envy of such an honor. Was it really that great? Having an alias?

“In fact, Asagi has also been granted one, ‘Silvergreen.’”

Daniela said the most unnecessary things.

“Asagi, you, that is incredible!”

“No… That means we were saved by an adventurer with an alias!”

“Will you shake my hand, Silvergreen!”

“Uh, I wasn’t exactly happy about it and… I’m not shaking your hand!”

They all gathered around and cheered loudly. Get away from me!

Daniela was quite distracted by her steak, which had arrived. Well, this relaxing atmosphere was now ruined!

And like that, there was boisterous laughter, yet it was still slightly quieter than other taverns as we ate and drank. The food here was so good, that Daniela and I were practically racing to see who could stuff themselves first. The dishes of meat were especially great. I had seen annoying reporters on TV talk about meat being ‘so soft you don’t need to chew!’, but I had to now admit that such meat did exist. It was so delicious. I swore to become a regular here as I stuffed myself with meat and ale.

Before we knew it, the other customers had left, and it was now almost midnight.

“Well, we should call it a night soon.”

“Yeah. Thanks for inviting us today, Rex.”

I stood up and thanked him for introducing us to such a good place. Rex wrapped an arm around my shoulder and roared ‘Don’t mention it!’ into my ear with barely controlled laughter.

After leaving the tavern and separating with Rex and the others, we returned straight to our inn. Nighttime at Spiris was lively, but Daniela and I were so stuffed and had no energy to stop by anywhere else. We arrived very late at the Silver Sky Inn, but the lights at the entrance were still lit. And when we opened the door, Joshua was working behind the front counter.

“Ah, Asagi. And Daniela.”

“Good evening. Are you working?”

Joshua put down the pen he was using to write and smiled.

“Yes. Just getting the accounts organized.”

“But it’s so late.”

“Oh, no. This is my job. But I am just about to finish. Here is your key.”

I was impressed with how smoothly he handed us our room keys. There wasn’t even a short pause in the conversation. A real hotelman.

“Thank you. Please don’t work yourself too hard.”

“Ah, thank you very much. I am off to bed then.”

He says with a chuckle and starts to put away the documents. I couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“Have a good night.”

“And you as well.”

We ended that polite interaction and headed off to our rooms. I was on the third floor, but so was Daniela. Though, our rooms were separate. I handed Daniela her key and entered my room. I hadn’t noticed as I was walking and talking, but apparently, I was quite drunk. And it only took a few minutes after falling into bed for me to travel into the world of dreams.

And in the dream, I was working at the convenience store. The uniform I was wearing felt very nostalgic as I dealt with midnight customers. This was a time when the complaints tended to start coming. Salarymen who had to work late hours. Taxi drivers who had to deal with drunk customers. Hosts and hostesses who stopped by the convenience store after work. There was quite a variety of customers at midnight.

I was waiting idly as I had finished cleaning and everything else when a certain customer entered the store. The person was wearing sweatpants and shirt and held their wallet in their hand as they stuffed snacks and drinks into a basket. The customer killed some time at the magazine rack before finally coming to the counter.

“Good evening.”

“…”

Being ignored by customers was the norm. The ones that spat out a barrage of complaints were the special kind. And so it didn’t bother me. All I needed to do was scan the barcodes.

“That will be 2,150 yen.”

“…”

“Yes, that’s 3,000 yen then. Here is the change. 850 yen. Thank you.”

I offer the bag of groceries. But the customer does not take it.

“Is something the matter?”

“…”

“Um…”

The customer stares at me silently. I stare back without thinking, and it suddenly hits me that she is incredibly beautiful. But there was also something familiar about her. Was she famous?

“Asagi.”

“Huh?”

“Asagi…Asagi…”

The customer calls my name. I didn’t understand how she could have known. But the more I think, a fog seems to fill my head, and nothing comes together.

“Asagi…Asagi…”

“Sorry? Uh, excuse…”

The customer grabs my hands instead of the bag. The hands are cold, and as pretty as she is, this is slightly eerie.

“Ah, could you please let…”

“Asagi…Asagi…”

“L-let go, just let go!”

“Asagi…!”

“Ahhh, stop!”

The arms that are clutching my hands begin to distort as my vision becomes blurry. My body is swaying as if I am floating in water.

“Asagi! Hey, Asagi!”

“Customer…customer…”

“Who are you calling a customer! Wake u-, aghh, sto-, let go of me you fool!”

“Bahh…what…?”

My eyes slowly opened and the mysterious customer transformed into Daniela. She was practically hovering over me. Her face was bright red. I didn’t understand what was going on. But the dream had been so frightening, yet the familiar face in front of me now was somehow terribly nostalgic and dear to me.

“Asagi? I, mmm…!”

Before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around her and our lips had pressed together.