Chapter 10

I. Two sides of a coin - guess it right or just enjoy the story.

Modern Fictitious(or not) Earth 20xx – z(?)

A baby girl was born from a normal family that runs a business. During those times, being born from a middle-class family should assure one of having live a life better than commoners, that’s how it have always been. The family could afford a good accommodation at a good hospital so mother gave birth to the baby safe and easy. The baby was also carried well while she was still inside her mother and she was healthy so there had been no issues upon giving birth to her.

“It was a success”

The doctor told the married couple

“Here’s your baby mam, sir, she’s a sweet and healthy little girl.”

The doctor said as she handed over the newly born baby to excitedly waiting parents.

The mother gently held her sweet little child crying in happiness the same time as the baby cried on that ward at the hospital that night.

---

Their family runs a clothing store at the city as their business. Back during those days when tall buildings and huge malls were still not constructed at the center of the city, having a clothing store as a business grants a family enough fortune already to sustain the needs of a small family. There were times that business had been booming and there were times too that it’s ‘business-as-usual’ mode.

“Mother, mother, I want to play at the open yard.”

The sweet little child pulled the skirt of her mother while she was prepping the ingredients for cooking dinner.

“Sigh… Who’s going with you? Whoa are you playing with?”

“Boy x from the neighborhood. His mama will come to watch us so it will be fine.”

“Do you know how to get to their house?”

“It’s just right in front of ours. Hehehe.”

Perhaps the mother had been worried for nothing. She could entrust her little daughter with the neighborhood too since they were in good terms. She have decided it would be alright to let her daughter play outside.

“I’m going to call her to check for you, okay? Just don’t get too far and wander away from your guardians.”

“Okaaaaay~~”

The sweet little daughter skipped out of the kitchen but she suddenly stopped. Her mother looked at her.

She suddenly rushed back and gave her mother a hug. She then crouched and pushed her cheeks onto her which seemed like she was waiting for something.

KIIIIIIIS~~

The sweet little girl gave her mother a kiss before she headed out.

This had been a normal instance for their family. The father works at their shop business during days so the mother will be the one to watch over the house as a housewife and do the household chores. At times she would be able to watch over her daughter play outside, sometimes she had to entrust her to her neighbor which she had been on best terms with.

The sweet little girl became even more cheerful.

The baby girl grew up to a playful kid that always tried to always do things on her own and tend to cause a lot of trouble to her parents. But the parents payed no mind, it was a part of growing up. There were times that she would get scolded too, but as much as she could, she would want to live her life freely.

She then grew up as free as she would.

---

Modern Earth, 20xy

“Siiiiiigh…” –Seria gave a long sigh.

As she looked at the bundle of papers at the table that was supposed to be Fred’s draft, she could see a mug of coffee suddenly landing towards the table as it came from her back. Of course somebody was holding it at an act of handing it over to her. You don’t actually see floating mugs of coffee being served to you due to somebody’s esper powers, or just thrown at you like a Molotov. Those things are not something you would see at Earth.

“Come on now, it’s too early to be sighing. Here, a mug of coffee”

“You don’t say, Old man… But di I look like someone who would let mornings like these pass without giving a sigh?”

“Shush!, why the ‘Old man’ nickname by the way?”

“I don’t see why not? It’s more fun this way. Besides if you needed to get angry at someone, get angry at Fred, he’s the one who made that nickname alive again.”

“Hmp. Suit yourself.”

These two colleagues Seria and Old man were two editors, assigned to different persons, but at least had been assigned to Fred once. Old man was the former, and Seria, the current. It was too early but they were already quarreling like kids. They had just been that way since the start.

“What have you been thinking?” –Old man asked her again.

“Why does it concern you? We’re not like secret lovers having an affair. You have your wife and family, I have my freedom. Why are you trying to pry much? Remember, you’re not Fred’s editor anymore.”

“I know, it’s just that…”

“If you’re being concerned about Fred’s new serialization then might as well be concerned about Anemone’s work or even more.”

Old man made a pause, took a sip at his coffee, and breathe out a sigh.

“It’s going so smooth that it’s very troubling, that’s why I wanted to take a short break and think about Fred’s.”

“That doesn’t sound very helpful and productive.”

Anemone had so much talent that it even scared Old man. He have acknowledged Fred’s drawing style that could match and adjust to any type of story he’s drawing, yet Anemone’s talent was different. Contrary to Fred’s art that adopts to stories, Anemone’s art style is so solid and steady that it even shapes the story she’s writing to just a single genre which she excelled upon.

Both talents were overwhelming at their different forte.

At first Anemone didn’t want how her stories turns out. Of course who would like to create something with a goal in mind but then turns out the exact different one from what they expected. Drawing was a thing, shaping a story would be a different story. Fred and Anemone’s skills with regards to it was just on par with each other but Anemone excelled at a part which Fred could not do: writing stories. Old man had took advantage of this and had her write a story and draw them just the same as the way she’s been doing. It was a drastic move yet it produced Godly results, results which he found almost comparable to Fred’s award-winning oneshot.

Now Anemone had been releasing chapters which piqued the interest of a huge number of readers in an instant and she had been going stable already with her career and first series. On the other hand, Fred have been on a slowly but steady moving ship. A ship he’s been sailing. He’d get to the same destination too but not as fast as how Anemone’s sailing hers.

“Anemone being popular right now doesn’t mean it will always stay that way. You shouldn’t be too lax about it. There will and will come a time where she will suddenly encounter parts she will need to improve. You should be always there to guide her when that happens.”

“Yes yes, I’ve been ready for that. For the meanwhile, Fred…”

“There’s something that he had not been telling you, nor to me too, right? He’s been hiding something from us.”

“That’s what not I would like to think, but that’s what I’ve been feeling for long.”

“His award-winning oneshot.”

The two of them agreed upon one thing. While looking at Fred’s oneshot which Seria have read multiple times after being assigned to him. They knew Fred had been unstable and was acting strange when anybody would be opening up about ‘that’ oneshot.

Why did he decided to drop his first serialization?

Why did he decided to do an original?

Why did he not want to serialize ‘that’ oneshot?

“Well, whatever it is, he’ll talk to us about it when he’s ready, so it’s best not jump in to conclusions.”

“I know, I know.”

“Besides…”

Seria did a pause. She got the mug filled with hot coffee which she have nearly forgotten that was still left untouched after Old man had served it to her near the pile of papers. She lifted the mug, blew the steam coming off from it, and took a sip.

“…What have brought you upon the thought of me thinking and being worried about Maou Spence-sensei?”

“Eh? Come again? That’s what not you’ve been sighing for?”

“HA HA HA!! Jumping into conclusions immediately! That’s sooooo-like you Old man.”

“Geez, your outward actions and appearance compared to what’s on your mind really are conflicting. You really are a free and unpredictable spirit.”

“Hmm… Let’s see. Maybe I was thinking about my past experiences again.”

“Come on now, you’re telling another set of stories from waaay back decades ago. Don’t treat each person you talk too like the same as your age bracket.”

“But I’m not sure too, those are events I could’ve long forgotten already.”

What was she thinking? If ever what she said was true, what made her recall events from her past? Her experiences?

It must be this draft, huh?

She just had several thoughts flashing on her mind as she finished reading the draft time per time: a fictitious story that only she could think of. She with her vast mind and experience.

---

Modern Fictitious(or not) Earth 20xx – z(?)

Once upon a time at a town several train stations away from where a sweet little girl’s cradle called a home could be found, there once lurked a legendary yankee* called the ‘Daredevil of the West’ or in short, oftenly nicknamed as the ‘Daredevil’. It had been said that the existence of this certain individual have shaken the entire gang body of the whole town.

The sweet little girl was about to graduate from her middle school. She was not particularly a popular student nor an edgy outcast of the classroom which were often being either the main cast or a supporting character of an action battle or romance school tv shows.

She had friends, a group or a circle of playmates and hangout buddies of her own, but they were not really that popular. They perhaps just didn’t want to.

Despite being a normal sweet little happy girl at a young age with a fulfilling school life, the girl still sought out for something new. She had always liked venturing into the parts unkown as a free-spirited girl. Before assuring her spot for graduation, she started to realize:

By the direction of where I’m headed, I’ll be just following a single path with no other possible new routes to encounter. This isn’t good.

That’s just how her mind works. She had to find or do something new to her or she would think that she will only be just like another normal person with a set path. What she wanted was to be an adventurer of her own.

Back at their house one afternoon, she started talking to her mother and father.

“Mother, Father, I want to live alone for a while. I wanted to enroll at xx-high at yy-town.”

“Eh? What brought this on?” –Her mother asked her.

Perhaps she have lived a life so free that it started to affect her thought process and her way of living at a very young age. The parents knew that a day would come that the little girl will be ready to move out and start to live on her own. But it was very early, a free little girl to live by herself while studying at a faraway place away from her parents. It really does not sound safe by the standards but it was at least possible.

What made the little girl want to study to a faraway place? There had been schools within their town too. So why did the little girl chose to study at a school away from the reach of her parents?

“You see, I’m in a relationship with boy X, and he’s studying at xx-high. So I thought it would be nice if we could go together at the same school.”

“No.” –Her mother immediately shutdown her argument.

“But mother…”

She was prepared to lose the argument. Rather, there was no truth at all to her story. There was never a boy x nor a relationship with boy x to begin with. All she ever wanted to do that time was to enjoy her freedom and live her youth to the fullest. At some point in life she was curious of living alone. But it seemed that it was too early to ask. She must have realized her mother had the valid reason to reject.

Her reason was inappropriate at the very first place. The story she made up to support her request was not something to be considered normal considering her age. A normal parent would only be worried to death, knowing that their only daughter was living alone to be at the same school as her childhood crush. Who knows what were to happen if you leave two children in a relationship on their own?

“Sigh… You’re not being too stubborn about it. Considering how you’ve always acted I find this surprising.”

The mother gave a sigh. She knew her message reached her daughter, but she’s quite confused to at the way she reacted.

“Well… I’m really being unreasonable on my end. Even I have realized that too.”

She looked at her father which changed his expression. She’s quite confused as to why.

“I told you she’s matured quite a bit.” –He started speaking up.

“Well I admit I lose this time.”

“Hey could you stop making bets on my growth as a human being? I’m not comfortable with it, even if you’re both my parents.” –she pouted.

“Ah sorry about that sweetie. We’re not trying to make bets on you. We’re just checking if you could weigh in and choose right decisions on your own… Just a bit.”

What playful parents. –the girl just sighed out her complains as she could not really do that to them, now that they have taken the wheels of the topic. She assessed it won’t gain her any more if she were to argue even more.

“If you will be really stubborn about enrolling at a school far from here I guess we could let you…”

“Wha-??!”

The girl was surprised. There was a sudden 180 with the current path of their discussion.

“…BUT! You won’t be living alone. This may just be another coincidences but one of your aunts are running a hot spring business at that town. If you were to enroll at xx-high I could ask them to let you stay at the inn and help them at managing it. You would be able to stay there for free and at the same time you will have work experience at the inn.”

“Mother…”

The girl was teary-eyed.

The girl didn’t thought that far ahead. All she wanted was for her to be able to experience living alone and get a part time job. Both to save money and support her financial needs. She had been researching since she started her middle school days about these kinds of things. She would be able to come up with a better story, or rather ask her parents directly if she just only knew she had an aunt living at that town too.

At that moment the girl realized that she could still not beat her parents. How many steps ahead were they at the race of life?

“You could just tell her that at the very start, you don’t have to test her.”

“Shush! This is for the better.”

“Is it… really alright?”

The girl still had doubts. She thought that if ever this would be a dream then she have to wake up right now before it would hit her hard after going back to reality. She pinched her cheeks.

“Of course it’s not. Who knows how much we’ll be missing you? You should remember to visit back here at home often okay?”

Her mother leveled herself to embrace her. She hugged her tightly.

“I will mother, father, I promise.”

The little girl embraced her mother and father. It was an act of gratitude that really should not be explained to the parents anymore. She was happy about the results but quite unsatisfied because at the end it was still her parents that covered for her misses.

“Besides, we you don’t have to make up a story about being in a relationship with boy x. We don’t even know him. He’s not on the list of your classmates.”

The girl just let out a sigh. She was found out right from the start.

The girl just let out a smile and said, “Thank you, mother, father.”

---

A month passed and she have graduated from middle school. She said goodbyes to her current friends but she promised to them that she would return and meet up with them just like old times. She managed to pass her entrance examination at xx-high and finalized her moving out. Talking out with her aunt to let her live and help out at the inn went in like a breeze. That’s to be expected of her parents.

It was the final day with her parents. Everything’s packed up and ready to go. She faced her parents standing at the front yard and sending her off.

“Always be careful in there. I’ll get in touch with your aunt and have her monitor your studies. You’ve been always a free and adventurous spirit that does whatever just come into your mind. Who knows what you might end up doing without my guidance? Always know your limitations. Don’t cause too much trouble for them”

“Mmm.”

“Always keep in touch with us. Feel free to return here during your vacations, okay?”

“Mmm.”

“Take care, okay?”

“Mmm.”

She just gave faint nodding answers to her mother as she talked to her and told her dos and don’ts.

The light of the morning illuminated at their garden which added a dramatic effect to the scene.

It was a painful separation for her parents but it was not like she will not be able to meet them anymore. She will return once she’s gained the experience she wanted and once she’s satisfied.

With all’s said and done, she gave her parents a cheerful smile which she always does ever since she’s a little girl. She’s growing, maturing and always gaining new knowledge but it did not stop her from showing her parents that her childishly happy side did not vanish completely. Her mother shed a tear and her father looked satisfied.

“I’ll return” –She said. The little chick is ready to venture a whole new environment she had not experienced before.

She left the house.

The ‘Daredevil’s’ existence was yet to be born at that time.

---

The time she spent to travel towards the town where her aunt lives was not that long. It took a few hours but not a half day. So arriving a bit early at the station, she had a bit of a free time to stroll the little town. The buildings were quite old but well-maintained. The streets were narrow compared to the main city but at least the main road was a standard two-lane one.

Breathes in…

Breathes out…

Carrying her luggage, she caught her breath.

“Well, that’s quite aesthetic.”

It’s a small town.

The high school she got admitted was the only school available there but at least it could accommodate the whole student population of the town. Admitting another student from a far city would not affect that much to the student body.

She started walking in attempt to find herself the school she got admitted.

The whole town was laid in the slopes of the mountains so it had not been geographically flat. The streets were always going up and down and the orientation of how the houses were arranges on the streets were just following the slopes. You could be considered lucky if you had a house at the higher grounds as you could see a great view of the whole town.

She continued walking up the slope.

“Ah, there it is!”

From the high ground that she was standing the girl could see a great scenery of the streets that were laid downwards and the bodies of water flowing downstream towards a creek that was at the bottom of the mountains. From where she’s standing she could also see the school she was about to study at.

“So I’ll be spending three years at that school, huh?”

Breathes in… breathes out…

“What a nice smell.”

It was true.

The town’s smell was filled with the smell of leaves and hot spring. It could not be the same at the very foot of the mountain because the hot springs was located at the top most part of the town. It could take minutes to walk upwards due to the slope. But the ambiance of the place once you get there was very fulfilling.

“Well I guess I should start heading to auntie’s now. That’s enough sight-seeing.”

With her side-quest’s objective fulfilled, she decided to finally reach her destination: her aunt’s house. Their house was located at the higher part of the town as they were running a hot-spring business. The deal was to have her stay and help managing the inn while she studies at her school of choice.

It happened as she started walking.

Footsteps

then footsteps of others.

She could hear footsteps of several people approaching her from behind.

BUMP!

She was suddenly thrown at the sides of the street as a bunch of people suddenly appeared at her back and walked on groups and occupied the whole space on the streets like it’s nothing.

“Hey what’s the big idea?!” –she called for the one that bumped her.

“HUUUUH?!”

The one ho bumped her turned around and answered her at an agitated tone. It was too early to be angry and exhausted at that time of the day so the girl was confused at first. Her nerves were nearly popping out of her forehead.

It was when she realized that they were no ordinary group of people. She realized that this subculture have been becoming more and more popular lately. She have remembered her parents always reminding her not to ever make contact with these kinds of people.

What stands before her was a group of Yankees.

“Boss, it seems like the little girl had a problem with us.” –the girl who bumped her talked to what she addressed to as their boss. Of course it was a girl too.

It was an all-girl gang. These girls had different distinguishing appearance. Others dyed their hair, others had

The ‘boss’ was just standing still and haven’t even looked back towards the slumped little girl at the side of the road being looked by her members. The ‘boss’ had a mysterious air fleeting around her. That must be why a band of thug-wannabes had circled around her and refer to her as the ‘boss’.

“…”

The ‘boss’ just stood her, staring at her with that ‘eyes that stares to your soul’.

“Wha-what do you want? I’m sorry I was at the middle of the road. I won’t pry in anymore just leave me alone.”

The afraid little girl tried to break out of her situation by conceding and having the group leave her alone through peaceful resolution.

“Hoooh… Do you really think…”

The girl that bumped her started talking again.

Worse came to worst. She have agitated the members and now the leader had been concerned too. It was her fault too because she agitated them at first place. She just closed her eyes. She was ready to get beaten down.

“…we’re going to let you off the hook? HUUUH?! You’re new here. I don’t recognize your face. Boss, will it be alright to bring her with us?”

“Hmp. Suit yourself.”

And she was brought with them on a quick tour at their gang hideout.

As they started walking and headed towards their hideout she also wondered why the streets had been the same as to where she’s supposed to head. After a few minutes of walking they have finally entered the hot springs area. She wondered why a group of Yankees would be establishing their hideout at this kind of place at the first place. She also questioned herself if they were just headed because they will be taking a bath together.

Carrying her luggage she was escorted by the group, circling around her which let her had zero chance of escaping. She was like either a VIP being escorted towards a meeting or a prisoner being escorted towards her execution chamber.

“Heh, you’re pretty brave for a first timer. You know, not all of the girls around this town could withstand the presence of our group.”

The girl that bumped her started talking to her. She just did not bother and continued walking.

“Heeeh, ignoring me, huh? Let’s see if you could still ignore it when boss started talking with you.”

The afraid little girl looked at the one on the front, which they had been referring to as the ‘boss’. She noticed something. Being encircled with several intimidating thugs at first impression you would immediately think that she’s bad news and never to get involved with.

But…

At the same time there was also a mysterious air around her that gathers girls around her age. From how she looked at it, she’s just a normal high school girl like her.

As they were reaching the ‘hideout’ the little girl realized that she had been reaching her destination too. This must better not be a huge coincidence as what I’ve been thinking. This thought have been repeating at her head for the past minutes they have been walking.

A certain conversation with her mother had flashed at her mind, just before they reached their destination. A scene back from her grade school days.

---

“Mother, what are these?” –she pointed out at the newspaper her mother have been reading. The newspaper quality is low and old unlike to those being printed at modern times but the pictures should still be clear enough.

“Oh, those were Yankees. They’re being quite popular nowadays, but I don’t see anything good with associating with them.”

“Why?”

“Hmmm. Just listen your mother this time and try to not make contact with them as much as you can, am I making myself clear? Just this time.”

“Okay!” –the sweet little girl gave a grin after promising her mother.

---

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” –the little girl said in shock as she stood right in front of her aunt’s house.

The ‘boss’ stood at the very front of the inn’s yard. There inside the yard a lady at her middle thirties could be seen sweeping the dried leaves scattered at the lawn. She was the little girl’s aunt. The little girl was just waiting for the ‘boss’ to hand down the hammer of justice and completely shatter her doubts and second thoughts about the whole exact scene.

“Ma, I’m home. I’ve brought the whole gang with me. Oh we’ve encountered a new girl at the streets. She picked a fight with us though, so I’ve brought her here too.”

As shocked as the little girl was, the lady suddenly let go of the broom having it topple downwards at the ground. She held her cheeks with her hands and smiled.

“Oh my! What a coincidence! Thanks for picking up your cousin! I knew she could manage to get here but I’m still worried she might get lost. The town’s like a labyrinth after all.”

Everybody went silent. Wind blew and scattered the leaves the mother was sweeping. The little girl scratched her head and looked at the ‘boss’

“Eh?!” –The ‘boss’ were startled.

“Eh?!” –Her group followed her of course.

At that time the sweet little girl, who will eventually be known as the ‘Daredevil of the West’ still had yet to start a gang being led by herself and fulfill accomplishments that will lead her to the legendary title that had stayed at that town for decades. She started with a small band of gang wannabes but they gained name, conquered territories and eventually earned the title.

But the sweet little girl would start first as an attendee at her aunt’s inn, and serve as a wingman for her cousin(‘boss’) first. The story will have to wait.

---

Modern Earth, 20xy

“Well, how would you like that, Old man?! HAHAHA!!” –Seria teased Old man and striked his sides using her elbow.

“Ouch! What are you even doing?! You know I’m already experiencing muscle pains at my age. What would you do if my condition worsened?!”

“That should be up to you! I’m quite older yet I’m still healthy as a baby! What have you been doing for these last decades? Do you even workout your body?! You weakling!! HA HA HA!!”

Seria had been cheerfully laughing.

It had been just a few minutes since the two started a coffee break. They were at the cafeteria of their main office but it looked like they were wife and husband working at the same company doing their usual flirting thing at their break time. But believe it or not, those two were just normal colleagues, but not friends, which had been working as editors of Fred and Anemone.

“You have been telling the same story multiple times for about a year now. I’m getting tired of it.”

“But why would you?! It’s a serialization material! If I would be a mangaka the story would sell well!”

“But you suck at drawing, admit it.”

SMACK!

Old man took another hit at his sides. He groaned in pain but managed to recover.

“I always hit the mark. If you really wanted the story to get serialized then why don’t you lead Fred’s serialization towards it? I know you could.”

“You idiot, like I could do that?! And even if I could, I won’t.”

It was true that Fred’s award winning serialization was a romance based on opposing gang factions. But as they have talked earlier, Fred had been keeping a secret about the oneshot that he could not tell even directly to them privately. Fred didn’t want it serialized so the editors should respect his decision. One could only guide a mangaka but should not force one to make decision which would benefit the editor’s personal wish or request.

“Just tell me already that these are stories from your past experiences so I wouldn’t bother you so much by thinking that these are stories you just wanted to get serialized. Though I would really be troubled if you really are a yankee back at your days.”

“Well who knows? I’m getting old, not even I could remember anymore. Also, isn’t the title ‘daredevil of the west’ carry a nice ring to it?”

“No. It sounds like something a kid would make up during his eight grade days. How old are you anyways?”

“Well who knows? I’m getting old, not even I could remember anymore.”

“Ugh, give me a break.”

It was about time to wrap up their coffee break. They didn’t want to get yelled at by their colleagues nor the editor in chief due to over breaking. Seria’s story was a short one, yet it covered a long time.

The two of them hurriedly went back towards their stations and left the cafeteria, having Seria forget Fred’s draft that had been lying at the table.