Warily staring at the young man, I slowly took a step back. I didn’t expect to meet someone that would recognize me. How could even a kid like that remember me? Wouldn’t memories at that age be hazy? I was just a random girl that gave a kid some food out of a whim.
I didn’t know being recognized by this person would really mean. What it would cost. As long as he wasn’t someone important, it should be alright. Or perhaps I could just dispose of him. It was surprising that this guy was even still alive after the war, how lucky some people are.
“That is you, right? Your color is different but your face, I’m certain it’s you.”
There was no escaping this, so I decided to let this play out. “I remember you. You’re bigger now.”
His amiable smile widened, and he nodded. “You were a big part of that reason.”
I frowned. “How could I? It was just some bread.”
“There was a lot of bread.”
Indeed, it was a full bag. I bought extras even though it was only me who was supposed to eat them all. Extras were necessary in case I couldn’t have some food when hungry, or if some of my classmates would ask for some.
“But because of that, I got to eat. And also give food to my sick, hungry mother.”
“... Is that so…?”
“That moment meant a lot to me.”
“...”
He stared at me with a tender gaze. “Why did you change your appearance?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Oh, ah, of course. Sorry.” He scratched the back of his head. “Let me introduce myself. My name’s Filo.”
“... Syndra.”
“Syndra…” He smiled, glad. “After all these years, I finally know your name. I never got to thank you. Can I invite you out?”
“Invite me out?”
“Let me express my thanks properly, by letting me cook for you.”
“... You cook?”
He awkwardly chuckled. “Ironic, right? A food, for a food. So, what do you say?”
“... Will they be good?”
“Hehe, people say they’re good. But I’ll do my best.”
I pondered about it, but why not? I needed to do things to clear my mind, anyway. Eating some food wouldn’t be too bad. It was also a good time to investigate what this guy does. I would like to refrain from killing random people in the city that might lead to them being searched for or investigated. If he was someone insignificant, then there was no need to worry about him.
“Very well.”
“Thank you, really. Please follow me.”
He started walking back to the path he came from, and I followed closely behind him. I covered my head with my hood. There were still some people rushing towards the plaza.
“Everyone’s excited,” Filo said.
“What about you? You’re about to miss your hero.”
He casually shrugged. “That’s fine. This is more important to me.”
“... Oh.” I lowered my gaze. I didn’t expect that someone would prioritize me over that hero. But, he must be feeling a good amount of gratitude, which I could not understand. It was from such a simple, short gesture.
“Besides, not like I’m really missing out. The hero will appear again next time. But meeting you again, now that is surprising.”
“... Yeah, what a coincidence.”
“I’ve been wanting to see you again, just to thank you. But I could never find you around the city. Are you not from here?”
“No. I’m from a place far away.”
“I see. I’m just glad to finally meet you again. And you didn’t seem to change much, except for the colors.”
“I have a good diet. Just do not fall into stress. Stress ages you faster.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve seen some people age years in just a span of months because of stress. Especially during the war with the demons. Ah, we’re almost there.”
A moment later, we arrived at a building. From the looks of it, it was a restaurant. Written on the board at the entrance was “Steaming Joy.” Filo opened the door.
“Welcome to my restaurant! Please come in.”
“... This place is yours?”
“Yup.”
I slowly stepped inside. It was a decently sized restaurant. Several wooden tables and cushioned chairs, simple paintings on the wall, flowers in vases, and wide glass windows. Looked like a place an average earner could afford.
“Impressive, you built a place like this. Especially despite your age.” It was surprising that he could establish his own business. If I wasn’t transported to another world, I would still be at school. No way I could create a business from scratch. If not in school, I might be doing nothing or slaving away to big corporations.
“It had its challenges.”
I looked around. It was empty. “Where is everyone?”
“Yeah, I let all the staff go see the hero. There won’t be any customers, anyway.”
Guess everyone would be out there to see the hero. That was just how loved Cyrus was, which was unnerving.
“Oh.”
My reflection appeared and started looking around the place.
Filo pulled a chair by the table at the center. “Please take a seat.”
He slowly pushed the chair as I sat down on it. “Feel free to pick whatever you want.” He was about to bring the menu, but I stopped him.
“Anything that you are most comfortable with is fine.”
“Really? Then I’ll prepare you my best dish.”
I rested my hands on the table. “I’ll wait. And make sure you eat too. It would be embarrassing if I eat alone.” Very awkward too. What, he just stands there and I eat alone? Would he just going to stare at me all that time? No.
He smiled widely. “Perfect.”
He went into the kitchen and started cooking. It was then that my reflection sat on the chair opposite of me. She had that deep frown on her face, like she was puzzled.
“We’re surprised you’re letting yourself get dragged along like this. You have confirmed his job. No need to linger.”
Dragged along? Is that how you see it?
“There’s no point mingling with some human, someone so insignificant.”
There is free food.
“Mm. We think this is more than free food.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is it because you met someone you helped in the past? Does it really matter to you?”
Not really.
“No… It is. You felt… pleased. Pleased that someone you helped is still alive. Pleased that someone appreciated your actions..”
… That’s not true.
“You can’t lie to us. We know your feelings. And now you’re here and being friendly… Could it be that you seek connection?”
What…? What sort of nonsense are you saying?
“You can’t be seriously seeking connection. That is so… human.”
So what?
“You are no longer human. No matter what you do, it will be for naught. And you can never be human again. No matter how you try to act as one.”
I glared at her.
Listen here, you pest. I talk with whoever I please. No matter what reason you think I do so, it is none of your business. I do what I want. You have no say in any of it. So shut up.
She briefly laughed. “In the end, you will only make things harder for yourself. A monster will always be a monster.”
With that, she disappeared like smoke.
I waited patiently for my food. The smell of it coming out from the kitchen reached me. It smelled good.
Some time later, Filo returned carrying two plates with different dishes on them. He placed them on the table, then grabbed glasses of juice and a pair of empty plates and forks and spoons.
“They look and smell good,” I said with a small smile.
“That’s a relief to hear.”
“Let’s eat.” I pointed at the seat on the other side of me.
He sat down. Then I started scooping some food onto my own plate. This one was minced meat with some vegetables and sauce. I took a spoonful and started chewing.
I nodded. “It is delicious. For someone who had no food to eat, you certainly are pretty good now at making them.”
“I learned under my master. It was not easy to find someone that was willing to accept a kid like me. But, I didn’t give up. Because I knew there must be a good person out there willing to help someone in need.” He chewed on his food.
“That’s an optimistic view.”
He briefly chuckled. “It is, isn’t it? But I know it’s real in one place or another. You’re the one who convinced me of that.”
“Me…?” I couldn’t see how I could help with such a view. We never even had a conversation.
“Your kind gesture of giving me food…” He lowered his head, as if remembering the past with a hint of sadness. “Everyone I met before never gave me any help, food or anything. I begged people to help my sick mother, but none helped. Others would even kick me just to drive me away.”
He truly was someone who had nothing. This city in the past never had it good, especially for beggars or paupers. Typical from a ruler that never cared about the little people.
“I gave up looking for help. But it was very depressing.” He looked at me with a bright expression. “And then you came along. Offered me bread I didn’t even ask for. There, I saw good people truly exist out there.”
I grabbed the other dish. It was meat sliced into small pieces. “... I only did it on a whim, not for being good. It was not that deep.”
“I don’t think so. If you were not good, then you would have disregarded me.”
“...” I ate my food, unable to respond to that.
“So, thank you so much, Miss Syndra. Because of you, I saw the good in people. And… helped me extend my mother’s life. Your bread helped me, truly.”
Such a small thing helped someone. I couldn’t even imagine.
“Extended your mother’s life, huh?” From such a small act of good. Of generosity.
“She needed to eat the most compared to me. It gave her the strength to hold on.”
“How is she now?”
“Sadly, she had died of the same sickness. It caught up to her. However, I had almost three extra years with her. And that was enough. It’s already a miracle she lived as long as she did.”
“... Were the both of you happy during that time?”
He smiled widely. “Yes. Very happy.”
“That is good…”
Talking about this, it reminded me of my mother. She was a healthy woman, although a bit strict. Still, she cooked me all the food I needed. Being brought to this world truly dragged me away from the people that I loved. And brought me all this misfortune.
I looked at the place. “And you built this place from the ground up.”
“Yes, after the war. The demons essentially destroyed this city, and people had to flee. You were not here, I guess?”
“... No.”
“That’s great. You were safe from the war.”
“... Hm.”
“Will you be staying here for the festival? It will be fun.”
“Yes.”
“In that case, if you decide to eat here, order what you wish and you’ll get it for free.”
“That’s too much, Filo.”
“It’s alright.”
“... If you say so.” But I would likely not take that offer. Not going back here.
Time passed, and we had finished eating all the food. I grabbed the napkin and gently rubbed my lips.
“It has been enjoyable, Filo. The food was splendid. You indeed have incredible talent.”
He briefly chuckled. “Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“It was nice talking to you. But it’s time I take my leave.” I looked outside. People were starting to return.
“Already?” He sounded disappointed. “… Sure, of course. Let me see you out.”
He guided me outside and opened the door for me with a smile. I hooded my head and stepped outside.
“Will I see you again?” he asked.
“If we cross paths. This is a small city, after all.”
He nodded.
“Ah, please, don’t mention me to anyone,” I continued. “Not anything about me. Please.”
“If you wish to.”
I nodded with a pleased smile. “Goodbye, Filo.”
“... Goodbye, Miss Syndra. Until next time.”
I left the restaurant.
“So, did it feel nice to see someone so grateful to you?”
I don’t know. I can’t comprehend that such a small action could mean so much to a person.
Enough to change their whole life. No, this was because of Filo’s own actions. Not because of me. I was but a drip in the lake that caused a small ripple in his life.