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 wasnt 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, lets 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 dont 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 Fhiraldos guild had always been a rowdy place . I didnt hate that atmosphere to be honest, but I didnt hate this either . I saw myself becoming a regular in a place like this .
We didnt 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 wasnt 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 grat.i.tude 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 . Im a swordsman like Wesley and Rex .
They were all advance guards I couldnt help but think as I shook hands with them .
Farid . Im 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 .
Its 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 wasnt exactly happy about it and Im 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 dont 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 Dont 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 its 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 wasnt even a short pause in the conversation . A real hotelman .
Thank you . Please dont 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 doc.u.ments . I couldnt 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 hadnt 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 didnt bother me . All I needed to do was scan the barcodes .
That will be 2,150 yen .
Yes, thats 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?
AsagiAsagi
Huh?
AsagiAsagi
The customer calls my name . I didnt understand how she could have known . But the more I think, a fog seems to fill my head, and nothing comes together .
AsagiAsagi
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
AsagiAsagi
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!
Customercustomer
Who are you calling a customer! Wake u-, aghh, sto-, let go of me you fool!
Bahhwhat?
My eyes slowly opened and the mysterious customer transformed into Daniela . She was practically hovering over me . Her face was bright red . I didnt 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 .