🦊 🦊 🦊
WE arrive in front of a small wooden building with a homely, almost cozy feel to it. It seems to be a popular spot in town for folks who want a place to relax and enjoy some incredibly delicious and equally affordable food. So popular, in fact, that they have a limit on the number of customers they serve per day, requiring reservations days in advance. I can’t believe this is where we’re eating!
“Was it hard getting a reservation?” I ask, to which Ektor winks at me.
“The owner set aside a table just for us.”
“Lanakiller’s helped me out a lot in the past! When I heard they got a couple of new recruits on their hands, I said to myself, I can’t pass up the chance to give back to the guild! The least I can do is get you a table!” the owner tells me with a broad smile. He’s a very pleasant and jovial fellow, and I realize he’s probably one of the main reasons the restaurant is so popular.
“Then it’s thanks to Ektor, Rinny, and Macro that we’re here? I’m so grateful!” I say, not hiding my excitement.
The owner reaches over and pats my head while saying, “You’re such a good kid, huh?”
Wh-Wh-What? Why?
“Let’s start off with a toast,” Ektor says. “To Claire and Miku! Thanks for joining the guild and becoming our friends!”
“Thanks for helping us out! I’m always happy to answer any questions you got!” Rinny offers.
“You should probably ask me,” Macro interjects. “This ginger dummy never knows what he’s talking about.”
“What the heck does THAT mean?!”
I don’t know how a simple toast triggered another fight. Smirking, Ektor forces the toast past their fighting by raising his glass. Rinny and Macro are still glaring at each other, but they reluctantly raise their glasses anyway. Claire and I exchange glances before raising our own glasses.
“We look forward to working with you all! Now that we’re all in this together, I hope you’ll come to rely on us too,” Claire says.
“M-Me too,” I chime in. “I’ll do the best I can to be there for everyone! Cheers!”
Smiles appear on all our faces as we speak up in turn. I had no idea I could be this happy, being welcomed into a community outside of the village we grew up in. I’ve never experienced anything like this before!
I let the three guys choose from the menu, and every dish that came out was so yummy. I especially enjoyed the stir-fry meat and veggies with a sweet and spicy sauce. Claire loved the restaurant’s signature soup, seasoned with a myriad of spices. So much so, she asked the owner how to make it. I’m content to simply enjoy my food, but Claire’s always looking for a new recipe to add to her collection. That’s how much she loves to cook! Maybe the soup will make an appearance on the Lanakiller guild table in the near future. I wonder if she could learn how to make this amazing stir-fry, too!
“Miku, you should try this next,” Ektor says. “It’s my number one recommendation! Hey, Rinny! I got that for Miku, don’t go eating it on her!”
“What the heck, you cheapskate! Let’s order another plate!” Rinny blurts out.
Every piece of meat recommended by Ektor, so different from anything I’ve ever seen in my home village, is delicious! I can sense Macro staring hungrily at the meat on my plate…! Does he want some? I place a hunk of my meat on his plate, and his eyes widen in surprise before he quietly thanks me. His expression and tone of voice remain just as flat and expressionless as always, but I can tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he’s happy. Watching him enjoy his meal makes me so happy that all I want to do is keep his plate full. I’m really glad he loves it so much!
I feel like I’ve discovered so many new things today. Not just the amazing food in front of us, but through the mistakes we made earlier in the day out in the forest, and even just learning more about our three new friends. Being able to see them and this city in a new light while meeting new people, like the owner here, and discovering new places, like this restaurant.
My brain’s almost overwhelmed by the recent flood of new information, and I wonder if I’ll really be able to remember it all. With still more things to learn in the future, I worry about being able to keep up. I’m not sure if I can…but at least Claire is here with me. And my new friends. I’m sure there’ll be many bumps along the way, but I’ll work as hard as I can so I can enjoy more moments like this one.
“Miku? You look like you’re having a lot of fun… Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but make sure you don’t let your feelings get the best of you.”
As we’re eating, laughing, and having a great time, Claire leans over and whispers in my ear.
Hee-hee! I know exactly what she’s trying to say.
“Don’t mistake your happiness for love!” We both speak at the same time, and Claire’s eyes widen in surprise. A moment later, she bursts into laughter.
“Good! I’m glad you understand. Now then, have yourself a great time!”
“I will! And you should too, Claire.”
“I’m not enjoying this! Not even one bit! I have to make sure Ektor doesn’t try anything.” With that said, Claire reaches for more food.
Why can’t you just be honest for once? Even I can easily tell she’s having a great time!
There’s no ignoring the way her tail wags happily from side to side… I’m sure my tail’s doing the same.
I’m sure we’ll stumble into our fair share of difficulties in both life and work in the future. We may even end up fighting with our friends over who knows what. But I think that, together, we’ll be able to get through anything. In fact, I know it! I’ll keep doing the best I can!
May this happiness last forever and ever.
As I watch the warm scene around me, I say a silent prayer deep inside my heart.