Vol. 1: Chapter 1 - Part 5

Volume 1: Chapter 1 – Part 5Author: Geraint

In the guest room where Lilith and I were staying, I sat on the tatami floor. A rectangular mirror leaned against the wall, reflecting my face—dark brown hair, glowing red devilish eyes, and fair skin—with a solemn expression.

But the mirror didn't show how I truly felt. I was wearing new clothes that felt cool and comfortable, unlike my old outfit from my home world, which felt cumbersome here. A dark blue shirt and black shorts—simple casual wear I'd bought using the allowance the young doctor had given me.

"Seir-sama! Lunch is ready! They're calling us down!" Lilith slid open the door and called out. She refused to wear anything other than her maidservant dress; it was her pride to serve me, and her new dress was a bit shorter and frillier, making her look more appealing.

"All right, I'm coming." I stood up and followed her downstairs.

At the small table, Lilith and I stared confusedly at a bowl of grain with two sticks laid parallel beside it.

"Huh?"

The mother and daughter ate with ease using the sticks. I picked one up hesitantly.

"Seir-kun, what's wrong?" Shiina asked, watching me.

I jabbed the stick into the bowl, trying to scoop the grains.

"Hyaah! That's not how you use it!" she panicked.

"Ayaka, hurry and get the spoons!" her mother called out, clearly frustrated by my mess.

After lunch, Shiina took us around the town. We walked together until we reached a park where children played, chasing each other.

"This is the playground where most children here come to play," Shiina explained.

"…Okay." Lilith and I exchanged confused looks, creating an awkward silence.

"Eh?" Shiina looked confused.

"Eh?" we both asked.

"Don't you want to play with them?" Shiina blushed, flustered.

"Play with them? That's…" Lilith frowned.

"Shiina, how old are you?" I asked.

"I'm 12. What about you two?" she smiled.

"Same. Lilith and I are both 12," I answered.

"Most kids playing here are around our age," Shiina said. Lilith's disappointed face made me smirk.

"Seriously? Kids our age should be at home helping parents! Those kids are lazy!"

"Eeek!" Shiina jumped at her tone.

"They should be like me—working hard to serve our great future king!" Lilith said proudly, until I interrupted and tapped her shoulder.

"Calm down, Lilith. We're here to learn about the town."

Shiina approached a group of girls chatting nearby, but their expressions soured when they saw her. They whispered, then walked away without a word.

"Umm…"

She looked hurt as she walked back, but was suddenly bumped by two boys kicking a ball. She fell to the ground.

"Kyah!"

Instead of apologizing, they glared at her.

"It's you again! What are you doing here?!"

"Oh, it's a cursed child!"

"My parents said don't get near her or we'll get cursed too!"

"That's scary!"

"Get lost, monster!"

I saw the other kids in the park glare at her with hatred.

"Seir-sama, this is…"

"It seems the whole neighborhood knows about her condition."

Tears streamed down Shiina's face from the cruel treatment until one of the boys picked up the ball and threw it at her.

"Huh?"

I caught it with my left hand and instantly appeared beside Shiina. She looked at me surprised.

"Seir-kun?"

"What are you doing, ganging up on one girl?"

"Who the hell are you?!"

"Why are you protecting that monster?"

They recoiled at my sudden appearance.

"So that's how she's treated. You're the worst kind of kids—I'm disgusted."

"What did you say?!"

"Let's teach him a lesson!"

"Beat him up!"

They charged at me. I threw the ball at the nearest boy's face, then it bounced to the next, knocking each of them out in turn until all lay unconscious.

"You're not worth fighting. Weaklings should know their place."

The other children watched in shock. I glared at them, and they fled the park, terrified.

"Shiina, are you okay?" I helped her up with a smile, making her cheeks flush.

"Yes…" she said, holding my hand.

I noticed dirt on her white sleeveless shirt and light blue pleated skirt. I brushed it off gently.

"Kyah!"

She immediately turned away, flustered.

"What are you doing, Seir-kun?!"

"There was dirt—"

"I think it's too soon for you to touch me!" she blushed deeper.

Curious, I tried the same with Lilith's skirt from behind.

"There's some dirt here too, Lilith."

"Sorry for the trouble, Seir-sama. I'll wash it thoroughly later."

Her reaction was calm and proper.

Shiina's bewildered face said it all.

"Eh?!"

As we walked home, Shiina fidgeted before speaking.

"Umm… Seir-kun?"

"Yes?"

"I'd prefer if you called me by my first name."

"Shiina?"

She looked shocked.

"No, that's my family name. My first name is Ayaka."

"But you introduced yourself as Shiina Ayaka."

"That's the order here."

"Then I'll call you by your first name. Aya—huh?"

A luxurious car pulled up in front of the house. A beautiful woman stepped out, her long blonde hair flowing as she removed her sunglasses. She wore a navy office suit.

She smiled as she looked toward us and approached.

"You're Himiko's daughter, right? Have you seen my husband around?" she asked Ayaka.

To be continued.