Sandro / … 7

I made my way to the market after quietly collecting my belongings and leaving the residence. I desperately need to buy some food, I had no time to get any from the servant fridge.

I walk to a stall with primarily fruit. Mangoes always catch my eye. Their red and green gradient is beautiful and the vibrant orange-yellow on the inside is even better.

The sweet and juiciness of the inside is the best.

Hold on.. is somebody trying to talk to me? I'm trying to fantasize about eating one of these, please spare me from your idle talk.

"So you like mangoes too?"

"Uhh, yeah. They're pretty good."

"Why so cold? Please, put more effort into your speech. I know I randomly approached you but it's not my fault you stand out so much compared to these other people."

He smiles at me. It seems genuine but he just has this weird look to him. Whatever, he's kinda pretty.

His eyes are beautiful. He has very long, defined and dark eyelashes.

"Sorry about that. I just usually try not to bother myself with idle chatter or meeting new people. I'm a servant from a high society family so I don't have much time to talk to outsiders."

"Ohhh really?! That is like so cool! What brings you to the market today, bǎobèi?"

"Excuse me? Please stop trying to get so close to me. I really have no need for such inconveniences."

"Come onnn.. what are you at the market for, Mr servant boy?"

"I'm at the market to get food for my master, clearly."

"Hmm.. then why is there bruises on your arms and dried blood on your face? Very suspicious haha"

Please leave me alone.. I don't mind talking to people but this person seems so insufferable. I could've sworn I cleaned everything perfectly.

"My master beats me. That's all you need to know. Now move along and leave me be."

"I don't think so! How about we become friends?"

Maybe if I say yes he will quiet down and.. eventually move on from me. I guess it really isn't hurting anything to make a friend. Maybe they could give me a place to stay. Wait.. no.. that means I have to open up to them.

"Sure, I guess that would be okay."

"Okay! Grab some mangoes and let's go back to my residence"

He smiles very innocently and also very easily. He's kinda cute. I'll just stay for a little bit. I won't get too comfortable but it wouldn't hurt to have a little break, right?

We end up talking on the way to his residence. It was relatively close to the market and it didn't look as run down and peasant-like as expected.

"So tell me, why'd you choose to come to some strangers house if you're a high society families servant?"

"Well.. you were very persistent and I got curious. That's all."

"When are you gonna start being honest? Okay. Let's start with this! What's your name?"

"My name is Sandro. It seems you have seen through my scheme but I insist on getting to know you better before telling you my true story."

"That's fair! Hmm.. so you don't have a place to stay, Sandro? Also my name is Yuze!"

That name doesn't seem to be from Kaijuro or Iskandaya. Interesting. Also, how is he so perceptive? At first I truly just thought he was a mindless and emotionally immature person. Doesn't seem like he's so stupid after all. But why does he want to appear that way?

"You're correct, surprisingly. I don't have a place to stay, for personal reasons I was fired and kicked out. Also, what region is that name from? I don't seem to recognize it."

"I am from Linggua! I travelled here due to some personal problems, same as you haha!"

"Okay, I'm just gonna ask. Why the hell are you so happy about everything? Can you tone it down a notch? I can tell you aren't really like that. You seem to have intelligence but you try to make it seem like you lack. You can't trick me so easily, Yuze."

"What do you mean, Sandro? I'm simply doing as you are. It's not like you're telling the truth either."

"This simply isn't a competition about who can be the most dishonest. Just act like yourself. I'm acting like I truly am. Sure, I'm not telling you everything about my personal life but I'm not putting up a front to try and seem like some happy and cheerful guy when I'm really not."

"I am truly happy. If you are so angry about that, then why continue speaking to me? I bet you like me!"

"What the hell are you talking about? You're just acting ignorant and it's annoying me."

"Okay sureee.. anyways. Since you're a servant, can you cook something tasty for me to eat? I have many diverse ingredients in my kitchen to choose from!"

Does this guy really think I'm gonna cook a meal for some random person I just met? Sure, the heir to the Henry family was not the best master nor was he intelligent but he earned my respect after many years of serving him. I simply won't serve somebody I just met. Somebody that seems like a lower class than me, at that!

Well I'm hungry too... it's nearly midday and I haven't eaten since the dinner I had before the plan was executed. Maybe I should slip some poison in it just to get this guy off of my back. No, he doesn't seem like a bad person.. just very annoying and deceiving. If I didn't know any better I would fall for his tricks too.

"Sure. Do you have any particular preferences? I'm good with anything so I don't mind."

"Wow! You're acting so nice and obedient now, how odd. Reminiscing about your servant days, huh. Thank you for asking but similar to you, I do not have any personal references, thank you!!"

He's very.. what's the word for it? Lively. It's kind of sickening but it's also a nice change from all of the cold people I've been around my whole life. Maybe it's not so bad?