"WATCH OUT!!!" The urgent shout pierced through the air, snapping Nemalyph out of their trance-like state.
"Gors, ivanares ke reas," Nemalyph murmured instinctively, their mind still swirling with the residual effects of the arcane energy surge.
"Pfft, Hahahahaha, what are you talking about?" The laughter of a certain girl cut through the tension, her voice a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded.
Nemalyph blinked, trying to orient themselves in the unfamiliar surroundings. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I was dazed. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
The girl, her features a mixture of amusement and concern, approached Nemalyph. "Are you talking? What language is that? English? No, no, it's impossible. Russian? I don't think so. Or maybe from the North Pole? That must be it," she babbled, her words tumbling out in a nervous stream.
While she busied herself with guessing, Nemalyph began to draw an invisible array formation in the air, their fingers tracing intricate patterns as they chanted the spell "Illegio corsporadoni, comet."
In an instant, a million buzzing arrows manifested, darting towards the girl with startling speed. She staggered back, clutching her head as a light headache washed over her.
"Uh, what is this?" she muttered, confusion etching her features as she glanced around, searching for the source of the strange phenomenon.
Nemalyph cursed under their breath, a pang of guilt tugging at their conscience. "Damn it, why didn't you watch where you were going? That hurt like hell. And sorry, I'm not from any of the places you guessed."
The girl's expression softened, her concern evident as she took in Nemalyph's words. "You can speak? I'm sorry, let me make it up to you. How about I treat you to something sweet?"
"Sweet? Is it tasty?" Nemalyph's curiosity was piqued despite the lingering irritation.
"Absolutely. I know the best cafe in this block, 'Sour Arc Delicacies.' Wanna try?" the girl offered, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Sweet from a sour cafe? Where's the logic? Whatever, but I'm in," Nemalyph conceded, their interest now fully piqued.
"Okay, hop on!" the girl said, gesturing towards her bike.
Nemalyph hesitated for a moment before cautiously taking a seat behind her, holding on tightly as they set off towards their unknown destination.
As they navigated the bustling streets, Nemalyph couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every shadow seemed to conceal a pair of eyes, every whisper carried a hidden meaning.
But amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of curiosity and anticipation. What secrets lay hidden in this strange world? And what adventures awaited Nemalyph in the company of this enigmatic girl named Rika?
Only time would tell.
~~~~ Bike Cycling ~~~~
As they pedaled through the bustling streets, the rhythmic whirring of the bicycle wheels filled the air with a sense of movement and purpose.
"We've arrived," Rika announced, her voice slightly breathless from the exertion of the journey. "Hmm... What's your name?"
"Nemalyph Oriensis Mundory Evinet Dwerg," came the reply, a hint of pride laced in the words.
"Hah, are you serious?" Rika's incredulous laughter bubbled forth.
"Yes, I do," Nemalyph affirmed with a sense of determination.
"You've got a weird name there," Rika remarked with a chuckle. "Whatever, my name is Rika Sumire. You can call me Rika. Can you repeat your name again, but slower please?"
Nemalyph obliged, enunciating each syllable with precision. "Ne-ma-ly-ph Ori-en-sis Mun-do-ry Evi-net Dwe-rg? You got it?"
"Ori then, it's easier that way," Rika decided, her tone casual yet friendly.
"Suit yourself. You owe me a delicacy, remember?" Ori reminded, their demeanor unbothered by the unusual circumstances.
"Oh yeah, I know the best menu here. You must try the 'Avocrisp Ice Cream' tehehe," Rika suggested with a mischievous grin.
~~~~ Door Opening ~~~~
Upon reaching their destination, the door to Sour Arc Delicacies swung open, ushering them into a realm of tantalizing aromas and sweet delights.
"You can just sit there; I'll order first," Rika offered, gesturing towards a nearby table.
"Okay," Ori acquiesced, taking a seat as they awaited Rika's return.
"Welcome to Sour Arc Delicacies! What's your order?" greeted the shopkeeper, ready to cater to their culinary desires.
Rika wasted no time in making her selection. "I'll have the 'Royale Duriboom Ice Cream' and one Avocrisp Ice Cream, please."
"Right away. Please have a seat; we'll deliver the orders when they're ready," the shopkeeper assured, disappearing into the depths of the café to fulfill the request.
~~~~ Rika Approaching Seats ~~~~
As Rika made her way back to the table, carrying the promise of sweet indulgence, Ori couldn't help but observe their surroundings with a hint of wariness.
"What are you staring at?" Rika's voice broke through Ori's reverie, drawing their attention back to the present moment.
"Nothing, just stalkers. Have you ordered?" Ori deflected, a nonchalant shrug accompanying their words.
"Look at yourself, gentleman. You look like you've come from a parade," Rika teased, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"Haha... I just realized our suits look a bit different," Ori remarked, a wry smile tugging at the corners of their lips.
"Not just a bit, for God's sake," Rika replied, shaking her head in mock exasperation.
~~~~ Meanwhile, 5 KM from our MC ~~~~
In a covert operation headquarters, the tension hung thick in the air as agents monitored the unfolding events from a safe distance.
"Zzzzt... How is the situation, Agent Matsuda? Is he the one?" inquired the voice of a handler through the high-tech communication device.
"Stop calling me Tako! Just because I like octopus... I think I've been found out. He's been staring in my direction for a minute. Currently, I'm on the move," Agent Matsuda reported, his voice tense with anticipation.
"So, he's the real deal. Be careful, Agent. He's most likely not from Earth," warned the handler, his voice laced with urgency.
"Alien, Chief? That's terrific, I say," Agent Matsuda quipped, a hint of nervousness creeping into his tone.
"Better prepare for the worst than understate things," the Chief advised, his tone grave as he contemplated the implications of their discovery.
~~~~ Meanwhile, 5 KM from our MC ~~~~
Back at Sour Arc Delicacies, the waiter approached with their order, carrying with him the promise of culinary delights.
"Here's your order, sir," the waiter announced, setting down the delectable treats before them.
"Thank you," both Ori and Rika chimed in unison, eager to savor the flavors that awaited them.
"What's with the crown?" Ori inquired, eyeing the peculiar decoration atop one of the ice cream servings.
"It's from the new menu, called 'Royal Duriboom Ice Cream.' I thought we'd give it a try. Oh, and that one's your Avocrisp," Rika explained, her excitement palpable as she anticipated their reactions.
"Let me taste this..." Ori scooped a spoonful of the Avocrisp Ice Cream, savoring the creamy texture and the burst of flavors that exploded on their palate.
"Oh, not bad. The texture is good, not too tender. The mild bitter flavor balances the cream, and this crisp is kind of like 'Orgonum Leaves'—crispy just like its name," Ori remarked, nodding in approval.
Rika, meanwhile, scooped a spoonful of the Royal Duriboom Ice Cream, shivering with delight as the explosion of flavors danced on her tongue. "It's a boom! An explosion in my mouth, and the smell is just like chocolate wafer."
"Let me taste it," Ori requested, their curiosity piqued by Rika's enthusiastic reaction.
"Not a chance," Rika teased, holding the spoon just out of Ori's reach.
"Why are you so stingy? Just a bite, okay?" Ori pleaded, a playful grin spreading across their face.
"Only a bit, no more," Rika relented, offering the spoon with a playful smirk.
"No problem," Ori agreed, scooping up a spoonful of the tantalizing treat, their taste buds tingling with anticipation.
"Whoa, it's decided. This will become my favorite dessert, hahaha. Give me more, Rika," Ori declared, their enthusiasm contagious as they eagerly dug into their newfound delicacies.
"There's no way," Rika replied with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
~~~~ In Certain Agency HQ ~~~~
Within the confines of a secretive agency headquarters, the Commissioner and Chief convened to discuss the unfolding events with a sense of gravity.
"What's the situation, Chief?" the Commissioner inquired, his tone laced with urgency.
"Here, Commissioner, sir. The energy fluctuation anomaly that was detected in Saitama Prefecture is estimated to be sourced from him," the Chief explained, handing over a document detailing their findings.
"This kid? He doesn't look to be even in his twenties," the Commissioner remarked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Yes, sir. Our agent monitoring the subject was discovered within five minutes of initiating surveillance. He was stared at for a full minute before being approached by this girl, Ms. Rika Sumire," the Chief reported, outlining the sequence of events.
"And who is the girl?" the Commissioner inquired, his interest piqued by the mention of Rika's involvement.
"From our investigation, she's just a
"normal citizen," the Chief continued, his voice carrying a note of caution. "Our analysis so far indicates that she accidentally became involved with the subject."
"Hmm...," the Commissioner mused, weighing the implications of this new information. "Continue monitoring this guy, but don't approach him yet. We shouldn't be reckless with a foreign entity like him."
"Yes, sir," the Chief acknowledged, his expression serious as he understood the gravity of their situation.
Meanwhile, back at the café, Ori and Rika savored their sweet treats, oblivious to the clandestine operations unfolding in the shadows.
As they indulged in their desserts, their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and the occasional playful banter. Despite the strangeness of their encounter, a bond began to form between them, forged by shared experiences and newfound camaraderie.
Outside, the bustling city continued its relentless rhythm, unaware of the secrets that lay hidden beneath its surface. And in the midst of it all, Nemalyph and Rika found themselves at the center of a mystery that would unravel the very fabric of their reality.
Little did they know, their fateful meeting would set into motion a chain of events that would alter the course of their lives forever.
But for now, in the warmth of the café and the sweetness of their desserts, they allowed themselves to forget the uncertainties that loomed on the horizon, embracing the simple joy of the present moment.
And as the day faded into night, they knew that their journey was only just beginning.