After a short walk, I had returned to the shop I had worked at for the past seven months. This time, I had my replacement in tow. I can't turn around now.
I walked inside of the side room with my wobbly legs and sat down on the sofa in front of Reese-san and Biar-san. There is already a teacup waiting for me and I can see the steam rising from it, but I've decided to not take it.
Biar-san was already taking sips from his tea as he welcomed me back. "Oh, welcome back Kenji-kun. Who is this?"
"Um… Well you see…" I looked away as I fidgeted with my hands.
Biar-san placed his teacup onto the table forcefully. "Spit it out, Kenji-kun. Is this your friend? Does he need help with something?"
"If we can help you, we will Kenji-kun. Just don't ask for money of course! Haha!" Reese-san leaned against Biar-san's shoulder as she gave a hearty chuckle.
"No it's not that, you see... um…"
They were both staring at me with their happy eyes. Please stop staring at me like this, I don't want to crush your kindness for me. Please stop it.
"You see… I need to…" I couldn't look at them.
"'Need to' what lad? Speak up!" Biar-san began to move his arms in an attempt to force me to speak.
"Are you alright Kenji-kun? You're looking a little pale."
Why is this so hard to do? I don't want to make them sad or anything! I know they like me a lot and they view me as a proxy son but I didn't want to make this so difficult! I have to just come out and say it! Come on Kenji Fujima! You can do this! Here we go!!!
I took a deep breath. "I am going to be quitting the job today! I am sorry if this is abrupt! This man here is named Terry and he is willing to fill my position if you are willing to hire him!"
I DID IT! I said it! I feel like puking, but I did it!
Biar relaxed and leaned back in his seat. "Hm? Oh is that so? Why are you quitting Kenji-kun?"
Eh? No anger? Maybe it's just shock.
"I plan to become an adventurer and… defeat… the Demon King…" I suddenly realized just how insane I sounded.
Reese-san and Biar-san looked at each other for a moment before Reese-san turned to me.
"Is this... some type of revenge thing for what happened to your home, Kenji-kun? I know it's awful what happened but I'm certain that this isn't what your parents would have wanted…"
I held my hands in front of me as I shook my head. "N-no it's not that it's just…"
Biar crossed his arms and shut his eyes. "Come on now Reese, let him try being an adventurer. You can tell by the way he looks; he's nervous but determined, like our son was all that while ago! Besides, he even went through the trouble of finding a replacement!"
This is going far easier than I thought it would, in fact, this is going too easily.
"Well... I understand your hesitation, it's hard to replace me after all!" I laughed nervously.
Biar-san held up a hand and opened his eyes. "No, we appreciate the replacement you have brought, we just want to know why you're doing this in the first place."
Seriously? What the hell? No grabbing to stop me? No anger? Just a "Have fun"?
Reese-san picked up her teacup. "So why exactly do you want to become an adventurer? Wonderlust?" She asked as she looked at her steaming drink.
"Maybe he wants to find a girlfriend out on adventures or something!" Biar-san held a finger up and smiled.
Reese-san took a sip of her tea before she smiled. "Yeah, that's probably what it is. He's getting to be about that age after all!"
Hey I'm right here. Please stop talking about me like I'm not here.
"Ahem… I need to kill the Demon King, like I said." I muttered as I fidgeted with my hands.
"Seriously?" They both looked towards me like I just said something crazy as they spoke in unison.
I know they have a low opinion of me, but this is just absurd. Why don't they think I can beat the Demon King?
Suddenly, Terry spoke up from the doorway. "Um… so am I hired or…?"
"Huh?" Biar-san leaned over and looked at where the voice had come from. "Oh... Yes, your name is Terry, correct?"
"Oh, um, yes. I am Terry. It's nice to meet you." He walked forward as he held his hand out to shake with Biar-san.
Biar-san shook Terry's hand as he looked him in the eye. "Good. Terry-kun, you start tomorrow at 7 A.M. sharp. We close at 7 P.M. every day of the week except for Sundays where we close at 3 P.M. Your weekly salary is 400 juns. Any questions?"
Hey wait...
"No sir." Terry shook his head. He had a wide smile plastered across his face.
Isn't this a bit too fast? I remember being tested at least...
"Good. Well then Kenji-kun, if adventuring doesn't work out for you then just come back here. I might let you have your job back if you beg me in a dogeza." Biar-san snickered and returned to his tea.
I sat for a moment in silence.
Am I angry? No... I guess it's more like my expectations have been subverted.
I've worked diligently at this shop for 7 months now and I'm being replaced so easily! Wait, I'm the guy that found the replacement… Did I just dig my own grave? Did I just do something stupid? No that's not it. I don't do stupid things! This was the right course of action!
Right…?
Reese-san stood up and walked towards me. She held her hand out towards me as she gave a gentle smile. "Well then, Kenji-kun, we appreciate all the work you've done for us, but we understand the call to adventure that you have. Stay safe!"
Well at least Reese-san is being a little kind.
"Alright Kenji-kun, when you give up just remember to dogeza and you'll be fine."
And Biar-san is not.
I stood up from the sofa, gave a deep bow, and left the shop.
I have just quit my job. I am now unemployed once more. I'm not panicking. Nope. I am totally not at all worried for my future. Instead, I feel a sense of excitement. The next part of my new life begins now!