I held no emotion in my eyes or face. What was that word called? Psychopath? Sociopath? Wait, aren't those basically the same thing? Hmm. I think the term was Alexithymia. Well, whatever it was, I don't express emotions.
It's not that I can't, I just choose not to. I will show some emotion now and then though, it's unavoidable. But most of the time I just have a blank and empty stare.
"Ezzy, I think what these young adventurers are trying to say is that he lost his ID questing and needs a new one. That's why he needs it."
"But...But they said-"
"They said he needs one, not that he doesn't have one, correct?" They smiled at me.
"Y-yeah..." I replied quietly.
Even though this...androgynous was smiling kindly at me, they scared me. Like they were hiding something. And I, being the kind of person I am, am the king at finding out what people were hiding. But something about this person was wrong. Like the whole act was fake. Forced even.
That's what I love about being a loner and a shut-in. You don't need to pretend or fake a personality to get people to like you. All the anime girls I knew accepted me for who I was. Especially the ones in the adult dating sims. They let me do whatever I wanted to them heh. No! Bad Kichirou! Well, anyway. It's annoying, having to fake who you are.
Whether it be so you can fit in socially, or for the sake of those around you. I hate it. It's evil, shaping yourself to fit in with the crowd. It's like losing yourself in an ocean of people so vast you couldn't see freedom. And what happens when the real you drowns and all that's left is who you pretend to be? You lose your true self, and then what? You're just a liar walking around in an empty shell that use to be you.
"See?" The strange boy-girl smiled at Ezra. "I'll just take him and his party to my office and get him his new ID."
"Y-yes, Torappu," Ezra said as her head hung down in shame. I actually kind of feel bad. She was just schooled at her own job. And I'm sure she knows that we're guilty. But her higher up getting on to her for doing her job right, that sucks. It's also why I never got a job. (LOL)
Ezra must have noticed my staring because she looked up and locked eyes with mine. She sneered and looked away.
Okay, I take back my pity! Give it back!
"So, your name's Kichirou, huh?" The androgynous, whose name was Torappu, said.
"Yeah," I replied.
"And those are your friends?" They asked as they looked behind me at the trio following behind silently.
"...Yeah."
"What was that pause for?" Torappu smiled as they wrapped them self around my arm, pulling it close. "Are they not friends?"
"...They are." My face went red. Hey, I can't stop my blood from heating up with such a cute girl around me...guy? Whatever they were, they were CUTE! Wait, I'm not gay though! But...since I didn't know...hehe.
"...I see, then I'll allow them in my office, too. Though, I hope they speak more than this, because I'll be asking some questions."
Oh, now that they mention it, the trio hasn't spoken much since Torappu's arrival. I wonder why? These three usually chat with anyone. They did with the Elves, Ellie, and Caz. What made this person so different? Maybe it's because they didn't know how to address them? I mean, like Ma'am or Sir? But I haven't used any manners, so why not just talk to them normally?
"Yeah." I replied. "I hope they do too."
The office door opened and, to my surprise, it was rather...plain. The walls were all tan. The only carpet was an old one that looked like it had been used as a foot scrapper for many years before it's service as a decor. The chairs and desk were nice, but that's about it. The walls were scarce except for the one painting behind the desk where Torappu sat. It was a painting of them, sitting in the same position with the same smile they had on their face right now.
"So, Ki." They began. What is it with everyone shortening my name? Seriously, it's annoying. "You went questing without an adventurers ID, completed the quest, accepted the reward, and then came here. Am I correct."
"Yep." There was really no point in lying. In fact, my motto is "Never lie"...Yeah, that's it. I just told myself not to lie so I won't. The only person Kichirou Saiyaku will listen to is Kichirou Saiyaku.
"And did these three," Torappu motioned with their finger at the trio. "Know you didn't have an ID?"
I didn't reply. After all, the question wasn't actually meant for me. It was meant for Sora and friends. They, however stayed silent. They must have thought the question was meant for me. Torappu also must have come to realize this since they sighed.
"That was a question for you three." The trio jumped.
"Uh..N-no...we didn't...he never told us."
Wait, don't make it seem like I fooled you! Add more words!
Honestly, I wasn't really surprised. It was human nature to shift the blame onto someone else if they were the once that could face consequence. Even I do that. Though I don't shift it onto another person, I blame society as a whole. I mean, it is societies fault many people turned out the way they did.
It's their fault that so many pretend to be someone they aren't. Why they lie to themselves and others for self-gratification and acceptance. If society wasn't so harsh and cruel, maybe people would be different.
"I see," Torappu turned their gaze to me with a smile. I read right through it. It wasn't a kind smile, it was that corporate boss smile. One I'd hope to never have to see. "Anything to say, Ki?"
"Can you blame me?" I spoke immediately.
"Pardon?"
"I wasn't even adventuring to begin with. I was just farming the plains monsters for experience points. I just so happened to rest at the cave they were trapped in and their screams echoed out. So I did what any normal human being would do; I contemplated if I should help them and decided on doing it. I just so happened to save them and complete a quest at the same time." Torappu's gaze had went to a confused yet amused one.