The grown man was pouting after Aion-nim made him shut up.
"You don't have to be so rude to me. I understand that you are still mad at me for what I did, but can you please stop? At least not in front of kiddo?"
Oh. Seems like Grape did something wrong. Don't mind me and continue.
Sir Aion, who was glaring at him till now, sighed and looked at me.
"He was supposed to show you around," Sir Aion began, his tone clipped, "but he left without informing me."
"I told you it was an important summoning," the purple-haired man interjected, his voice carrying a faint edge of defensiveness.
Sir Aion, undeterred, ignored him entirely and continued.
"You were waiting for him near the square since the morning," he said, his gaze fixed on me. "By the time I arrived to bring you back, it had already turned dark, but you were gone. Later, I found you bleeding in the Forest of the Lost."
So that place is called the Forest of the Lost. Ironic.
"There was no time to find you. That's why I left you a note. And who told you to go fishing that day? Were we not supposed to go together the next week?"
"I wanted to make something good for Lou. Do you have a problem with that?"
Isn't Sir Aion's and Louie's relationship supposed to be of an employer and employee? Why does he care about him so much?
Sparks practically crackled in the air between them, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the growing urge to intervene before this escalated into something neither of them could walk back from.
They seemed like good friends, bantering and bickering like an old married couple. It'd be a shame if something like this left a dent in their friendship.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to step in, hoping I wouldn't make things worse.
"Isn't it fine now? I may have lost my memory, but look at the bright side, at least I'm still alive."
They looked at me for a moment, then at each other.
"See. Even if he's the victim here, he is not mad at you. How can you leave someone like him alone?!"
Grape ignored him and bowed his head to me.
"I am extremely sorry for abandoning you," Grape said, his tone solemn. "I will take full responsibility for my actions, so if you want to punish me, I will accept it without any complaints."
Uhh... this is awkward.
The person who should be receiving this heartfelt apology is clearly not me, and the fact that he's bowing his head only makes it worse. I don't know what to do with my hands or my face right now. Should I say something? Wave it off? Pretend this isn't happening?
Why does this feel like I've been cast in the wrong role of someone else's play?
"You don't need to do this. Please raise your head."
Grape looked at me with a small smile.
"Then tell me, is there anything you want?"
Oh, I definitely have something in mind for that.
"A tour."
"What?"
"I want that tour you were supposed to give me. I want to go outside and get to know this town. Can you show me around?", my eyes were practically twinkling.
"Of course I can! I will also take you to all of my favorite places! Is there anything else you would like?"
"No. This is enough."
Grape and I were grinning at each other, caught up in the moment, when I heard Aion-nim mutter something under his breath. Curious, I turned to look at him and was met with a soft smile on his face.
It was a rare expression, quiet and genuine, as though it had slipped out before he could stop it.
I really like the way he smiles. He should do it more often.
"You should be thankful for his kindness," Aion said, his voice calm yet firm. "If it were someone else, they would have used this opportunity."
"I am. My Lou is the nicest and sweetest kid I have ever known."
So these two know Louie on a personal basis. It's going to be difficult to pretend. It's not like after losing your memories, everything about you changes.
"And if this nice kid gets hurt again because of you, I'll make sure you won't be able to use both your legs. Am I clear?"
It was kind of scary seeing him like this. Even Lyaeus or Grape, as I'd started calling him in my head, moved his chair a few inches away, clearly sensing the shift in Sir Aion's mood.
Then, as if he hadn't just threatened to cripple someone right in front of me, Sir Aion ruffled my hair and gave me a pat on the head.
"It's nice to see you being so considerate," he said in that calm, composed tone of his, "but you should remember that not everyone is like this fool. I'm familiar with him, so I understand what happened was unintentional. Still, you shouldn't be so lenient."
"Exactly," Grape chimed in, looking uncharacteristically serious. "What I did is unforgivable. It placed you in danger. You should have punished me or at least taken advantage of it. You can't afford to be this soft with just anybody."
Sir Aion nodded in agreement, crossing his arms as if delivering a lecture. "Instead of accepting an apology, you should try to gain whatever you can from the person. Don't excuse people just because you don't remember what they did. You should make the most of every opportunity that comes your way."
Wait... what?
"Aion's absolutely right," Grape added, leaning forward, his tone far too enthusiastic. "You need to judge people carefully. If someone's not good enough, or if they're someone you don't like, use them as much as possible."
Hold on. What?!
From warning me about the dangers of being overly kind to outright advocating for manipulation, this conversation had veered off into morally questionable territory.
First of all, it wasn't even Grape's fault that Louie Aldene got hurt. He was dumb enough to wander into an unknown place alone.
Secondly, I might look stupid, but I'm not. I'm not so nice that I'd just let anyone off the hook. I've been used my entire life, trust me, I know how the game works.
Thirdly, while I'd totally expected Grape to say something like this, hearing it from Sir Aion was a curveball I wasn't prepared for. Then again, I didn't know him well enough yet to figure out if this was just his way of teaching a lesson or if he genuinely believed what he was saying.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, forcing a smile that hopefully showed I understood everything they'd said.
Only then did they drop the topic, satisfied.
"I have left the shop alone for too long."
Sir Aion stood up and gave me another pat on the head.
"I must be excused now. You should discuss your tour with this fool. Come downstairs for dinner when you are done."
I hadn't realized it before, but the sky had grown much darker. Our conversation must've dragged on longer than I thought.
Sensing my confusion, Grape began to explain.
"The days are much longer than the nights right now, about a 3:2 ratio. I came to visit you in the afternoon, and now it's already dinner time."
He glanced around the room, as if looking for something, then continued, "I forgot you don't have a clock. We'll have to fix that later."
"Our year is split into six months. The first half has longer days, and the second half has longer nights. Then there's an additional month of pure darkness."
I blinked. "Thirteen months?"
"Yes. We still don't know the reason behind the phenomenon, but ever since the beginning, people have considered the last month inauspicious."
I frowned, trying to wrap my head around it. The longer days and nights made sense, sort of, but what was with the extra month of darkness?
"Is something wrong with it?" I asked hesitantly.
"No, I don't think so," Grape said, shaking his head. "You don't need to worry about it being unlucky either. I've been alive for 39 years in this world, and nothing bad has ever happened during that month."
My brain stalled.
"Thirty-nine?!"
"Yes," he said casually. "I'm turning 39 this year."
I stared at him, dumbfounded. "I thought you both were in your twenties."
He chuckled, clearly amused. "We do look rather young, don't we? But Aion and I are 40 and 39."
This is pure bullshit at this point.
"So, when do you want that tour of yours?"
Grape leaned back, dangerously rocking his chair as if testing how far he could go without toppling over. I wouldn't have been surprised if he fell, but I was relieved we were finally talking about the tour.
"Tomorrow," I said.
He paused, his expression shifting to one of mild concern.
"You were seriously injured. Are you sure you'll be fine walking around all day?"
Absolutely not. I'm so lazy that I'd rather sleep than get up and walk to the next room to watch TV when I'm bored. My stamina and strength are as bad as it gets, but how would he know that?
"I'll be okay, don't worry," I replied with a bright smile, pretending I hadn't just agreed to something that would probably kill me.
"If you say so," he said, still looking unconvinced. "But if you start feeling any discomfort, you'll tell me immediately. Okay?"
"I promise."
"Good." He stood, stretching his arms behind his head. "We should get out of here now. Aion can be pretty strict about eating on time. It's been a while since I've tasted his cooking."
Grape gave me a smile and started walking towards the door, with me following him.
This was the first time I'd left my room since the morning, and I was surprised to find that the house was much bigger than I'd imagined.
There were four bedrooms in total. Two were occupied, one by me and the other by Sir Aion. Grape occasionally used the third room when he stayed over, and the last one served as a storage space, packed with who-knows-what that didn't seem to have a home.
The staircase led directly down to the bookshop, which, to my surprise, also doubled as a small cafe. It seemed simple enough at first glance, but Sir Aion had mentioned earlier how popular it was among the locals.
The thought stirred a memory. Back on Earth, there was a book cafe I used to visit. It had recently opened, and I'd fallen in love with it almost immediately.
Sundays became my favorite day of the week. The surrounding area was calm and scenic, the kind of place where the chaos of the world felt distant. I'd sit with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other, letting myself get lost in stories. Those moments were rare... pure peace, undisturbed by the noise of reality.
This place had a similar energy, and for a fleeting moment, it made me feel almost at home.
Keyword: Almost.
"Wash your hands and have a seat."
He had already set the table by the time we walked in, placing a jug of water down with practiced ease. The kitchen was surprisingly spacious, with a large wooden table dominating the center. Honestly, it felt more like a dining room than a kitchen.
After washing my hands, I slid into the seat beside Sir Aion while Grape plopped down across from us, his usual grin plastered on his face.
Looking at the spread laid out before us, I couldn't help but think he'd gone a bit overboard. There was way too much food for just tonight. Was this normal for him? Or was he compensating for something? Either way, I wasn't complaining.
"This may seem like everyday food, but I'm telling you Lou, it will be the best meal you have ever tasted."
Grape had a surprisingly serious expression when he said that and, to be honest, I agree with him.
The first bite of the tender steak practically melted in my mouth, its juiciness bursting with flavors that made me pause for a moment just to savor it. The soup, rich and creamy, paired perfectly with the warm, crusty bread, each bite a comforting blend of textures and tastes.
For a second, I forgot everything else, just me and this meal. If this was what Sir Aion's cooking was always like, I'd happily follow his rule about eating on time.
"Eat slowly. You don't need to rush like this pig here."
"I cannot help it, okay? Let me enjoy this. It is not like I come here every day."
We soon finished eating.
"Thank you for the food. It was incredibly delicious."
As he prepared the food, it was decided that Grape and I would handle the dishes and clean-up afterward.
They tried to protest, insisting that I wasn't fully recovered yet, but honestly, I felt fine. Besides, sitting around while they did, everything felt wrong. I wasn't about to let them treat me like a fragile vase.
"I should at least clean the dishes after eating a meal that I didn't help make."
"But make sure you stop if it gets painful, alright?"
"Yes, I promise!"
Sir Aion left the kitchen and Grape gathered all the plates and utensils.
"How about I wash them and you put them away after drying?"
"Okay."
We completed our work in silence. After washing my hands again, I went to the front desk looking for Sir Aion.
"How do you like the store?"
He was sitting with a book in his hand.
This store is easily one of the best places I've ever seen. The wooden decor gives it a warm, serene vibe, like stepping into a cozy retreat. Rows of shelves overflow with books, their spines creating a patchwork of colors, and there are more than enough seats scattered around to ensure no one has to stand.
If I'd come across a place like this back on Earth, I know I would've been a regular visitor. I would've loved spending my afternoons here.
"It is nice and comforting. I like it."
"That is a relief."
He closed the book with a quiet thud and walked over to the back shelves. I watched as he sifted through items for a while, his movements deliberate but unhurried. Finally, he returned, holding a small picture frame. Without a word, he handed it to me.
There were three boys in the photo.
The first was a younger Aion-nim, his hair much shorter and neatly combed. He stood facing the camera with his arms folded, a straight face devoid of any smile. Yet somehow, the serious expression only made him look more adorable.
The third boy was unmistakably Lyaeus, shorter than he is now, but otherwise the same. His wide grin stretched from ear to ear, and his arm was slung around the shoulders of the second boy, clearly brimming with energy even back then.
I couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Aion-nim used to be taller than Grape at one point.
As for the second boy, he had shoulder-length black hair that framed his laughing face. His dark green eyes sparkled with joy as he leaned into both Aion-nim and Grape, holding onto them like they were the center of his world.
The image was alive with their bond, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.
"The middle one is Luka. He is the one who came up with the idea of opening this place together ten years ago. He is not here with us at the moment, but he would have enjoyed your company very much."
"He seems nice."
"You should not be quick to judge anyone just by their faces."
Grape spoke up as he appeared from the kitchen holding a wine bottle and three glasses.
"He is the crazy one, never up to any good. Back then, he always got into fights and we used to come to his rescue every single time."
I looked at Aion-nim for confirmation. He nodded.
"He loves tricking people and has a pet snake that goes everywhere with him," Aion-nim said, his tone laced with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Moreover, he once accidentally set a winery on fire while trying to steal some expensive wine. When we asked how it happened, he blamed it on his snake. Luckily, no one caught him."
I couldn't help but chuckle. Their friendship was clearly tight, despite, or maybe because of, the chaos this guy brought into their lives.
"Where's he now?" I asked.
This time, Grape answered. "Traveling."
Aion continued with a faint smile. "He never cared about staying in one place for long. As soon as the shop became popular, he left the town, saying it wasn't interesting enough here."
"He sounds like a fun guy," I said.
"He is," Grape replied, grinning. "He even writes to us once every week, describing everything that's happened to him, even what he ate."
Grape passes us the glasses with the sweet smelling wine. I took a sip of it and felt myself ascending to heaven.
Wait, can I actually drink this? Aren't I supposed to be sick?
"Sir Aion, can I really drink this?" I asked hesitantly.
He frowned slightly at my question.
"Why did you stop calling me that?"
"Excuse me?"
"You used to call me Aion-nim before," he said, his expression bordering on sulky.
Dude, you don't even know what it means.
Still, calling him "sir" does feel a bit weird. It's better to go back to the original.
"Then I'll start calling you Aion-nim again," I said with a small shrug.
"Good," he replied, looking satisfied. "And yes, you can drink it. It's fine."
"What does nim mean?" Grape suddenly spoke up, reminding me of his presence. He had been so quiet I almost forgot he was there.
"Shut up and drink the wine," Aion said flatly, his gaze returning to me, not even looking at him.
Grape pouted dramatically and turned away, his movements exaggerated as if he were deeply offended. "This is from my winery, by the way," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You own a winery?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"You make it sound like you were expecting me to be unemployed!"
"Well," Aion interjected without looking up from his book, "you do look unemployed."
The words landed with the casualness of a fact.
"Oh shush, you!" Grape snapped, throwing an exaggerated glare in Aion's direction. Then he turned back to me, his voice practically glowing with pride. "I own a winery called Crimson Reserve and a tavern called the Bacchus Barrel. I'll take you there tomorrow."
"It's very popular among drinkers," Aion added without missing a beat. "The wine we're drinking right now is their specialty and one of the most expensive items on the menu."
"Naturally, my places are popular," Grape said with a satisfied grin, puffing his chest out. "I use freshly picked grapes that I grow meticulously in my vineyard. It takes a lot of love and effort to cultivate them. Winemaking is like art, not everyone can do it."
While he continued boasting about his vineyard and winemaking skills, all I could think about were the free bottles he must have given Aion-nim over the years.
As the conversation drifted toward their youth, I found myself sitting back, enjoying the wine and their stories. Their friendship, their teasing, their little shared memories, it felt warm, comforting.
After a while, the wine glasses emptied, the laughter died down, and we decided it was time to sleep.