.𖥔 ݁ ˖MAYUMI'S POV.𖥔 ݁ ˖
'Wow this sucks, after passing out from fear I'm back in this oh so wonderful paradise.'
"Gee, Thanks for the comfort!" I shouted in the middle of the ruins.
I wonder what's the episode about this time? Last time, Helshyre was hunting some ugly ass beasts roasting it to perfection. And before that one, she was feasting on roasted frogs, salamander, bird and some animals I can no longer recognize. Thank goodness Hezborn found and brought me here. I might've done that too in order to survive.
A shadow lady wearing a fancy deep blue dress suddenly appeared and beside her is a taller figure wearing a red robe with a white trouser and red orange tank top underneath.
'It's that mysterious black figure again.'
The lady bent down and put her hands over my shoulder, "Helshyre, forgive us but you have to wait here alone for a while okay? Mom and Dad has something we need to settle back in the sanctuary. Take care of yourself okay?" she said gently, tears fell down from where her eyes are supposed to be.
The man also bent down, hugging us both. "I'm sorry my little one but you have to be strong whatever happens okay?"
'Their voices, it's the same as the voices in my first dream.'
The surrounding changed before I could even speak. I'm inside a really fancy wooden house this time.
"Oh?" I uttered as a little boy appeared in front of me. And just like Scyli and the last two person, everything is black except his mouth and clothes.
"Don't cry, we'll only be apart for a while. Here wipe your tears." no-faced boy handed me a handkerchief.
"Haha thanks but I'm not even crying." I said accepting the handkerchief with my little hands.
'A 1st POV for this episode huh?'
"Bye, I guess?" I said as the boy suddenly disappeared.
'Alright~ time to wake up and smack the heck out of that Rykan.'
"Hey little girl."
'... or not'
I turned around and saw yet another shadow man about 190cm tall. But unlike Scyli and the little boy, he didn't appear as a shadow figure. I can see his pale skin beneath those black bandages that appear to cover his whole body except his right eye. It was as red as a blood moon and his sciera was black. He's also wearing a crimson red trouser.
"How long has it been? You can't even remember their faces anymore. Seems like they won't come back. Let's get out of this place shall we? People like them don't deserve our patience."
'I bet Rykan and that goddamn boa, this man is either a villain or a pedophile.'
The setting suddenly changed, we're now in an eerie looking place that appears to be a hallway of a castle. The mysterious man has his back turned against me and just like before, he's wearing that really edgy outfit but now paired with a black robe with hoodie.
'This man and his love for black. He's so villain coded. But I guess that doesn't matter, he looks ripped. Damn.'
"What you have is not a curse, it's a great power. They're just afraid you'll be stronger than them that's why they abandoned you. But don't worry, I'll help you wield your power."
'Sounds like manipulation to me.'
And yet again, the background changed. This time, he's in a balcony looking at the endless fog. I'm beside him, looking up cause he's very tall or maybe Helshyre is just too short.
"You've asked me that about a hundred times already. But since you've proven yourself countless of times, I guess it's time for you to know."
He walked towards me and caressed my cheek. He doesn't appear like a giant to me anymore. Did I grow up?
"My dear Helshyre, I'm your-"
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I sighed as I woke up in my bed with a damp cloth on my forehead and a lightened incense beside me.
'Isn't this a little too much? But more importantly, does it really have to be cut at the most important part? Gosh, these authors and their cliffhangers.'
"Oh, you're awake." a familiar voice of a familiar someone standing outside the door said in relief.
'Oh hell nah, take me back to the ruins.'
I closed my eyes back. I'm too pissed to even look at his face.
"Stay right there, I'm gonna call Hezborn."
'Whatever brat, just don't come back.'
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"Are ya really feeling ok now?" Hezborn asked for the nth time.
"Yes don't worry I'm really fine. In a matter of fact, even better." I said trying my best to convince them.
'These people can't be for real.'
Julius and Chase are fanning me while Iriya's holding the incense that smells like lavender closer to me. And the ever so good Rykan is holding a cup of tea, it's giving me the ick. I'm not gonna drink that.
"That's good, now drink this tea. It'll help ya feel better." Hezborn said taking the tea from Rykan.
"No I'm good. I'm not really thirsty." I reasoned.
"I-I didn't put anything I swear." Rykan said scratching the back of his neck while looking away.
'What the hell is wrong with this kid?'
"We shouldn't have let Rykan hold the tea." Julius whispered to Chase but I'm sure everybody in the room could hear it.
"I agree." Julius answered.
I should go before things get more awkward.
"Uh, can I go to the cr first?"
"Sea Are?" the confused Julius asked.
'Do they not know comfort room?'
"Uhm, Pottyhole?"
"Ah~" they said in unison.
"It's called toilet. Ya know, the place where ya shit." Hezborn explained.
"Got it. I'll go to the toilet first." I said heading towards the door swiftly.
"She probably couldn't wait to poop." Iriya said.
"No, Rykan's behavior probably scared her so much that she had to poop." Chase contradicted.
"Shut up will you." said the embarrassed Rykan.
I sighed in relief when I entered the bathroom.
They were pampering me too much to the point that it feels uncomfortable and awkward. Even in my past life, I wasn't pampered that much. And besides, we've only met for a few weeks. It's like having strangers showing affection to me. I'm a socially awkward 18 year old mentally so it feels really really overwhelming.
'I'll just do a bathroom inspection to pass time.'
First should be the smell.
"Sampaguita?" I muttered as I took a sniff around.
It still has the usual bathroom smell but a sampaguita-like smell is lingering on the air. I looked around for the source and saw a small white flower-shaped figure. I squatted down and scratched it with my nail, smelling it right after.
I immediately covered my nose. 'Such a strong smell.'
It took me five washes to somehow get rid of the strong floral smell.
'I'm never touching anything unfamiliar again.'
I uncovered the toilet and checked its inside.
'hmm...pretty clean'
There's a big barrel inside with water and a bowl.
'It's more sanitary than I thought. I wish they had some toilet paper though.'
I leaned on the wall and waited for the time to pass.
'It's probably fifteen minutes now, they're probably doing their own things now right?'
I went outside and about to head back to the house when Rykan approached me halfway.
'I should just ignore him.'
I just glanced at him briefly before walking past him.
"Wait!" he shouted.
I stopped on my tracks and looked at him. "What?"
"You took really long." he answered.
'Was he waiting all along? Is he gonna rant about how long I took a dump?'
"Yeah, so what? If you want to take a shit then go ahead don't bother me."
I'm still pissed, he better not get on my nerves.
"No, I mean, I don't mean it that way. Uhm... the thing is..." he said stammering.
I just look at him with a furrowed brows and confused expression.
'Why is he acting all awkward and shy? What the hell happened to him the whole time I'm out? Is he broken or what?'
He sighed handing me a small brown pouch. "Just take it."
"It's safe I promise. It's for diarrhea."
'Diarrhea?'
"But I'm not having dia-"
He cut me off by pressing his index finger on my lips.
"Having diarrhea is not something you should be ashamed of. It's a universal experience." he gently said putting the pouch on my hand before running away.
'What the hell? Was he replaced by a clone or has he gone insane?'
I look at the pouch and examined it. It looks like the usual tea pouch.
"Is it really safe though?"
'Oh whatever.' I tossed the pouch into the air and continued walking.
I paused briefly when I noticed someone hiding behind the tree in the distance. It was Rykan peeking at me. He looked at the pouch on the ground with sad eyes, I just shrugged at him before walking away.
'Ha, really?'
I mentally slapped my forehead as I saw Hezborn and the other three kids in the living room with each of them holding the same brown pouch Rykan gave me.
"Mayumi here's-"
I cut Hezborn off, "Thanks but I don't really have a diarrhea."
"Oh" Julius and Chase uttered, hiding their pouch.
"I told you we don't need this." Iriya said putting her pouch on Julius' head.
"How about a lavender tea? Sounds good yea?" Hezborn offered with a bright smile.
"If you don't like lavender, we have green tea too." Chase said.
'Haa..., all this attention is making me feel embarrassed.'
"I'm good with anything."
'This feels like torture. So awkward and embarrassing.'
The six of us are drinking tea and eating biscuits in the kitchen. But do they really need to stare at me occasionally? I can hardly swallow.
"Was the tea to yar liking?" Hezborn asked with a smile.
"Yes, It's really sweet and aromatic." I answered, taking another sip.
'I should finish this quickly and get away from them.'
"Mimi, you should try this flavor." Iriya said, holding out a heart-shaped biscuit.
I grabbed and ate it. It tastes a bit nutty.
I took a quick glance at Iriya who seemed to be waiting for a feedback. "It's delicious." I shoot a smile at her.
"Try this too." Julius said grabbing one of those round biscuits.
Chase took a cookie, "No, you should try this first."
I grabbed both of it awkwardly. "Ah, thanks."
"Eat these too while yar at it." Hezborn said, putting some biscuits on my plate.
I can't do anything but just smile awkwardly.
'Can't you see how embarrassed and uncomfortable I am?'
Rykan then sneakily poured some more lavender tea on my cup.
I can't even react with all these eyes observing me, waiting for me to eat their cookie and biscuits recommendation.
This type of doting and attention seems so cute and wholesome in those manhwas and novels I've read. But now that I'm in the same situation, it's overwhelming how awkward and embarrassing it is considering my mental age.
'Oh, I almost forgot.'
"The boa, where's the boa?" I asked as I chew the cookies.
"Don't worry kid, no more snake." Hezborn said pointing his stomach.
'Oh, poor boa. But whatever, as long as Rykan won't be able to get his hands on any snakes anymore.'
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"Are ya ready kids?" Hezborn asked as he loaded the final batch of crops to the carriage.
We're heading to the village to distribute fruits and vegetables. They didn't even let me help harvest it yesterday. They're afraid I might faint again when I just recovered. It doesn't even make sense.
"Hey, Julius, you sure we'll really be fine?" I whispered at Julius while looking at Rykan preparing the carriage we'll be riding in.
Hezborn's carriage is loaded with the crops so we don't have any space to sit in. Hezborn went to prepare another carriage but the problem is Rykan will be the one driving it.
I don't trust this kid, not an ounce. He's only about 140cm tall and you're telling me he can really drive a carriage?! And who the hell taught him? Did they just woke up one morning and thought 'Oh, what a perfect day to teach a tiny child how to drive a carriage.'
"Don't worry, so far, we never encountered any accident." he assured me.
'So far? Like hell that would comfort me.'
"You're scaring her Julius. Don't worry Mayumi, he may not look like it but Rykan's really good with horses." assured Chase who turned out to be right behind us the whole time.
"Uh-huh, Horses, but we're talking about a carriage here. How many times have Rykan drove a carriage for you to trust him in this matter that much?" I asked.
Julius began counting his fingers but Chase stopped him. "Y-you should whisper that to me you know. Rykan might be offended if he hears that." Chase said avoiding eye contact.
'My my, never thought I'd be someone's childhood crush. This'll gonna be part of Chase's embarrassing childhood memory. When that time comes, I'm gonna tease him nonstop.'
"How many times have Rykan drove a carriage?" I whispered to the now flustered Chase.
"Ahem, more than ten times already." Chase said acting calm.
"Ten? Mmh, I guess I can trust that experience"
'A bit.'
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"Don't worry Mayumi, I'm good at driving carriage. I'm personally taught by an experienced coachman." Rykan reassured as I stepped inside the carriage.
Hearing it from him somewhat worsened my anxiety.
Thankfully, the ride was indeed fine. It was a bit bumpy but that's just natural considering the condition of the road.
The village was peaceful and has a nice view of the ocean. It was also surrounded with trees and has a nice breeze. The houses was mostly made of cobblestones. There are some that are made of wood but it doesn't look cheap nor a house of a poor person. The architecture in this place really amazes me.
Despite the unfamiliar fashion, architecture and lifestyle, I feel like it's not right to consider this world as something from Medieval nor Early Modern Era. It's like this world and my previous one are existing at the same time, it's just that my previous world's development was aided by technology and science instead of alchemy and magic.
Most of the women wore dresses, there are some who wore pants too. The men usually wore trousers with either tank tops or t-shirts. There are some that are half-naked while doing manual labor.
'Gosh, I can't believe I'm finally seeing such nice muscles in person.'
"So you like muscles too?" Julius asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
'Too?'
"I like them too, it's really amazing. Do you think I'd be able to have some when I grow up?"
My peripheral vision caught Chase checking up his muscles.
'Haha, adorable kid.'
"If you work hard, why not?" I answered Julius.
He smiled brightly and turned to Chase and Iriya who was following us behind. "Did you hear that Chase? I'm gonna be like our dad when I grow up, you better watch out."
"You're brothers?!" I can't help but ask them. It really surprised me cause they don't even look alike.
"He's my stepbrother. My dad, married his widowed mom." Chase explained.
"Ah, that's why."
I wanted to ask what happened to their parents but considering how they're with Hezborn now, something bad probably happened to them.
"Mimi, quick! A ship is about to dock" Iriya said dragging me along with her as she run.
A ship can be seen in the distance. I suddenly wanted to build a house right on this cliff. The ocean view is so magnificent.
'So that's where the sound was coming from.'
"You guys are so mean, you didn't even wait for me." Rykan said as he pant.
He went with Hezborn but we wanted to look around for a moment so we left them.
"Sorry Ryry, we were too excited to look around." Iriya apologized.
"Wow look at that cock!" Julius exclaimed pointing at the big ugly beast that resembles a rooster loaded in the ship. It was tied with a glowing rope. It's not moving so I guess it's already dead.
"That's not a cock, that's a monster cock." Chase said.
'Say what?'
"Pfft!" I pursed my lips, holding in my laughter.
"I've never seen such a huge monster cock before. I wonder how it would taste." Iriya said looking at the rooster in awe.
'They're just kids Mayumi, they're just innocent kids.'
"Ahem, can we just call it rooster?" I insisted.
I'm having a hard time with my dirty mind here. Just why does 'cock' also means something else back in my previous world?
"But I like cock." Julius protested.
"'Cock' also means something else in Avissya." Rykan said.
'Wait, don't tell me...'
"Really? What does it also mean?" Chase asked with curiosity.
"Penis"
Rykan's poker face while saying the word 'penis' made me crack up. Iriya also laughed while Julius and Chase's cheeks flushed red.
"Do you still like 'cock' Julius?" Iriya teased the embarrassed Julius.
Chase laughed which pissed off Julius. "I like it, so what?!"
We all laughed at the pissed and embarrassed Julius.
"L-look, that cargo is big too. I wonder what's inside." Julius said changing the subject.
"Yes, it's bigger than the 'cock' you like." Chase teased him once more.
"Sorry Julius." I apologized between my laugh.
The others were also laughing hard. Julius pouted and glared at us.
"I hate you all!"
"I hope there'd come a day where you'll like us again and even more than you like 'cock'"
"Pffft! Hahaha"
This Chase don't really want to give Julius a break.