Just like the curious toddler he is, Jay reached out to grab the pamphlet. It was totally worth it because the smile that came on the social worker's face was indescribable. His blue eyes squinted together in joy the moment he saw a baby taking the pamphlet.
The transmigrator didn't even get a chance to read the pamphlet before his male caregiver took the plastic paper out of his hands. "What you got there, little buddy?"
Jay made sure to let the teen boy know that he's upset by slapping the Red King's forearm, which only earned a laugh from his male caretaker. Sometimes, the transmigrator forgot that his "parents" are just teenagers, hell, they're children pretending to be adults, so they can be immature sometimes. Then, he reached for another pamphlet from the social worker.
The pamphlet had a stock photo of a diverse group of people, ranging from a light skinned grandfather to a dark skinned young woman with one arm. "USC Aid" was written in white bold font at the top of the picture. Without even turning to look at what's inside, Jay decided that the USC, or whatever department in charge of making this pamphlet, needs a new graphic designer.
His female caretaker looked at the cover, and she smiled at the baby. "Do you mind if I take that, Kaon?"
The transmigrator didn't hesitate to give her the pamphlet. He already saw what he wanted to see. This world was fucked by wars, and they're doing their best to rebuild it.
"The USC will send aid to this neighborhood! Here's the list of our programs to help the people! Especially new parents like you!" The social worker seemed to be excited after being ignored all day. "If you have superpowers or your children have superpowers, the USC will support —"
"Stop spewing bull crap." A passerby spit at the social worker's truck. The man didn't even stop to say anything else as he continued on his journey to cross the street.
A woman came out of the bakery gave the van a dirty look, and she nodded in approval after the other man spit at its tire. "Yeah! The USC caused the war in the first place. We're not putting up with your shits no more."
"You powers think you can do whatever you want! And us normal people just be suffering from your bullshit!" Another man yelled not far away. Behind him, his two children were giving the van a dirty look.
The social worker retreated his hand back into the safety of his van, but he still kept eye contact with the little family. Well, at least he knows that this neighborhood isn't safe.
JJ began dragging her partner inside the bakery when a crowd started forming around the van. That poor social worker had to drive out of this mess without accidentally killing or injuring anyone.
His nostrils were bombarded with the sweet scent of fruit jam and pastries. The transmigrator held on to his pamphlet as his eyes scanned the entire shop. Everything feels so homey and cozy, even with the riot outside.
"Ah! Tha! Rara!" The transmigrator couldn't recognize what just came out of his mouth, but his hand pointing at the custard tarts was enough to send the message.
Because they have some extra cash to spare, JJ immediately indulged him by telling the boy behind the counter to get two custard tarts. Jay clapped his hands to congratulate her for doing that, and he got a round of chuckling from both of his caregivers.
"Blueberry muffins?" The teen girl asked her partner, who nodded.
"Get bread too. Ones without nuts." The Red King gently swayed the baby around as he waited for his companion to make the order.
For some reason, Jay felt like someone is following them. His violet eyes began scanning their surroundings. After half a minute, the transmigrator made eye contact with one of the people yelling at the social worker's van.
It can just be pure coincidence that the woman is a few steps behind the Red King. She could just be walking into the bakery and looking for muffins like a normal person, but the transmigrator baby couldn't help but be suspicious —
Fuck!
Tears began leaking out of his eyes without his permission, and he recognized the loud wailing as his own voice. His male caregiver's hand held him securely to his chest while his arm wrapped around the baby.
Meanwhile, the woman who stood behind them was pulling on Jay's arm, and he swore that he heard a pop. She kept pulling on the baby as if she'll win a tug of war with the teenage boy. Her the dark circles under her black eyes and her messy black hair made her look deranged, and Jay was wondering why the fuck did she touch a child without their guardian's permission? Fuck, she pulled the baby's wrist hard enough that it's probably dislocated. According to the pain throbbing from his wrist, that's definitely the case.
Everyone in the bakery stopped whatever they're doing and began staring at the commotion. No one stepped in to help.
A few seconds was all it took for JJ to close their distance and slapped the woman's hand off Jay. Then, the teen girl held the baby's wrist with both of her hands.
Oh shit fuck—
A popping sound came from his wrist followed by a louder wailing. The pain of putting his ligaments back into place was more than the pain of getting it dislocated in the first place.
"Sssh... I'm here, little buddy." The Red King's voice wasn't really helping, but at least Jay's crying was calming down.
Even though he's literally a baby, Jay's crying annoyed the transmigrator. Any crying baby is annoying in general, which includes himself.
His crying also startled the woman who grabbed him. Her dark eyes widened for a bit, and she began mumbling.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Her words were barely audible as she let go of Jay. Before anyone could say anything, she ran out of the bakery.
The boy behind the counter continued packing their orders in paper bags like it's a totally normal day.
"That would be six coppers." The shopkeeper handed them their paper bag, which JJ took after she put the coins on the counter.
"Do you happen to know a healer?" JJ asked the moment she saw the old woman from last night. Her eyes drifted from the boy to the grandma. "Or a doctor? I think my son's wrist was sprained."
The cashier boy let out a sigh, and he turned around to give the grandma a look. The bakery owner only gave them a grandmotherly smile, the same one that she gave Jay last night. Without a word, the old woman gestured for them to follow her. Her wheelchair creaked as she rolled into the door behind the counter.
Large drops of tears were rolling down the baby's face, but at least he could rest assured that he could move his hand again. The kitchen area of the bakery was surprisingly clean, and the sweet smell of cinnamon distracted Jay from the pain.
"I'll take a look at him." The grandma opened her arms for Jay, and the baby felt the hands holding him tightened.
Of course, of course, his male caretaker doesn't really trust the old woman.
"I'm a healer." The bakery owner's voice became softer. "You folks asked for a healer, so here I am. Any normal people would ask for a doctor first. You young powers got dependent on other powers."
The transmigrator saw the look of realization crossing JJ's face, and she solemnly nodded.
Wait, wait, wait... If the grandma is a healer, then why is she in a wheelchair? Can't she just heal herself?
His male caregiver seemed to be thinking the same thing because he held baby Jay tighter to his chest.
"I'll test your powers first." JJ stepped in front of her companion, and she bent down a little to give the grandma her hand. "Use it on me, and I'll be the judge of it. We can pay you for your service."