"Who are you, Hap?!" Rowan exclaimed. Hap, holding a shovel, glanced at him with a hint of annoyance, "Hmm? I used to be a swordsman, but I retired to become a laborer." Rowan, puzzled, pressed on, "Why did you become a laborer and not remain a swordsman?"
Hap dismissed the question with a wave of his hand, "Ah, don't pry into my past. Get back to work." Rowan, with a sullen face, muttered, "Alright..." In his mind, Rowan thought, 'I must find out more about Hap.' Hap watched Rowan slowly resume his work and thought to himself, 'Rowan, you don't need to know who I really am...'
As Dusk Approached
Hap called out to Rowan, "Oi, Rowan, it's getting late. Let's head back to my place for dinner." Rowan responded, "Alright, Mr. Hap." As they walked back, the town of Lilybrook bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, Rowan couldn't shake off his curiosity about Hap's past.
Back at Hap's house, as they ate, Rowan paused and asked, "Hap... Can you teach me how to fight with a sword?" Hap looked at Rowan skeptically, "Hmm? You want to learn to fight with that frail body?" He pointed to Rowan's thin frame. Rowan replied earnestly, "Yes... I want to learn how to fight with a sword. Can I be your student so I can explore and collect the plants to regain my memories?"
Hap considered for a moment, then said, "Alright, young man, but you must work as a laborer for six months first." Rowan stood up in protest, "Ehh... But why do I have to be a laborer first, Hap?" Hap's expression turned stern, "Oi, Rowan, why don't you sit down and finish your food first?" Rowan reluctantly complied, "Alright..." Hap, softening, added, "Be patient, Rowan. You'll understand soon enough, hehehe."
The Next Day
Rowan, still curious about Hap's past, began asking around the town. "Do you know who Hap is?" he inquired, but the responses were always disappointing: "He's a laborer who came here ten years ago," "He's a good old man," "He's not very social," and so on. Rowan, frustrated, gave up trying to learn more about Hap. Then, he noticed a flower shop he hadn't visited before. Remembering the words of the beautiful woman in his dream, he decided to enter.
Inside, he found a variety of flowers he had never seen before. An elderly woman named Loane greeted him, "Who are you, young man? I haven't seen you around here before." Rowan replied, "Huh? Oh, I'm Rowan. I just arrived in town last week. I'm staying with Hap." Loane nodded, "So... what brings you to my flower shop?" Rowan said, "Oh, I was drawn to the flowers here..." Loane smiled, "Well, then, take your time and find something you like."
As Rowan explored the shop, he started feeling uneasy. His heart raced, his breathing became labored, and he fainted. Loane rushed over, "Rowan, what's happening?" Rowan slipped into a memory. He saw Lily again, selling roses to him. He wanted to ask, "Who are you, Lily? Why do you keep appearing in my dreams?" but he couldn't speak. He saw himself leaving Lily's flower shop, with her waving goodbye. He shouted, "WHO ARE YOU?" before waking up in Hap's house, tears streaming down his face.
Hap noticed him waking up and said, "I'm Hap." Rowan, still groggy, saw Hap grinning at him. Annoyed, he tried to go back to sleep. Hap nudged him, "Oi, don't you want to thank Loane for calling me to carry you back?" Rowan sat up and saw Loane standing next to Hap. "Thank you, Loane, for helping me," he said gratefully. Loane smiled warmly, "You're welcome, Rowan. I hope you feel better soon." Rowan felt a wave of happiness at her kindness and replied, "Thank you, ma'am."
Hap chimed in, "Hey, Rowan, did you know Loane here is actually a witch?" Before he could finish, Loane covered his mouth, smiling, "What are you talking about, Hap? I'm just a florist." Rowan, shocked, exclaimed, "WHAT? A witch? Is it true, Ms. Loane?" Loane sighed, "This is all your fault, Hap." Hap could only grin sheepishly. Loane continued, "Yes, young man, I was a witch in my younger days. I was part of an adventuring party with Hap. I was also a high-ranking sorceress." Rowan, excited, said, "So, you two were adventurers in the same party when you were young. Mr. Hap, why didn't you tell me about your past?" Hap scratched his head and replied, "Hehe... I just didn't feel like telling you." Loane, watching Hap, thought to herself, 'So, Hap doesn't want to reveal the whole truth about himself...'
Rowan, eyes sparkling, asked, "Ms. Loane! Can you teach me magic?" Loane shook her head, "No, not with that frail body. You need to work as a laborer for six months first." Rowan protested loudly, "Ehhh... but why?" Hap laughed heartily, "HAHAHAHAHA, I told you to work with me first for six months before you can learn magic and swordsmanship." Rowan, dejected, watched them laugh at his expense and cried out, "WHY??"
After Their Conversation
Loane mentioned that it was getting late and she needed to go home to close her shop and clean her house. Hap tried to comfort Rowan, "Rowan, be patient. If you are, everything will work out fine." Rowan replied, "Alright, Hap. I'll work harder to become an adventurer and monster hunter." Hap, pleased, said, "HAHA, that's the spirit, young man. Now, get some sleep, Rowan." Rowan agreed, "Alright, Hap." Hap thought to himself, 'Who is this young man... since he arrived, he's been acting strangely, and no one knows his origin... I better not ask...'