Sweet caramelized onions wafted through the air. Slow-cooked beef dripped onto parchment laid on the counter. Lettuce, glistening with morning dew, lay between two thick slices of sourdough.
Just as the man and the cat were about to bite into it, they were rudely interrupted.
Subaru, anxious, barged in through the door. Apologizing in his heart, he prayed they wouldn't mind his attitude.
Seeing the store sign saying "Open," he heaved a sigh of relief. Swinging the door open, he barged in.
""Old man, I need help!"
Filled with panic, Subaru yelled. Though that quickly changed upon witnessing the scene inside.
"W–what the fu–!"
""Language, young man," Placing the barely eaten sandwich on his plate, Albert folded his napkin. "Now, how can I be of service?" Rubbing his eyes, Subaru was bewildered. "Why is a cat eating a sandwich? Can cats eat sandwiches? Am I hallucinating?"
Raising an eye, Albert confirmed with Subaru, "Are you sure?" This time, when Subaru saw a bowl filled with Whisk cat food. I really need to go to the doctor...
Shaking his head, Subaru told him about his dreams: the ruined castle, the corpse-strewn battlefield, the fallen king, and the ominous words...
Albert merely glanced at him, before succinctly answering "How the fuck should I know. I'm not a doctor!"
Blushing, Subaru stammered, "We—well, you were the first person I could think of who would help me. Also, I can't, *huuuh*, can't add more pressure to their shoulders. I lost my parents at a young age, and they were the only ones willing to take me in, even though they already have children."
Staring deeply, Albert simply sighed before heading back in. As Subaru waited, he saw the cat eating the sandwich. So he wasn't seeing things after all...
As he was about to yank the cat's food off him, thick footsteps emerged from behind the curtain.
Holding an ancient book, Albert heaved it onto the counter. Opening it, he turned to a page filled with ancient Scots Gaelic.
"Hearing your dreams, I have an inkling of what you might have witnessed. Somehow, you must have linked with the amulet, linking yourself to the previous owner's memories. They must have been sharing their memories of what had been..." Trailing off, Albert's thoughts wandered, deep into oblivion.
Subaru, not noticing, was shocked. They were real!?!?
Snapping back into reality, he begged Albert, stars in his eyes, "Could you please tell me about it? Pleaepleasepleaseplease..."
Now ticked off, Albert picked up the book, giving it a solid whack on his head. Checking to see if any dents were left, he turned his attention back to Subaru. "As you know, knowledge is power. And since you have already used your freebie, this time it will cost you. The total price for the services is... drumroll... 57,890.35 Yen!"
""Here, have my money!" Handing over his card, Albert swiped it like he was pouring salt onto a steak in a really obnoxious manner. Once the purchase was made, the cat returned it on a silver platter.
Just as Subaru returned the card to his wallet, it struck him. Wait, how did he know exactly how much money I had left on my card? And how does a cat handle a silver platter with such finesse...
Just as he began to ponder the mysteries of life, a rough cough sounded in front of him. Opening the book, the voice began:
"It is said that long ago, in the ages of medieval Scotland..."