"Got a good sleep?"
"Huh?"
Hazuki blinked, still groggy, as the guard smirked at him.
Hazuki rubbed his face. "Why the hell am I in jail? I didn't do anything wrong!!"
The guard scoffed. "Oh? You sure about that? You and that Bear Head over there—and his entire gang—had a full-on brawl in the streets!"
"Huh!? All I remember is that Bear Head charged at me first!"
The guard crossed his arms. "Yeah? What about them?"
He pointed to the next cell.
Hazuki turned his head—only to see Bear Head and a group of other beastkin all locked up, glaring at him.
The big guy growled. "Tch. Shitty human."
Hazuki sweatdropped. "Uhh… what happened to them?"
The guard sighed. "After you knocked out Bear Head, his buddies jumped in. And then you…"
Hazuki tilted his head. "Then I…?"
"You kept laughing like a maniac, causing a scene. And thanks to that, people stopped to watch—and then they started gambling on the fight. THAT'S the problem!"**
Hazuki froze.
Then—
"EHHHHH!?!? HOW IS THAT MY FAULT!?!?"
"It's because you made a scene!"
The guard grinned, watching Hazuki's frustrated expression.
"You were laughing out loud! That's what attracted people!"
Hazuki threw his arms up. "But I'm innocent! They were the ones who started it!"
The guard shrugged. "Yes, yes… but you're the one who made passersby start gambling. Even our own guards joined in!"
Hazuki's jaw dropped. "EVEN THE GUARDS!?"
The guard nodded, chuckling. **"Yep. Lucky for you, our night shift officer caught wind of it and shut everything down. Man, these poor beastkin—you made them look so weak!"
He laughed heartily.
Hazuki glanced at the next cell, where Bear Head and his gang were fuming.
The big guy cracked his knuckles. "Once we're outta here… you're dead."
The guard smirked and turned toward the beastkin gang, who were still fuming in their cell.
"So? What do you guys have to say?"
The beastkin shuffled awkwardly.
"Errr…"
The guard grinned wider.
"I mean, all ten of you lost to this one… skinny man."
Hazuki immediately flared up. "OI! I'M NOT SKINNY!"
The guard burst into laughter. "Huh? You are! No muscle! Hahahaha!"
The beastkin gang growled, their anger shifting back toward Hazuki.
Bear Head cracked his knuckles again. "We're gonna kill you the moment we get out."
Hazuki gulped.
"Oh, come on! I'M the victim here!!!"
The guard smirked and patted Hazuki's shoulder.
"Don't worry, skinny guy. These beastkin will be staying in jail anyway."
Hazuki groaned. "I told you, I'm not skinny!"
The guard ignored him and pointed toward the entrance.
"You, on the other hand, better thank the little lady out there with her mother."
Hazuki blinked. "Huh? Who?"
The guard grinned. "The catfolk girl and her mom. They bailed you out."
Hazuki froze.
Then—
"EHHHHHHHH!?!?!"
As soon as Hazuki stepped out, he barely had time to breathe before—
"UNCLE!!!"
"Ugh!"
A furious Ellyn stormed up to him, hands on her hips.
"Not even a day after we parted, and you're already causing problems!"
Hazuki winced.
"But! It was them who started it!" He pointed toward the beastkin in the cell.
Ellyn glared at him first.
Then—
She turned her fierce glare toward the beastkin gang, her tail swishing in irritation.
The beastkin flinched.
Even Bear Head looked away, avoiding her gaze.
…
Damn.
This kid was scarier than he thought.
Ellyn crossed her arms, her tail flicking.
"Uncle, you're lucky we were still in town."
Hazuki raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Didn't you say you were going back to your hometown?"
Ellyn huffed. "Yes, but the carriage was only available today."
Then she pointed a finger at him.
"The merchant from before told us you got captured by the guards while we were leaving the inn!"
Hazuki winced.
"Ugh…"
Inside his mind—
"This little wife is already nagging me like I'm her husband…!"
He sighed.
This wasn't how he expected to start his day.
Ellyn's mother watched from a distance, covering her mouth—clearly amused.
Meanwhile, Hazuki found himself under heavy fire.
Ellyn stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"So, Uncle…"
"Err…?"
"You having fun?"
"Uhh…"
"Does fighting feel good?"
"Err… umm…"
"Did you enjoy making a scene?"
"Wait, I—"
"Did you really fight while drinking?"
"Uh…"
"Did you really knock out a beastkin with a beer mug!?"
"…Technically, yes."
"Did you laugh like a crazy person in the middle of the fight?"
"…Possibly."
"Did you REALLY make the town guards start gambling!?"
"THAT WASN'T MY FAULT!!!"
Ellyn huffed, crossing her arms.
"Uncle…"
Hazuki gulped. "Y-Yeah…?"
"Are you an idiot?"
Hazuki fell to his knees, gripping his head.
"DAMN IT! EVEN THIS KID IS SAYING IT!!!"
The adventurers nearby burst into laughter.
Ellyn's mother finally stepped forward, patting Ellyn's head. "Now, now, dear. Don't be too hard on him. He clearly already regrets it."
Hazuki muttered to himself. "No, I don't…"
SMACK!
Ellyn bonked him on the head. "What was that, Uncle?"
"I SAID I DO!!!"
The other laughed even harder.
Inside Hazuki's mind—
"Guh! This kid… We're not even married, she's not even an adult yet, and she already has enough nagging material to last a lifetime. What happens when she actually grows up!?"
As he was still deep in thought, Ellyn suddenly called out—
"Uncle?"
Hazuki snapped back to reality. "Y-Yes?"
Ellyn smiled. "We're leaving now. Take care and be good."
Hazuki scratched his head awkwardly. "Umm… okay…"
Then—
Ellyn leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Hazuki froze.
Ellyn giggled and waved as she walked off with her mother.
Hazuki stood there, watching them go.
His cheek felt warm.
The paserby in the background?
"OOOOHHHHH!!!"
One of them whistled.
Another patted Hazuki's back. "You really locked yourself in, huh?"
Hazuki let out a deep sigh.
"I… need a drink."
After watching Ellyn and her mother disappear into the crowd, Hazuki scratched his head.
"Haaa… what a day…" Hazuki stretched and let out a long sigh.
"Well, lucky Ellyn and her mother bailed me out," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now, I'm starving!"
With his stomach growling, Hazuki strolled through the busy streets of Yumia Town. The streets were already bustling, with merchants setting up stalls, adventurers preparing for their morning quests, and townsfolk going about their business.
Soon, he spotted a small stall, with steam rising from a large metal kettle.
A middle-aged vendor, with sleeves rolled up and a towel over his shoulder, stood behind a wooden cart filled with bread and hot drinks.
Hazuki stepped closer, inhaling the scent of roasted coffee beans.
"Umm… what are you selling?"
The vendor smiled, wiping his hands on his apron.
"Coffee, sir. A big cup for 6 copper. Strong and fresh." He gestured to a small seating area with wooden stools and a makeshift table. "You can sit there and enjoy it. What about bread? We have buttered rolls, honey bread, and meat-filled buns. Take your pick."
Hazuki rubbed his chin, considering. A warm drink and fresh bread sounded like the perfect start to the day.
As he reached for his coin pouch, he couldn't help but think—
"I may be broke, but at least I can enjoy a good breakfast."
Hazuki grinned, tapping his coin pouch.
"Alright, give me those bread—yeah, that one and that one! And one big cup of coffee, make it strong!"
The vendor nodded, preparing the order.
"Coming right up. By the way, honey or milk?"
Hazuki grinned wider.
"Both! Ehehe!"
The vendor chuckled. "Good choice, sir. Take a seat, and I'll bring it over."
Hazuki found an empty stool and sat down, feeling unusually excited for a simple breakfast.
( End of Chapter )