Chapter 3

Thinking of this, she wondered if she will find anything interesting in this world.

Even as a person who wanted to live in peace in this new life, she can't help but feel excited about the possibility, wondering if she ever meets opponents like Touch Me or friendly people like the members of AOG.

'Hah! I wonder if I could ever go back? Not as I am on a big hurry. Even if I can't, it is no bother… I just wait around leisurely around 130 years, and I am back where I started. True, with the different body... still the same century.'

'My time is plenty after all! Thanks to my race — according to the game lore — I am basically ageless now. And this place is nice enough to stay. No radiation, or suffocating air… Neither an apocalyptic world ruled by mega-corporations.'

'Just the good ol democracy in its finest! Spending around two months here, I start to get used to being like this. Maybe in time, I will even come to like it. Acclimatize, or die! That is the law of nature, after all.'

Thinking of it first, she even considered going back if given a chance, but finding things after spending some time here, remembering her previous body was a wreck thanks to 'his' constant sickness, and 'his' soul-crushing job — 'he' did day and night, constantly overworking — this life offered a better prospect of continuation.

Thus, even with this body of a girl, she did her best to acclimatize and endure. She definitely had better chances of staying here, as well, a more quality life awaited once she fully acclimatized.

Be a girl or boy; it did not matter until one felt him/herself good enough.

'But… I suppose, like many, the look of a beautiful character, and my role player spirit took over under character creation. Dammit, if I could go back and change it!'

Sighing, somewhat still angry at herself, she shook her head shrugging. Not as she can do anything with it just now.

She had no items to change it… And after all, it was always better stuck like this, than being a grotesque being many players made their character look in the game.

'But I suppose, if one such player transports here, they can either change their appearance with illusion, items, or even… use racial ability to hide their racial heritage.'

Now, thinking of this, she wondered if there were any other players around who she encountered in the past, and fueled enmity against her.

'I wonder…'

She was infamous back in the game.

Most people recognizing who she is, would either flee to notify their friends about her arrival or right away attack her caring not about her status.

Maybe not even letting her take it easy, and explain she had no desire to fight, just live her leisure life. The life she was denied to live back then.

"Huh…"

Not as it mattered, she was sure, with her current appearance — given form by the limited appearance shapeshifting her race provided — she is not so easily recognizable.

This racial ability might can't grow plus appendages, or change sex, but was good enough to change basic elements of her body — such as skin tone, eye color, height — to a certain limit — even body proportions.

"Hmm…" she hummed satisfied, sure about no one will recognize her — and with it, bother her anymore — really, in this new life, she only wanted peace, and not to worry about things.

Rest all the anxiety and hardship out from her system she suffered back in her original life.

"Is something wrong?" In the next moment, a guy with handsome features, wearing typical Kuoh school uniform asked her, making her come back from her daydreaming.

"Ah nothing…" the girl with caramel skin and long white hair answered, her different colored eyes observing the young schoolboy attentively.

"So, Kiba-kun, crashing here again? Eh? You became quite regular here. One of the few I might add…" she asked teasing — still, sad about this terrible fact — making the boy smile after elegantly sipping his drink.

"Hmm, I can't help it, I need some separate time from the school in a tranquil place to settle my thoughts, and both the tea and the company here is too good to pass." the boy smiled charming — yes, if one had to give this boy a nickname, it would-be playboy, or prince charming. He looked just like that. "It is definitely different than the tea Akeno prepares."

"Akeno?"

"A member of our school club…" Kiba explained simply.

"I see… what's the difference. Is her tea better?"

"Hmm, I might say, more traditional Japanese, this is more of a British tea, more bitter… but still good. I might say, in their own way, both prepared perfectly."

"Well, thank you!" the bartender girl behind the bar chuckled proudly.

"But this is a café… at least eat some cake or something…" her double-colored red and blue eyes squinted slightly, making the boy smile teasing.

"Oh, I eat enough cake in school all the time! The girls are always giving me theirs! For free, I might add! Any more and I will be fat." he patted his flat stomach, making the girl snort annoyed.

"Tch! And? You always complain they are bothersome. Then, at least they will leave you alone!"

"Ara! Ara! That's not healthy!" Kiba stuck his tongue in return. It seemed, in this place, he showed an entirely different side of his.

"You ruin my business…" sighing, she placed down the cup. "At least invite your friends here so that I can earn a few yen…"

"Oh, and ruin the calm of this place?" he drank his drink with great satisfaction, only taking small sips.

"No way!"

"Ugh!"

"By the way… you said this is a maid café?" looking around, the place was neatly arranged.

Several samurai armors and dolls with maid outfit standing near the walls.

The whole place had some kind of charm, which usually invited people. Yet, with the exception of the two, no one was around.

"Yes?" the player raised her brow, looking at the blond boy questioning.

"I see no maids…" pointed out the boy sarcastic.

"Ugh! We already posted the jobs on the local media and the internet. Still, until now, no applicant appeared."

"Why not becoming the first one?" he asked, half-joking, offering a charming smile.

"Are you joking?" in return, offering a flat expression, the 'girl' looked unamused, almost offended.

"I am sure it will fit you." and the boy continued to tease her.

"I will not wear such thing… I will leave that to others! I am the chatty bartender!" she retorted proudly, and indeed, wearing a three buttoned vest, a white shirt and a tie, supplemented with white butler gloves, she looked like a perfect gentleman — with the exception she was a girl — now at least.

"By the way. Do you know any willing soul in your academy who is willing to work here part-time? I heard that academy of yours have a few beauties hanging around. We pay well… well, they can take the tips at least…"

"Hmm, I ask around. But I promise nothing." looking towards the window; the sun was on to set. "Oh! I need to hurry! Bochou will skin me if I late again!"

"Why so?" she raised her brow, watching the boy who slightly panicked. "Today is Sunday…"

"Club work!" he only said that much before standing up.

"Ah, I see…" the girl watched the boy suspiciously.

Being the day was Sunday, it was slightly strange he had to attend school work. Moreover, the club president forcing him to do 'school work' on Sunday.

It was the massive abuse of the students. Be the person before 'her' was 'not entirely' human or not.

He was a nice guy… too nice to be abused like this. 'Schoolwork on Sunday? What a ridiculous idea…'

"Thank you for the tea, and the talk!" bowing, then leaving the payment — plus some tip on the bar — the boy was on to leave. "See you later, Gillian-chan! And please, be careful."

"Why so?"

Kiba stopped, looking back at the girl, his expression turning from gentle to serious.

"There are rumors about people disappearing at night. Please, don't go out at night… at least until the authorities find the culprit." his expression Grimm, speaking earnestly.

"I could say the same…"

"I can take care of myself, don't worry! Just make sure no harm come to you." the boy offered a brave smile. "It would be a shame if I can't drink your tea anymore."

"Fufufu, I do my best. Now go, before you getting late…"

"Right! See ya tomorrow?"

"Sure…"

And with that, the boy left, running through the door, and the bell above the door twinkled as he disappeared.

"What a nice guy…" she mumbled, placing away the only teacup from the bar.

It was since almost a month she opened this maid café.

Back then, it was always her dream of owning such a place, yet, because of certain circumstances, in her original life, she never had the chance to open it.

But maybe, her anxiety, and insecurity to connect with real people also played on this.

Yet, she wanted to try it, giving at least a little chance! This was a new life, not trying it would be foolish!

And look at that! It was easier than she first thought!

It comes to that; if there were not many people around, it was easier to connect.

Coffee and cake also helped a lot; it made people more understanding and accepting. It connected them like nothing else!

This place was not only good for those who came here but greatly served her healing and rehabilitation after her hard life, and pushing environment she came from: a place and job filled with unreasonable expectations, deadlines, and psychological terror not only her boss pressed against her, but her fellow workmates aimed against each other just to grind out a little more.

'I wish no one that... I was on the verge of death because of it…'

*****

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