14 Let's Imagine: The Twists and Turns Ahead!

| Starter Town: Lanier, Saki Household |

I look at the dinner table, colored with familiar fruits such as apples and peaches, but foreign meats such as a plump brown and pinkish food that was shaped like a rib. Another plate had a bowl of something round and fried similar to dumplings.

One thing was for certain though, it all smelled extremely good and looked very appetizing.

Aiyoma's family sat down in dark-brown cushioned chairs surrounding a brown-wooden table with a metal fixture in the middle housing all of the delectable food, looking out of place I strode forward for a place to sit.

"Sit next to me, miss!"

Aiyoma's younger sister waved her hand and smiled brightly.

I walked over to an empty chair in the middle of her and Aiyoma's mother,

"T-thanks."

Aiyoma's dad bowed his head

"Now let us pray."

The rest of the family put their heads down and I followed suit.

"Lady Helena, Headmistress of Angels that saved us all those many years ago. Today we celebrate the return of a brave knight who chose to fight the wicked Evil King and his creatures and a knight-in-training with a heart of steel."

I could feel Aiyoma's mother place her hand on my shoulder comfortingly.

My eyes start to glow after hearing Helena's name but hearing the sincerity of his words made me suppress the energy within in me.

"Please bless them and let them give hope to us and any other soul that needs saving,"

The broad man raised his head.

"In Helena's name."

The rest of the family followed suit.

"In Helena's name."

"Now it's time to eat this delicious meal your mother prepared for us, eat up!"

Aiyoma's father announced and reached for a drumstick.

The rest of her family started passing around dishes and feasting on the stunning display of food.

I reach for a steamed potato.

"In Helena's name."

. . .

"How rude of me!"

Aiyoma's father says while putting down a half-eaten pork rib

"We never got to introduce ourselves!"

"Y-you're right I'm so sorry!"

I stand up to bow frantically.

"My name is Momoko Miwa, thanks for your hospitality!"

Aiyoma's family stares.

"She's very polite and cordial."

Her mother laughs.

"Momoko is funny."

Okami points while giggling.

"Weird name, weird clothes, and a weird way of saying hello."

Aiyoma chuckles.

"Well Saki family, it's only right we show some 'hospitality' and follow suit!"

Her father stands and bows.

"The name's Higashi Saki, nice to meet ya!"

The young girl stands up from the table and giggles.

"My name is Okami Saki, nice to meet you,"

Aiyoma's mother bows.

"My name is Sakuma Saki, a very warm welcome to you."

Aiyoma stands.

"We've already met but it wouldn't hurt."

She bows and looks up.

"My name is Aiyoma Saki, a pleasure."

They all sit down and continue eating.

"Now that was fun dont'cha think Sakuma!"

Her father vigorously bit down on a roll of bread.

"Very much dear. Aiyoma your new friend is quite interesting!"

Aiyoma sips from a glass of water.

"Yep! She'll make a fine knight in no time!"

Still standing and blushing, I sit down and hold my head in my hands.

Why do I do this to myself...

. . .

"Momoko, you mind chatting with me outside?"

Aiyoma's dad gestures to the door.

I look back to Sakuma, who smiles back clearing the table of the empty dishes.

"Go on dear, I can handle it from here."

"Thanks, Miss Saki,"

I put down the dishes and walk towards Higashi.

He opens the door for me and we step outside. I'm basked in the cold night air, the stars above us shine like rays of lights from the heavens. He steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind us.

Higashi looks into the sky.

"Beautiful night outside."

He takes a seat on a stone step.

I look up into the sky and a gust of wind pushes my hair back, I move it behind my ear and look down at Aiyoma's father.

"How serious are you about becoming a knight?"

Higashi stands, looking over to me and up in the sky.

"Good eye."

He traces his finger from my eye level to a constellation.

"That's Verona's dagger, it helped guide one of Phoenia's warlords in the Battle of Was'Ka."

"Being a knight means being a symbol. We can't do powerful magics like Mages or perform tricks like Beastmasters. Our class is the closest thing there is to 'average', in this world."

"Do you understand?"

I nod my head slowly looking into his hazel-colored pupils.

"So when you're out there, fighting, whether it be humans or monsters—make sure it's for the right reasons because the people of this land are watching. We show them that even though we don't have magic, special skills, or unique talents, that there's such a thing called courage, honor, and dignity, and those ideals go a long way."

I break contact with him and look at the floor.

All this time, I've been thinking this was another one of my RPGs...

...But this is no game.

The robber from early and the dagger he held. Its curved shape, the tinted rust formed on the handle, and the blackened blood from its use on another victim. Today could've gone a lot worse if it weren't for Aiyoma.

Looking back up to match his eyes.

"I don't have an answer yet."

Tears start to form at the edge of my eyes.

Higashi sighed and took a step forward.

"If you don't have any resolve, I suggest you move on and forget becoming a knight."

My heart sank.

He turned to look through the window at Aiyoma and Okami laughing in the living room.

"That girl has resolve, and I can't have someone without, clouding her good judgment."

Higashi turns back to me.

"I hope you can understand, this is just how a father is for his daughter."

Wiping my left eye, another strong gust of wind makes me shiver.

This isn't like Callistus…

…Or any other game I use to play before I came here.

If I plan to become a knight, I'm putting my life on the line.

There's no plot armor to support me; If I die by some idiot carrying a dagger then I die, there's no coming back this time.

Higashi's eyes light up.

I get on my knees and bow in front of him.

"I don't have any resolve yet,"

"But if you could teach me to become a proper knight, and help people who're weak like I am now, maybe that can be my reason to fight!"

The broad man looks down at me while scratching his head.

He bends down and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go inside, you can stay here for the night."

Higashi helps me up, while tears shine within the moonlight reflecting off of my reddened cheeks.

Rock, meet bottom.

. . .