14 I'm A Guy!

The next few minutes became a blur. Fina had tied her hair with a pink ribbon, and dressed herself into a maid uniform. Right away, she began to work as a waitress. Talon issued out orders and also helped with serving the customers, but what I found most impressive was how fast the food and drinks were coming out of the kitchen.

("Whoa…! Talon…?") [Solace]

I finally got to see Talon in action. She was also wearing a maid uniform just like Fina, but it had more sleeves. She sprouted arms out of her torso, and more out of her already existing arms. It was similar to how a tree branch looked.

"Order 23 and 57!" [Talon]

"On it!" [???]

A voice came from the kitchen, but there was no one to be seen. Utensils and plates moved through the air. I simply could not believe what I was seeing.

("Telekinesis? Invisibility? A ghost?!") [Solace]

Everything was a mess. People came and left. By the time it was over, the sun had already set.

"Good work everyone! Time to clean up!" [Talon]

Just as those words exited her mouth, all the used plates and all the tables were cleaned in an instant.

("Magic really is something…") [Solace]

"Phew…" [Fina]

Breathing a sigh of relief, she untied the ribbon holding up her hair.

("Must've been a hard day at work, huh?") [Solace]

I appeared before Fina to greet her, which seemed to be well received since I got a smile in return.

"Oh, is that your spirit?" [Talon]

Before I knew it, Talon was already standing behind Fina.

"Mhm. This is my spirit, Solace." [Fina]

"Solace, eh?" [Talon]

She leaned in for a closer look, which kind of freaked me out due to her overwhelming size.

"Is Solace a he or a she?" [Talon]

"I… actually don't know." [Fina]

("I'm a guy you know!") [Solace]

I bobbed up and down, but I didn't seem to get through to them.

"Hm… how about we ask it?" [Talon]

"Ask Solace?" [Fina]

"Solace seems like a pretty smart spirit. Maybe it can understand my words, right Solace?" [Talon]

Seeing as my manhood was at stake, I nodded with a "yes".

"See? Just ask him." [Talon]

"But…" [Fina]

"Ah, fine. I'll do it. Solace, go up and down if you're a man. If you're a woman, go left and right." [Talon]

Without hesitation, I immediately bounced up and down.

"Well, what'd ya know? It's a man." [Talon]

As she said that, Fina had a strange expression on her face.

("Sadly, my status' gender is set as question marks…") [Solace]

Without saying a word, Fina went to the woman's changing room.

("Well, time to follow her.") [Solace]

Just as I trailed after her, Fina popped right out and stopped me at the door.

"Solace, no! Stay!" [Fina]

Right after she ordered me to remain idle, she shut the door behind her.

("Wha…") [Solace]

I was completely dumbfounded. I used to follow her everywhere, and she wouldn't bat an eye.

("Maybe… has she become aware of me as a man…?") [Solace]

Is what I thought, but it sounded so stupid that I just discarded the thought.

("Oh, she's out.") [Solace]

After a few moments had passed, Fina came out in casual clothing.

"Solace, let's go." [Fina]

Dragged along without another word, Talon called out to Fina before she left.

"Oh, Fina. I almost forgot." [Talon]

"Yes?" [Fina]

"Your brother came by earlier. He said to give this to you." [Talon]

She handed Fina what looked to be an extravagant letter. The letter was sealed by some red wax on the center which was imprinted with the image of a rose.

"A-ah… My brother? When did he give you this letter?" [Fina]

("So she has a brother…?") [Solace]

Fina seemed to have a strained look on her face, but Talon didn't question it.

"It was during your break." [Talon]

"I see… Did he say anything else to you?" [Fina]

"Nothing that you have to worry about." [Talon]

"...M'kay…" [Fina]

Just like that, we left the building.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

After that, we went straight to the dorms. Fina sat by her desk and opened the letter with a blunt knife.

"..." [Fina]

She read in silence. After she had fully read it, Fina mumbled something to herself.

"|Ignite|." [Fina]

Out of nowhere, the letter burst into flame.

("Woah! What the-?!") [Solace]

Within the timeframe of a few seconds, the letter turned to ashes.

"It's already that time…" [Fina]

Whispering to herself, Fina went to bed.

("...That was uh… weird. I guess I'll go back to leveling up my |Appraisal|.") [Solace]

My naivety that day would come to be one of my greatest regrets.