Day Turns To Dusk

Raffaella put her cross armed on the table and leaned in. She looked at Arnacia for a few seconds, then at Naomi. The round table chat was the most fun she had in her life, but it seemed like the fun wasn't over yet.

"I have all the memories from my previous life," Arnacia said.

"But you also have the memory of our promise." Naomi said in a carefree tone.

"There's a possibility that your missing memory was replaced by whatever you 'remember'. Your previous life," Raffaella smiled. "Forget about it! If I find a cure, then I will definitely come to Lanceworth. Make sure to show me around."

Arnacia sighed. These two girls were pretty hopeless, and she didn't wish to pressure her reality on them any further. She shook her head and made her mind to be more straightforward.

"Forget about it. I am not interested in the things I cannot control either. But what I am interested in is the 7 Day Crash Course."

"No way, that's clearly a scam." Raffaella pushed the table and sat up straight. She fixed the crown of orange leaves on her head. "Naomi? You do not agree?"

"Heh! The truth is my grandfather always tells the story of how my physically weak father, he was very weak by the way, probably shaped just like you." Naomi teased Raffaella. "BUT! He did not give up on his dreams and suddenly he became a Knight in Lanceworth."

"And my brother Archie said that some kids that he could beat before suddenly became strong."

"So what are you girls suggesting? Didn't the old scarf say, 'this training is not for girls'?"

Arnacia and Naomi looked at each other and smiled wryly. There was a possibility that it wouldn't work, but did they let this stop them before?

"You won't fight in Archie's place, right?" Naomi suddenly remembered Arnacia's conversation with Archie.

"I am not sure." Arnacia looked away.

"Those boys are taught by a Scholar Knight! And they are boys for God's sake! You won't win."

"Aren't I supposed to be 2 years older?" Arnacia tried to dismiss it as a joke.

"No, no, that's not the problem here." Naomi was increasingly worried.

"How will I dress up as Archie if you won't lend me the clothes?"

"Wow, I never thought you would be into dressing up as a guy too." Raffaella said while looking at the two girls.

"No I am not" Arnacia and Naomi said together and looked at each other. They both knew what the other was thinking about. Arnacia looked away to hide her smile.

"That was a long time ago." Naomi extended her hands towards Arnacia and leaned in on the table to hide her face.

***

Food stalls lined up in shaky rows were busy welcoming a varying number of customers. The only sources of light were the origami lamps, which were more than enough to guide people in and out of the market with great satisfaction.

A handsome man walked out of the market. He had a small paper plate in his left hand and a toothpick in another. Apparently, he was chewing something, and it made his jawbone highlight deeply in the dim light. The baggy cap on his head added a layer of mystery to his appearance. Unlucky for the young girls, he was already surrounded by his two female friends.

"It's very easy to get girl friends as a guy. I think I can pull it off." Raffaella said in an uninteresting tone. She took another bite out of a packed wheat wrap and struggled to keep the fillings from falling off.

"These people must be thinking that we are Arnacia's girlfriends." Naomi looked at Arnacia's arm. Oh, how much she wanted to link arms right now! "We should put in the act so the disguise would be more believable. What do you think, Arnacia?"

"The old man might recognize me and you, if you two come along with me."

"It would definitely boost up your confidence if you prepare your best impression of a guy."

"Yes, I definitely need some help-" Before Arnacia could finish, Naomi grabbed her arm. Raffaella took a big bite and followed suit to link arms. She bent a little to see Naomi's face but couldn't. Arnacia could only sigh and the group continued walking as such.

***

The sky was dark and the stars could only help enough so people could see the surroundings enough to not trip when sober. The outlines of the Sycamore tree were visible from the distance where Raffaella pulled her arms away from Arnacia. Naomi did the same when Arnacia shook a little.

When Arnacia got close to the tree, she saw the old man sitting underneath it like a statue. She curved in her shoulders ever so slightly to make herself seem more like a well-built man. There was a slight shimmer in the air. And silence in the night that made her gulp sound louder than ever.

"Ahem!" Arnacia waited but the old man said nothing, so she continued in a voice that she prepared on the way here. "I, son of the Gemi family, would like your guidance."

"Is a tiger a tiger if it jumps off a clip to fly?" The old man asked. The shade in his face made it unclear as to where his eyes were looking.

"Only the spectator has a chance to know." Arnacia answered in a deep voice. She definitely did not have a clue what the old man was asking. In fact, this seemed like a test to her and she didn't know the answer. So she tried a well-proven way of answering the question without actually answering it.

"The course will end at the moment you fail."

"I agree." Arnacia tried to fake the voice again. She thought she was getting better and was ready to agree on all terms and conditions. But that's it? The old man turned silent again, so she added, carefully. "Can we start the course now?"

"It has already begun." A pair of lights shined from the old man's face. "Put your hand forward."

Arnacia was sure she didn't see the eyes. Maybe the shine was the dust. She exhaled before extending her hand. Swiftly, the old man's palm moved over her own. All she felt was a slight cold wind.

The old man didn't speak any further, so she pulled her hand backward and inspected her palm. She squinted her eyes and could vaguely read some words. Wow, it was easier than she imagined.

"Thank you." She took a step back and then multiple before turning around to leave.