Family Name

I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Thieves!!! Call the police!!! There's a robbery!!! Thieves!!!!"

The street was relatively vacant but a few people were still present. All of their attention was now on us.

I kept screaming, "These five guys are robbing that lady! Police! Call for help!"

I put extra emphasis on the word 'five'.

"There are FIVE guys! FIVE robbers! HELP! HELP!"

The nearby windows started opening, and people poked their heads out one by one.

The three dudes quickly realized they were in a pickle and ran away with their tails between their legs.

As for the other two, one got up and carried his brother away as fast as he could.

All the people only started gathering AFTER the thieves had run away.

'Such a kind world. Tch', I clicked my tongue.

I quickly mediated the crowd that had gathered by explaining about the robbers and how my life was in danger.

They all clustered around me and asked whether I was alright and if I wanted to call the police.

I looked at the actual victim.

She hadn't approached me nor joined the crowd. She just stood far away, looking at the situation unfolding.

Not wanting to aggravate the current matter further, I told them that there was no need to call the law enforcement department anymore as I was doing just fine. I thanked everyone around me and showed my gratitude for their help.

Only when the last person had gone, did she come near me.

Before she could say anything, I handed over her bag and watch.

She looked at me for a while, not saying anything.

I realized I was being rude, so I took off my mask and shades, and also pulled down my hoodie. Then I bowed, like the robber guy did and looked at her.

She wasn't old but she wasn't young either. She had wrinkles on her face but they weren't ugly. There were bags under her eyes and she appeared tired. She was wearing glasses and her clothing suggested that she was an office lady. She had shoulder length hair that was tied into a low ponytail with a rubber band.

Her face looked oddly familiar.

Green eyes, red hair...

Wait, could it be?

"Hello. Thank you for helping. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Yuka Kimura."

Kimura? Is she Enna's mother? Wasn't she out of the city because of some business trip?

"My name is Ray. It's very nice to meet you, ma'am."

"Ray and...? What is your surname?"

Surname? Does she mean family name? Shit, I never thought about it.

I quickly tried to think of the last name in my memory.

"It's Astraeeus."

"Astraeus?"

"Yes ma'am. My name is Ray Astraeus."

I put my hands to my side and stood straight.

She seemed to be the serious type.

"So Ray Astraeus, where do you work?"

What is this? Do people usually talk to their saviour like this?

"I'm only 17 ma'am, so I'm still a student."

"Oh! You're a student? Which school do you read in?"

Her voice became softer and kinder when I mentioned that I was a student.

"Ishiyama high, ma'am. Well, actually, I'll be starting classes there soon."

I only knew the name of this one school.

"Oh my, are you also an elementalist?"

I still didn't quite know what that meant, but I guess it doesn't matter because Lianne will help me when she wakes up.

"Yes ma'am. That is correct."

"Ah that is wonderful. What are you doing here at this hour, Ray? Shouldn't you be at home studying?"

She was very inquisitive.

"Actually, I was looking for a place to stay."

"Why? What happened to your home?"

It got stolen by some unknown God.

"It burned down, ma'am."

"Burned down? Oh, did you live in Arayama street?"

I mean, technically, that's where I first opened my eyes in this world, so the analogy of calling it my homeland wouldn't be too far-fetched, right?

"Yes ma'am."

"And what about your parents?"

"I live alone ma'am. They..."

Bad memories started flooding my mind.

Before I knew it, my left eye had become teary.

She saw my reaction and then turned towards the place where the robbery took place. She started to think about something.

Phew, that was a close call. I'm not good with older ladies.

She turned around and spoke again,

"Say, Ray, why don't I provide you a place to stay for a while?"

My mouth opened in astonishment.

[Enna's POV]

"Mother sent me a text that she's coming early but she didn't mention when."

Currently, Enna was impatient.

Having prepared dinner, she was circling around the dining table with her phone in her hand.

"Ray still hasn't contacted me..."

Enna thought about Ray betraying her. After saying all those sweet things yesterday, now he didn't even send her a single text.

"No, no. I'm sure he's just busy."

Enna's impatience grew every second.

She wanted to contact Ray, but she had no way to do that.

"I want to talk to him once more..."

Ding Dong

The bell rang.

"Mother must have come back."

Enna quickly ran to the door and opened it.

"Mother, you're home...?"

Enna lost her tongue while speaking.

"Ah, Enna. Meet Ray, he's also an elementalist and will be going to the same academy as you."

Because behind her mother, stood someone who looked just like Ray but also wasn't Ray.

"Uhm...", she had no words.

"Hello, my name is Ray Astraeus."

Ray bowed his head and politely introduced himself.

"Ray will be living in the guest room below. Say hello to him."

"Ah...ahh..", Enna was still speechless.

The boy was a spitting image of Ray. Only his hair colour was different. Even his voice sounded the same.

Enna's mother looked at her with an angry expression.

"Forgive my daughter, Ray, she is a bit shy."

Ray bowed again and spoke, " No, ma'am. I'm thankful for your kindness."

Enna's mother liked Ray's attitude.

"Oh my. Such a sincere young boy."

She patted Ray's shoulder.

"Consider this your own home. Come now, let's have dinner together."