Peregrine

"Haaah...I've only counted up to ten, and you're already giving up, Aoi? Come on, straighten those legs up and maintain that pose until I tell you to stop."

"...Fueeh?! B-But that's...that's too much even for me..."

While both Ren and Lerish are away, the two girls stayed inside Ren's room to play...sort of.

Under her watchful gaze, Saki has forced Aoi to engage in some strenuous activities, which led to her currently holding her body in a forearm plank position, aimed to strengthen the abdominal muscles, back, and core.

"...In the first place, why in the world do I have to do this? I don't understand what you're planning at all, Saki!"

"Well, it's your fault that you have to go through this!" Saki scolded her. "Recently, I noticed that your appetite, which was already too huge for a girl of your size, to begin with, has become even larger! Adding that to you always lazing around, and your general dislike of vegetables, it won't be long before you suffer various health problems!"

Saki still remembered what happened the day after they returned from their trip when Aoi devoured the Sandy Fish's Ultimate Meat Bowl all by herself as part of a challenge. The dish, enough to feed five to six hungry adventurers, was considered too much of a challenge even to the hungriest and most daring of adventurers in Plate Town, but it only took the little girl less than 15 minutes to eat it all.

Although Saki only allowed her to eat that much at that time to celebrate her safe return, the one that finally tipped her scales was the incident earlier, when Aoi ate more than half of the pizza Ren made. Worried that her friend will become sick because of the lifestyle she's living, that's why she decided to handle things on her own and help Aoi keep her body in shape.

"...But it's useless, Saki! I'm immortal, that's why it's alright for me even if I continue living like this—O-O-OUUUCCCHHHHHH!!!"

"If you're immortal, then that means you won't mind if I do something like this, right, you lazy goddess?"

"You're cruel! You're the cruelest person I've ever met!" Aoi yelled while sobbing. "...A-Alright, alright! I'll do as you say, that's why please stop putting your foot on my back!!!"

While Saki's having fun tormen—or rather, watching over Aoi, Ren entered the room, having arrived a little while ago. The moment she saw her brother, Aoi freed herself from Saki's domineering aura and rushed to his side, hiding on his back.

"...Big brother, help me! I—I'm being bullied by that evil monster over there!"

"Don't listen to her, Brother Ren. I'm just trying to help her exercise..."

"You two..."

Usually, whenever this happens, Ren would scold them for doing something that could hurt either of them but for some reason, he appeared to them with a very tired look on his face, his gaze downcast.

"...Big brother, what's wrong? Did something bad happen to your business outside with that Lerish?" Aoi looked at him worriedly.

"Ha? U-Um no, nothing bad happened to both of us. It's just that, something strange happened that I still can't shake off my mind until now."

"Have you talked about it with Big Sis Lerish?" Saki asked.

Ren nodded. "Yeah, but even she is just as clueless as I am."

Sitting on the floor, he then told the girls about his encounter with that hooded person that he assumed was a girl: that he prevented the owner of the food stall from killing her by paying for her food; that she had a gigantic appetite just like Aoi; and that instead of thanking him for saving her, she returned a scornful gaze at him before instantly running away from the scene. It was his first time meeting someone with that attitude, that's why it bothered him so much.

"...What ingratitude, that girl has! I can't believe such people exist in this world! If I was in your position big brother, I will track her down and punish her severely for showing that kind of hostility to her benefactor," Aoi lashed out her feelings after hearing the story. "Ugh, that's why I really don't like helping other people at all!"

"Even if a person did something like that to you, you shouldn't think of hurting that person in return. Isn't that right, Brother Ren?" Saki asked as she stopped Aoi's temper from going out of control.

"Yeah. I appreciate you getting mad for my sake, Aoi, but I'm already over it, and I'm not planning to go after that person either," Ren said calmly.

'Biting the hand that feeds you is one thing, and so is expecting something in return from the person you are helping,' Ren thought to himself. He also isn't the type of person who will go out of his way to help others all the time, so his feelings about the incident were more of a surprise than anger or disappointment. In any case, the best option for him is to not ruminate over that person any further.

"...Muuu, you're way too kind for your good, big brother," Aoi replied, pouting her lips.

"Right? I think that's another reason why I really love Brother Ren," Saki agreed.

"I don't think I'm that kind of a person, though?" Ren flinched from their words. "Anyway, now that it's finally out of my system, shall we go downstairs and head to the dining table? Lerish and I managed to grab the last custard cake in stock today, so we thought that we should eat it together."

"...Really?! Yaaaay!!! I love you so much, big brother!!!"

"What?! But, but...what about Aoi's training..."

"You can have your way with her tomorrow, Saki, I can assure you that. For today, however, please let her have her cake. She's been bugging me about it ever since she knew about it, and she won't stop doing it unless I give in to her demands," Ren replied while scratching his cheek.

"...Caaa~ke! Caaa~ke! Caaa~ke..."

As the siblings finally left the room and went downstairs, Saki sat on their bed alone, feeling dismayed. Not only did she have to whack some sense into a girl who is more of a cheeky, lazy brat than a fearsome goddess, but she also had to contend with her big brother, who dotes on her too much.

"Really, those two just do whatever they want. I can't help but feel very worried about their future," she said to herself while sighing heavily.

-----

"Oh? Aren't you that social worker from the capital's trusty aide? It's so strange seeing you here all by yourself," the clerk, who is a very old man, spoke to me as I went to the sole courier office in all of Plate Town, located at the back of the town hall.

"Yes. She's currently busy right now helping with our friends at Sandy Fish, that's why I'm the one bringing her documents here."

"Ah, I see. That's regrettable..."

Ever since the idea of adding pizza to the menu has been thought of by me last week, the situation at the Sandy Fish become more hectic, with the Rainens juggling their time between operating the inn, and perfecting the recipe I gave to them, which served as our base.

Because of that, Lerish, being the workaholic that she is, decided on her own to man the kitchen whenever one of the siblings is unavailable. As always, we did our best to stop her from adding more work to her plate, but all our heeding was just as effective as cutting water with a knife.

"To be honest with you, all of us here at the office, even the women, will stop whatever we're doing whenever she comes. Here in Plate Town, it's so rare to see such a beauty like her, that's why we want to look at her as much as possible."

"Please, concentrate more on your work, I beg of you."

I can't blame them for having that feeling towards Lerish, but what they're doing might hurt their operation. Just a glance is enough, I think?

I left the place immediately after I had Lerish's documents processed by the courier to be sent to the capital. Today's a particularly busy day for all of us, with our trial run starting the next day, that's why I want to go back as fast as I can to help with the preparations.

Seriously though, what's stopping those two from hiring even just a few helpers? They've been planning to expand their business for some time now, and yet they still believe they can handle everything by themselves.

Fine. Once I get back, I will definitely put a poster in front of the inn asking interested people to apply for work at Sandy Fish, whether the siblings like it or not. I'm the one who thought of this anyway, so I have a say in how this will go.

While I am walking down the street at the marketplace, with my mind focused on what should I put on the poster, I heard quick footsteps coming from a narrow intersection nearby. Almost immediately, a person appeared right in front of me, causing both of us to quickly stop on our feet right before we bumped against each other.

"I-I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention while I am wal...king..."

When I looked up, I saw a person whose entire body is hidden behind a brown coat save for her face, which showed great surprise upon meeting my gaze.

"Y-You—"

"—?!!"

"Hey, wait!"

Before I could ask her why she was in a rush, she instantly ran away in the direction of the town hall. A few seconds later, I saw a group of people running while carrying knives and other kitchen utensils from the street where she came, and upon seeing me, one of them asked:

"Young man! Have you seen a skinny lady wearing a brown coat running here?!"

"U-Uhh..."

"Now's not the time to be asking other people! We have to find her as soon as possible!" another person who seems to be their leader spoke. "We have to split up—you guys, go over there. The rest, including me, will go this way."

And just like that person, they also left me behind in a hurry, running away quickly in different directions.

Confused, I looked up and asked myself, "What the hell is wrong with that person?!"

Without a doubt, that person did the same thing as I first saw her, eating without paying for her meal. This time, however, it seems that she's done it with a couple of shops, as those who are after her are too many to be working on a single stall.

Anyway, it's not that it's my problem if she's on the run again. I may have saved her once, but that's about it. I'm just a human, not a saint, and I don't want to get into trouble for helping a runaway criminal.

As I continued walking, I suddenly remembered the first time Aoi and I came here, carrying nothing but ourselves and a few coins in my pocket. I was fortunate enough to choose to go to Sandy Fish and meet Saku and Saki at that time, but what would happen if we didn't? What would happen if it was just me alone who went here, and without any money to boot? Would I become the same as that person?

And then, by reasons not even me could determine...I turned back and began running after her.

I'm really disappointed in myself for doing this. I already said to myself that she's on her own, but why am I still...

Ugh, damn it! This is the last time I'll be doing this, okay?!!

However, it's really hard to find her with these many people around. During these times, Lerish's Arcana prove to be very useful unlike the [High Priestess] that I got.

Sorry, Tessa. I hope you won't get mad at me for comparing your Arcana to the [Tower] after you come back from whatever place you are right now.

Oh? After a few minutes of running around, I finally found her, hidden among the crowd. It seems that she was able to escape those guys earlier, as she's not in a hurry whatsoever.

Using that as an opportunity, I tried to close my distance as carefully as I could. However, she quickly saw through my movements as if she has eyes on the back of her head, which caused her to panic again and resume running.

"Oi, wait! I'm not with those people!!!"

Man—not only she's fast, but she's also very agile, being able to masterfully weave her way around the moving crowd. Had it not because of my physical training and the strength I gained from acquiring Arcanas, I wouldn't be able to keep up with her.

"Why are you so afraid of me? Haven't you forgotten the person who helped you last time?!"

When I asked her that, she became even faster. Extremely annoyed, I had no choice but to resort to that.

"At the very least, will you just listen to me?!"

"—?!!"

Using the [Death] Arcana, I applied a weak curse on her feet, causing them to lose their strength for a split second. The sudden change in her feet was enough for her to stumble and fall, planting her face into the ground in front of many people.

I...overdid it, aren't I?

-----

"Um...I'm very sorry for what happened. It wasn't my intention to scare you earlier."

"..."

Sitting on a bench at the town plaza, the person whom many people have been after now quietly ate the skewered meat I bought for her, biting into each piece with such voracity. Still, though, her eyes remained furious as she kept her gaze on me.

Sitting on the opposite bench, I spoke to her, "You left me with no choice, you know? You're way faster than I am and if I didn't do that you'll disappear again, just like last time."

"..."

Having finally eaten her last stick of meat, she placed her trash on the bin away from me, and asked—

"What...you want...from me..."

"Ah, so you can speak, after all."

I'm very surprised to hear her voice. It's so faint, almost like a whisper, and her diction is like a person speaking the language for the very first time. She might be a foreigner for all I know just like me, but that may be not the case.

"If you're not bad...why are you...after me..."

"Me? I wanted to help you again after I saw you being chased by those people, but it seems that they already gave up. Right now, I want to know the reason why you're eating without paying anything."

It's fine if she didn't want to tell me why. I'm not in any capacity to judge her based on her actions, but I want to make it clear to her that what she's doing is a crime.

Then, the girl looked at me and said, "I don't understand...is it not normal...?"

"Of course, it's not! If you want to eat outside, you must have some money with you! Well, there's also the option of gathering fruits from trees, but good luck finding one in this town and during this season."

Don't tell me, she came from a place where the concept of money doesn't exist.

Nevertheless, it doesn't seem that she's a bad person. She only did it out of habit, but I don't think anyone will believe that.

"Do you have any place to stay at the moment?"

"None."

"Any family members, relatives, friends...?"

"None."

"How are you able to survive at this point?!"

"I...don't know."

I'm impressed, I'm very impressed. This girl, for better or for worse, is much like a weed—being able to live even without being taken care of.

Maybe it's just my intuition, but I think she's just built differently from everyone else.

"Well, at the very least—do you know the way back to your hometown?"

When I asked her that, the sharp look in her eyes became gloomy as she replied:

"No...they...threw me."

"What?!"

Woah, woah, woah. I never expected to hear those words from her. So she's banished from her hometown? Why would they even do that?

Since it's a very sensitive matter, I chose not to delve into it further. What's more important for me is her current state, which will only get worse as more people will find out about her antics, perhaps even spreading to other towns and cities.

"If you need basic needs like shelter and food, come with me. I know someone who can help you with that."

"No. This much...is enough," she said bluntly.

"Eh?"

She then walked toward me and patted my shoulder. Then, in a whisper, she spoke:

"You should worry more...yourself."

"Wait, what do you mean by tha—"

She's already gone. She only went outside of my field of vision for a moment and she quickly disappeared, leaving nothing but those words.

"I expected nothing from her, and yet the only thing she gave me was a grim foreshadowing of my future...oh shi—"

How long has passed since I left the courier office? Panicking, I jumped out of the bench and ran as fast as I could to the Sandy Fish. When I arrived, I was met with disappointed faces, and I had to explain what happened for about an hour before they finally let me go.

She's right—the only thing I should be worried about...was my safety.