Chapter 2 - Moons
It's been 5 hours since I left Slug City. The vehicle I've been riding in had passed several cities already. Cities which aren't really different from where I started.. Junk everywhere, air that always smells like cigarettes, rainy weather, streets full of thugs and homeless people.
"This planet is awful."
I whispered to my self.
I hope that my destination, Gas City, the capital city of the country, would be a bit different though.
4 more hours had passed and I finally arrived.
When I stepped out the bus, the first thing I saw was indeed very different from all other cities that I saw earlier.
The city was huge. Larger than any city I've seen before.. and somehow worse. Tall buildings everywhere, factories producing air polluting smoke, dead trees, hot rain, sewers filled with garbage. It was a nightmare.
The station had several people sleeping on the floor. They were either homeless or drunk.
It was unexpected, but I wasn't really surprised.
I went over to this huge guy to ask where the bathroom is but when he turned around, he grabbed my arm and held it tightly with his huge hands and started touching and sniffing my little body.
"You smell good!!!"
"Oh my god oh my god oh my god DISGUSTING!! AAAAAAH!"
I started to panic and knee'd him hard right on the chin.
I managed to escape but I couldn't stop sweating from panic and I started getting cautious with the people around me. Not only that but I'm starting to get skeptical about the map. What if the man who gave this to me was a predator or scum like these people?.. These types of questions ran throughout my head and I started to feel scared. However, I need answers and I don't want to turn back after everything that has happened.
That being said, I started to look around again.
Apparently the place I wanna find is called "Kare Cafe". A cafe that serves beer and liquor.
I found it after an hour of looking.
When I entered, it was empty, though I was still on guard after what happened earlier.
"Hello, can I help you?"
A large woman came from the back door holding a cup. She must be the one who owns the place.
I don't know what to say it's getting awkward why am I not saying anything.
"I uh.. um. Hi uh. I'm uhh.. looking for some.. one? Thing? Uhh."
Good job, Melt. I never thought I was this bad at talking...
"Uh... Well, I'm looking.. for someone.. someone? Uhh.."
"?"
Goddamnit Melt, Stop stuttering!
"Oh, don't worry, he's with me!"
A man in black enters from behind me and backed me up. He looked so formal with his black suit and umbrella.
Is he the one?... I was looking for?..
"Oh, Noah. Welcome back."
The owner seems to recognize him.
"Hello little guy, nice to meet you! Why don't we sit over there?"
He looked very kind. He had a very warm smile and it soothes me but I can't let my guard down. He might still be a scum like all the others here...
"So little guy, what's your name?"
"...Melty"
"Ah, hello Melty. My name is Noah, but you can call me Mr. Net!"
" Oh uhh.. Hi Mr. Net."
" Melt, I know you've been through a lot and I know it's not easy to trust someone like me after your encounter but I assure you.. You can trust me, Melt."
His smile and calm voice really makes me feel less worried, and so far he hasn't done anything to me.
Wait, previous encounter he says? How does he know about that?
"If I can trust you then.. Why we're you just watching me while almost getting molested by that guy..? "
" Oh I see, you knew I was watching. "
" Answer me! "
" Okay okay.. The truth is necessary for strengthening our bonds is it not?
Well then.. I've been watching over you since the beginning. Ever since I left you on the train station, I've always been watching.."
So then.. why?
"Why didn't you save me or help me?? After all the trouble I've been through for a year and a half?"
"Well before I answer that, lemme ask something.. Melt, do you remember anything before the point you woke up?"
" N-no.. "
" Melt, do you know the incident from last year, a month before you woke up? "
" No."
" There was a gigantic space research facility that exploded to bits. I was on the space bus at that time, travelling between planet Draco and Sedaya. It was so strong that it stopped all transportation systems on both planets.
During the explosion, I saw a tiny figure of a person that flew towards us in a very high speed. It was you.
I don't know how you did it but you survived and didn't get burned and disassembled to pieces like a meteorite. You came flying at our direction so I decided to catch you.
When I saved you, I tried to see if you we're still breathing, and you were breathing perfectly.
You had no more clothes though.
I was really interested how strong you are to have even survived that.."
" That's why you wanted to test me for a year? "
" Yes. However it would have been inconsiderate of me if I didn't give you anything as a head start. So I gave you clothes that my students requested me to buy for them. A blue jacket for a music loving boy and pants for a cat eared cutie like you."
" Your students must've been mad"
" Yep. Now I answered your question right?"
"Yeah. Wait, you're a teacher?"
" Yes. Which brings me to my next point, Melt.. Will you be my student?"
" Huh?"
" I have not told you the whole truth yet, but please trust me! I will not harm or do anything to hurt you in anyway! Please, I beg of you, be a student in my school!"
That face that had a very clean smile, is now very serious and desperate to become my teacher.
"O-okay. This is all very sudden but for now.. I'll trust you."
" Really?! "
He then got filled with happiness as soon as I said that. I'm still skeptical however, this man.. he looks like I can trust him.
"I hope I don't regret this choice then!"
"Yep!"