Alright! Now we’re talking!
Ten whole hours passed with a few food breaks and I finally finished purifying the sword and give it the desired shape. I raised it in the sky and looked at it satisfied.
Now it’s time for some finishing touches for the blade then I can start with the guard and~… Hm?
I placed the sword inside the furnace and as I turned to find another hammer, I saw a fairy-like figure sitting down on a chair while looking intently my way.
“… Huh?”
I thought I was seeing things for a moment, continuing to stare at the person in front. Sometimes, because of the bright fire, I end up having a hard time getting my eyes to adjust after taking my sight away from the furnace. I took off my gloves and massaged my tired eyes, then I looked again only to see Alice now coming closer.
“Hey, Leon. Great work! I see you love blacksmithing very much.”
“… Why are you here? Rather, since when?”
She smiled brightly at me and I couldn’t help looking rather surprised at her.
“I’m here to give you the homework we received at school. And I arrived around… 3 hours ago?!”
She took out her phone and remained baffled when she saw the clock, making me smile amused. She got closer to me and looked at my face intently.
“W-what is it?”
“I don’t get to see your sincere smile all the time, you know?”
“You don’t need to get this close, come on! Isn’t the heat burning you? Rather, isn’t my smell killing you here? And I’m topless! Aren’t you disturbed?”
I took another step back but she also took a step forward, sitting in my shadow without a problem.
“You are protecting me from the heat, so I don’t mind it. You also don’t smell bad, as for your top… I wonder if there is any girl who’d hate seeing that.”
She looked at me from head to toes and chuckled amused while reflexively licking her lips, feeling a shudder down my back.
“Alright, enough! Just get back real quick!”
I felt my face turning red and I quickly waved at her to move away as I wanted to go and take a shower.
“Oy brat, your sword.”
As I wanted to leave, my uncle pointed at the blade I left inside the furnace and my face palled.
“Ah, s***!”
I grabbed the pliers and quickly took out the sword from the furnace. Because the pliers were rather short, the heat from the metal reached my hand, but luckily enough I was used to it as it wasn’t the first time I worked without them. After I took it out, I quickly grabbed a whisk and wiped the blade off any remaining dust or other impurities.
That was close…
I breathed out then turned to Alice, not knowing what to do now. In the end, I just sighed and asked her to wait for me in my room until I finish showering. I walked her to my room and before we entered, she turned to me before I left.
“I really don’t mind your smell. Is not bad.”
“Well I do and it stinks! Now just wait there.”
She chuckled amused by my flustered appearance as I was keeping my distance then entered the room I pointed at. Expecting for it to be as dirty as the rest of the house, she was rather surprised to see everything placed in order. However, something still made her frown concerned,
Why is it… so empty? And why is he using valises and bags to deposit his books and notebooks? Shouldn’t there be more things inside a boy’s room?
She remained surprised at how there was only a table on top of which an old laptop was placed, while in front of it was a wooden and simple chair. Near it, there was a simple bed beside the window, while at the end of the bed there was a small wardrobe. Bellow and beside the table there were valises with the respective school-items, on top of which more bags with similar things. Other than that, there was no mirror, no distinguishable accessories, nothing that would talk about someone’s hobbies or preferences.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, no worrie- Kya…!”
As I entered the room, Alice shouted lightly, surprised then turned away in shock. I looked at her confused but then I finally understood why she reacted like that, quickly going to the wardrobe to grab some clothes as the only thing on me was a towel that hid my groin area.
“S-sorry! Being only men, my uncle and I always walk around like this once out of the shower, that’s why I forgot this time to bring any clothes. I’ll go and change real quick!”
“S-sure! Please do.”
I quickly got out and back inside the bathroom to change there. After I changed in a shirt and a pair of casual pants, I returned to my room while already feeling tired. Alice was sitting on my chair, not really sure what to do while looking down embarrassed.
“… Are you okay?”
“Y-yesh-… I mean, yes.”
“…”
Did she just bit her tongue?
Alice turned red while I wasn’t sure what to say. I sighed and dropped on my bed, leaning on my back and resting my head on the wall in a relaxed manner.
“Just calm down, will you? Is not like I’ll eat you.”
“I- I know that. I’m… I’m just surprised that your room it’s so… simple.”
Trying to forget what happened just now, she looked once again around and couldn’t help feeling a rather gloomy and deserted feeling to the room.
I did the same then I smiled lightly,
“What, surprised by how poor I am?”
“T-that’s not what I meant…!”
She quickly waved her hands then I laughed amused as I nodded,
“Don’t worry, I know what you mean. A young boy’s room should be more colorful and filled with things like posters, games, and so on, right? I did have them back in my other house. After getting here I took with me only the strictly needed stuff.”
“The other house?”
“Because there was nobody there anymore, I had to move to my uncle’s house.”
“And what happened with the other house?”
“I’m thinking of selling it.”
“What?!”
She got up suddenly, surprising me for a moment.
“Why would you sell it? Isn’t it a waste? Wouldn’t it be a better idea to keep it for when you’ll be moving on your own?”
“Who knows when that would be?”
“When you’ll get a family?”
“You’re kidding? I think you forgot who you’re talking to.”
“Leon…”
I smiled mockingly while looking away and Alice felt a rather lonely air about me when I said that. After that, I simply sighed and asked her to just show me the homework so I can do it tonight.
Damn bastards, giving out so much homework already in the second week of school…
I grumped annoyed to myself but still took a few pictures of her notebooks then walked her to the exit.
“Hm? Leon, why are you preparing as well?”
“You took the trouble to come all the way to this remote area. Of course, I would walk you back, especially at such a late hour.”
It was already 8 PM and the sun has set, let’s not add the fact that this area was a rather isolated one, where many punks and tricksters roamed around in their free time. Alice wanted to tell me not to trouble myself but I simply ignored her.
“I’ll not go if you tell me that you hate me and we shouldn’t see each other ever again.”
“W-why would I say such things?!”
“Then it’s set. Let’s go.”
“N-no, wait. Aaargh! Leon, you’re such an impossible person.”
“Well, thanks.”
“I wasn’t praising you…”
“Matters not how you say it, but how I perceive it.”
“Hmph. Such a sharp tongue. Were you like this before as well?”
“I was indeed, but maybe not as shameless.”
“So you know you’re shameless.”
“And I damn love it. You should try it as well. The feeling of freedom it gives it’s just the best.”
“Hmm~. I’ll take that into consideration.”
As we walked together toward the bus station and while even inside the bus, we continued on chatting about different things until she suddenly remembered,
“Ah, hey Leon. How come your room and the kitchen are so clean while the rest of the house it’s in such a mess?”
“Uncle told me that whatever I use, I shall leave it clean after. So all that I use it’s the bathroom, the kitchen, and my room.”
“What about the rest?”
“He has to pay for the rest. I don’t use his room, while the rest of the house, I might just happen to stroll around, but not use it in any way.”
“I-Isn’t that too much?”
“Blame him for being stingy.”
“Like you’re one to talk.”
“Believe me, I learned it from him.”
She talked amused then we got down from the bus, her dojo being right behind the next corner. After arriving in front of her house, a rather traditional-looking eastern building appeared before us, making me stare somewhat surprised as it was quite big and amazing.
“This… are any of your parents from, err… The Far East, or something?”
“Couldn’t you tell? My grandfather, it’s from Japan. My father’s half Japanese and I went to my grandfather with him for the whole summer. This dojo’s my father’s and it’s already 10 years old. He had someone else maintain it and after we moved to this city this year, we decided to use it as our house while also keep it running as the same dojo as before.”
“I see… That explains your big and round eyes.”
“Eh? Don’t Asians have small eyes?”
“Some have them big I guess, at least that’s what I saw in some documentaries. But I never met one. Well then, see ya.”
I smirked amused then wanted to leave, only to be stopped by her once again.
“Wait, wait a bit!”
“Is there something else?”
“W-why not eat with us? My mom normally makes quite a bit of food and I’m unable to finish it most of the time.”
“And so you want me to finish your rests? Wow~ so mean.”
“Wha-? Leon! Stop teasing me!”
“Sorry, sorry.”
I laughed amused and she also smiled embarrassed but I looked at her from up to down. She had around 1.70cm while her physique was with nothing frail. Although her body was really feminine and rather mature for a high-schooler, a trained eye could tell that she was surely training on something that used quite a few of her body’s muscles. She wasn’t buffed or ripped like my body was, but surely if one looked closely, they could tell that she was anything but weak.
At her comment, I smiled amusedly and simply said,
“If you truly eat as you said, then your body will crumble. Better be sure to put back all you wasted or you’ll turn into a stick.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She pouted at me then I simply turned and wanted to leave,
“Anyway, just don’t trouble yourself with me. I already brought all the necessary ingredients for tonight’s dinner.”
“Ah…”
She wanted to say some more but couldn’t find any words as she reached to me. While I walked away, a group of three huge guys appeared right in front of me, looking my way with curious eyes. From behind them, another few people with bags were coming this way, not yet aware of what was happening.
“Uhm… can I help you?”
I looked at the three with rather apathetic eyes and then Alice came right beside me, a bright smile on her face.
“Ah, has training ended for today? Thank you for coming!”
She bowed her head respectfully and the others did the same, wide grins on their faces.
“Wahahaha~! Welcome back, young lady. Everyone was confused as to why you weren’t at the dojo for today, only to suddenly hear from your father that you’re at a friend’s house, bringing them the homework… Is this lad the friend we’ve been told of? He was talking as if you went to a girl’s house, not a boy’s. Hm~.”
The three men smirked amused while making Alice blush while have me gaze somewhat confused.
Some of the ones behind already heard us talking and some of the younger ones approached curiously, especially after seeing Alice. I looked at this view and felt a bad premonition.
Don’t tell me… is Alice the mascot of the dojo that brings in the disciples? Everyone seems awfully happy to see her, especially the guys…
And after they asked about me I couldn’t help forcing a smile. Alice glanced at me a few times and wanted to introduce me but I was with a step faster,
“Good day, sirs. I’m Leon. As for why I’m with Alice now, it’s simply because I thought I should at least walk her back after going to the trouble to bring me the homework.”
“Hmmm… Why didn’t she just contact you by phone or something?”
A youngster of around the same age or older asked suspiciously, making Alice frown at the way he asked and having me smile rather amused.
“Well, I never told her my phone number. Never expected it would be needed. Now if you could excuse me, I gotta go home.”
“Hahaha~! This would be the first time I see the young Miss take the initiative to talk with a boy! Lad, not sure what you did, but I congratulate you.”
“S-sir!”
One of the three big guys laughed out loud and Alice rebuked him annoyed but he still chuckled at her embarrassed face. He wanted to pat my shoulder but I quickly evaded his hand out of reflex, making everyone look surprised by this rather offensive gesture.
“Ahahaha! Funny you say that, sir. In class, she’s the center of attention so I doubt it’s that strange. By the gods! Look at the clock! Gotta go.”
With a forced laugh, I tried to just get out of there, not remembering when it was the last time I had to interact with such a large group of people.
These guys are the friendly type that would touch your back or shoulder like is nothing. I really don’t wish to harm them with my hidden blades.
I thought while feeling a bit guilty after evading that one friendly pat. However, the youngster from before had other thoughts as he got in my way.
“Just wait for a moment… you, what’s the relationship between you two?”
“Classmates. Now that you know, see ya.”
“Wait up you little-“
I went around him but just as I wanted to evade his grab, I saw that he was actually faster than me and instantly grabbed my collar, his fingers now ending up with blood all over.
“Agh! W-what the heck is this?!”
“Raul! Stop this! What are you even doing to Leon?”
“What do you mean what I’m doing?! I’m the one injured here!”
He looked at his cuts then a sudden thought struck him. He looked at Alice’s hands and saw that her hands were still covered with bandages here and there. His face turned red from rage and turned my way again.
“You f*****! You’re the one who injured Alice, aren’t you?!”
“Just like you, she did it herself.”
“Shut up! You f****** bastard-“
“Stop it! It wasn’t his fault!”
He wanted to throw a punch and Alice quickly wanted to rush at him to stop him. However, one of the bigger guys stopped his punch and talked with a firm expression on his face.
“Raul, just what the Hell are you doing? Since when were you so violent?”
“But just look at this arrogant bastard! He even evaded you!”
“…”
He looked at me then stared more intently at my shoulders. Barely visible but still there, he was able to observe more cuts on my jacket, understanding that the same things that harmed Raul might be on my shoulders as well.
“I suppose you did so not because you hated us, am I right? Sir Leon.”
“Oh? Yes indeed. I’m wearing these for my own protection, but I’d rather not harm the ones who did nothing to me, even more so for the ones who are friendly with me. I apologize if my action insulted you, sir.”
I explained myself then bowed my head lightly, the man looking satisfied, nodding once. Then he looked at Alice’s fingers and asked,
“And what about these? By the look of it, I doubt it was only a light pat on your shoulder.”
“You’d better ask her yourself.”
“Err, how should I say~…”
Seeing my long face the man seemed surprised then turned to Alice who was now scratching her head with an opsie~ expression on her face.
“… I see. So to understand, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Indeed.”
Both the big man and I reached a conclusion in a spam of a second after he saw her face, both of us understanding just how impulsive Alice can get at times, making her feel a bit embarrassed about it. However, the youngster was still revolted with me, releasing himself from his senior’s grip and pointing at me infuriated.
“Anyway! Just why are you even wearing such crappy things on you?! Are you trying to be cool or something? Or are you really doing so for defensive purposes? Didn’t you hear about using your fists? Are you even calling yourself a man?”
“It’s my policy to not fight idiots.”
“What does that means?”
“It means that only idiots would start random fights with me, your injuries being proof.”
“You bastard!”
“Well, you did start a conflict for no reason…”
“S-sir?!”
The three big guys nodded agreeing with me and the others also thought that Raul’s actions were rather rushed and unjustified, making him feel like he was the only one in this. He then looked at Alice who was feeling rather embarrassed as she was also wearing the injuries of an idiot, making Raul feeling like he got back-up.
“H-here! Alice also has them! Are you willing to say that she’s an idiot too?!”
“W-wait, Raul?!”
As he pointed at her, Alice suddenly turned red in the face but my face was just like before, shrugging my shoulders with a meek smile,
“Well, she surely wasn’t the brightest.”
“Wha- Agh!”
“Don’t bring me in your stupid quarrels! You moron!”
I simply answered as politely as I could, but Alice still felt embarrassed by this, feeling annoyed with Raul for bringing her in his own things and smacking his head quite hard. The others started laughing amused and I was rather surprised with how loved Alice was by her people from the dojo, looking like a big happy family.
Family, huh…
Unaware of it, a sad smile formed on my face and I just wanted to leave from there, disappearing while they were still having a good time together.
“Anyway, Leon! Will you come tomorrow-… Leon?”
She looked around but there was no longer any hint of me being around, Raul being the one to comment once again about how uncivilized I was.
.
I embarked on the bus to go back home and sat down, resting my head on the window and looking at the dark street lit up by the streetlights we passed by. I tried not to think about anything as a heavy feeling tried to make its way in my heart. I looked at the starless dark sky and a sudden question appeared in my head.
I wonder how is father doing right now…? And what about mother? Is she looking over both of us even now? I wonder what she’s thinking about all of this… Is she crying over my father’s fate? And… is she mad at me for not taking school seriously?… If she was alive right now, I wonder if she would be disappointed with what I’ve become…
I looked down at my palms filled with old blisters, burnt marks, old cuts, and rough skin from overworking, nothing like those of a high-school student.
I wonder when I’ll just fully accept this life already and stop whining? I kinda get annoyed by my own weakness now, no matter how justified it is…
I sighed heavily then continued to look through the window, the saddened reflection of my own eyes staring me back and only making me frown irritated.
I knew that I wasn’t at fault for what happened, but neither could I simply blame my father for doing his job. At most, I could blame the corrupt government for giving out that legislation which ended up with a bunch of gangsters going after my mother, but even then… Just what could a student do?
F*** it, finding a target to blame… is really not like me. Just leave it, I don’t care anymore. Got money to do anyway.
I covered my face with both hands and just wanted for the bus to go faster so I could go to bed, feeling a few times more tired than on any other working days.
