018: Chapter 2 ~ An Intruder Who Brings a Storm ①

February 2, 2021 - 4 minutes read - 673 words

It’s an unseasonably warm and dry weather today, a mysterious figure approaches Allen’s mansion.

“So, over there?” Mysterious Figure

The figure stares at the mansion for a while, but soon sets off to the mansion’s front door as if a decision had been reached. Their gaze is piercing, but there isn’t anyone else around the forest, so it went unnoticed.

Around the same time, inside the mansion…

“Ok, Charlotte! THere’s a problem!” Allen

“Yes?” Charlotte

As Charlotte was having lunch, Allen burst in with his statement. Charlotte is holding a sandwich while looking confused and surprised.

Today’s lunch is a basic sandwich, a simple dish is dressed up by cutting the bread after putting in the ingredients. Earlier, Allen had no desire to eat interesting food, but he’s been making more of an effort in both nutrition and appearance since Charlotte arrived.

Allen is holding two pots in his hands, one holds coffee and the other has tea.

“Which do you want? Coffee or tea?” Allen

“Well, I’ll drink whatever Allen is having…” Charlotte

“I drink special nutrition potions, do you really want that?” Allen

“…tea I guess…” Charlotte replied after much thought.

“OK” Allen replies happily as he begins to prepare tea.

“Just like I said yesterday, when you’re honest, it will help you understand your desires.” Allen

“I just chose between tea and coffee, it wasn’t that important.” Charlotte

“I doubt you would be able to make such a decision a few days ago.” Allen

“That’s… true.” Charlotte

Charlotte picks up her sandwich, then smiles bitterly.

“Yes, I made a decision for myself… In the last few years, I wished I could have left that house.” Charlotte

“You wished to run away? It’s an important desire!” Allen laughs.

“I wonder if I can pick up a hobby sometime. If you have any ideas, please let me know.” Charlotte

“What might be right for you to try…” Allen

Charlotte looks be considering things while eating the sandwich. Allen isn’t sure what to look at, so he just drops his line of conversation. That said, he thinks he might be able to pull out the punching bag in the near future. He has a inkling that might be near…

For a while, the two enjoy the silence between them. The sound of the boiling water for tea and the singing of birds outside make a nice background harmony while the quiet time passes slowly.

“I found it!” Mysterious Figure

“Huh?” Charlotte

“Eh?” Allen

The door was vigorously opened and an intruder stepped inside. Charlotte jumped up from her chair while Allen just frowned.

The intruder was a girl around the same age as Charlotte. Despite her small size, she has a well-proportioned figure and her jade-colored eyes are bright. She’s wearing a robe similar to Allen’s, but her robe has cat ears sewn onto the hood. In addition, her black hair is tied with colorful ribbons, her chest is quite exposed, and she’s wearing a short mini skirt. She looks more like an avant-garde artist than a magician.

“Hmm… What a strange guest we have this time?” Allen

Allen has no choice but to sigh at the sight of a familiar face. He sets more tea leaves in the tea pot and adds the hot water. Now the amount should serve three people, obviously for the sudden visitor.

“Just for future reference, how did you find me out?” Allen

“It was elementary. I determined the region from the pollen on the letter, then asked around the cities for a strange wizard.” Mysterious Figure

“That’s… frighteningly accurate knowledge and wasteful actions.” Allen

Allen thinks he’ll have to do better next time. Holding in that determination, Allen brews the tea. Meanwhile, Charlotte has built up the courage to ask a question.

“Well, uh… Mr. Allen, who is this?” Charlotte asks quietly.

“That’s a good question, but… well, it’s fine. Let’s introduce her.” Allen

“My name is Erika Crawford! His sister!” Erika

“Younger sister?!” Charlotte

“Oh, in-law.” Allen grumbles as he puts sugar in his teacup.