Episode 12

Departing from the guild, I made my way to the market to purchase ingredients necessary for preparing tonight's dinner.

I halted at a stall that had just seen off a customer; it boasted an assortment of meats of the finest quality.

"I'll take 5 kilograms, please."

"That would be 5 silver coins."

I handed over the requested sum without haggling; for high-quality meat, I see no need to barter. My purchases weren't complete without vegetables and various essential spices.

Once everything was acquired, I headed back to the shop, which doubled as our home. The ground floor was designated for business, while the upper floor served as our private quarters.

The bathroom and kitchen were also included in this arrangement.

It seemed Miss Heliet had returned; ascending to the second floor, I found her asleep in my room.

This woman had no concept of boundaries, shamelessly exposing her thighs in the presence of a young man such as myself. I drew the blanket to cover her completely.

My teacher generally looked like any mature woman; beautiful in appearance with an enigmatic personality, and though she often graced me with her smile, I sensed secrets she kept hidden from me. At times, I would witness her troubled sleep, marred by nightmares, just as now.

I stroked her soft, black hair before I closed the bedroom door. Perhaps, like me, my teacher also had her share of painful memories – I lost my parents in an accident, and my aunts and uncles seized all their assets before casting me out to an orphanage.

There I existed in solitude, as other children left with new families, until at the age of 10, I decided to leave the orphanage. I survived on the streets for months, facing hunger and beatings from thugs.

When I thought my end was near, a girl my age stood before me, brandishing a wooden sword at the thugs. She dispatched them with ease and then extended a hand to me.

"Come with me... surely, you have no home."

"Who are you?"

"My name is..."

Many things happened in the past, but I choose to let them go and focus on the life before me now.

I began to arrange the ingredients on the table and process each one, deciding on a simple potato meat soup that wouldn't take too long.

Miss Heliet appeared, yawning widely in her sleepwear and sat down, her cheek resting against the table.

"Welcome back, Aksa, it smells delightful."

"Wash up before you eat."

"Yes, yes."

After doing so, she returned to her seat. I set the dishes I had made on the table. I filled a small bowl with rice and extended it to her with a pair of disposable chopsticks.

"The market had many sales, so I stocked up on supplies."

"I see, everything looks delicious... enjoy your meal."

With my chopsticks, I picked vegetables and placed them in her bowl.

"Don't forget your greens."

Miss Heliet offered me a slender smile.

"What's the matter?"

"If anyone asks who I love? I would say my student Aksa is the one."

"Don't spout such nonsense, quickly finish your meal."

"What are your thoughts about me?"

"I respect you as my teacher and as an elder sister."

"Is that all? I thought you'd also consider me a mother and a lover."

I could only muster a bitter smile in response.