"So… this is what you were going to?"
Noa asked my question, but in a blunter way. The inside of this building looked close to the cafes in my past life. Round tables, at our right there were booths where couples were talking.
"Mhhm… I wanted to show Yukina this cafe." Shen nodded her head and eyed me a small bit.
Before anyone else could say anything- A brown haired foxkin in a waitress uniform walked up to us. One of her eyes was black with a white pupil. And that's as creepy as Noa's hands….Are all foxes in this world scary in some way? Is that a requirement?
Her other eye was normal, and she seemed like any other foxkin. Then again… she smelled differently too…. She had a… saltier smell to her.
"We-Welcome to Aiko's cafe… M-Miss Shen and Missus Noa…"
I could tell Shen's frustrated expression softened and Noa's angry look turned to a smile.
"Wasn't expecting to see you working here, Rio…"
"Y-Yeah… I stopped working as an adventurer…" This girl started to scratch the back of her head. "I had a daughter and my fiance and I are looking to settle down…"
Daughter and fiance? She barely looks like she's eighteen… I witnessed Noa and Shen congratulate this girl with a smile and their support. Rio's tail started wagging as they did this and she guided us to a table.
"How old's your daughter Rio?" Noa asked whilst glancing at the menu in front of her. "When your parents and you came to the castle… That was a couple years ago I think?"
"Four months…" Rio replied as a smirk appeared on her lips. "That's when I quit adventuring."
Noa nodded her head as she started to look happier. Shen looked to be engrossed in their conversation, she was leaning forward and had a hand under chin.
"You need to bring her next time! I bet she's adorable!"
"Miss Shen recommended I keep her home until she's able to walk."
Visibly Noa rolled her eyes. Let's hope they don't start fighting now..
Meanwhile these three started to have a little conversation, I sat there utterly bored. I let my eyes wander.
Noa still looks so familiar. Is she a reincarnator? No… no it shouldn't really be possible that she looks like her…
I mean… Shen and I look nothing like our past lives. We both became girls.
But… Noa looks like mom, nearly identical, just younger, white hair and a foxgirl. Shen said she was a normal person, but Noa looks nothing like a normal person. Is it possible she could be?
I mean, my dad's not normal. He's one of the demi-gods in this world. One of four…. So my mom has to be someone special, right??
Before long… Rio took our orders… I tried to order nothing for myself, but Shen made me get something from the menu. Although everything sounded great… I couldn't find the room in my stomach to get something.
Shen was the most impatient, only getting a drink for herself and that's all. Noa some noodle dish, and myself, something with bread in it.
Whilst we waited, Noa began to bicker with Shen. Are these two friends or something else…? Shen never looks this pissed…
Her ears were completely flat— I could see her elongated canines showing. Noa was smirking at Shen- It turned into her purposely knowing her…
The topic was something meaningless so I ignored the words going at each other. And they eventually stopped when Rio dropped off our dishes.
The food was steaming… Alongside Shen's drink.
Why did you want me here? I asked Shen when I felt the connection between her and I form.
Hm? To spend time…
Shen tilted her head at me, she clinked the tea in her hand.
Y'know I have a feeling that's all. You and James were acting weird at breakfast… and you know I can't eat much, right?
Shen let out a sigh, which caused Noa to pop up from her food.
She chewed and ignored us then went back to her food.
How do you feel about adventuring? I remember you and your friends talked about how cool it would be in a fantasy story.
"I like it…" I muttered.
Do not finish what you want to say.
Alright… alright… I do like it. I pushed my plate to the center of the table. My stomach still felt relatively full from breakfast. It feels like something I'm good at, and it's fun.
"Your guys' secret conversation is obvious."
Shen and I glanced at Noa who was now focused on us. She looked utterly annoyed.
"You don't need to be in it." Shen commented and took a drink of what she got. "It's a conversation between a student and sensei."
One roll of her eyes and a long sigh, Noa went to her food a third time.
Shen proceeded to roll her eyes too then refocusing on our conversation.
To be honest, your dad's worried about you. Not Frederic, but James.
I had to tilt my head at her words, it brought the question to my mind which was… Why?
Shen seemed to have read that immediately but didn't say anything. Pretty much telling me to ask him instead about why. Just like her I dropped the topic and looked around the cafe.
So you and Noa knew that lady?
Rio? She's the daughter of Fei and Lucian Lirong.The ones that did the painting of your adoptive grandparents. Plus… Rio was a very popular adventurer for a few years but slowed down.
Why'd she quit?
I watched Rio nervously walk around. Her ears were twitching when she talked with other customers. There were slight stutters in her words too. It was obvious from a bystanders view she was not good with people.
She has a fiance, that'd explain it.
Why work as a waitress…?
She knows the owner, it's her adopted grandmother. Lady Aiko, she was there ever since Rio was born.
I stayed quiet as I watched this girl write down the orders and passed them to the kitchen window. I could see an elf behind there smiling as he took the paper.
Seems pretty team coordinated.
Mhm. Shen took a swig of her drink.