3.12 Name and Starry Sky

[Elmer]

It happened in a certain night.

“I have a request to ask of you.”

After I said good night to Matthias like the usual, a trespa.s.ser suddenly entered my room when I became alone.

Where was it? Where did he enter? I looked around the room while my mind is in chaos. The window that should have been certainly closed, was opened before I knew it.

I prepared to scream loudly anytime as I inched backwards slowly. I do not know the other person’s location since the light is turned off. That made my fear even more greater.

“Who is it?”

My heart hammered fast. Yet, I didn’t realized that I was shaken until I heard my voice, and I breathed deeply.

“I am…”

The intruder stopped talking for some reason. I gulped in the silence as I waited for the interrupted words of the other person.

“…it’s me.”

He must have wondered why I said nothing. He started to asked me a question.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

I am very much surprised. Maybe he can’t see my surprised expression because it’s dark.

Is this the alternate world version of an ‘it’s me scammer’?

<note:>And yet, it’s not just that. The scam works because it’s a phone call, so personally coming to say that is useless. Doesn’t this guy know it?</note:>

<note:>My eyes gradually got used to the darkness and finally saw the other person’s face faintly. I’ve confirmed his appearance. It’s a face I haven’t seen before. The man is younger than I thought, is he a delinquent child?</note:>

<note:>“For the time being, sit down.”</note:>

<note:>Since I realized that he isn’t going to attack me, I rolled up the blanket and urged him to sit down on the bed.</note:>

<note:>“Won’t you make me your Shadow?”</note:>

<note:>It’s a word I do not know.</note:>

<note:>“Shadow…?”</note:>

<note:>I said while being puzzled. I became uneasy as soon as I asked that question since he might think I’m weird if it’s something like common sense in this world.</note:>

<note:>“Ah? When I say Shadow, that is… Let’s see, his job is to support you on your job… I think?”</note:>

<note:>I understood from the situation that it seems like there’s no problem even if I do not know about that word. I was bothered how he ended his statement with a question, though. However, I comprehended what he meant so I knew what this kid came for. It became clear that this young boy isn’t someone who went on the wrong path of life so I was relieved.</note:>

<note:>“I want to hear your reason.”</note:>

<note:>I want to know the reason why he purposely seek me out. He’s young so there should be a lot of alternatives for him.</note:>

<note:>“That is… I thought you seem interesting! That’s it! Also, the little bird…”</note:>

<note:>He muttered while being embarra.s.sed, something about how cute the little bird was. He seems to know about the little bird I created. So it’s not Kioran but the ones made with expertise, huh?</note:>

<note:>“I see…”</note:>

<note:>“I have also asked for Matthias’ approval.”</note:>

<note:>He appears to be the extremely prepared type. That’s greatly appreciated. But…</note:>

<note:>“Denied.”</note:>

<note:>“Why!? Am I inadequate to you!?”</note:>

<note:>I shook my head sideways to show my denial. That’s not it.</note:>

<note:>“I still don’t have the qualifications to decide that. That’s why, when I become someone great and acquire those qualifications, is it still alright for me to ask you to become my Shadow at that time?”</note:>

<note:>Though I wish for him to become mine, it’s still to early right now. It might take time. Even so, will he wait for me?</note:>

<note:>“Qualifications…?”</note:>

<note:>He repeated my words with wonder.</note:>

<note:>“I do not have anything yet. But, I’ll absolutely obtain them with my own hands.”</note:>

<note:>I fully realized how powerless I am as I stared at my palms.</note:>

<note:>“As expected, I am glad I chose you. My intuition says so. If I am with you, I can encounter interesting things.”</note:>

<note:>He appeared happy when he said that. I do not see what’s so interesting about it but I laughed vaguely for the time being. I do not want to put a damper on his happy expression.</note:>

<note:>After that, the both of us talked for a while.</note:>

<note:>He will continue doing his current work until the time comes when I can declare that he can be my Shadow.</note:>

<note:>“Please treat me well from now on…”</note:>

<note:>I extended my hand for a handshake but I do not know his name so I faltered.</note:>

<note:>“Calling me Shadow is fine.”</note:>

<note:>He said such thing curtly while looking at me.</note:>

<note:>“No. I won’t call you Shadow. You are not just a shadow as far as I’m concerned.”</note:>

<note:>In the darkness, his eyes full of seriousness stood out as he watched me intently.</note:>

<note:>“What’s your name?”</note:>

<note:>He stayed silent so it looks like he won’t answer. Even if I can’t see him clearly, his eyes were just like crystals but it’s as if it didn’t reflect anything.</note:>

<note:>“Yes… This bothers me.”</note:>

<note:>I wonder what I should call him? I wandered around the room randomly while thinking ‘What to do?’</note:>

<note:>At that moment, the wind blew the curtains high up, and the night sky filled with beautiful starts caught my eyes.</note:>

<note:>“That’s right! Sora… I’ll call you Sora.”</note:>

<note:>I do not know whether he doesn’t want to introduce himself or he just doesn’t have a name, but I can’t call him Shadow. If that’s the case, then I’ll just name him myself.</note:>

<note:>“Sora…?”</note:>

<note:>“You don’t like it?”</note:>

<note:>“Y-you’re wrong! Anything is fine. It’s not like I care whether I have a name or not…”</note:>

<note:>Sora was looking down so I can’t see his expression. But I’m relieved that he doesn’t dislike it.</note:>

<note:>“Is that so? Now then, I’m pleased to meet you Sora.”</note:>

<note:>He timidly stretched out his hand that’s bigger than mine and firmly shook my hand.</note:>

<note:>“Then, I’m going. Call me if you’re in trouble, El!”</note:>

<note:>Sora looked back with his foot on the window.</note:>

<note:>“Yeah. Don’t play around when it’s time for work, okay?”</note:>

<note:>As I said those words that’s similar to what a girl says to her boyfriend, he threw out his body from the window. Sora disappeared as sudden as the time he came.</note:>

<note:>“Really, what are you…? Moreover, there are no phones here so how would I contact you?”</note:>

<note:>Well, that’s fine. I’m a step closer to my dream so I felt great and not bothered with it. I shut the windows and drew the curtains.</note:>

<note:>The moon that was previously covered by the clouds came out so I felt slightly spirited. But of course, I didn’t see Sora anywhere. In fact, I’m worried that he got crushed when he jumped out the window.</note:>

<note:>I dove under the bed just like before.</note:>

<note:>Even so, I was really surprised.</note:>

<note:>I tried to think back on what took place a while ago while lifting the comfortable blanket to my head.</note:>

<note:>I’m glad that I found a motivated staff. Let’s aim for the world’s best cafe together.</note:>

<note:>But the fact that he doesn’t have common sense is a bottleneck. I must absolutely teach him that there’s what we call as doorway (*entrance and exit) in the house and the room. Let’s start with that.</note:>