[16 — Cure?]

I locked the room door behind me and followed Sera into the inn's kitchen.

She was pissed, and there was nothing I could do about it.

After all, who in their right mind would imagine that the 'grumpy little girl' from before and the girl walking ahead of me were actually the same person?

She was clean and well-dressed, looking like some cute NPC straight out of a fantasy game, which, in a way, was kind of ironic.

"We're here!" she slammed the door open.

…Ugh, she can be terrifying.

"E-excuse me…" I poked my head in and looked both ways before stepping inside.

I really wasn't expecting to find a communal kitchen in the inn.

The first thing that caught my eye was the size of the place. If I used the bedrooms as a reference, I'd say the kitchen was easily the size of 'three rooms.' But with the sheer amount of stuff crammed in there, it felt like anything but spacious.

The base structure was stone, with a few holes in the walls for the furnace and a sort of rustic sink. Cabinets and other pieces of dark wooden furniture were scattered all around, and not a single one of them looked whole.

Missing doors, drawers without handles, legless cabinets, and a bunch of mismatched chairs decorated the kitchen.

I don't usually complain, but that place didn't exactly have the best aesthetics.

Still… the smell of food drifting through the air was wonderful.

"Oh, Destroyer-sama. Finally awake?"

Just like Sera, Ruru looked completely at home in the city. No one looking at her would ever guess she wasn't a local.

She was wearing casual clothes: brown pants, closed shoes, and a white blouse with frills around the collar and some ribbons here and there. Basically, the kind of outfit you could find on any corner of the city. Though… well, maybe on her it stood out a little more—

"Hm? What is it, Destroyer-sama?"

"N-nothing, just didn't expect to see you without your braids."

"...Ah." She turned away and started chopping carrots. "I tied it like this because I was in a rush."

"I see…"

Chop! Chop! Chop!

"Ruru, why are you chopping carrots? Isn't the food already done?" Sera shook the pot sitting on the table.

"Ahem! Sera, please go wash your hands and get ready for the meal."

"But I just—"

"Just go, Sera…"

She pushed Sera out of the kitchen.

Hm… this will be my first time tasting Ruru's cooking. I wonder how it is.

"Still, Destroyer-sama… I didn't expect you to wake up so late. Are you feeling alright?"

"Allow me to correct you, Ruru: I didn't wake up late. I just took a while to leave the room because I was, eh… exercising."

"Oh?" She looked me up and down.

"W-what? You don't believe I could actually do some morning training?" I covered myself with my arms.

I have to admit, her look made me a little nervous.

"Haha, that's not it, Destroyer-sama. It's just… I noticed you removed your bandages. Is your body better now?"

"Y-yeah, I'm recovering well. By the way, thanks for the clothes."

"You…" Ruru froze for a moment.

"Hm? What is it?"

"N-nothing. Don't mention it, Destroyer-sama. The clothes look good on you."

They look good on me, huh?

Weird…

She must've noticed I unwrapped everything except my right arm. And yet, she didn't say a word. Which means I was right to keep 'that' covered. And also that it's nothing new to her.

That only makes me more curious…

Would it be too suspicious if I asked?

"Hey, Ruru—"

"Aaah! Let me go, you creep!"

Sera's scream came from outside the kitchen, and I rushed to the door.

"What's going on here?!"

At the bathroom entrance, there was a tall guy with a bowl cut holding Sera by the ribbon of her dress. His clothes were baggy, and he didn't look very old.

"What's going on, you ask? This brat here is wasting water like it's a game! By my count, this is the tenth time she's gone to wash her hands today."

"Put me down, you liar!! I only went in twice to wash my hands!!!"

"And you think that's little, brat?"

Every word leaving his mouth came with a spray of spit.

"Uh… right, how about you put her down first? I'm sure we can talk this out like two civilized people." I stepped toward him.

"No way. I'll toss her out and teach this brat a lesson. Never seen a kid so ill-mannered. Do you even have parents— Keeeuk!"

"Who do you think you are to talk about my parents, you filthy pig?!"

…Ugh! That kick to the gut must've hurt.

"Argh! You dare attack me?!" He yanked her by the hair. "I'll show you who you're messing with!"

"AAAH! THAT HURTS!"

Without realizing it, I had already gotten close to him.

I clenched my fist so tight my nails reopened the cut on my palm.

"Summon S—"

"Let her go right now!" A short old lady started smacking him with a cane. "Who taught you to treat people like that?!"

"Ow, Mom! Cut it out! Ow! Ow! That hurts!"

"Where are your manners, you brat?!"

Eh… what's with this cartoon scene?

Sera bolted back to the room.

"Get outside already! And don't you show your face here again until you've sold every single pendant!"

"Bwahaha!"

The floor was stone, and yet I could feel the inn shake as he ran out.

"Ah…" the old lady walked up to us. "Forgive my son… he's still young, still has much to learn about the world out there."

"No need to worry, landlady, this behavior is normal for his age." Ruru smiled.

…So this is the landlady.

"Well then… I'll go back to the laundry. If you need anything, just call me."

"Of course!" Ruru waved.

With her back hunched, the old woman disappeared through the back door.

"..."

"Ah… no matter where we go, there'll always be people like that, right, Destroyer-sama?"

"Hmph… Changing the country or the century won't matter if the species itself stays the same."

"Yea— Destroyer-sama!"

"Hm? What is it, Ruru?"

"Y-you're bleeding!"

*

After we cleared up the misunderstanding, Ruru rebandaged my hand and called Sera to eat.

But she locked herself in the room and wouldn't come out, so we went back to the kitchen.

"Well then, Destroyer-sama. Looks like it'll just be the two of us again, huh?"

T-this girl… did she have to say it like that?

"Ahem. Yes. We'll save Sera's portion and bring it to her later."

"Ara? That's exactly what I was thinking."

Ruru grabbed some plates from the sink and brought them to the table. When she opened the pot, the smell of the food alone felt like it was healing every wound in my body and recharging my soul (Not literally, of course).

"Here you go, Destroyer-sama. I hope you enjoy it." She smiled kindly.

"Y-you didn't need to serve me, but… thanks." I muttered.

The dish was curry, and I've got to admit: it looked amazing.

Not that it could ever surpass the one my mother used to make, but… no harm in trying.

I speared a potato soaked in broth with my fork and put it in my mouth. The temperature was perfect, but the taste was the real judge.

Yeah… not bad—

"...!"

No. No way it's this good.

I must've been tricked by hunger. I... I need to confirm.

This time, with the spoon, I scooped some carrot and broth. Something had to be off.

"..."

Alright, alright. I'll admit it: you cook vegetables way too well, you sneaky girl. But meat can't be your strong point.

When I poked the fork into the meat, it fell apart instantly. Perfect tenderness.

I put it in my mouth, and then— Sorry, Mom. Your son might've betrayed you.

"Aah! Kimochi!!!"

Crap! I let it slip! Hope she didn't notice my face.

When I looked up, Ruru had her chin resting on her hands, staring at me.

That's when I realized: her smile wasn't gentle at all. It was arrogant. The smug smile of someone who knew exactly the power her cooking carried.

"Hoho, what was that just now, Destroyer-sama? Is it tasty?"

Damn you! How dare you seduce me with curry?!

"W-well… it's decent." I wiped my mouth.

"Fufu, I'm glad you liked it."

Tch… showoff.

After we finished eating, Ruru stood to wash the dishes. I offered to help, but she insisted it was part of her duties.

Watching her from behind, I thought about my next move.

I had a crazy idea in mind, but unfortunately, I had no choice but to carry it out. Even if it meant risking my life.

"Ah." I took a deep breath. "Okay, here goes…"

I rose from the chair and tiptoed toward her. The faucet wasn't loud, but enough to cover my steps.

Every inch closer, my heartbeat quickened. One mistake and I'd be dead on the spot. No second chances.

"Lalala!" She hummed, as if that could make me believe she wasn't terrifying.

"Gulp." I swallowed hard.

A bead of sweat rolled down my face.

There she was, right in front of me. Her slender neck, completely exposed.

No more backing down.

I held my breath and leaned a little closer.

"Fwoosh— Ugh!"

"Kyaaa!" She kicked me in the gut.

"Keuuk… Dammit…"

Yeah, I knew this wasn't a good idea.

"D-D-Destroyer-s-sama, w-what was that?! Why did you blow on my neck?"

As expected, her whole face was red.

Well… of course she'd be pissed.

"Ugh." I got up. "Haha… you've gotten softer, Ruru. How could you leave yourself wide open, with your back to your enemy? Anyone with bad intentions could've hurt you."

"Huh? My enemy?"

"You know what I mean. What would you do if this wasn't a test?" I crossed my arms.

"T-test? I… ah." She lowered her head. "You're right. I failed miserably, Destroyer-sama."

"Well, as long as you admit your mistake, fine. But now I'm worried that in getting so soft, you've forgotten why we even came to this city."

"Yes, Destroyer-sama, I sof— wait, what?"

Good, got her attention.

"Ruru, I'll give you one chance, so think carefully before you speak: repeat everything I said the very first time I decided we were heading to Blessom."

"..." She looked a bit confused.

Come on, Ruru… we're so close. Don't tell me I took a kick to the gut for nothing.

"Sigh." She exhaled. "Alright…"

What is she doing?

Ruru pulled a chair and sat in front of me, crossing her legs. Her aura shifted completely.

"Mumble, mumble, mumble, mumble, mumble."

"Hm? What are you saying, Ruru? I can't hear." I leaned closer. "Oi, are you mess— AAH!"

"LET'S GO, RURU! WE NEED TO HEAD STRAIGHT TO BLESSOM! THE CURE IS THERE! IF WE MISS THIS CHANCE, THE FUTURE IS DOOMED!" she exclaimed, lowering her voice comically. "Huh? Out of nowhere, Destroyer-sama?"

…Oi! Why is her part not as mocking as mine?

"STOP ASKING QUESTIONS, RURU! ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TRUST ME! COME WITH ME! TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE THE WORLD!" Ruru climbed onto the chair and clasped her hands. "T-together? A-are you sure, Destroyer-sama? I… I don't know if I'm ready. Does it have to be me?"

She ran and grabbed my hand. "Yes, Ruru… I'm sure. You're ready, and it can't be anyone els—"

"Enough, Ruru!" I pulled my hand back.

"Hehe, sorry, Destroyer-sama. Guess I got carried away."

Tch, this girl doesn't stop teasing me. Still… the word 'cure' came up again. She'd already mentioned it back in the forest.

"Ruru, do you happen to know what I meant when I said 'cure?'"

"Well… you didn't exactly tell me what it was…"

Damn it! I was so close.

"...But, if it's a disease and we need to save the world, then…

…it must be the plague, right?"

"...!"

So that was it.