Chapter 7

“That was a tough day…” John sighed, sinking into the bath. They managed to find a cheap inn near the western walls of the city, but this inn didn't have its own baths. Thus, they went to a nearby public bathhouse. John had tried looking around earlier. There had been other inns with their own bathrooms, and some high-end inns even have bathrooms inside the rooms themselves. However, given their high cost, it would be much better to simply visit a public bathhouse.

When they entered, the bathhouse didn’t have a lot of people. It was late, so that made sense. He appreciated the quietness. John could never appreciate a warm bath back on Earth. His apartment didn't have a bath. He only had a shower. Even then, oftentimes he was too exhausted to shower and threw himself straight into bed. Now, after letting the water soak his skin, he understood why people love baths in anime.

“You’ve had a rough day, haven't you?”

John glanced toward the person speaking. He had tidy yellow hair with bright silver eyes. On his left shoulder was a symbol of a bird. He sat down next to John, enjoying the warm water.

So tattoos are allowed here? Have I seen that symbol before?

“Yeah, I guess…” John answered, deciding not to ask about the symbol.

John recalled that job. He was so busy that time went by in an instant. It felt as if he was moving on his own, maybe on instinct. It wasn't the worst job in the world, but not the easiest either. Maybe it was preferable to his old job because he came in the afternoon.

“Still, it's impressive how your partner treats teleportation magic as something so trivial.”

“... Partner?” John scoffed. “She's not my partner. We just happen to be acquainted, that's all.”

If John had the option, he would prefer anyone else. Maybe someone who actually cared for him. While there was no denying Leyla’s pretty looks, her personality was rotten. There would be no way he could fall in love with her.

“I see…”

John then realized something. He had never seen this person before. How could he know about him?

His gaze sharpened. “Who are you?”

The person remained undeterred. He calmly replied, “My name is Isak. I was passing by the restaurant when I saw your partner teleporting. It caught my attention.”

“... So you follow us here?”

“Oh, that one is just a coincidence,” he replied. “I saw you and thought I should say hi.”

I guess this is a public bathroom.

He had no right to prevent anyone from entering. He only arrived today. Maybe Isak already frequented this place long before he arrived.

“... I’m John.”

“I see… Nice to meet you. Well, John, are you a hunter?”

“... Why do you ask?”

“How about your partner?”

“... Again, she's not my partner, and no, I don't know about her.”

John had been separated from Leyla for a while. And after yesterday, he saw new equipment on her. She could very well have gone and taken some kind of job. What job she took was none of his business. If anything, he didn’t want to get involved.

“I see…”

“Why are you asking?” John asked again, his suspicion rising.

“I was just wondering if you're interested in a change of jobs.”

John shook his head. “We're currently looking for some items. Thank you for the offer, but I'll decline.”

“Not even going to hear the details? We might be able to help your search.”

“Not now. Besides, unlike her, I can't use magic. You're talking to the wrong person.”

He couldn’t afford to get distracted. Recalling the pink chair, it was clear that the chair held some dangers if left to human hands for too long. Someone might find a way to use it. If that happened, who knew the kind of chaos that would ensue? Besides, he didn’t want to stay with Leyla for long.

“Alright. I’m a part of the treasure hunters’ guild. If you change your mind, you can go there. They should know about me.”

“Yeah.”

Is he a big shot treasure hunter, then?

He seemed confident the treasure hunters would know him. Did they have some kind of relationship? Maybe he was their boss.

John found his curiosity piqued, but he knew better to get involved with matters that didn’t concern him. It led to a lot of trouble in his past life, trouble he didn’t want to experience again.

The two remained side-by-side, enjoying the bath. Isak was the first one to leave.

“Well, I’ll take my leave. See you,” he said before exiting the bath. Deep inside, for some reason, he believed that they really would meet again.

•••

They departed for the bathhouse together, but returned to the inn by themselves. The room was empty by the time he returned. John sat down on the bed and looked out the window. The calm night sky stared back at him. It seemed unreal, but he really was in a different world. One where certain people could teleport back and forth. One where familiars existed. A crazy world. A world that, before this, he believed to exist only in entertainment.

Now he himself lived that fantasy.

Without a knock, the door swung open. Leyla stepped in. She wore her new adventuring clothes, her hair let down. She gazed at John but said nothing. Instead, she put down her bag in front of her.

“Look the other way.”

John turned around. “You should have knocked before entering.”

“Why? This is my room as well.”

“Yeah, but what if I was changing?”

“Human bodies don’t entice me.”

John knew that she wasn’t human. Even if she was, she wouldn’t be attracted to him. His body wasn’t that of a strong man. He couldn’t even lift things heavier than twenty kilograms. A frail, small man. But still, being called that hurt his pride.

“Flat.”

“... You really think that kind of insult will work on me? Funny. Hilarious,” she said with a flat voice. “Also, I didn’t even insult you specifically. It’s like you feel angry for the entire human race, most of which didn’t even know I exist.”

“You could at least lie to make me feel better.”

“I don’t lie.”

Not wanting to deal with her anymore, John pulled the blanket. Still facing away, he closed his eyes. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Just do whatever you want.”