Comforts of Home

Well, a number of months pass by and I start to get the hang of both my official job and my side hustle with the adventurer’s guild. I’ve taken on a number of strange quests. I’ve defeated slimes, thwarted thieves, and lately I’ve been investigating some strange shadowy silhouettes that have been gradually appearing around town. Most folks think it’s a prank related to the tyrant Xaban, the BBEG from Tauwren’s past. We couldn’t catch anyone though.

I woke up this morning feeling particularly more groggy than usual. Since Jet’s foot made a full recovery, I’ve been busy picking up bounty after bounty from the job board. The guy likes to do everything he can and I just can’t keep up! Needless to say, I’m beat.

I heard a knock at my door that I really didn’t want to answer. Maybe if I ignore it, they’ll go away?

Unfortunately, it didn’t go away. The person kept knocking louder and more frantically. I get up to undo the lock, half-expecting to see a door to door salesman peddling his wares or a Girl Scout. Y’know one or the other. What I didn’t expect was to see Spector show up at my door.

“Hey June are you… are those your pajamas?”

Spector was totally going to ask something else, but got distracted by my nightgown. I don’t blame him. These old time-y nighties are quite the sight to behold. I look like Ebenezer Scrooge.

Normally I’d be embarrassed if a guy, let alone a guy I kinda liked, saw me in my night clothes, but I’m too exhausted to care. Maybe I’ll just go back to bed. I fought a bunch of goblins last night with Jet. I could use an extra wink of sleep.

“I’m sorry, do you need something?” I ask a little too impatiently. Instead of waiting for his answer I reply with a yawn “I’m going back to bed… see you…”

I slowly start to close the door, but Spector stops me, holding it open.

“Wait! It’s the Isekai House…”

Oh God. What could that mean?! There better not be another dragon attacking the place. He looked really worried, whatever it is must be an intimidating threat if it has Spector worked up. I fling open the door and run out of the inn.

“June wait!” Spector calls out to me.

He’s probably worried about my clothes. I know it’s probably a social faux pas to be out around the town in my nightgown, but this is serious! The only thing I need is the wooden staff in my hand. The wizard cloak is just for style points. I look behind me and Spector is losing ground.

“Spector, hurry up! We don’t have any time to lose!”

I keep running ahead to the edge of the town where the Isekai House is. When I get there I find all of the isekais I’ve met in the past few months gathered outside.

“Happy Anniversary June!” They all shout in unison.

What the hell is going on? There’s no immediate danger. Everyone is looking at me and they have food and tables set up. What do they mean by anniversary? I’m not married! This setup looks like a family reunion or wedding though. Am I GETTING married??

I look around in a panic trying to put the pieces together. My face must be flushed the brightest shade of red right now. It’s not long before Azuki points that out.

“Hahahahaa! Spector, what did you tell Miss June here?” Azuki sneers.

“Nothing!” Spector retorts.

“Oh dear I’m so sorry for the confusion!” Minerva cheerfully explains. “You see, time passes quickly in this world, so we like to commemorate the time we’ve spent here. For every person who gets isekai’d here we celebrate an anniversary for the day they arrived. You June have been in the town of Tauwren for exactly one year today!”

Oh my goodness, so all this is for me? That’s so sweet! Oh God I must look like an idiot. An idiot in their pajamas. Great.

“Do you remember that question I asked when you first got here?” Minerva asks.

“I’m not sure I remember… I think you asked what my name was at one point…” What did she ask me? I swear I have the memory of a goldfish.

Minerva chuckles, “No not that. We ask everyone, what’s one thing they miss from back home in the real world. We remember that and try to recreate it for them on their arrival day anniversary.”

Oh wow. That’s kinda beautiful. I wonder what everyone must have said then when describing the things they miss. People probably said deeply personal stuff like their wedding rings or a loyal pet from back home. What did I say again? Oh yeah, potato chips. Classy.

I look around to see everyone’s smiling faces. In the back by a small plot of fields, I see the ever studious wizard Maddie. She is turned around concentrating on a group of vegetables, pulling them from the ground with her levitation spell.

“Maddie, you can cook?” I ask.

Oop- I did not mean for that to sound like sarcasm. I hope she doesn’t take my comment as an insult. I was just genuinely surprised she could cook y’know… edible foods. I sure can’t. I burn food just by looking at it. I burnt ice cream.

“Well cooking is more or less a science!” Maddie retorted. “I put a simple levitation spell on various vegetables to extract their oils and gather them into a pot. Minerva will heat the oil up over a fire. Then, we'll add some thinly sliced potatoes to cook and sprinkle some salt on top! It may not be quite the same, but it'll still be good.”

“That is where we all come in! Hey June!!” Jet responds in his usual chipper tone.

Minerva echoes this sentiment. “Yes. While Maddie and I tend to the fire, I’d like everyone here to cut the potatoes as thinly as possible. These potatoes were gifted to us from that farmer you helped with the slime problem. There should be plenty for everyone!”

“Alright you heard the lady!” Jet uses his booming voice to project. “Grab a knife, find a spot to sit, and slice some potatoes!!”

Everyone cheers following his command. This guy could lead them to the edge of a cliff to their doom, but I think folks would still follow. He's that charismatic!

I grab a knife myself and a couple of potatoes ready to get to work. Now where to sit? I look over and see Spector sitting on the ground in a spot by himself like usual. Someone needs to chat that guy up.

“Hey! Mind if I join you?” I say leaning over the ever mysterious elf slicing potatoes.

“I… don't mind.” He struggles to get the words out. I feel like he maybe does mind, but I think he needs someone to bother him every now and then. Time to adopt an introvert!

I plop down beside him and get to cutting my potatoes. I wonder, were those potato toys made from real vegetables back in the day? I find some pebbles on the ground and stick them into the potato. Then I carve a little mouth below!

He's kinda cute. I move the tiny potato man up and down in my hand as if it's walking and turn to face my peeling partner.

“Howdy Spector! I'm Professor Tater!!”

Oh God. I cover my mouth as quickly as the words come out. That was the cringiest thing I've ever said. Yet somehow, that stupid joke made him laugh. He tried to stifle it, but he just couldn’t help himself. He chuckles mildly on the outside while his body tells a different story. His shoulders bob up and down so wildly it looks like he’s riding on a roller coaster. His body language is a dead giveaway. I really like his laugh.

While he's in a good mood, there's something I want to ask. He’s not normally like this. Hopefully this doesn't kill his happy demeanor.

“So I've gotta ask, why do you call yourself Spector?”

To my surprise, he seems willing to cooperate with my interrogation. I didn’t even need to hold a light to his face to make him talk. We just continue peeling and talking like long known friends.

“Maddie told me that when I do that trick where I turn into a sea of moths they look like a species called ghost moths. They’re kinda cool, so the name stuck.”

“Huh, Specter like a spirit then? I sorta thought Spector was short for inspector. Are you sure you’re not a detective?”

He chuckles again and responds with an earnest ‘no’. He’s cute. I gotta correct him on something though. The bookworm grammar police in me is dying inside.

“You know if you’re talking about the ghost, you spell Spector wrong. It's Specter y’know with an E R. Or with an R E if you're British.”

“Yeah, but then it kinda looks like the name Spencer and that just looks wrong. I… don't like that name...”

“Huh so I'm guessing your real name isn't Spencer then?” I push just a little further.

“No…?”

“That narrows it down then!”

“How?” He laughs and asks inquisitively.

“There's only so many guy names really. Half of them are shorter versions of names like ‘Chris’ or ‘Ben’. I'm guessing there's only 999 possible name combinations left to think of! I'll figure out your name… eventually!”

My voice trails off. I know he doesn’t want to reveal all his secrets, but I see the corners of his lips form a smile. All the other isekais seemed to think that me trying to get closer to Spector was a lost cause. Maybe they’re wrong. Maybe a part of him really does want to be found. Maybe he’s just not ready for his game of hide and seek to end just yet.

“Well good luck on your guessing game June.” Spector echoes.

“I don't need it, I won't give up on you.”

I look into his eyes and start to lean in, but I’m not sure why. These light eyes are beautiful, sure, but they aren’t really his. I wonder what Spector really looks like? I gaze intently to try using my magic to see his form in the real world. Maybe, I can see the REAL Spector, but nothing comes to mind. I lean closer, but still nothing. OH GOD WHAT AM I DOING!? I am INCHES from his face!! Say something June, anything!!

“What’s your favorite potato…?”

Wow. That was, something. Nice save.

He looks at me confused. “Aren’t they all kinda the same?”

Okay now I’m the one flabbergasted! There are so many types of potatoes. HOW does he not recognize the difference? I meant this as a silly distraction, but now I need to educate him.

“They are not! I’ll have you know that potatoes taste totally different from each other depending on the kind! For instance, a lot of store potato chips use russet potatoes or yukon gold because they’re more subtly sweet and earthy. Ooooh and my mom makes really good oven roasted red potatoes!”

“Huh. You know a lot about food for someone who says they can’t cook.”

“Hey, just because I watch a movie doesn’t mean I want to star in one! The same goes for food. Especially when I’m hungry. But, I’ll try to learn a recipe or two when I get back to the real world. Sheesh now you have two things to tell me.”

“What’s that?” He asks.

“Your name and your favorite potato. So when I get out of here I can cook something for you. Are you okay with being my guinea pig?”

He smiles. “Are.. you okay with being mine?”

As he says this, he pulls a small silver cup from behind him presenting it like a gift. Inside is a mini serving of vanilla froyo. Something to dip my potato chips into. He remembered…

I graciously accept the cup, a single happy tear rolls off my cheek and falls into my froyo. I’ve gone on some incredible adventures and met so many amazing people, Spector is no exception. To think, it’s been one whole year since I first arrived. Despite the number of things I still miss from the real world, I’ve grown to like this place. This whole isekai thing may have been a blessing in disguise.

“Spector, that’s so sweet of you! How in the world did you make this?”

“It took a lot of trial and error to get it right. I feel bad for wasting so much milk, but eventually we got it. Maddie helped keep the froyo cold with some ice spells on account of the lack of refrigerators here. I… hope you enjoy it June.”

I try to hide my big stupid grin, but it’s useless. This isn’t like me to feel butterflies in my stomach, or moths for that matter, but I’m hopelessly smitten with someone. Someone that after all this, I may never see again.

But enough of those sad thoughts! Push it down!! I’m happy to spend the time I have now with him. So, once Minerva calls us over, we hand her our sliced potatoes to cook. It’s not long before we have a batch of delicious crisp potato chips. Now, here comes the moment of truth.

I take one of the potato chips and scrape it across the top of my froyo, holding on carefully so as not to break it. The taste is delicately sweet with just the right amount of salt from the chips to balance it all out. Simply put, it’s a culinary marvel. Chef Boyardee must be quaking right now.

“Spector, this is amazing! Thank you!!”

I reach my arms out to give him a hug. I go over and he also tries to go over the shoulder. Okay I’ll go low then. Op- that didn’t work. Well this is an awkward disaster. After a couple of seconds that felt like an eternity, Spector pulled out his closed hand to settle for a fist bump.

I politely “fist him” out of sheer cringe. I quietly continue to eat my chips and froyo until I’m reminded of a certain reptile who had a hankering to try a food combo like this. Once I’ve had my fill, I jump up from my spot and ask Spector about him.

“Well, a gastronomical masterpiece like this simply has to be shared. I've got to have the lizard man try this. He seemed so excited when I mentioned it at my first meeting. What's his name?”

“Tom.” Spector says.

“Tom? Really? He doesn't look like a Tom. Eh doesn't matter, he's gonna love it!”

Before I go, I turn back to ask Spector one final question. It’s something that will gnaw at me for ages if I don’t gather the courage to do so.

“You didn’t really answer me before, but…” My voice pauses, so I take a deep breath to let the hesitation leave my chest. “If we find a spell or some magic artifact that can bring all of us isekais back to the real world, will you tell me your name then?”

He thinks for a moment. Come on, say it! Say it!

Spector lets out an exasperated sigh, “Fine I’ll tell you… But only if we make it back to the real world.”

“That’s a promise then.”

I take his pinky in mine before fluttering off to share my sweet treat with Tom. He better not break that promise.

Even his hesitantly muttered “fine” is enough to make me feel giddy like a little kid. And for the first time in a long time, I myself feel more than “fine”. I’m having the best day I’ve ever had since coming here. Honestly, it’s up there as one of the best days of my life. Good food, good friends, what could be better? This moment is all that, and a bag of potato chips.

But life has a tendency to remind me that all good things must come to an end. Just as a calm settles over the Isekai House, a blast of light cuts through to the edges of the fields. Anyone caught in its warmth was instantly sucked into an ancient lantern leaving nothing behind save for their shadows.

A dark imposing figure approaches holding this glowing lantern imbued with power. This artifact, held by an aged wrinkled hand under princely robes, flashed brightly with the new souls it collected. When the light flickered, I could see the pale red eyes of its owner. There’s no mistaking it, this is Xaban THE emperor from the Emperor of the Lantern books and he’s coming to kill us.