Life must go on.
It's a phrase I used to hear many times before, but I never really thought much of it.
Now, however… that line has been on my mind for quite a while.
I died—and somehow got transmigrated into the body of a miserable child.
It was hard to accept.
A small part of me still believed that one day I'd wake up and find all of this was just a dream…
But deep down, I knew— This was real.
"Brat!! What are you dawdling for?!! Hurry up with the plates! We've got more customers coming in! Do you want me to dock your pay!?"
A familiar voice barked from behind me. I didn't even dare turn around—I already knew who it was.
"No, Chef!" I replied quickly, moving even faster than before.
"If you understand that, then hurry the hell up!"
"Yes, Chef!!"
Scrub. Rinse. Dry. Repeat.
That had been my daily routine for about three months now.
It was tiring, and my hands often got small cuts from being soaked in water all day, but I couldn't complain.
This job gave me money, food, and a place to stay.
Ever since Remus left and entrusted me to Sister Rebecca, I had been fortunate enough to work at this tavern—though only as a dish boy and cleaner.
The owner—our head chef, the same man who just shouted at me—was a kind old man.
Despite having a sharp tongue capable of making a grown man cry, he took me in without hesitation and even gave me a small room upstairs so I wouldn't have to worry about where to sleep.
"Oi, brat! Are you done?!"
"Yes, Chef!" I immediately replied after wiping the last plate dry.
"Good. Take a break first."
With those words, he left, and I let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally… a break.
I untied my apron, hung it where we usually placed them, and stepped out of the kitchen.
As soon as I passed through the doorway, I arrived at the dining hall. It was still midday, so there were only a few customers—but more were steadily coming in.
"Ash! Finally out?"
I turned to my right and saw Rebecca in the middle of serving a customer.
I nodded. "Chef said I should take a break."
"That's good—"
Before she could finish, the door suddenly slammed open with a loud bang.
Both of us turned.
Then I saw them.
Five familiar figures walked in, led by their so-called leader—a blonde young man with a cocky grin plastered across his face.
I facepalmed.
Of all the people… Why did it have to be these idiots?
"Sister Rebecca, I think you should—"
Before I could finish, a loud, dramatic voice echoed through the hall.
"Oh, Rebecca, the love of my heart! Every time I see you like this, it pains my very soul!"
…Here we go again.
I sighed as I looked at the guy acting like he was in the middle of a stage play. One hand pressed against his chest, the other extended dramatically—his expression full of exaggerated suffering.
"You should be dressed in the finest gowns! Adorned with jewels worthy of your beauty!"
Without a shred of shame, he strode forward, then dropped to one knee in front of her.
"If you accept this hand of mine, I shall give you everything this world has to offer!"
Sister Rebecca looked extremely troubled.
Honestly, anyone would, Even I was getting secondhand embarrassment.
"Um… Piere…"
Right.
This guy's name was Piere—more specifically, Piere Ruthvale. The son and heir of the Barony of Ruthvale.
He's also one of many Rebecca's suitors. And without a doubt, the most annoying one.
To be honest, I worry sometime about the future of this town with this guy next in line.
I let out another sigh.
"Piere, can you please stop this performance? Aren't you embarrassed?" I asked flatly.
"Embarrassed? Hmph! Why would I be embarrassed?!" he declared proudly. "I am simply expressing my love for my dearest!"
…This guy is hopeless.
I turned toward the guards behind him, silently signaling them—but as usual, they stood there like statues.
Useless.
"Look, Rebecca is working right now. If you want her attention, then order something. Don't just block the middle of the hall," I said pointing at the people who are about to enter but choose not to after these guys.
"Hmph! Very well!" he scoffed. "I shall grace this cheap tavern with my presence. Be grateful!"
He laughed loudly and walked toward an empty table, his guards following behind him.
Fortunately, despite his flamboyant and arrogant personality, he's still someone you can talk and reason to.
"Sigh…"
"Sorry about that, Ash," Rebecca said apologetically.
"No need. I'm used to it at this point," I replied with a tired smile.
She giggled softly. "Thank you, Ash."
That smile again, I quickly turned away, hiding my face.
That wasn't fair.
Even if I had the body of a child, mentally I was still an adult—and that smile of hers was dangerously beautiful.
"I-it's n-nothing… ahem! Anyway, I'll step outside for a moment," I said, almost stumbling over my words as I hurried out of the tavern.
__
After putting some distance between myself and the tavern, I let out a breath.
"That was close…"
But even as I said that, my mind had already wandered back to her smile.
It was… beautiful.
Her smile is like the sunrise—warm and gentle, something you just couldn't help but look at again and again without getting tired of it. It made things feel lighter somehow, like your worries didn't matter as much for a moment.
"She's really beautiful…" I muttered to myself, a small smile forming on my lips without me noticing.
I walked for quite some time, just wandering around the town, and after a while I decided to return back to the tavern.
Arriving at the entrance, I suddenly noticed a commotion inside.
I frowned and wondered what'sup, but then I saw a scene that made me stop.
I saw the owner -the head chef - the sharp tongued old man on his knees. In front of him was an unknown old man.
The unknown old man wore a samurai-like outfit that stood out from everyone else.
He had dark hair, a thick beard and mustache, though his hair had already started to recede, leaving most of it at the sides and back.
The most notable feature the unknown old man has was the noticeable scar over his right eye, as well as his long eyebrows.
The owner, despite of his sharp tongue and seemingly bad personality is my benefactor, and seeing him kneeling like that...
Something inside me snapped seeing that scene.
Grabbing a nearby mop, I rushed forward, stepped onto a chair, climbed onto a table— and jumped.
"Get away from the old man!!"
I swung the mop straight, but just before it could connect— He tilted his body slightly, dodging the mop with ease.
"Hoh?" The old man glanced at me.
Pak.
The mop hit the ground as I landed.
I was shocked for a moment, but I shook my head and with a roar, I sweeped the mop but the old man just jumped back to dodge.
I was just about to attack once more but the owner suddenly pulled me away.
"What are you doing old man?!" I shouted angrily.
"I should be asking that to you?! Why are you attacking people?!!" He shouted back.
"Hah?!" I shot him a questionning gaze, "I only attacked because this guy hurt you!!"
He seemed to be taken back by my words as he paused and blinked.
"Hurt me?"
"Yes?! Aren't you kneeling in front of that old man because you're begging?!!"
Does this old man have dementia?
The owner suddenly sighed then bonked my head.
"Ouch!!" I cried out in pain. "Why did you hit me!"
But then, the old man from behind suddenly laughed loudly.
"You've got quite the hot-blooded spirit, kid!" He said.
"Hah...." The owner sighed.
I looked back and forth between them, confused.
Eh? What's going on here?
After a moment, we sat down into an empty table and the owner explained to me that him and this old man were friends back in the day, and the reason why he was kneeling was because he suddenly had a back ache mid-conversation.
"Eh? Backache?"
"Brat! Is that all you have to say?!" the chef barked.
"Do I have to say more?" I asked honestly.
"Apologize!" He shouted angrily as he bonked my head again.
"Ouch!!" I clutched my head again in a second time. Where does strength came from?! He's an old man right?!
"Hahaha, I don't mind, I don't mind!" The old man behind on the other hand just waved it off as he laughed.
Then his gaze shifted into interest and curiousity.
"Tell me kid, have you trained in polearm before?"
I raised my brow, then shook my head.
"No, I've never trained."
"Hoh," He stroked his beard, eyes gleaming in interest, then glanced at the owner. "Looks like you have a rough diamond here, my friend."
"Hm, Even I didn't expect that.." The owner nodded in a thoughtful look.
"Okay, what's going on..I don't understand." I said, looking at the two scheming old men in front of me.
"Say, what's your name kid?" The old man asked.
"Asher, but you can just call me Ash, everyone calls me that." I replied.
"Then, young Ash," he smiled.
"What do you think of becoming my pupil?" The old man suddenly asked.
I paused for a moment.
"Pupil? What am I going learn? And who are you even old man?" I asked cautiously.
"Ah, my apologies."
He straightened slightly.
"My name is Gensei. A former general of the Empire but now, I'm just a humble Martial Arts Master."
His gaze sharpened.
"What do you think young Ash? I see a great potential in you, it would be a waste not to nurture such talent."
Talent huh? that's a word that I seldom hear if it's talking about myself.
I'm not talented, I already acknowledged that since I was a kid. I see people improve in ways I cannot and will not accomplish.
When I was a kid I asked myself why can't I do what they can? And even if I can do it, why can't I do it to such extent like others?
The answer I reached was because I lack talent. But I'm not saying talent is everything, hardwork is also a huge contribution to that, without hardword, talent will not flourish but, if it's just all hardwork, it can only get you enough.
That's why, when this old man suddenly said I have a talent, I didn't believe it.
"I'm not sure if I'm as talented as you think I am, maybe it's just a mistake." I said while scratching the back of my head.
"Don't undermine yourself, you might not see it but I assure you, you have great potential." The old man said.
I just nodded along but not really believing it.
But still, a former general and a Martial Arts Master at that. To say that I'm not tempted to accept his offer would be a lie, but...
I looked at the owner, the head chef, who was casually seeping his tea.
Where did he get that? I asked myself.
"What are you looking at me? It's your decision, I won't stop you." He said.
I nodded then looked back the Gensei.
"If....I became your pupil, will I be entitled to join the army?" I asked.
To be honest, joining the army sounds cool but I'm not the type to be bound in that position.
"No, you will not. However, as my pupil you will join some incursion from time to time."
I see, that's convenient.
"I.." I was about to answer when I caught Rebecca's face at the counter, she looked at our director with worried expression.
"Can you give me time to think about it?" I said.
"Alright, I'll give you until tomorrow. If you decided to come, I'll take you, but if not, then there's nothing I could do." Gensai said calmly.
"Thank you, I'll go to my room for the moment, can I?" I asked the owner, and seeing him nod.
I bowed my head to old man Gensai and went to my room.
__
In My Room
I stared at the ceiling in front of me with a thoughtful look.
Honestly, I really want to go.
I want to see the Capital, and to also train. I mean, who wouldn't be? After seeing what an Imperial soldier is capable of through Remus albiet just a glimpse of it, I want to be strong like that too.
But going there means leaving this place.
It's been just a meager three months but I felt like I've stayed here for quite a long time.
And there's also Rebecca, she might be sad if I leave, wait! Why do I assume she will be sad if I go away?!
"What am I going to do...." I muttered.
Just then, someone knocked on my door.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Ash, it's me Rebecca, can I come in?"
I immediately sat up. Rebecca?
"Ash?"
"Ah, yes! It's open." I hurriedly said.
The knob turned and the door opened, revealing Rebecca.
"Hi, I hope I'm not intruding." She said as she closed the door back and entered my room.
"No, no, you're not. Please sit everywhere you like." I said gesturing everywhere.
She nodded and sat at the table beside the desk.
"So..." She started. "What happened down there? I didn't really hear what you guys were talking."
"It's...." I hesitated but in the end sighed and explained everything to her.
After hearing everything, Rebecca nodded in understanding.
"Why don't you take it?" She asked. "It's a huge opportunity for you."
"Well, It's not I don't want to it's just that... I'm already attached to this place.." And to you, I wanted to add that last line but those words got stuck in my throat.
"Ash, you know...I also dreamed of going to the Capital." She suddenly said spoke.
Oh, this is first time hearing that. I leaned in to listen.
"It has been my dream since I was a child, to see the Capital with my own very eyes, to make a name for myself, to my make my parents proud." Her eyes smiled at the air as if she was seeing something, but then her eyes suddenly dimmed.
"But, fate was cruel, On the way to the Capital, our caravan was suddenly attacked by bandits...I was almost kidnapped and raped at that time."
My jaw slacked and my hands unconscious formed into a fist hearing those words.
"Fortunately, we were rescued by a passing caravan who helped us fend off against those bandits...."
"The caravan owner at that time even offered to take us with them at the Capital, but... I didn't go." She shook her head.
"I was traumatized by that experience, my dreams shattered along when we were attacked at that time."
"To be honest, if I had been braver or even just had a bit of will power at that time, I wouldn't be here working in this tavern, but at the Capital."
"If only I had strength at that time, I would've achieved my dream or so I'd like to say, but I knew, even if I were to reach that place without those those bandits attacking us, I would've crumbled."
"Because the day we were attacked, I realized that I was weak. I had no guts like others, I had no will power like others, what I had is just a beauty with no power to back it up."
As she told her story, I felt like her presence getting smaller and smaller. Her trembling eyes trying so hard not to spill any tears.
She closed her eyes and smiled, it was a full smile that is full of energy but for me, it was a familiar smile. It was the same smile I used to wear everytime.
"So, what I was saying is! Don't waste the opportunity you have been given, those things don't come often, don't become like me who had many regrets in life."
It was the last straw, I gently took her head and placed them in my chest.
Because of my size, it would just look like a kid hugging an adult from others perspective but for me, it's like I've returned to my size.
"You're not weak, you're the strongest, most independent woman I know." I said, my tone even and soft.
"Don't ever let your past define who you are, you are Rebecca, the strong, independent woman I know," I continued, my voice quieter now, more steady. "And the person I fell in love with."
"...Ash."
Her voice trembled.
I felt something warm soak into my shirt.
She was crying.
Her hands slowly gripped the back of my clothes, as if afraid I might disappear if she let go. Her shoulders shook slightly, the strength she had been holding together finally breaking apart.
"You… really are unfair, you know that?" she said weakly, letting out a small, shaky laugh in between her tears.
I didn't say anything. I just tightened my hold on her.
"I was supposed to be teaching you a lesson." she continued, her voice soft and fragile. "But, You ended up comforting me…"
She pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me.
Her eyes were red, but there was a gentle smile on her face—one that felt more real than the ones she usually showed.
"You're just a kid… but sometimes you talk like you've lived a lifetime."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "Well… I kind of did."
"Hm?" she tilted her head slightly.
"Nothing," I quickly waved it off. "Forget I said anything."
She stared at me for a moment, then sighed softly, shaking her head.
"You really are strange." She said with a smile.
She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and composed herself, though her gaze still lingered on me, softer than before.
"...So," she said after a moment, "You fell in love with me huh?"
My body stiffened.
Ah.
"Well—uh—I mean—" I fumbled, suddenly unable to meet her eyes. "I didn't mean it in a weird way! I mean—not weird, but—ugh—"
She covered her mouth, trying—and failing—to suppress a laugh.
Ah!! I wanna die! I wanna die! Please let me die!!
"Ah~ that was a good laugh." She said as she wiped a tear out of her eyes.
"But Ash,… thank you." She said, tone softened again. "For saying that. It means more than you think."
"As long as it's you..." I muttered,
She smiled then stood up.
"So, have you decided?"
"...Not yet," I admitted. "But… I think I already know my answer."
"Then whatever you choose," she said softly, "make sure it's something you won't regret."
She walked toward the door, then paused, her hand resting on the knob.
"Oh, and Ash?"
"Yeah?"
"You confessed pretty boldly just now…but, sorry, you're too young for me and you're not really my type." She said as she stepped out of the room.
The door clicked shut.
And I was left alone, mind blank and heart..
Well, wounded.
___
Sorry if I took so long to update and my chapters kept updating. Anyway, here it is, Chapter 3.
Please give comments below, you're thoughts would be extremely helpful.