𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗
(9)
“Good luck, Luo-boy.”
“Thank you, Grandpa Bekios.”
ㅤ
When Luo expressed his gratitude, the old man’s eyes narrowed, and his lips loosened. With slightly buoyant steps, Bekios slowly moved away. Midway, he glanced back.
ㅤ
“Oh, right. Keep this a secret from others. Especially from that Gangi guy.”
“Got it.”
ㅤ
Luo nibbled on the baked treats he received from Bekios.
Sweet.
After a while, Chara arrived.
ㅤ
“Hey, Luo-boy. Feeling alright?”
“Yep.”
“It’s always windy here. Don’t catch a cold. Drink this.”
ㅤ
What was handed over was a nut with its shell. Warm. It seemed to have been roasted and then cooled slightly.
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“What’s this?”
“It’s a Kakkaru nut. See the hole on the top?”
ㅤ
Chara inserted a hollowed-out plant stem into that hole. Inside was sweet pulp, which melts into a gooey consistency when heated.
Luo tried sipping it.
Sweet.
ㅤ
“Thanks, Grandpa Chara.”
ㅤ
The old man narrowed his eyes, smiling in a playful manner.
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“Oh! Don’t mention it. It’s my reward for hard-working Luo-boy. But remember, this is a secret━—.”
ㅤ
While standing guard on the outer walls, members of the transport team, mostly old folks, frequently brought snacks, fruits, and warm drinks. And in the end, they would always remind him to keep it a secret.
The people of “Star Guardian” were odd.
Crozet was always worried about Luo. Every time they met, she’d warn him, “Don’t do anything dangerous!” Crozet was so imposing during these moments that it was impossible to argue.
Captain Gangi looked intimidating but never got angry. He gave many orders in few words. The proper response during work wasn’t “ey” but “yes.”
The elderly of the transport team would bring snacks and warm drinks to the walls. The old women in charge of organ sorting would secretly hand over fruits and other things on their way out. Thanks to them, Luo was always full.
The job at “Star Guardian” was also strange.
All he had to do from atop the walls was spot smoke and report its color and location. It was straightforward for Luo. It was safe, and he got sweet food and drinks. He even got paid. It was a pity it was about to end.
ㅤ
“Hey, you!”
ㅤ
The boy who addressed him with a growl, dressed similarly to Luo, felt somehow familiar. Luo recalled older boys from the village confronting him in a similar way.
ㅤ
“What’s your name?”
“Luo.”
“How old are you?”
“Ten.”
“Such a kid.”
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Conversations with kids are unpredictable. However, even if he felt intimidated, he knew he could stand his ground without running away.
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“I’m Taki. I’m the lookout for “Fresh Parts”.”
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He knew that. Crozet had warned him multiple times.
ㅤ
“Listen closely.”
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The boy, larger than Luo, Taki, began.
“Star Guardian” is over. It’s just old people, fewer members, and their carts are in bad shape. On the other hand, “Fresh Parts” is different. Over the past few years, their numbers have been increasing, and they’ve consistently been top earners.
ㅤ
“I’ll soon graduate from being a lookout and join the transport team. Once I do, I’ll make a bigger impact and take in ‘Star Guardian’. It’s a merger.”
“What did you say?”
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It was a word he hadn’t heard before.
ㅤ
“All the old guys are fired, but I might hire Crozet.”
“You’re hiring Crozet-oneechan?”
“Yes. Would you like to join too? If you swear loyalty to me, I can recommend you as a lookout for ‘Fresh Parts’.”
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Luo thought that Crozet would probably not like that.
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“Crozet-oneechan mentioned something about Taki.”
“Huh?”
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For a moment, Taki became serious.
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“She said she doesn’t like you.”
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Taki was taken aback.
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“D, Don’t lie!”
“I’m not lying.”
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Luo accurately relayed to Taki the words spoken by Crozet.
“He used to be cute, but now he’s become cheeky. He always talks badly about ‘Star Guardian’, so I dislike him. You shouldn’t approach Taki because he’s mean. Don’t even make eye contact. I hope you, Luo, don’t become like that.”
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“W, What do you know about Crozet!”
“To me, Crozet-oneechan is. . . . . .”
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Luo thought for a bit.
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“Like a mother.”
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Always concerned and gives lots of attention.
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“Huh?”
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He thought some more.
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“Also, she loves baths.”
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This happened the other day.
Crozet became the first guest at Luo’s house. Just like her mother used to do in the past, Luo served “the best tea” and welcomed her. Crozet then expressed her desire to be shown around the house. Even though the construction of the house was still in progress due to a shortage of colored stones, Luo decided to give her a tour.
When Crozet saw the “bathroom,” she froze like a stone. She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth.
Luo, who was not very attuned to the subtleties of others, understood this. Indeed, the bath was quite enjoyable. Just as her father used to say, it could instantly wash away the fatigue from work.
ㅤ
[Want to join?]
[With Luo?]
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When he asked, Crozet placed her hands on Luo’s shoulders, staring wide-eyed.
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[Just wait a moment!]
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Crozet quickly left the house but soon returned. She then began to line up several ceramic containers on the floor. They were filled with floral-scented water, soapy water, and a viscous oil-like substance. Luo knew this because Crozet began to apply them all over his body. Luo always thought a bath was about soaking, but according to Crozet, there was more to it. In the end, Luo was covered in bubbles and smelled like flowers.
Despite the intense experience, Crozet seemed very happy. While in the bathtub, she would exhale deeply with a low, loud voice, and while washing Luo’s hair, she hummed a tune.
Therefore, Luo was happy too.
ㅤ
“W-w-what?”
ㅤ
When Luo described how Crozet acted in the bath, Taki seemed somewhat shaken.
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“. . . . . .You both took a bath together?”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
Taki lowered his head and began to mutter to himself.
At that moment, a signal fire was seen in the northern direction.
The color of the smoke was green. It’s definitely a “small thing.”
ㅤ
“H, Hey, you, something. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Checking the precise location, he quickly jumped off the parapet.
ㅤ
“I won’t lose to the likes of you!”
ㅤ
Luo did not hear Taki’s shout.
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