Around the afternoon at Pua Doe's Cafe. West Borough.
A soft chime resounded in the shop and the entrance door opened.
There were many customers around this hour. Some spent quality time with their partner, while others reminisce of the faint aroma of coffee drifting in the air.
Some wore top hats while sporting a cane of varied crafts while others simply wore cap and a coat. Ladies are often clad in vintage dresses, their bows by their laps.
The atmosphere and the decorum made the shop seemed like it was suspended in time. A recollection of the Earth's former era.
Klein in his brown vest and dark coat produced a chime when he entered.
He flipped open his watch and determined the time. It was 4:21. Afterwards, he placed right back into pocket and walked through each tables.
It was obvious by his gait that his nerves is tensed. Each step he had carries a hope for returning back.
If he could analyze and determine how the transmigration phenomena occurred through the lens of another person. Perhaps that he can simulate it above the gray fog that heeds his wish, giving him a chance to return himself and the other person back to Earth.
Of course this didn't come without a cost. The other party may have other plans for this meeting, turning it dangerous.
He have faith in Miss Lovers and to his own abilities. Which is why he took the chance.
Having an ally from a different circle could open up new resources he can acquire by requests. Through that, Klein even if he's still Sequence 9 could obtain sealed artifacts to combat the approaching destiny of his colleague.
He had already digested the Seer potion. Now he opted to file for the Sequence 8 Clown. But fate wouldn't be waiting for him to advance, which is why have to act immediately.
3... 5... The tables were all occupied by two to three persons.
Why did Miss Lovers chose this specific time for a meet-up? Pua's cafe is packed in the afternoon and evening... Klein complained while looking side to side.
He began to wonder if this person will ever come if he did find an empty table to wait. A pang of nostalgia hit him when he's still the software engineer Zhou.
Finally, when it's just the last chair. He saw a silver haired woman, tied to a braided-bun. She was dressed in a conservative clothes of capelet and floral dress.
"Klein?"
Klein's chest palpitated.
"Selina?"
Toward where he's facing. Selina's eyes were opened wide and her mouth agape.
And in the spur of moment, both of them echoed.
"Why are you here?"
Moments turned to seconds until half a minute later. Selina suddenly chose to break the ice.
While stammering she explained in a fluster. "I-I'm here to order for a milktea. It's very sweet and refreshing the last time we came here so I just had to retry!
"W-What about you?"
Klein tightened his hold of the cane and briskly fixed his voice. Without thinking, he just blurted out "I came to investigate."
"...I see." Selina went silent.
The atmosphere turned awkward for the two. Many customers stride pass Klein as he frantically turn his head from side to side scanning the whole room.
Unfortunately, this colleague of his is the only lady around that sits alone.
"Are you lying?" suddenly, Selina spoke her mind while observing him.
Klein smiled awkwardly, trying not to fidget when holding his cane. "What do you mean? Am I lying?"
"It's an instinct." Selina didn't bother explaining Klein's habit that made it obvious for her.
Perhaps for others, it will be convincing. But strangely for her, they're clear as the sky on broad daylight.
Klein stood on his word and continued to pressed. "I am investigating a case."
"What case exactly?" Selina raised a brow.
"It's..." On the spur of the moment, Klein quickly settled on a reason. "About Huddsman's accomplice."
"But haven't we came here before?" probed Selina, clearly unconvinced.
"A follow up... investigation..." Klein nodded at him himself internally.
"Alright..." Selina sighed in consideration. "Have you found anything?"
Klein thought and deliberately chose his words. "No, I failed to find anything that will help. My dowsing still points to this direction and the second apartment. While I'm here, I planned to ask Pua for a few more things before concluding the follow-up."
"I see..." Selina murmured. I wonder if that transmigrator will come. It's already four and half... Perhaps he chose to reconsider?
Suddenly, she lifted her head to see Klein scanning the room once more. He's doing that again... Not only is his fingers fidget slightly but his head couldn't settle to face me...
Is he searching for someone? I'm here aren't I? Why can't you face me? she secretly inflated her cheeks, pouting.
I'm also searching or in this case waiting for someone, but do you see me averting my attention?
"How about you stay here for a bit?" Selina's corner mouth lifted a soft and impeccable smile. "The investigations must've took a toll on you."
Klein darted his gaze for the last time before considering if he should take the offer.
"Alright." he settled.
After watching him took the seat. Selina immediately brake the ice. "Speaking of cases. How's your progress in tracking the members of the Aurora Order?"
While placing his top hat and cane aside. Klein responded, "As of the moment. Only Hanass and Sirius Arapis are the only members we've currently known. I guess this suggests the end of it."
"... I see." Selina caressed her dress thrice before saying, "Are there any interesting things happened at the divination club?"
Klein didn't take long to find a topic. "Glacis, a fellow member of the club, brought with him Madam Christina to be asked about the whereabouts of the wanted swindler Lanevus."
Lanevus is the founder of the steelworks company. Supposedly, he had discovered an extensive, high-quality iron deposit in the Hornacis Mountain Range. Lacking the capital necessary for development, he issued for funds with promising returns for investors and seeks to loans from banks.
This is what the recent headline post had on their front covers. She read this after receiving her daily newspaper.
"What a harrowing natured swindler." Selina instinctively remarked.
Klein found it relatable. "I even began to consider taking the case personally."
A Seer who specializes in divinations... That's a perfect match-up for tracking! inside, Selina praised Klein's thoughtfulness.
She nodded and stated her opinion. "I think you'd make an effective contender in finding that detestable con artist, no, that crook!"
Ms. Roy, it seems you're starting to pick up a few traits of Rozanne... Klein laughed dryly.
But on a serious matter. Why's is she here sitting alone? Enjoying a sweet beverage shouldn't take her long from staying... unless...
A pang of realization suddenly hit Klein that he looked at Selina with intent, resulting in her unease.
She's also waiting for someone?
"Ms. Roy." At last, he spoke.
Selina snapped from her deep thought and quickly questioned. "Hm?"
"Are you..." Klein hesitated.
"Are you... what?" Selina tilted her head to the side, gazing at him.
Suddenly, she realized. As Klein's mouth opened, she finally heard him say:
"Linda?"
"..." Selina's heart sank.
Shortly after hearing that name, her thoughts went blank and her hands jointly tightened. A plethora of thoughts came undulating her mind.
Klein is...
The atmosphere returned to a silent and heavy atmosphere. It was later broken only by a soft chuckle after a minute had passed.
Out of nowhere, the corners of Selina's mouth curled up a gentle smile before saying:
"So it's you..."
Klein dazed.
He thought he had considered the possibility of Selina Roy. Not only was she tied to Miss Lover's case, her background is forged and that her true origin may have been from Milo's few survivors. Leaving no room for doubts.
However, the personal confirmation still left him baffled.
It was the same for Selina. Rather, she is much more shocked than Klein was after hearing him say her true name.
But instead of overreacting and immediately darting off. She chose to stay calm and try to melt the ice. Running off to process would risk the chance of creating a bond, with perhaps the only transmigrator other than herself, roaming this era.
"So I... uh..." Selina is stammering. "Didn't expect it to be you..."
Klein quickly looked away and nodded. "... same as well."
Seconds turns to minutes and silence became more than just occasional. It became often.
"So... how long have you been under Him?" said Selina after a long time, still averting her eyes. "The one admired by Miss Angel?"
She was referring to the name she chose to burden with the Ivory title and the mysterious Mr. Fool.
Without looking. Klein responded with a prepared answer, "It was when I... tried to return back, using a ritual."
A ritual... Selina pursed her lips.
"What about you? I heard that... you tried going back as well." Klein drew a breath and with great difficulty, he faced her.
Selina lifted her head to look at him. It was easy to keep eye-contact with Klein before that she didn't a staring contest, but now it doesn't look like it.
She quickly looked sideway and replied mindfully, "Yes... mine was a mirror."
"..." Klein didn't know what to follow after.
The cafe greatly lacks privacy. If they were to discuss matters about their transmigration, it would inevitably leave a print that can be divined or overhear by others. That's why Selina made a close-ended response and Klein going silent.
"This is..." Selina smiled faintly. "Really a surprise...
"Say, can I ask you a couple of questions?"
Feeling like the tension is loosing up. Klein relaxed a bit and said, "Only if you answer mine in return."
Hearing that. Selina's emotions that was hurling seconds ago slowly turned normal.
She found relief only for it to immediately stirred again by her excitement. While smiling she pressed, "So where are you from? What's your previous gender? Do you watch dramas? Anime? Novels? Books? Oh! Can you read senior Roselle's diary?"
Woah woah! One at a time! Klein was taken aback, overwhelmed by the list of questions about himself.
"Do you think there's more of us out there?" Selina kept on adding enthusiastically.
Out of the blue. Klein suddenly chuckled and sighed. "I would appreciate it if you could ask one at a time. I'll gladly answer them."
"Oh." Selina's ears reddened and she reclined back. "Sorry, it's just that, it's been so long since I have discussed things like this. I really like novels, oh did you read the novels of this world? It's not as great as the ones back home but I recommend reading Between Two Names by Holland! It's about a woman who..."
After that, this usually refined and conservative lady began ranting her heart out while Klein just watched there, utterly speechless.
I have never seen Ms. Roy like this... A corner of his mouth twitched but at the same time, it felt relaxing.
For the first time. It didn't felt foreign. And for some inexplicable reason, it refreshed his mind out of returning back.
"Hello? Klein! I didn't expect you to break your word so easily, aren't you going to answer?" Selina had a worried look.
Klein gently shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, I don't plan on hanging my words like that. Yes I watched drama a few times, maybe novels too and yes I am a man back in earth, only... a slave. Oh and I'm from..."
...
A four wheeled carriage van strode pass a populated street.
Because of the bumpy road littered with cans and pebbles. The vehicle would experience a sudden turmoil once every few seconds.
The coachman's eyes fixed into the loitered road with vendors and pedestrians walking and stationed about.
Inside of the carriage are boxes filled with letters. Among them was a regular looking envelope. It had no emblem etched wax that secured its placing.
Because of its poor condition, the paper within slipped out. The box strangely had a thin slit that for a reason managed to allow the paper to fall.
It continued to reached into the crevice of the carriage van until it finally escaped.
The horses galloped and left. Losing on the dusted and clouded tracks was a note that says:
"Dear Ms. Roy,
"I have recently found out that you're a fellow "Apothecary". Because of your adept at brewing and concocting, I felt I had developed a responsibility of nurturing you into a part of a larger organization. If you want I can help you advance through the paths and allow you to join into our organization. You can find me at Windchester Street at West Borough, Backlund. I have a store there and I have been joining some gatherings as a way to promote my products. I'll be waiting.
"Sincerely your Great Mentor, Lawson Darkwade.
"Ps. That fifty pounds you've given to me is more than what I have anticipated. So in exchange, after accepting my offer, there won't be any charges for a month. You couldn't get any better condition than that!"