Chapter: The Ice Sakalans Scandal
Jin arrived at the Tower in the morning and entered, heading straight for Hans. He stepped inside and sat in his usual seat. He ordered an excessive amount of coffee: lattes, espressos, iced coffees—he ordered every single type Hans had on the menu.
Hans: "What's wrong with you, man? Why did you suddenly change your drink, and why are you ordering all these kinds?"
Jin looked up at the ceiling, speaking like a sage for the first time in a long while.
"You know, Hans... that other drink [alcohol] is the biggest load of nonsense and the greatest lie in history. It doesn't even boost dopamine like tobacco does. It just numbs the mind so there's no room for any real effect. But with time, it won't even be able to numb your mind anymore, and it will become useless. By then, it will have destroyed your liver, your kidneys, your heart, and your stomach. It won't leave anything but your lungs—and you've probably already ruined those with smoking. So, why should I keep deceiving myself by drinking it? They say eating or drinking something you love increases happiness. At least that is true."
Suddenly, a young boy, maybe fourteen years old, shouted from behind Hans: "Hey! Why did you order all this iced coffee? Ice Latte? Mocha? Strawberry?! And what on earth is this 'Ice Sakalans' anyway?"
Jin: "Hmm, Sakalans is an Egyptian drink. You make a cup of black tea, a cup of coffee, mix them together, and then blend them with ice and milk. That's how you get an Ice Sakalans. But... who are you?"
Borin burst into laughter from the tavern door, while Hans smacked his forehead in shock. Everyone in the place looked at them with the same expression. The boy's face went blank, his eyes widening in disbelief as he pointed a finger at himself.
The boy: "Huh? Me?"
Jin narrowed his eyes, pointing back with a serious tone: "Yes, you. You little beetle."
The boy: "Do you really not remember me?"
Jin: "Are you a type of coffee for me to remember you?"
The boy spoke sadly: "But I'm the one who's been making your coffee for two years. I'm Jimmy."
Jin went silent for a few moments, then pointed his finger again: "Who are you, Jimmy?"
Everyone in the room had the same reaction at the exact same time: "Pffffft!"
Jimmy: "Huh? What? How?" He slammed his hands on the table. "I'm the one who used to make you coffee with milk every single day while you were drowning in your sorrows, you scoundrel!"
Jin stood up and slammed his hands on the table too: "Give me proof!"
Jimmy smiled mischievously. "What's with that face? You really do look like Lloyd [Frontera] right now. You want proof? Fine..."
Flashback - One Year Ago:
Jin was sitting in the corner, his face slammed onto the table.
Jimmy: "Why are you so sad?"
Jin looked at him with a dazed expression: "You know... I have two girlfriends. They are truly beautiful. One kiss from them is enough to make me forget all my sorrows."
Jimmy: "And then what?"
Jin stood up and hugged the boy, sinking to his knees and crying like a child: "I want to get marrieeeed! Waaaaah! But I can't! Waaaah! Both of them are from royal families and I'm just a miserable beetle!"
Jimmy looked at him with a mix of pity and disgust: "And why do you want to get married, you scoundrel?"
Jin looked up and spoke with dead seriousness: "You're asking me why? Because marriage is wonderful..."
Moments passed as Jin rambled on, while the boy looked at him with pure pity.
Jimmy: "Hey man, I'm only 13. Why don't you tell me stories about your fights instead of these boring romance stories? Fighting is fun! Kids my age like battle stories; we aren't miserable enough to listen to boring romance, you loser!"
Back to the present:
Everyone in the place was staring at Jin.
One patron: "Is this a mid-life crisis... early?"
Another: "No, it's just extreme teenage emotional drought."
A third: "Maybe he's mentally delayed? How did we not notice this before?"
Borin laughed so hard he started crying, while Hans began polishing some cups, whistling to himself.
(What is this, dear readers? Do you want to know what else Jin said to make them laugh like that? I'm not telling you! 😁)
The young man stood there in shock, his mouth hanging wide open. Finally, he croaked out: "Hey Jimmy... bring me a cup of Ice Sakalans."
Author's Note:
Sometimes, the legendary "Demonic Dragon" is just a lonely guy who vents his romantic frustrations to a 13-year-old boy. Even heroes have their embarrassing moments!