Chapter 10, Have Fun

What's he talking about! How can it be okay not to hurry to where he is.

"I'm telling you, enjoy it a bit." He said as he sat in front of me. "I spent at least seventeen years before going to where you are. Not to mention three more years in stasis."

"Even so!!" I argued.

"Show me." He said as he put his forehead on my head. "A smile that comes from Haruka."

"Haruki..." I'm hesitating.

"I want to see it. So please show me, that I didn't take away my brother's happiness." He said and I felt my chest tighten.

Is that how I've been making him feel? That he had taken away my happiness. That's not true!! He is... his happiness is my happiness.

"My happiness comes from the smile of the ones I love. You're one of them too." He said as he toom my hand.

"I..." His eyes were firm and want me to show him happiness that was mine.

"Alright. I'll do it." I answered him. "I'll show you I'm happy."

"Good boy." He smiled and I realized something.

"Where am I?" I asked him.

"The place between reality and fantasy, Dreamland." He answered. "I'm here. I'll wait for you, so enjoy your freedom as I enjoyed mine."

"Okay." I answered him and the world suddenly started to glow.

"I'll visit you in your dream everyone now and then." He said and waved me goodbye before I woke up.

I looked outside the window to see a bright blue morning. From the sound of it, the two are already preparing the shop. I should get ready as well. I'll show Haruki. That I'm happy as well.

Ah~, I should check out the shrine later. Who knows, it might bring me a bit of luck.

After changing my clothes, I notice that these have gotten a bit worn out. Maybe I'll make myself new ones. The ones I've been wearing were the just a play black shirt beneath a black vest, black pants and boots after all. I'll see what I can make later. For now, I need to head downstairs and prep the shop.

The two have left me nothing to do at all. Everything has been prepared and fixed. I only need to cook, they've already taken care of the plants as well. I think these two will be fine if I leave them on their own for a bit.

"Taiyo, Tsuki, I'll be our for a bit. Handle the shop for me." I ordered the two.

"Okay." They answered.

I left and headed for the town's center where they said the shrine was. I've never been here before but it's kinda empty isn't it? The shrine is old but in good condition. Seven old, crumbling, mossy pillars surround it. The pillars are covered in cracks, moss and vines.

I prayed at the shrine wishing that our shop can earn lots. I hope that the shop will do well and have lots of customers.

I returned to our shop to see it overflowing with people. I immediately dispersed my physical body and teleported inside.

"Master, welcome back." Taiyo said as he manned the register.

"You guys take care of things here, I'll get cooking." I said and went into the kitchen.

It's just half of the first day but there are already so many people. Some are faces I've seen in the Organization and others are from out of town apparently. Some are curious as to what the flyer meant when it said dushes from foreign nations.

As noon came the number of customers grew even larger and as we were nearing closing time we were exhuasted. As I sat down the bell rang one last time.

"Welcome." Taiyo greeted him. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have an... hmmm.... I haven't had any of these in a while." The voice answered and the voice sounded very familiar.

"I want pudding!!" Another shouted and I immediately knew who they were.

"Hime-san!!" I rushed out to the counter and it was her alright. Along with her were Ryusei-san, Shizuki-san and Miyu-san.

"Haruka!!" They exclaimed. "No way!! We found you!!"

"What are you doing here?!" I exclaimed.

"That's what I want to ask." A guy around my age with dark green hair that is messy and goes down his left facial side, the right side is slicked backwards. He is dressed in a gray jacket with black sleeves, black pants and silver boots. There's something about his golden eyes and white skin that seem familiar.

"Takeshi?!" I exclaimed.

"Hmmm..." He stared at me. "Haruka?!"

"W-w-why are you here?!" I exclaimed and realized something. "Do you know how I can go back to Haruki?!"

"Sorry. No one can leave the Western Continent." Hime-san answered. "So even though we want to get you home immediately we can't."

Just then, Takeshi's stomach growled and I giggled. I put my apron back on and stood up.

"For now, why don't you eat? I'll do you a special favour and cook for you." I said.

"Master who are they?" Taiyo asked.

"The three work for my brother and me, the other one is my cousin." I answered him.

Takeshi is a relative of ours, born to the Spirit-Hero Lineage. He is born to the spirit and hero family. Ryu is from the dragon and hero family. He belongs to a sub family simply talking.

"Here you go.' I placed on their table a variety of dishes from home and sat down with them.

I waited till they were finished before I started asking questions.

"So, what did you mean no one can leave the Western Continent?" I asked.

"It's as you heard. Someone erected an extremely powerful barrier around the entire continent. No one can break it, no one can send messages past it." Takeshi answered. "We've tried all sorts of things, not even their ships can set out."

"That means they've trapped us here." I muttered. "Why are you here?"

"I'm on a mission, well, I was sent here after your disappearance, to investigate the Guardians." Takeshi answered.

"Why exactly?" I asked.

"Freya. Do you remember her?" Miyu-san asked.

"She was... one of the Researchers of Lost Wisdom." I answered.

"Well, it seems that she has something to do with the Guardian, Freya." Hime-san answered. "Which is why we are here, investigating them."

"Well, should I help you?" I asked them. "The sooner we find out the truth the sooner I can go home."

"Thanks." Takeshi answered. "Alright, we'll go look for a place to stay."

"You can use the spare rooms." I told them as I signalled the two to clean up.

"Yo. How's the first day?" I heard the voice of Jason calling out.

"It's been a great day. Come on in." I told him.

"Hmm... oh? It's past closing time. Can we still order something?" Veronica asked.

"Sure." I answered.

"Haruka-sama, we can help." Ryusei-san said as he came through the back door.

"Sama?" Misa tilted her head.

"Haruka-sama, if you need an extra hand, I'll be happy to help." Shizuku-san said. "After all, we did cleaning back at Haruki-sama's shop as well."

"No, I can do myself." I answered.

"Okay then. If you need our help please call us." They said.

"Ah, can I ask you to do some shopping for me?" I asked them.

"Yes." Shizuku-san answered.

"Here." I handed them the paper with a list of everything the shop needed. "Takeshi, stay here for a seek."

"What for?" He asked and I pulled out a strand of hus hair." "Ouch! What was that for?!"

"I needa strand of your hair." I told him. "I'll mix some of mine with it to make a new humunculi."

"Okay..." He said as he rubbed his head. "Give your cousin a fair warning bext time. I'm not Ryu with a skull as hard as dragon skin."

"Yeah, yeah." I answered him as I placed the hair in a vial.

"Why my hair anyway? Can't you just use the others?" He asked.

"I want the humuculi to share the Heroes' DNA in them." I answered him. "So, these two carry my DNA, the next two will carry yours, the Spirit Family that is."

"I see." He answered.

"Ett~o, what is the relationship between you?" Jason asked.

"Oh right! This man is my cousin. The three work for me and my brother." I introduced them.

After finally closing up shop, I rested on my bed. Tomorrow I'll make new humunculi and have them help out in the shop. This way, while they help out with the shop I can go and help Takeshi look for who erected the barrier.