[Elmer]

It happened in a certain night.

“I have a request to ask of you.”

After I said good night to Matthias like the usual, a trespa.s.ser suddenly entered my room when I became alone.

Where was it? Where did he enter? I looked around the room while my mind is in chaos. The window that should have been certainly closed, was opened before I knew it.

I prepared to scream loudly anytime as I inched backwards slowly. I do not know the other person’s location since the light is turned off. That made my fear even more greater.

“Who is it?”

My heart hammered fast. Yet, I didn’t realized that I was shaken until I heard my voice, and I breathed deeply.

“I am…”

The intruder stopped talking for some reason. I gulped in the silence as I waited for the interrupted words of the other person.

“…it’s me.”

He must have wondered why I said nothing. He started to asked me a question.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

I am very much surprised. Maybe he can’t see my surprised expression because it’s dark.

Is this the alternate world version of an ‘it’s me scammer’?

And yet, it’s not just that. The scam works because it’s a phone call, so personally coming to say that is useless. Doesn’t this guy know it?

My eyes gradually got used to the darkness and finally saw the other person’s face faintly. I’ve confirmed his appearance. It’s a face I haven’t seen before. The man is younger than I thought, is he a delinquent child?

“For the time being, sit down.”

Since I realized that he isn’t going to attack me, I rolled up the blanket and urged him to sit down on the bed.

“Won’t you make me your Shadow?”

It’s a word I do not know.

“Shadow…?”

I said while being puzzled. I became uneasy as soon as I asked that question since he might think I’m weird if it’s something like common sense in this world.

“Ah? When I say Shadow, that is… Let’s see, his job is to support you on your job… I think?”

I understood from the situation that it seems like there’s no problem even if I do not know about that word. I was bothered how he ended his statement with a question, though. However, I comprehended what he meant so I knew what this kid came for. It became clear that this young boy isn’t someone who went on the wrong path of life so I was relieved.

“I want to hear your reason.”

I want to know the reason why he purposely seek me out. He’s young so there should be a lot of alternatives for him.

“That is… I thought you seem interesting! That’s it! Also, the little bird…”

He muttered while being embarra.s.sed, something about how cute the little bird was. He seems to know about the little bird I created. So it’s not Kioran but the ones made with expertise, huh?

“I see…”

“I have also asked for Matthias’ approval.”

He appears to be the extremely prepared type. That’s greatly appreciated. But…

“Denied.”

“Why!? Am I inadequate to you!?”

I shook my head sideways to show my denial. That’s not it.

“I still don’t have the qualifications to decide that. That’s why, when I become someone great and acquire those qualifications, is it still alright for me to ask you to become my Shadow at that time?”

Though I wish for him to become mine, it’s still to early right now. It might take time. Even so, will he wait for me?

“Qualifications…?”

He repeated my words with wonder.

“I do not have anything yet. But, I’ll absolutely obtain them with my own hands.”

I fully realized how powerless I am as I stared at my palms.

“As expected, I am glad I chose you. My intuition says so. If I am with you, I can encounter interesting things.”

He appeared happy when he said that. I do not see what’s so interesting about it but I laughed vaguely for the time being. I do not want to put a damper on his happy expression.

After that, the both of us talked for a while.

He will continue doing his current work until the time comes when I can declare that he can be my Shadow.

“Please treat me well from now on…”

I extended my hand for a handshake but I do not know his name so I faltered.

“Calling me Shadow is fine.”

He said such thing curtly while looking at me.

“No. I won’t call you Shadow. You are not just a shadow as far as I’m concerned.”

In the darkness, his eyes full of seriousness stood out as he watched me intently.

“What’s your name?”

He stayed silent so it looks like he won’t answer. Even if I can’t see him clearly, his eyes were just like crystals but it’s as if it didn’t reflect anything.

“Yes… This bothers me.”

I wonder what I should call him? I wandered around the room randomly while thinking ‘What to do?’

At that moment, the wind blew the curtains high up, and the night sky filled with beautiful starts caught my eyes.

“That’s right! Sora… I’ll call you Sora.”

I do not know whether he doesn’t want to introduce himself or he just doesn’t have a name, but I can’t call him Shadow. If that’s the case, then I’ll just name him myself.

“Sora…?”

“You don’t like it?”

“Y-you’re wrong! Anything is fine. It’s not like I care whether I have a name or not…”

Sora was looking down so I can’t see his expression. But I’m relieved that he doesn’t dislike it.

“Is that so? Now then, I’m pleased to meet you Sora.”

He timidly stretched out his hand that’s bigger than mine and firmly shook my hand.

“Then, I’m going. Call me if you’re in trouble, El!”

Sora looked back with his foot on the window.

“Yeah. Don’t play around when it’s time for work, okay?”

As I said those words that’s similar to what a girl says to her boyfriend, he threw out his body from the window. Sora disappeared as sudden as the time he came.

“Really, what are you…? Moreover, there are no phones here so how would I contact you?”

Well, that’s fine. I’m a step closer to my dream so I felt great and not bothered with it. I shut the windows and drew the curtains.

The moon that was previously covered by the clouds came out so I felt slightly spirited. But of course, I didn’t see Sora anywhere. In fact, I’m worried that he got crushed when he jumped out the window.

I dove under the bed just like before.

Even so, I was really surprised.

I tried to think back on what took place a while ago while lifting the comfortable blanket to my head.

I’m glad that I found a motivated staff. Let’s aim for the world’s best cafe together.

But the fact that he doesn’t have common sense is a bottleneck. I must absolutely teach him that there’s what we call as doorway (*entrance and exit) in the house and the room. Let’s start with that.