Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Sunny Day & The Growing Shadow

The café windows gleamed under the bright sun, casting warm patches across the floor, but the chill in the air made it clear that winter wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

*Slurp*

I leaned back in my seat, sipping my coffee, letting the faint aroma of roasted beans mingle with the soft whispers of the café. It was peaceful, the kind of peace that makes you feel like time has slowed down, that even the world outside—rushing with people bundled in coats and scarves—had taken a pause.

But that peace was shattered by an unmistakable noise.

“Yummm!” Gulp. Slurp. Slurp.

I tore my gaze away from the window, looking across the table to see Beta sitting there, her eyes shining with pure joy as she demolished her burger. Her chewing was so loud it was starting to draw looks from nearby tables, but she seemed completely oblivious to anyone else.

“Master!! It’s tasty!!” she declared with her mouth half full, and I could feel every head in the café turn our way.

I managed a half-smile, trying not to laugh.

“Yes, yes, I know, Beta. But could you maybe enjoy it a little… quieter?”

She blinked at me, her wide eyes full of confusion. “Why? Isn’t that how you’re supposed to eat when food is good?”

“Just… try not to call me ‘Master’ in public,” I murmured, feeling my cheeks flush slightly as I glanced around, aware of the sideways glances people were giving us. “People will think something’s… wrong with us.”

“Okk, Master!!” she chirped, unfazed and apparently delighted with herself.

I Sighh*

~She’s not going to listen.

But it was hard to be annoyed when Beta was this happy, her tail practically wagging with joy as she took another enthusiastic bite.

Today was her day, after all. I’d promised her a treat for keeping quiet in the kitchen when Athlea was over that night, and now she was cashing in on that promise with all the excitement of a child at their first fair.

My mind drifted back to this morning’s chaos. As usual, Beta had been the first to wake up, and instead of letting me sleep in, she’d decided that dragging me out of bed was the best way to start the day.

“Master, wake up! Wake up!!” she’d yelled, bouncing onto the bed, her tiny hands smacking my shoulder and then yanking on my t-shirt.

“Ugh… just five more minutes…” I groaned, burying my face in the pillow, only for Beta to tug harder.

“Master! You don’t have any classes today, right? Let’s go out somewhere!” Her voice was loud, relentless, and filled with way too much energy for that early in the morning.

It was impossible to argue with her—Beta didn’t know the meaning of the word “no.” After several more shouts, I’d stumbled out of bed, half-asleep, and let her drag me here.

Seeing her so happy now, it was hard to regret it. She seemed to be in her element, biting into her burger like it was a prize she’d won.

Just as I was about to take another sip of my coffee, Beta looked up, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “Oh, by the way, Master!”

“Yes?” I replied,

“Master… what happened to the Red Symbol Bad Guy? You beat him, right?”

I sighed, setting down my cup. She always had a way of making things sound simpler than they were.

“No, not yet. We’re still gathering information on him. Once we have enough, we’ll decide what to do.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she clasped her hands together as if I’d promised her a new adventure. “Ohh, I see! Let me know when we’re hunting him down. I want to join, too!”

“You will be the first to know,” I assured her, smirking at her enthusiasm. “Can’t have a hunt without you, can I?”

“Yippee!” she said, clapping her hands, her voice echoing through the café, causing more stares. “I’m going hunting with Master!”

I chuckled softly, watching her eat with a contagious kind of joy that was hard to ignore.

She had this way of filling the air around her with energy, even when we were just sitting in a café, and I found myself relaxing, letting the small warmth of her company ease some of my worries.

But then, just as I was starting to enjoy the quiet, out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone I hadn’t expected. Athlea.

She was walking along the sidewalk outside, her figure unmistakable even through the crowd. She held a grocery bag in one arm, her head slightly bowed, her face hidden as she walked with a pace that was almost hesitant.

Even from here, I could tell something was off. Her usual confidence seemed dulled, like a light dimmed from within.

I felt a pang of concern. What happened?

“Beta,” I said softly, turning back to her. “I need you to head home, okay? I’ll catch up with you later.”

She looked at me, a little confused but already halfway through another bite. “You’re leaving, Master?”

“Yeah,” I replied, standing up and dropping a few bills onto the table. “And please don’t follow me. That’s an order.”

Her face broke into a playful pout, but she shrugged. “Fine, fine… Just don’t forget about our hunt, Master!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, smiling as I made my way out the door, the chime ringing softly as I stepped outside.

The cold hit me immediately, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the café, but I didn’t slow down. I picked up my pace, weaving through the sidewalk crowd, trying to catch up to Athlea before she slipped out of sight.

“Athlea!” I called, raising my voice just enough to be heard over the hum of the street. She paused, turning her head slightly, and I saw her shoulders stiffen when she recognized me.

Quickly closing the distance between us, I tried to look as nonchalant as possible, though my heart was thudding in my chest

“Wait, Athlea..” I said, breathlessly, hands on my knees as if I’d been running forever. I wasn’t actually tired, but it seemed like a good way to break the ice, make it clear I was here because I wanted to be.

“Austin…” She blinked, a small, surprised smile softening her face. She looked at me, almost as if she couldn’t quite believe I was standing in front of her.

I straightened up, smiling back at her. “I was nearby and saw you, so I thought I’d say hello. Hope you don’t mind.”

She glanced down, hiding a small blush on her cheeks. “You didn’t have to run for me, you know.”

I shrugged, slipping my hands into my pockets, doing my best to act casual.

“Why not? You’re my friend, Athlea. Of course, I’d run for you.”

“Thank you, Austin…” The way she said my name, soft and hesitant, made me feel like there was a wall she was lowering, just a little, letting me in.

I glanced at the bag of groceries in her hand, realizing that her fingers were turning red from the cold, gripping it tightly. Without thinking, I reached over, gently taking the bag from her grasp.

“Here,” I said, meeting her surprised gaze as I took it from her. “No need to carry this alone. Let me help.”

Athlea looked up at me, her lips parting, her expression softening.

“Thank you…” she murmured.