**Lunch Break**
When we moved to the cafeteria that Eve recommended, it was packed with locals and people dressed like adventurers.
The place she took me to was a popular, casual diner that regular citizens and mid-rank adventurers often use. The set meals started at just 300 Rien — pretty cheap.
It was an unusual system where you don't wait for a waitress to come to your table. Instead, you go to the counter to order, and they call you when the food is ready.
I stood up thinking I'd buy food for Eve too, but she said, "You look tired, so just wait here. I'll get it," and quickly walked off before I could even tell her what I wanted.
...Well, whatever. She'll probably bring me something good.
I decided to honestly take her offer, took off my armor and helmet, and slumped down in my chair to rest.
That's when I overheard this conversation:
"Hey, did you hear? They found another 'Devil' victim. This time it was behind Sieg's shop along the Alectrion highway. Seriously creepy..."
"Again? How many does that make now? The knight order needs to catch this guy already."
"I think it's the sixth one. It's disgusting... Targeting kids and ripping out their hearts? Only a devil would do something like that..."
"I hope they do something soon... I'm too scared to let my kid go outside and play..."
"Sigh... Whoever it is, I just want this solved fast. If only the hero Reiji was here right now..."
A group of men in their 30s were talking and sighing heavily.
"...Sounds dangerous."
From what I heard, some pretty scary incidents are happening. Well, it has nothing to do with me. It's unrelated, but—
"I should take a bit of a detour on the way home today."
I muttered quietly.
...Just feels like a good idea for once.
If I spot any suspicious people on the way back, I might end up beating them up. I've been a bit stressed lately, so it could be a good way to blow off steam.
"You're making a scary face. ...What's wrong?"
While I was thinking that, Eve came back carrying a huge amount of food with both hands. Scary face? I wasn't making one. But more importantly—
"Isn't this way too much...? I can't eat all this..."
I was shocked at how many dishes Eve brought. The wide table was completely covered in food.
"It's fine. I'll eat most of it."
Eve said that and pushed a few plates toward me, saying "These are yours." Wait, she's going to eat all the rest? There's no way that slim body can hold all that food. Physically impossible.
"Thanks for the meal."
Or so I thought. The moment Eve brought the food to her mouth, the dishes disappeared one after another like they were being sucked into thin air. I realized my worry was pointless. This girl is no joke.
The food vanished one by one as if by magic, leaving only clean white plates. Eve stayed completely expressionless the whole time, so I couldn't even tell if she thought it tasted good.
I didn't feel any magic power... Which means this wasn't magic. Unbelievable.
While I was staring at her instead of eating my own food,
"...Please don't stare so much. It's embarrassing."
"Ah, sorry."
Eve's cheeks turned slightly red when she said that, so I picked up my utensils and started eating.
"Hmm... This is pretty good."
"...Right? It's cheap but delicious. Great value for the money."
Eve's mouth curved up a little as she proudly spoke.
Value for the money, huh... She was the same way when we were buying clothes. I honestly didn't picture her going to normal commoner restaurants, so the gap is huge.
We both focused on eating and went quiet. The plates kept disappearing, mostly the ones in front of Eve.
While I was eating like a total slob with zero manners,
"...That."
Eve pointed at me, trying to tell me something. I tilted my head with a "?" on my face.
She then leaned over from her seat, reached out, and gently picked a breadcrumb off my cheek.
"It was on me...? Sorry."
"It's fine. You're kind of... like a kid."
When I thanked her, she suddenly insulted me. Me? A kid? No way.
"No, I'm one of the most adult guys you'll ever meet. I don't have any food dislikes. I even used to drink super bitter magic enhancement potions every single day without fail. No matter how you look at it, I'm an adult, right?"
"...You're still a kid."
Eve smiled softly, the corners of her eyes crinkling. It was the most expression I had ever seen on her face. Also—
"Eve... you can actually smile. You look way better smiling than with that bored face you usually make."
I said exactly what I was thinking without filtering it.
"......Eh?"
Eve's eyes widened as she stared at me. Then a single tear slowly rolled down her cheek.
Huh?? What's wrong all of a sudden??
"What's wro— *cough*... *Cough cough!!*"
I got so flustered I choked on my food.
"Are you okay...? Did something get in your eye? Need a handkerchief?"
"...I'm fine. I was just surprised."
"...? Alright then."
She suddenly started crying, so I was the one who got surprised.
"...You really are a lot like Reiji. Not just a little — a lot. Your actions, your personality... You're exactly like him. Like a perfect copy."
"Hmm..."
There's someone who looks that much like me? I think of myself as a one-of-a-kind existence in this world, so if she says we're that similar, I'd kind of like to meet him. Maybe it's me from another timeline or something!
...Well, I don't remember any expressionless light-blue-haired person like that, so probably unrelated.
"What kind of guy is he? Was he handsome like me?"
I got curious and asked.
"I don't know. I've never seen his face. But he really was an amazing person. Kinder than anyone, stronger than anyone... He saved me. He was very important to me. His face didn't matter."
"O-Oh... I see."
I was a bit taken aback by how talkative Eve suddenly became. That guy is seriously loved.
Still, what a sinful man — getting a beautiful girl like Eve to care about him that much. He was even supposed to go with her to this year's Artifact Magic Tool Exhibition but didn't show up. What a terrible guy. Well, thanks to that, I get to go instead!
"But — if he's that amazing, he probably became a hero by now, right!"
I said it half-jokingly.
"No. That's absolutely... impossible."
She declared it in a very clear, firm tone.
"Why—"
I started to ask, but Eve cut me off. Her face darkened as she said,
"Because that person... already died."