{My conscience tells me to return, no matter the reason.}
Yes... she had said that exact sentence to me as well...
She was a blind child—that's what she told me herself years ago. She was so kind to me, giving me plenty of sweets that she had originally bought for herself. I had a small cat with me at the time, and she stayed beside me, playing with it. It was true that neither of us could see each other, but her warmth shone clearly through the darkness.
"I wished I could meet her again too... Has she really never come back here?"
~ "...No... I haven't heard her voice since that day, but I'm certain she will visit me again options one day."
"I hope so..."
~ "I apologize if I'm burdening you with meaningless talk, but I haven't spoken like this to anyone in a long time."
"Are you all alone here?"
~ "It was my choice. The owner of a nearby grocery store offered to let me stay inside his shop whenever I wanted, but I refused... I have no desire to be a burden on anyone."
"Have you ever been to a shelter?"
~ "They tried several times to take me in, but I turned them down as well."
"Could you tell me why? They usually take good care of people."
~ "Believe me, you wouldn't understand even if I told you... You'd only be wasting your time."
"I'm neither busy nor in a rush. Tell me, please."
~ "The reason is that I've spent a long time on the street, and it has become my home. After spending my whole life here, I am now an old man. So if I am close to death, I wish to die right here on the street."
(To be honest, I didn't know how to respond... His words made me think of the suffering he had endured all alone in this world without money or food. And stranger still, he wanted to remain as he was until the very end.)
~ "Sometimes... the thing we hate is what brings us happiness in the end, and even the opposite can be true... The heart possesses no logic in what it loves or despises."
"You're right about that."
The cat stood up from her spot and began rubbing her head against Aras's hand, as if thanking him for the food.
~ "Are you full? That's good."
"She clearly adores you."
~ "I suppose she does... And what about you? Don't your children love you, sir? The same way I treat her, you must treat your children."
"I'm not married."
~ "I assumed you were, judging by the way you speak to me... How old are you?"
(Normally, I don't answer more than one question without a good reason, especially personal ones... but I couldn't lie to him.)
"I'm thirty-five."
(Most people I know don't know my real age, save for a very few.)
~ "Is that so... I thought you were a bit younger. But don't be discouraged, you'll start a family one day."
"Perhaps... Anything is possible."
~ "Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding!" he said, bursting into laughter.
Before I knew it, I found myself smiling too.
"You'll be among the first on the guest list, don't worry."
And while we were sharing that light moment:
"Kenjin!"
I turned toward the voice. It was Rena calling for me.
"I suppose it's time to say goodbye, Mr. Aras."
~ "Visit me again whenever you can, Mr...."
"Kenjin... That's my name. I'll try to drop by as soon as possible. Take care of yourself, and the cat too... Wait a second..."
I pulled out some money and placed it in his hand.
~ "What are you doing?"
"Just some money to buy yourself food."
~ "But I didn't ask you for money, Kenjin!"
"Please don't refuse it... And if you need anything, take whatever you want from that grocery shop you mentioned, and tell him I'll come by at the end of the month to pay for it."
(I wanted to offer him a place to live at the very least, but I could already hear his refusal in advance.)
~ "Honestly, I don't know what to say to you..."
"Say nothing. Just stay alive until I come back next time."
~ "I understand... Don't stay away too long."
"Goodbye."
With that, I walked back toward the shop. The rain had finally stopped. I hope he stays well until our next meeting, as there are things I wish to talk with him about.
I reached the front of the shop. The owner was standing by the door... but Rena wasn't with him.
"Rena was with you just a moment ago... Where did she go?"
• "She went inside to grab some belongings she left behind the last time she was here."
"Did she visit you often in the past?"
• "She worked here for about two months before she vanished without a trace. I tried searching for her, but to no avail."
"I see... So she views you as an uncle of sorts. You seem to be a good man."
• "I don't need someone like you telling me that... Listen."
"..."
• "Rena told me what happened to her during this time... She was living in total darkness. The pay I gave her was minuscule—not out of greed, but because we barely get any customers, so I couldn't afford to pay her more. She was living in terrible conditions in every sense. I offered multiple times to find her another place to work, but she refused every single time, claiming I was sick and couldn't be left alone here... She has always been, and will always be, a kind girl without a doubt."
"And did she work late hours?"
• "Yes, shops around here stay open late. Even though I hated the idea, her stubbornness won out."
"I understand... She's a headstrong girl after all."
• "She considers you someone dear to her now, so please... take care of her as best as you can."
(Indeed... he really is a good man.)
"You don't need to tell me. I certainly will."
• "...Good..."
Rena stepped out of the store holding the items we came to buy.
"Got everything?"
"Yes."
"Then let's head home... Goodbye, old man."
• "My name is Jordi, you brat!"
"Goodbye, Uncle! Take care of yourself."
• "You too. And give my regards to Mayar!"
"Will do!"
And with that, we drove away, leaving the shop behind as we made our way back home after an event-filled day.