Stare.

Chuu could tell I was perplexed as well as annoyed as I tossed a handful of coins in the air. No matter how I looked at them there was a problem. I had no clue what they were worth. I wasn’t even sure what they were.

The coins came in three shapes. A bronze circle which was the only one that looked like a standard coin. Then there was what appeared to be a sliver square and a golden triangle.

“The hell are these things? Chuu do you know?”

Stare.

“Stop that Chuu. I asked you a question.”

“Chuu knows those are coins, that is all. Which one is the most valuable Chuu will accept that one as compensation.”

My eyes narrowed while I gave Chuu a sideways glance. “Compensation for what?”

“You destroyed my home.”

“The stone slab that you claimed to be the guardian of. You had no idea what that was. I don’t even know if it was your home.”

Chuu looked away as if I had caught him in a lie. “Chuu didn’t expect Mao to remember that. Mao is smarter than Chuu thought.”

“You little bastard.”

Chuu bobbed in the air while I glared at him. When we get into town I was gonna see if I could sell him. Hang on which way is town? With that thought in mind I stopped walking and looked around. On either side of me I could see miles of forest.

“Shit.”

“Are we lost?”

I felt a nervous sweat rolled down my neck. I had no idea how long I had been walking which meant it was unlike the bandits were still at our starting point. I should have asked them for directions.

“So, Mao what do chuu suppose we should do?”

“If we turn back we’d lose any progress we made. For all we know a town could be just right ahead.”

“Oh, Chuu sees. Let’s press forward, chuu.”

“Yeah. Onward Chuu.”

******

Three days later.

“Mao. You dummy. We’re lost. Soooo lost.”

“I know that. Damnit. How are we still in this forest? It’s so humid and gross. Uck this jacket is sticking to me.”

Without a second thought I tossed the jacket aside. My shirt and pants had gained several new tears. Chuu was no longer bothering with saying Chuu at the end of his sentences as well as the fact that he was resting on my head. I tried to get him off a number of times only for him to suddenly reappear on my head like a growth.

My legs had gotten heavy I had forgone rest figuring I could just make it up once I reached a town. Besides I figured I could handle a few hours of walking. Turns out I was severally mistaken. Also, I hadn’t eaten since I was reincarnated. I wonder if Chuu is edible?

Reaching for Chuu as subtly as possibly I brought him toward my face. He was facing away from me so he wouldn’t immediately be clued in on my plan.

“Aaah.”

“There’s a town, chuu.”

“Seriously you’ve started doing that aga…wait what did you say?”

Chuu floated out of my grasp and went on ahead toward a clearing. Whatever was ahead was bathed in light so I couldn’t make it out until I got closer. Mustering all my strength I rushed forward into the light.

We’d made it to a town. It was quite sizable and there was a handful of people walking about.

“Ahahahahaha! Ahahahahaha! Take that you demented deity. I, Mao didn’t keel over and die. You can kiss my….”

It turns out that was the last of my energy. On legs that felt like jelly I wobbled forward and fell. With blurred vision I saw someone approach.

*****

The smell of bread wafted in the air. My mouth started to water as I heard a voice call to me. What was this? Someone calling to me. Was it a beautiful maiden here to nurse me back to health so I could continue on my heroic journey?

Throwing off the covers I sat up with a jump. In front of me was a short old woman stand on a cobblestone floor. The room I was in wasn’t very large there was a shelf or two with a handful of books. And a table near the door.

My eyes meet the old lady’s and she smiled at me. I laid back down and covered myself with the sheets. Then removed them a second time hoping that I was just imagining the old lady. I wasn’t.

“I’m glad your awake. My husband will be glad. He’s just next-door baking. You should go see him.”

Why? For a moment I stared at the old lady a little confused. Why the hell would her husband care if I’m awake or not. Why did she care for that matter? I’ll admit they came to a stranger’s aid which isn’t what I was expecting. She's just staring at me. What the hell. Fine I’ll go see your husband.

I got up from the bed and headed for the door only for the old lady to stop me, she placed something in my hand.

“Jam?”

She gave me a thumbs up.

“Wha…what?”

Right next door was a bakery it was bigger than the house that the old woman lived in there were several rows of bread and pastry on display in the back. By the stone oven was an old man with a beard. He wore a brown bandanna and looked surprisingly fierce save for the blue furball on his head.

“Chuu try this one.”

“Yes! Jiro.”

Jiro the baker pushed a rolled into Chuu. Which he accepted without protest. So that mouth early was it for show? Or is there a mouth in all that fur I wonder?”

“Oh, I see you’re awake have a seat. The name's Jiro. And my wife which you probably met is Hana.”

Since I had nothing else to do I sat down. It had occurred to me to give my name them I realize I didn’t care to, so I wasn’t going to give it.

“Here you go Mao.”

Jiro stopped in front of me with a plate of rolls and bread. On a smaller plate there was a handful of sweet cakes. My eyes went to Chuu who was staring at the food greedily. I’m guessing he knew my name because that one told him.

“Tell me what you think.”

On principal I wanted to refuse the food since bread wasn’t really fit for the demon lord. But then my stomach growled like a hungry animal. I wasn’t a demon lord anymore so even if it was something as simple bread it should be fine for me to eat, right?

There wasn’t a shred of being modest as I shoved the bread in my mouth. The moment I did tears welled up in my eyes. What was this flavor? This bread…this bread was incredible. In mere minutes I devoured the entire plate. And then my eyes went to up to Chuu.

We nodded to each other as if we were thinking the same thing. I got up from my seat and did something I didn’t expect to do I bowed.

“Please. Please make me your student, master.”