The Chic is registered under one owner, but the pub itself is managed by two people.
If he's the Master, then the other is the Aide. Unlike Master, Aide has the posture of a professional wrestler, with burly arms that could single handedly murder someone just by applying a few force to it. He's also bald, which makes most of everyone's first impression towards him as, unfortunately, rather intimidating.
"So my acquaintance just got back from Naurta, and he handed me this! They say if you crack this open, a paper will come out and describe your fortune!" For someone whose general appearance is rather imposing, his moments of silliness would often betray the impression.
"Seriously, back with your superstitions..." Master's defeated sigh sounds like how most mothers do when their child does the beyond. "It's just cheap strategies to make you buy their products."
"Even if it is, the fortune slip inside always hits the mark!" Without a shred of hesitation, he cracks the cookie open with his grip, as though crushing a fragile twig. Not to imagine, but I wonder what would happen if he does that to a living person...
A paper fell from it. Both Master and Aide make a quick inspection of it. Then, an amusing glint suddenly becomes known from the Master's eyes.
"Pfft, yeah, this would be perfect for Juliette."
I don't like the way he's laughing. "What do you mean? What does it say?"
He hands it over to me and my jaw drops the moment I see the first few words.
"HAHAHAHAHA——!"
And the Master has the gal to roll in the aisles like that!
"T-The perfect season for new and old connections. Love leads and prospers, as it opens up uncharted possibilities for you..." I want to die reading this.
"Haa——" Master wipes out the tears spilling forth from that outburst. "Oh wow, it's like Tellus itself is saying I'm right."
My face twists into a pout, unable to accept this twist. "Yeah right, I think the Aide got scammed with this."
"Scam? Ha! This is no scam, it's the complete truth!" Master's posture is a bit wacky from all that laugh. A moment later, he props a hand under his chin. "Living independently is good, but sometimes it gets really hard managing everything by yourself. Of course, I’m not saying you should have someone in your place, like in a——that way, ahem, I mean you're in the age for that——"
“Are you kidding me!? You’re saying that to her!?”
"Hush, Aide. Anyway, my point is that early to mid twenties are the pinnacle of crises. It gets lonely most of the time, so it's fine to have company. But if you don't like the idea of having a stranger sleeping on your couch by the night and gone by the morning, it's about time you return to good ol' Roland and reconcile."
"And what about you? Was your solution to survive your twenties by forcing Aide into labor?"
"Hush, it's not like that...." His voice was reduced to a whisper, most likely to avoid death by Aide's hands.
“This is average life advice but you’re speaking like it’s some grave matter.”
“This is a countermeasure in case you experience other near death experiences or any misfortune events.”
“I-I’ll be fine!” He's on the same level worry as my uncle nowadays.
“Then what about you, Master? If not The Aide, surely you have someone like that too, right?” Before I get to say anything, he grabs the glass, my glass of water, chugging the entire glass until there's nothing left.
But that was my drink!?
“Anyway—”
“Don’t ignore my question!”
“You’re capable of living by yourself, and you’ve proven that so many times I actually didn’t even need to ask how you’re doing. But you know, sometimes a person needs some support from time to time. Familial love is a must, but given your situation, you don't seek for it, let alone welcoming others into your life.”
My stomach hurts all of a sudden, I'm unsure whether it was from the Master's words or from my dry throat.
“Curious, how many friends do you have, little Juliette?”
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