The Next Day
After the weird dream he experienced, Caelus was unable to go back to sleep and decided to prepare himself to look for a job. At first, Caelus was in deep trouble since he didn't have a phone or computer to gain access to this world's internet, but fortunately, this apartment also provided computers in its cafeteria.
Caelus didn't know what kind of luck he had, but he was grateful to Qingyi for telling him about this apartment. Using the computers, he listed every job he might apply for based on the requirements for employees or interns.
Unfortunately, a lot of the jobs were mostly seeking people with degrees, 10 years of experience, and, to make it worse, they're entry-level jobs! Caelus truly questions this world's and his own world's work industry for its stupidity. Why the fuck do they ask for 10 years of experience for entry-levels!?
"Oh, dear," Caelus turns to see Meilian had entered the cafeteria, looking at him in surprise. "I wasn't expecting you to wake up this early."
"Ah, I wasn't able to get some sleep," Caelus says while rubbing the back of his head. "So, I decided to search for jobs, but unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of luck."
Caelus pauses before looking at the lady with a questioning and hopeful look, which earns a chuckle from Meilian.
"Come to the kitchen, and lend me a hand, dear." The old lady says as Caelus immediately agrees. He wonders why he didn't just ask her earlier. When he started working, Caelus had to witness something that left him speechless.
The entire cafeteria was empty, and apparently, Meilian is the only cook in the kitchen. Caelus was concerned that the kitchen might be understaffed, but he had severely underestimated the woman, who casually cooks enough food for the entire building. Caelus had trouble keeping up with her, and the amount of food she prepared exhausted him quickly.
Currently, Caelus can be seen lying on the table in exhaustion. He feels his arms go numb after the intense work. Meilian is kind enough to prepare a plate of food for him.
"Thank you for helping, you made my work feel lighter," Meilian says with a chuckle. Caelus wondered if she might secretly be part of the senior martial artists, like those old people in Qingyi's trailer.
"Y-you are impressive, Miss Meilian...." Caelus let out a sigh before looking at the food. "Working alone and preparing this much food for the residents. But I had to ask, why didn't you hire some workers or maybe let some of the residents help?"
"Oh, trust me, I did," Meilian says with a chuckle, which surprises Caelus. "But, sadly, the residents didn't help as much as you do, young man. I can't take my eyes off them without worrying they might burn the entire kitchen to the ground. In fact, you are the only one who has gained my trust inside my kitchen."
"...they can't be that bad, right?" Caelus asks meekly as Meilian merely shakes her head. "....wow, I suppose helping mom in a kitchen has some perks..."
"Young man, may I ask what happened?" Meilian asks in concern.
"...yesterday was the day when a local gang outside New Eridu had taken over," Caelus says. "My parents tried to get us out, but unfortunately, we got caught. All of us were tossed inside the Hollow by them, hoping we can become the Corrupted. My parents..."
"...Oh, I'm sorry," Meilian says sympathetically as she gently places her hand on his shoulder. "...I shouldn't have asked you to go look for Phil and contact Qingyi herself."
"Miss, it's okay..." Caelus says with a sad smile. "...honestly, I am glad I did go to Hollow...because I can finally succeed where I failed before..."
"...that doesn't excuse what happened," Meilian says while shaking her head before gently patting his head. "But, I know you would rather not talk more about it. Now, eat your breakfast and get some rest."
"...okay," Caelus says before pausing and looking at Meilian. "Miss, does that mean I'm hired?"
"Of course," Meilian let out a small chuckle before going back to the kitchen. Caelus feels a bit bad for guilt-tripping her, but he does end up securing a job, albeit not what he expected. He grabs a spoon and takes a bite before widening his eyes in surprise.
"Wow, this is good," Caelus mutters as he glances at his food. "It... tastes like home..."
Before he realizes it, he feels tears escaping his eyes. The reminder is a bitter taste to swallow, since now he's stuck in this world with no idea of how to get back. He had tried to focus on his survival in a new world as a nobody, and after he finally got the time to think, it felt like getting hit by a truck.
'Mom...dad...I'm sorry...' Caelus thought before wiping his tears and continuing to eat. Unknown to him, Meilian had seen the reaction and had believed he was grieving, making her feel more sympathetic towards him.
While at the same time, Phil was hiding behind the front door, his big ears had overheard everything. He is unsure how to properly react to his story, since he had accidentally heard something that he shouldn't have heard. Also, he feels a twinge of guilt, especially since he's the reason why Caelus went to Hollow yesterday.
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Later
"Nah-na? (You're okay?)" Slyboo asks in concern as he and Caelus had returned from the black market once again to sell the core fragments.
The amount of money Caelus had earned made his inner demon constantly whisper in his ears to get more, but he held back. Caelus had gotten himself a proper job; he doesn't need another one, especially if that job is illegal in the new city he's living in.
"I'm okay, buddy," Caelus says with a small smile, trying not to think much about it. Currently, he has earned enough money to buy a cheap phone, but he would rather not do it since he still needs money for future rent payments, and not to mention supplies.
"Ehn-na nah? (Is it not because of Phil joining us?)" Slyboo asks curiously while pointing at Phil. Before Caelus went to the black market, Phil was on the front door, trying to push the crate filled with Ether crystals. Feeling pity, Caelus lends him a hand.
At first, Phil rejects the offer, which surprises Caelus, but he simply thinks it was because he's being stubborn, as he remembers yesterday's conversation with Phil about proving himself. But, upon seeing his face, Caelus notices a look of guilt instead of stubbornness. Caelus simply assumes the guilt was from dragging him into Phil's own mess, not knowing about Phil hearing about his 'backstory'.
After a while, Phil reluctantly accepts his help. To make things even from yesterday's incident, Phil tries to split the rewards 60-40 in Caelus's favor. He outright refuses it and says that he has his own stuff to sell.
After a visit from the black market, Phil ends up wondering why everyone there is scared of Caelus, but he refuses to elaborate.
"Thanks for the help...I ended up owing you one again..." Phil mutters. Caelus lets out a sigh before patting his head, causing the bunny to freeze.
"Don't think too much about it," Caelus says before he looks at Slyboo and shakes his head, answering the Bangboo's question silently. "Besides, you're now a much easier target in the black market due to your conditions. Like hell I'm letting you get injured after I saved your ass yesterday."
"You're not explaining why everyone there is scared of you," Phil says in confusion. He knows Caelus can't be a criminal, given his backstory and his reactions earlier, so it doesn't make any sense.
"No," Caelus says bluntly. Phil pouts at the reply and stops asking. "Also, don't you have any lectures to attend?"
"...Caelus, this is Saturday," Phil says in confusion, causing Caelus to freeze. He has no idea it's Saturday, and out of embarrassment, he improvises.
"Y-you guys don't have classes on Saturday?!" Caelus asks in disbelief, which makes Phil look at him in disbelief.
"What kind of school did you attend outside New Eridu!?" Phil asks in disbelief before realizing what he did, and covers his mouth.
"...so, you heard everything..." Caelus mutters while staring at Phil, which makes the bunny feel guilty.
"I...I didn't mean to. I was just entering the cafeteria and my ears picked up everything..." Phil mutters while lowering his head. "Sorry...for that and for yesterday."
"...I'm not mad," Caelus says, surprising Phil. "Sure, I was upset about it, but I ain't mad. Besides, in some ways, it was my own fault for not expecting anyone might not hear it besides Miss Meilian."
"...still, I'm sorry," Phil apologizes.
"Just don't think too much about it and focus on your studies," Caelus says while patting his head, causing Phil to freeze again. This time, however, Caelus had noticed it. "...you don't like anyone touching your head, huh?"
"N-no, it's just...it surprises me...." Phil says while shaking his head.
"Ah..." Caelus merely nods.
"...Caelus..." Phil calls, getting Caelus's attention. "...do I have a chance to be a member of H.A.N.D?"
(A/N: Before anyone asks, I already edited my previous chapter. I got both HIA and HAND mixed up while writing this story.)
"...I'm honestly not sure. I don't know much detail about H.A.N.D.'s job description." Caelus asks. He remembers that being members of H.A.N.D. not only involves combat inside Hollows, but also consists of office work, as seen in Yanagi's trailer. Poor girl even walks around the New Eridu just to get her chief's signature.
"...H.A.N.D. is an elite response unit dedicated to protecting New Eridu's citizens from Hollow disasters. It involves fighting inside the Hollows, protecting and evacuating citizens, and even office work like paperwork," Phil explains. "...I want to join their armed force, the Hollow Special Operations, like the Section 6. I...I want to be like one of their members, Tsukishiro Yanagi."
"Huh, I was expecting you to say Hoshimi Miyabi," Caelus says, blinking in surprise. He may not know much about the details, but he knows how people inside the game love HSO section 6, specifically the section 6 fan cutscenes. On one hand, Yanagi was spared from the unhinged fans, but at the same time, the cutscene made an impression of her being the least popular among Section 6. So, it's a surprise to hear someone wanting to be like Yanagi.
"You don't know much about H.A.N.D., but you know about Miyabi?" Phil asks curiously.
"Brat, she's the youngest Void Hunter from the New Eridu. It's the big news people will hear, and her association with Section 6 is very well-known," Caelus lies again.
"...fair," Phil mutters, slightly annoyed that Caelus calls him 'brat' again. "...do you think I can do it?"
"...you shouldn't have asked me that question," Caelus says. Phil mistook it as saying 'that's not possible' and lowered his head. "Because that is not something I could answer."
"H-huh?" Phil asks in surprise, looking at Caelus in confusion.
"It's your dream, your goal. You should be the one to decide if you can do it or not." Caelus says. "That is why I keep asking you to ignore your bullies. You get to decide who you are and what you can do, not them. The only thing I could do is to give you advice."
"...can I ask for advice?" Phil says, his voice filled with hope.
"Stop endangering yourself by doing illegal shit," Caelus deadpans, causing Phil to face-fault. Phil should've seen this miles away, given his attitudes, but he didn't. But Phil didn't complain; in fact, he feels a bit grateful.
Because Caelus is the first person who didn't say he can't.
To be Continued