The Wind of My Life

*noise of egg being fried

Even with the noise of the egg being fried, I can focus and hear footsteps coming from Raphaella's apartment door. From the muffled noise, I already realized she was coming. After a few seconds, the door opens.

- I arrived!

I just reach up and stick my head out of the kitchen cubicle, showing a peaceful smile.

- Good afternoon dear~~ Will you want to eat or take a shower… or… maybe...

- (Raphaella showing a disgusted face) If you finish this sentence, I swear I will block your access to Netflix when I'm not home.

- Sorry! I promise never to do this again!

- Seriously… Send me one of these…

I turn my gaze back to the fried egg and pull it out ready to put into a little x-salad I've decided to make, but since Raphaella has arrived, I'm going to spoil her a little. After a few seconds, I see Raphaella appearing in the living room, in a different outfit than the one she went to college today, and went to sit on her couch, taking a deep breath like she was relieved or something. I just take the x-salad, put it on a plate, take some orange juice out of the fridge and put it in a glass, and after a few seconds, I bring this meal to her like a butler.

- For you, Ella~~

- Seriously, you have to… Hm?

- What was it? Is there something on top or…

- No. It's just… Where did you learn to do that?

- I used your computer to watch some videos to prepare some food and decided to make a x-salad. It looked delicious to me, so I decided to do it.

- Oh, I see...

With that, Raphaella took the x-salad and ate a small slice, and from her surprised face, I think it's delicious. But something is slightly surprising me.

- (Raphaella shaking her hand) That's good. I approve of you doing some of these from time to time.

- (showing curiosity) What happened to you?

- Hmm?

- I thought you would scold me because I used your computer without your permission or say something like "I've eaten better than this" when you took the first bite.

- (Raphaella looking to the side to disguise) Eh… Nothing happened. I'm the same as always, you furball.

- LOOK AT THIS! It sounded more cute than an insult! Raphaella, are you okay? What happened?

- I already said! Nothing happened. Only…

- (smiling) Only what?

After trying to hide it, she ended up placing the x-salad on the plate on the table in front of the sofa and began to stretch.

- Okay. Let's say I had a good day so I don't feel I'll scold you. Do you accept this one?

- I was in hell and didn't realize it.

- So it is. If you were anything like Ellyn, you would get more peaceful treatment than psychological torture.

- (looking to the side) Ellyn? No, pass this one. I couldn't stand doing half of her habits. She's just well behaved, but she turns chaos into person when she lets go.

- I didn't think that was hers. And if she behaves, you should do the same and not wake me with a start, looking like a kidnapper on top of me thay day.

- Ah, but I wanted to be funny. It's not funny that you have fun and I can't make fun of you.

- See? That's why I don't even make a point of treating you like Ellyn. But you know what... Let's put that aside and do our best for a few minutes so I feel like I'm in paradise, okay?

- OK…

With that, Raphaella went back to eating her x-salad, while I go back to the kitchen and already prepare two more x-salads, one for me and one for Ellyn, who could arrive at any time from Sebastian's school. And as I start preparing for this meal, I notice that Raphaella is giving a different smile as she sees something on her cell phone. It doesn't look like one of her forced smiles, so I think whatever happened to her must have been something important to her.

- Sooooo... And this outfit?

- (Raphaella speaking without looking at me) What's wrong? Can't I buy a new outfit without a shameless comment from you?

- That's not it. It looks beautiful on you.

- (Raphaella looking at me in surprise) Really?

- (laughing mischievously) Want me to say something naughty so you can threaten me to rip my hide and feel good?

- No way! And yes, it suited me well. That's why I love my clothes with all the affection possible.

- Speaking of those clothes that make you look like a hikikomori?

- Hikki what? Where did you hear that?

- Ah, I was seeing a weird cartoon of two brothers who play video games and are trapped inside a messy room until they're transported into a world of games…

- Shorten please.

- And your clothes resemble one of the characters. I think his name was Sora...

- Refusing you to take it out of nowhere... Is there something I wear against?

- No way. It's just that it's hard to think about seeing you wear the kind of clothes that make you prettier.

- Wait a minute… Do you think I'm ugly wearing my normal clothes?

- What I mean is if you valued your beauty more, you would be more beautiful than you already are.

After saying that, I decided to concentrate on preparing the snack, but glancing at it, I noticed that Raphaella was slightly static and surprised by what I said. Of course she wasn't going to expect me to say something like a compliment without making some nasty comment, so I already expected that reaction from her.

- Well… Thanks, I guess.

- (laughing lightly) You're welcome~~

Strange was this silence that stayed for a few minutes until I started frying eggs for the x-salad. As honest as I was with her, even I thought it was something out of the ordinary, but it's always good to tell the truth when the time is right. I just hope she doesn't make up to punish me with something just because I said it.

…

A few minutes passed.

I finished making the x-salads and left them in the microwave here to keep them warm until Ellyn arrived. I took the opportunity to clean the dishes, while Raphaella started using her computer. Looking from a distance, she started using a device that was transcribing some things to some white papers that appeared with some things written later. And in the meantime, we heard a knock at the front door.

- Stay there.

I turned off the faucet and got ready to hide under the kitchen counter in case it was anyone other than Ellyn, while Raphaella went to open the door. To no one's surprise…

- (Raphaella) You're early, Ellyn~~

- (Ellyn) Early is not enough to say.... Hmmm new clothes, eh?

- (Raphaella) Yeah~~ There was a situation and I had to buy it.

- (Ellyn) Looks pretty on you, Ella~~

- (Raphaella) Thank you, Ellyn~~

After listening to side conversation, I went back to the sink and was finishing washing the dishes, when I notice Raphaella appearing to go back to the computer and Ellyn appears leaning in the hallway, looking at me.

- Speak up, Jack~~

- Speak up, Ellyn~~ First of all, take it here.

Ellyn pushes herself away from the wall and comes into the kitchen. In the meantime, I end up grabbing a plate and placing the two x-salads on top and holding it for Ellyn to take to the kitchen table.

- Both for me, is it?

- Calm, gluttonous. 1 for me and 1 yours, okay?

- Relax, I would only be able to eat even if you two were for me.

- I know that. Your divine diet is something that still amazes me. And even so, it can be bulky, huh...

- (Ellyn looking mischievously) If you talk about my weight, I swear I'll rip your ears off...

- (slightly nervous) R-Relax! I said nothing!

After that, I got two glasses of orange juice and put them on the table, next to the salad plate. And just like that, Ellyn and I started eating quietly.

- (Raphaella) When the two are done, come here that we need to talk about later.

…

After 5 minutes, we finished eating and went to the couch, noticing Raphaella placing a large pile of papers glued together with some tape. And what we see is a table-sized map in the room, showing what the region around the cafeteria is like.

- (Raphaella) Anyway, here it is. As you can see, this is the region near the cafeteria. As I didn't know what it would be like, I decided to make a map smaller than I expected.

- (Ellyn and I) No problem.

- (Raphaella making some notes) So, okay. Here is Madison University, where I study. The cafeteria is at an intersection of two streets, with one of the streets in front of the cafeteria leading straight to the university, so we expect there will be some university students there.

- Did you see what the cafeteria looks like on the outside so we can get an idea of ​​what it looks like?

- (Raphaella) Yes. Some friends from my course sent me some pictures from there. Here.

From among some piles of papers, Raphaella takes some papers with very clear images inside and outside the cafeteria. On the outside, one could mistake it for a hidden building, but inside, in addition to looking like a very spacious place, it has a large counter with many coffee machines attached to the wall behind this counter, a part where many tables with joint chairs are close together. from windows that look more transparent from the inside than from the outside, some more insulated metal tables that are in some corners of this place and some doors that must lead to the bathrooms or where only employees can enter. It looks like a pretty peaceful place to those inside, but no one outside would notice.

- (Raphaella) So Jack… How are your stamps?

- One second.

As I say this, I take a stamp from one of my shirt pockets and in the blink of an eye, I activate it and feel a small black colored box with gold accents in my hands where I usually keep more stamps. A very effective way to hide things, yet accessible to me. Ellyn just looked over and giggled as she knew how this seal worked, but Raphaella tried to remain neutral when she saw the box appearing out of nowhere in my hand. I place the box on the table, open it, and show them the communication and tracking stamps.

- (Ellyn) Surprised, Ella~~?

- (Raphaella trying to hide it) Eh… No. But anyway… How do they work?

- It's simple. Those with 3 dashes and a Q in the middle are the tracking stamps. You just need to put it somewhere and that's it. They will become active and will be invisible after 1 second, and will give an activation that I can feel if any magic changes or activations occur inside the cafeteria. The thinner ones with 2 dashes and a J on top of the left dash are the communication stamps. Let me show you...

I take the double-dashed seal and wrap it around my arm, while I take the other one and give it to Raphaella.

- Just wrap it around your arm and…

When Raphaella wraps the seal around her arm...

- (mental speaking) Can you hear me?

- (Raphaella startled) What the f*** is this?

- (speaking mentally) Yeah, you're listening. Communication is mental and only those wearing these seals can communicate. I just wondered what you want to say and I'll listen.

- (Ellyn mentally speaking) Just imagine that you are organizing ideas in your head and imagine speaking.

- (Raphaella) I'll try. But like, can you read my mind or something?

- (Ellyn laughing) haha~~ No. In fact, you never told me if that was possible, Jack.

- (mental speaking and gesturing) No, I designed this communicator not to read the entire mind of the user. It will only show your thoughts in the form of a conversation, but other thoughts will not be heard. You can relax about that.

- (Ellyn) I don't know, huh… You're the type who would do something like that.

- (Raphaella speaking mentally) It looks like it's something silly to be watching me…

- (Me and Ellyn) See what, Raphaella?

- (Raphaella mentally speaking and embarrassed) Ahhh! Nothing. Wait… Are you listening?

- (Mentally) See how easy it is? Just focus a little. Why don't you try to keep your map explanation that way?

- (Raphaella taking the seal off her arm) No fu***** way! It's weird. Leave it for when we're there.

I turn around and notice that Ellyn is also taking the seal off her arm. They don't really trust me.

- (Raphaella) Continuing… Ellyn, as you arrived earlier than I thought and the stamps are ready, I think it would be a good thing if we left soon.

- Didn't you say we were going at 6pm?

- (Raphaella) Well, today I have something to do later, and as the chances of something happening are few, we can try another day too.

- (Ellyn) At least, it can help me memorize the city more and maybe find places with energy to mark some places to do a search when you can't.

- Ah, if that's the case… I should have prepared more…

- (Ellyn) No need to worry about that. When you go to make other stamps, I will plant them in any places I go. Besides, I think it would overwhelm Ella if she did it in larger quantities.

- Ah yes. Fine then.

- (Raphaella looking at me) One moment. Is there any way I can prevent such tiredness of the contract seal? It's just that if you do that, I want to at least be aware of when it's going to happen.

- (disguising confusion) Well, if it's a warning, we can set a specific time for me to do this and you won't be affected. What do you think?

- (Raphaella) Okay… So, since we'll decide this later…

Out of nowhere, Raphaella ended up heading towards her room, and after a few seconds, she came and brought the clothes she bought for me and Ellyn putting them on the couch, and then she headed towards the bathroom.

- I'll get fast and then you will after me. And be quick.

Ellyn and I just nodded and Raphaella ended up taking her shower quickly. Glad I washed and ironed them beforehand. It would be pretty nasty if they were dirty, even though I only wore this outfit once to try it on.

- (Ellyn looking smiling) Finally, I'll see you in normal clothes~~

- (smiling ironically) And I'm a pervert, right?

- I said seeing you wearing normal clothes, not that I wanted to see you changing…

- Understand. I just wanted to make a joke or something…

- (Ellyn looking at me weird) Hey… what's up?

- Nothing. Can't I just say something at random?

- Yeah so… Anyway, I'll go to the bath first and then you will.

- It's fine by me.

After saying that, Ellyn took her clothes and went to wait near the bathroom. And apparently, she was glancing at me before reaching the bathroom hallway, like I was hiding something… And it's not really something I'm hiding, but something Ellyn didn't notice.

The contract seal serves as a way for a Gacha to stay energized in some cases. In theory, the person with whom the contract was made serves as a battery for the Gacha, and as the use becomes frequent, the contractor gets tired because his vital energy is passing, which can be recovered with rest. But in excessive cases, the contractor can be extremely tired if he is not in the physical or mental condition to provide the energy. The strange fact that Raphaella felt this tired after I finished finishing the stamps for us to use in the cafeteria only gave me the obvious conclusion… Physically tired of doing college work and mentally having to mask her feelings from her friends and this David, it was easy to see this tiredness in her posture and the dark circles she wants to hide using her makeup. Strange wasn't the tiredness, but it occurred only after I was finished… This is unusual, but I think I should see it later.

…

After a few minutes, Raphaella came out of her shower and changed only her jeans for black shorts, just like Ellyn did, wearing that green sleeveless sweater and a light pants that Raphaella lent her to put under her skirt. I did the same thing, but when I ended up leaving the bathroom and heading to the living room…

- (Ellyn surprised) Check it out! I think I have some friends who would like you in this outfit~~

- (Raphaella pretending not to be surprised) G-Big deal~~ No wonder my fashion sense is too good.

- You're just saying that because you don't want to admit I'm prettier, aren't you?

By the irony of my being half wolf, the two didn't even laugh and simply ignored my joke. And I thought I would surprise with my white shirt with the black jacket and black jeans...

- (Ellyn looking weird) Eh… Jack, where did your tail go?

- (Raphaella) Really. You told me your ears and tail are not accessories. So how was that?

- Well, I squished it so that it was wrapped around my leg.

The moment I said that, they both made a disgusted face. And I would even if someone with a tail said the same thing.

- (Raphaella) Speaking of which, I wanted to give you this.

Out of nowhere, Raphaella ended up showing a cap that was in her hand and ended up giving it to me. The cap is dark blue with some line details, which being honest, I thought it was cool. Before putting it on, I ended up adjusting my ears so they were resting on my head and put on the cap. It got weird because I don't usually cover my ears for anything, but the way Raphaella said about someone finding it weird to see someone with ears and tails in the daylight, I decided it would be a good idea to try on a hat. My luck is that my hearing is still in good condition, even with my ears covered.

- I just hope it doesn't hurt my ears.

- (Raphaella) Now I can treat you like someone normal~~

- (Ellyn) Cruelty, Raphaella. Give him a more normal compliment.

- You two have a unique style of insulting me without being offensive, don't you?

- (Ellyn) You know that for me, you are much better looking than Cyko and Reddox.

- How do you know what Reddox looks like if no one has ever seen his face?

- (Raphaella) Eh… Who is Reddox?

- He's a friend of Ellyn's. He's quite… mysterious, let's say.

- (Ellyn) Not coming! He's pretty cool, if you're interested in him…

- That is, never that he's cool.

- (Raphaella) Uh… Let's forget about it for now and let's go?

Saying this, the three of us gathered near the living room table and looked at the map more closely. As the idea is to stay aloof but watchful, Ellyn and I decided that we wouldn't go into the cafeteria, but would stay on top of a building next door to keep an eye on whoever leaves or enters the cafeteria. And with the description that Raphaella can give us through the communications stamps, it will be something simpler for Ellyn to track down what this possible source of energy is. Of course the chances of nothing happening are high, but better to risk a possibility than do nothing.

Meanwhile, I decided to take the stamps that were inside my box and gave it to Raphaella to put them in her shorts pocket. As they are small, no one will notice them. it's what I expect.

- (Raphaella) Very well. Let's go.

I saw at the time on Raphaella's cell phone that it's already 4:05 pm, so if the idea is to come back early, it'll be fine and whatever Raphaella is going to do later, it'll be fine for him…

*hearing footsteps coming from outside the apartment

- Raphaella, someone is coming.

TOC TOC

When I had just said, we heard someone knocking on the front door. We turned synchronously to the door, apprehensively.

- (?) Raphaella, open the door~~

- (Raphaella speaking quietly) Mary?

Out of nowhere, the front door began to open. Isn't it possible that the day Raphaella doesn't decide to lock the door this happens? Damn it! This is not the time to think about it. Before this Mary had opened the door, I had looked at the porch and the glass door to the porch was locked. Oh...

- (Mary) Excuse me, I'm coming in~~

Yep... Screwed...