Project K-324

Chapter-36: Morning Problems

The next day, I finally realized that I didn't know the time we are supposed to meet. And so, I just did my morning routine and went to Vigor Winter to have breakfast. In the morning, they are always busy with customers, but the table in the corner of the room was always free. For some reason, the people here were avoiding this table.

I sat down at the table and after a few minutes, Sera came to take my order... actually, she directly brought a bowl of soup since this was at least my forth morning I came here with the same order. I thanked her and I started enjoying my food. While eating, I noticed that there are more children than usual. I wonder why... I finished my first bowl and called for either Sera or Kate. Kate is the second waiter of the morning shift.

"You've finished?" Sera came and asked while looking at my now empty bowl of soup. "Give me a minute. I'll bring you a refill." she took the empty bowl and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute." I stopped her. She turned to me in confusion. "Sorry. I just wanted to ask something."

"No problem. What is it?" she asked.

"There are a lot of children today. I was wondering if there's something happening today." I asked her.

"Ah, right." Sera said under her breath. "Ahem. Once every few months, we are hosting an event with a specific theme. Today's event is themed around parents and children." Sera explained.

"Sera. We are pretty busy right now." the jerk behind the counter shouted at Sera.

"Coming!" Sera shouted back. "Sorry, but I'll have to go. I'll explain more when we'll be a little more free." she apologized.

"Don't worry. But if that jerk interrupts us again, I'll bonk his head." I said while showing my fist towards him.

"..." for some reason, after I said that Sera started staring at me in silence for a few seconds.

"Uh... Sera?" I said in confusion while waving my hand in front of her.

"Uh?" as if she was woke up from a trance, she blinked and realized that she was staring at me. "Oh, I need to go. Excuse me." she said hurriedly and left.

While she was leaving, I was still confused at her reaction. Then I thought of what I said and froze in realization. I once again acted without thinking. (I called him a jerk... does it mean that we didn't get along or something?) I sighed. I started to feel exhausted of moments like this.

Sera brought the refill and I started eating while staring outside. I wished that my memories would come back. If I can make a connection with or join AE, maybe I could ask Einstein and Tesla for help with this. I'm sure as hell that Otto not only didn't wanted to help me with my amnesia, but he hoped that I'll remain a clueless puppet under him.

While I was thinking of that, I noticed a convertible red car parking in the parking lot of the coffee shop. Recognizing that car, I immediately shook off my angry thoughts and calmed myself. And sure enough, Himeko got out of the car and came towards the coffee shop. When she was passing my window, I knocked on it and caught her attention. Himeko looked at me surprised and then she signaled me to wait were I was. I gave her an OK and she came inside.

"Since when were you here?" Himeko asked me curiously.

"Hmm... I think about half an hour." I answered and resumed eating.

"...Were you planning on waiting all day since you left before I could tell you the time we'll meet?" Himeko asked me a little baffled.

"I'm sorry about that. But no." I simply said.