Second Bite of the Cherry

Plus Cherry-picking the Companion

Regrettably, I have a fool for a childhood friend.

For someone who matures faster than normal toddlers, who should have been hailed as a child prodigy... It is truly regrettable that his mind frequently regresses back to being a brat. It is truly regrettable that his mind has stopped maturing at the most annoying part.

Nevertheless, he is still my friend. However odd he may be, I will always be his friend.

Suddenly, randomly, declaring, "I am a Hero! I will defeat the Demon King! Come at me now, Demon King! Taste your defeat by my hands!!" to the world aside, there's nothing strange coming from him anymore.

Bless us.

At least, not until we hit his 10 years old birthday.

Abruptly, his 'Hero' persona is taken over by something......someone else.

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"What is this?! Where am I?! Who am I?! Why am I a boy?! I look so weird!! What is this???"

When he gets worked up like that, as if naturally, I am sent to deal with him. Since when has this been set as my responsibility? Such is a mystery nobody wants to solve.

With how frequent he makes a scene to proclaim himself as a Hero and such, I do not think much of this time's uproar too.

Making my way to his house, passing his parents with a greeting, and arriving in front of his room, I grace him with a couple of knocks before kicking the door open.

"What's your problem now?" I demand, eyeing him in disgruntlement

I get a high pitch scream in reply. How noisy.

Uncovering my ears once he is done screaming, I ask with a sigh, "Do you need a reality check again?"

"Reality check?! Yes, please!!" scrambling up from the bed, he comes to sit in front of me by tucking his legs under him and wait patiently for me to start

Is he being obedient? How rare.

What is he planning now?

I can't help but get suspicious.

Nevertheless, I will humour him once again, "You are Nero Deliziare, sole son of Deliziare Famiglia. Currently, you are 10 years old. Today is your birthday, by the way. I wish you a happy birthday," I say, giving him something I bring along with me, "Your birthday present,"

Accepting it hesitantly, Nero murmurs a shy gratitude back to me. I squint my eyes at him, wondering what kind of trick he is going to pull today. Being a good boy on his birthday isn't a bad idea. It definitely will make people like him more, I am sure.

Though, starting the day with an uproar is no good.

"Anyway, go change your cloth and wash up. I saw Mrs Deliziare gave the finishing touch to your favourite spaghetti. Don't let the food get cold waiting for you," with this, my business here is done. Time to go back.

"Wait!" grabbing my trousers, Nero halts me desperately, "What's your name?"

It's not really important. But, okay, "I am Elario Altisonante,"

"Then-! Sir Altisonante--!" Nero calls my name nervously

I cut him off, giving him a weird look, "Just Elario is fine. Really, what's up with you today?" I crouch down to frown at him, "Isn't it about the time you return to normal?"

"It is my wish!" a distressed Nero cries out, startling me, "I want to return to normal too! But! But! I am still here!!"

"Where would you be if not here?" I question, raising my eyebrows at him