Reality's Blade

Chapter 6 - Bright Smiles

"Hm hmm hmm hm hmm..." I flitted to the store room humming.

It had been an unusually quiet day in the shop, so I had spent a lot of the time marking what stock we had, what we needed to order in and stacking up items on the shelves, while Kazehiro kept an eye out for customers and served them.

"You seem happy today." Kazehiro noted with a grin.

My heart fluttered, I felt a blush creeping across my face. I was relieved that Kazehiro was in better spirits today.

"Is that the Legerdemain theme you're humming?" Kazehiro asked intently, suddenly appearing beside me. He started stacking shelves like he'd been there doing it the whole time. I stared at him in shock.

"Do you play it too?" I questioned.

He laughed warmly at my amazed expression. "Yeah. Don't look so surprised!"

"What occupation did you choose?" I cringed at the eagerness in my voice. Was I being too obvious? I was so excited that we had something in common.

"Swordsman. You?"

"No way, me too. What level are you?"

Had he played it for long or was he new to it? I suddenly wondered if he'd believe me if I told him I'd not only met the Dark Samurai but was training with him? I didn't want him to think I was making it up just to impress him though...

He looked at the ceiling for a moment. "Not very high, only like level 50 I think." He responded with a one-shouldered shrug, having suddenly become more reserved. I tried not to feel too dejected at his calling level 50 'not very high'. I felt ashamed of my level 30. Although, I hadn't actually seen my XP or HP in a while.

"Are you doing any quests or raids at the minute?" I opted for a change of topic before he asked what level I was.

"I'm on a quest, but I've been a bit stuck on it lately."

"What's the objective of the quest?"

"I have to protect a village from attacking monsters. But somehow I just can't win." He frowned and his voice fell flat, he sounded truly disappointed with himself. I cursed myself for bringing up something that caused Kazehiro to make such a face.

"Well when I've finished my training mission, I could lend you a hand?" I offered with a laugh.

It was his turn to look surprised, a smile tugged at the edge of his lips and his eyes crinkled as he murmured, "That would be nice."

My face was turning beetroot at how pleased he seemed with my offer. Maybe after my training with the Dark Samurai I'd be good enough to be of help to Kazehiro.

I finished the box of sweets I'd been stacking just in time to give me an excuse to run off so Kazehiro wouldn't see me so flustered.

"I'll go get the next set." I informed him as I tried to inconspicuously leave.

The next box I needed was on the top shelf of the store room. I got the old grey foot stall to stand on, but I knew even with it I'd be just a bit too short to really be able to get the box off the shelf. I stretched on to my tiptoes, leaning on the lower shelves to keep my balance. My fingers brushed against the side of the box but I couldn't get enough grip to pull it further out. I changed my angle of attack. I pushed against the bottom of the box, lifting it up so I could slide it out. With a sprinkling of dust it started to move.

"Do you need he-"

I turned in surprise to the voice, the box was still sliding, it had gone past it's balance point and was now determined to follow gravity down to the floor whether I was in it's way or not.