🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 6
I tried to figure out the secret behind Nocturne’s deep voice from last night. I simply couldn’t understand how an eight-year-old’s vocal cords could produce such a thick voice.
Even the way he had stroked my cheek wasn’t with his usual tiny, soft hands.
It was slightly bigger and firmer.
I had spent the past week trying to observe Nocturne every night, waiting for him to fall asleep.
I had solemnly vowed to uncover the secret, but after just a blink…
Chirp, chirp.
‘For some reason, I feel so refreshed when I opened my eyes. I must’ve had a really good sleep.’
Watching the sunlight pour through the small open window while the birds chirped cheerfully, I sighed.
Anyway, every attempt to sneak out at dawn had ended in utter failure—for a whole week.
‘Being a sleepyhead is usually a point of pride, but at times like this, it’s really no help at all.’
I dunked my hard bread in milk and watched Nocturne. He had milk all around his mouth but looked at me with a bright smile.
“Why, Red?”
What should I say? I quickly racked my brain.
“Mm, just seeing your handsome face in the morning makes me happy.”
“Oh! So Red sees my handsome face and gets excited! That means my face looks delicious, huh?”
Gulp.
My bread and milk caught in my throat, and I coughed violently.
Nocturne was startled, rushed over, and patted my back for a long time. Only after a while did I calm down.
He pressed his face close to mine with an apologetic expression.
It was a relief he was so young. If not, my heart might not have survived.
I sighed in relief. It seemed I hadn’t been caught suspecting Nocturne of anything.
But how would I wake up at dawn? That was my real problem.
‘I guess I’ll have to sleep early from early evening. Then I can get up at dawn.’
I decided to finish work earlier than usual and go home. Nocturne seemed puzzled and asked:
“Red, are you sick? Why are you going home so early today?”
“I’m just tired from working too much. I need to rest at home.”
Nocturne tilted his head, shading his eyes with his fingers.
“But the sun’s still right above us.”
He noticed that quickly—clever little guy.
“I think I couldn’t sleep properly worrying after the cat disappeared. My whole body aches.”
Normally, we finished work when our shadows grew long, around the middle point before they disappeared over the mountains. Robin had told me that was roughly around 4 p.m.
Since the sun was still high, going home now and sleeping until night would be perfect.
“Yeah, resting at home sounds perfect.”
I deliberately patted my shoulders and arms as if exhausted, shaking my neck and spinning my arms.
Then Nocturne showed me our work sacks.
“Red, the sacks aren’t even half full compared to usual.”
‘Nocturne, why are you so perceptive today? Did you notice me acting tired too?’
I played innocent.
“I guess I’m having a growth spurt. Robin said I’m growing fast. Didn’t Uncle Bill say I have to sleep early to grow? I’m going to bed to get taller. I’m exhausted.”
Nocturne nodded, seeming to accept it.
While we were putting away the sacks and cleaning tools, Robin, who had come out for the usual lunch errands, saw us and spoke:
“Red, Nocturne! Buy bread for yourselves and mine too. It’s already lunchtime. Oh? Red, but did you already finish cleaning?”
“Red wants to rest early today.”
Nocturne looked at me worried.
“Red, are you sick? I’ve never seen you finish work this early. If you’re sick, I’ll get medicine for you.”
“No, Robin. I’ll be fine if I just rest a bit.”
Robin nodded, understanding.
“Right. Red, you’ve been working so hard. Sometimes it’s okay to rest without reason. That’s called a holiday. I’ll buy some good food, so go home early and enjoy it with Nocturne.”
He gave us more money than usual to buy food for dinner, saying he’d handle his own lunch. He patted our heads and told us to eat well since we were leaving early.
We went out together for our first proper meal.
Even though I grew quickly from eating the same food, Nocturne had remained the same height over the years, still looking like an eight-year-old, which was a bit concerning.
I wondered if I was missing something. Was it because of me that he wasn’t growing? Did I fail to care for him properly? Worry often got the better of me.
But seeing Nocturne humming and walking beside me made me smile.
“You like it that much? Eating out?”
“Yes. It’s my first time eating at a restaurant. I’ve only bought bread and eaten at home before, so I really wanted to… eat out with you, Red.”
Ah, if you wanted to eat out that badly, why didn’t you say earlier? Why worry alone like that?
Wait… that’s my fault. Oh, you silly kid.
“Nocturne, don’t just nibble here. Eat properly at the restaurant. You eat too little. If you keep doing that, you won’t grow tall.”
“Red wants me to grow tall?”
“Yes. I’d feel more at ease if you grew. If you didn’t grow, I’d feel it’s all my fault. Maybe I haven’t fed you well enough.”
Nocturne looked at me, his golden eyes sparkling brightly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll already be taller than you.”
‘Already?’ Oh… he wants to be bigger than me in spirit, too.
I wondered how badly he must want to grow to say something like that.
We headed to the most famous local restaurant, Grandma Tom’s Stew.
Among non-alcoholic eateries, Grandma Tom’s small restaurant served the most homey, comforting meals.
Robin and Uncle Bill always bought food there on special days, and I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought of this place earlier.
There was always delicious stew, simmered in a huge pot above the fireplace. Only one type of stew was served each day, using the day’s ingredients. Sometimes it was fish stew, sometimes a stew made from local pork.
Potatoes and onions—the staples in the slums—were fried in butter, then all available vegetables like tomato and carrot were added along with fish or meat. It was cooked slowly to achieve a thick, rich texture with a deep flavor.
When we sat in a corner, the waitress, Anna, approached with a bright, friendly face.
“Red! It’s been so long. Is this your first time bringing your handsome little friend? This is your favorite place. Just a moment, I’ll bring the delicious stew. Grandma’s cooking is the best in town.”
Anna smiled and went into the kitchen.
“Red, is this your favorite place?”
Nocturne asked, looking around.
“Yes, I really like it. It feels like a meal made by family.”
“Family? Are you family here?”
“No, I actually don’t know who my family is, just like you.”
“If it feels like family, why don’t you come often?”
“I didn’t have anyone to come with. Robin and Uncle Bill are always busy. I didn’t want to fuss and demand. They’ve always treated me well, so I can’t ask for more.”
Even if I asked, they’d come with me, but I didn’t like being indebted to anyone.
Since Robin and Uncle Bill, who employed me as a cleaner, already took care of me and gave me plenty of wages, it felt presumptuous to ask for more.
So when I started living with Nocturne, I hadn’t thought to bring him to this restaurant.
“I’m here, Red. Wherever you want to go, I’ll go with you. If you want to go somewhere, don’t hesitate. Let’s go together.”
