Chapter 1: That's a She—Er, a He
Another day in Rulid Village has passed. And quite nicely, she would say.
Well, by nicely, she meant that it was relatively eventless like any other day—the village wasn't bustling by any means, considering how far up north they were and how their people didn't number in the thousands like most major cities (not even half a thousand), so not much happens around these parts.
Sure, a celebratory event or a spreading gossip tended to find its way into their little home, but outside of that? There wasn't much to write anyone about, and she found that okay. It just meant they didn't have to deal with a lot of craziness that major cities do. Plus, everyday is fun enough, in her opinion.
"Let's see… Tomorrow, I've got to deliver Ivenda his herbs, then send the tailor his cotton. Then I'll head on over to the church to pass those cooking materials Sister Azalia requested, along with some more firewood. Afterwards…"
"Goddesses, Sulinea, take it easy. You're making me feel exhausted with all your talk about work."
"Well, is it really work if I find it fun, father?" She asked back with a little twirl and a grin, hands on her hips. The man sighed, though there was no missing that hint of amusement in his eyes and the little tug on the corner of his lips. "I mean, I get to move a lot around the village and chat with everyone! There isn't much to it, ya' know."
"I know, I know… But it just feels to me as if you move around way too much, way too fast. Slow down a little, will you?"
"Pfft, you don't need to worry. I'll never overwork myself," and she would most certainly make sure of that. She'd remembered the last time she'd pushed herself too much; her brothers had been utterly worried for days on end. They'd fretted over her during that time, which was supposed to be her job! "It's an easy calling, and I'll always pace myself. Promise."
"I'll take your word on that one, then," he nodded. "Putting that aside, have you seen your brother?"
"Who? Euden? Eugene?"
"No, they're already inside, bathing at the moment. I'm talking about Eugeo," the name prompted a raised brow. "He'd be home right about now, though he hasn't been since half an hour ago, so I was wondering if you'd seen him while you were still outside."
"Ummm… I don't think so. Can't recall seeing his face on the way here or there."
Then again, his calling takes him beyond the village's walls to the south, so there was no way she would be seeing him in the village, though there was always the chance that they'd cross paths while he was on his way home.
"He's prolly' taking a little longer to get back because something came up, or…" Her words trailed off, just in time for the front door to swing open. Both she and Orick turned their heads in that direction, the subject of their prior conversation making his entrance. "Ah, Eugeo! Welcome home."
"Sulinea..? Oh, r-right. I'm home."
Hol'up. Big sister senses ringing. Something was off with her little brother.
Green eyes inherited from their mother watched her younger sibling as he trudged his way to the dining table, falling upon a chair with the look of a man who had to deal with some kind of mid-life crisis. It wasn't anything serious, if the fact that he didn't look sad or whatnot was any indication, but he certainly looked out of it. He simply stared off into the ceiling, as if contemplating the mysteries of the world.
Lacking any obvious sadness, that was enough to leave her feeling relieved, initially worried that it had something to do with that. This must be something else completely.
"Eugeo, is something wrong?" She asked, making her way over to him.
"…Eh? Oh, no, it's nothing bad."
"But there is something," she pointed out, watching how his lips puckered in. Yeah, he didn't even try to hide it. "What is it? You can tell us."
"I, er, don't think it's important. Really."
Always deflecting. Pfft. Like she's any less stubborn. "Eugeooo…" She watched him tense up. "If there's a problem, you need to be able to tell us so that we can help you out, no matter how dangerous or embarrassing it is. Why? Do you not trust us?"
"No, it's not like that. It's just… silly…"
"Then there's even less of a reason to keep it from us. Father and I won't judge. We just want to hear you out."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure I'm sure! Our ears are yours to rant at."
His initial hesitation was slowly melting away. Behind her, she heard a muted cough. Oh, father, she wasn't made in a day. She'd practically raised Eugeo and the twins since they were little kids, after all. And being the social bee that she is, she's got all the communication skills down pat. As if getting them to spill a little thing or another would be that hard.
"It's just… um, how do I put this?"
"Say it in a way that you feel comfortable saying."
"I… met someone today, while I was out working."
Okay, so it probably had something to do with said person. "And are they problematic?"
"Not… problematic, per se. They're actually a really nice person. We talked while I was doing my calling, and I'd say it was pleasant," hmm. He wasn't lying to cover for them. That was good. "It's just that…" He paused to sigh. "I don't know, Sulinea. I'm probably just being dumb."
"Now, now. You promised you'd tell us what it is. What's up about this person?"
"He… looks like a girl… but isn't."
Silence stretched out in the household as the father and eldest sibling stared at the boy, who practically facepalmed the moment those words left his mouth. No one knew what to say.
Okay, so it wasn't a problem, just as he said. In fact, there was absolutely nothing remotely bad in that. It was just… random. Weird, if anything. Easily the weirdest thing she's heard today.
"Son," father was testing his words, clearly struggling to think of one thing or another, before eventually settling on: "What?"
"I don't know! Even I'm confused!" He cried out all of a sudden, all pretences of calm thrown out the metaphorical window. It was enough to leave her blinking in surprise. "I mean, he calls himself a boy, but he looks and acts like a girl. I don't know what I'm supposed to believe."
"And how do you know that he is a boy? For all intents and purposes, he could be a girl and he's just confused about his own gender."
"Sister Azalia confirmed it for us."
…Oh. Okay then.
"Wait, Sister Azalia? Why her? And what do you even mean by that? What even happened?"
"It's… a long story."
"Then this calls for a story time!" She beamed, dragging her bewildered father over to a chair and seating herself beside him, all but egging her equally-astonished brother to continue. "Go on then! We're excited to hear it from your end."
"What? But it's… urgh, fine. So it started when I left the house to go do my calling…"
Another day in Rulid Village begins. And, like the ones before, one he didn't want to face.
It was funny how his parents picked the name 'Eugeo' for him, which meant hardworking and gentle. He wasn't exactly feeling all that hardworking these couple of years, and that same laziness currently was doing really well at keeping him stuck in his bed.
Eugeo simply stayed laying down, staring off at the wall and counting the cracks between the wood. Sunlight beamed through his curtained window and left small dots on the surface, looking like glitters. It was cold, and that desire to just be a blanket cocoon was just too strong.
The boy sighed. 'Can I just sleep in today..?'
No, he can't do that. In fact, no one could actually skip out on their calling. The only respite from it would be the times when someone gets ill, or the rest days at the end of the week, though he'd be honest in saying that they'd never be enough. Maybe if he had a hobby of sorts to pass the free time he wouldn't be so bored, but he didn't, so welp.
Understanding that time would continue to move regardless of whether he got up or not, Eugeo forced himself to get out of bed, moving to take his bath before finally heading downstairs to see his family at the dining table once he'd gotten dressed.
"Morning, Eugeo!" His older sister greeted him with her trademark energy that he swore he didn't know where it came from. Probably inherited that trait from mother, too.
"Good morning, Sulinea, everyone," he nodded.
"Joining us for breakfast?" His father gruffly asked.
"Ah… It's fine," he shook his head. "I'll just buy some bread from the bakery, then head off to the Gigas Cedar."
"Ehh… But isn't that stuff, like, super stale?" The older twin, Euden, asked.
"It is, but it's better than nothing," he shrugged back.
"Then it'd be better to just sit with us and have breakfast together. One of our neighbours made extra, in fact!" She gestured to the sizable serving of breads and fruits.
"It's… It's fine. I'm never hungry this early in the morning, so just give it to Euden and Eugene," he said with a thin smile. "I'll buy some bread and eat it later when I get hungry. And you don't need to pack them for me," he added when he noticed her ready to stand up. "Its «Life» won't last long."
"But…"
"No worries. Euden and Eugene can eat my fill," when they didn't make any move to argue, he simply chuckled back. "I'll be fine. Well, I'm off, then."
Upon leaving the house, he got on with his day; go to the local bakery, buy some stale leftovers, then head southwards—past the village walls and down the road, golden wheat fields surrounding him. In the distance, a massive tree aptly named the Gigas Cedar loomed over him like a titan, and he wasn't afraid to admit that he hated it a little.
Really, this was a tree that generations of other tree cutters before him had all but worked on for years upon years, but it showed no signs of falling. Hell, he doubted it'd be complete even with him. It'll probably take much, much longer, but couldn't the Axiom Church offer to help out a little?
He shook his head. Darn it, what was he thinking? They'd delivered the Dragon Bone Axe to the village, the axe being the only thing thus far strong enough to make a dent in the thing.
'Still, it'd be nice if there was something a little better. Or, I don't know, they send their knights to do it.'
Letting his thoughts drift there, he retrieved the axe from a storage shed before moving towards the tree, ready to get on with his work. It was the same old, same old. Two thousand swings a day, then go back home. It wasn't going to change any time soon, so he simply stamped down on any annoyance he had and…
"Whoa, that is one huge ass tree."
A voice. Eugeo paused, momentarily surprised to hear one out here, where no one else should technically have any business at. If anything, he was supposed to be the only one here.
All of a sudden, every fibre in his being was on high alert. Was it a patrolling knight? Or some dangerous individual? Out here, so far away from the village, no one would know if he got attacked. But that can't happen. It's against the «Taboo Index» to harm another person.
That still didn't stop his heart from beating miles a minute. Gulping, the lad moved closer to the tree at a steady pace, trying to keep an eye out for anyone else there. Green eyes drifted left and right, before finally settling upon…
Silky black hair danced with the wind, eyelashes fluttering as eyes as dark as midnight gaze upon the demon tree. Her dainty hands were clasped behind her, her legs disappearing into the long skirt of her unmarred white dress. The only thing that stood out were the leather boots, but even they fit on her.
Eugeo stood there, and stared. Hard.
"…Eh? Oh, is someone there?"
Gah, shoot! "A-Ah, sorry," he blinked. "Sorry, I just saw you here, and I uh… I mean, who are you? And what are you doing here?"
"Oh, um… Kiriko. My name is Kiriko," she laughed nervously, but even that sounded like the chiming of bells. "And sorry, but uh… I think I'm lost."
"You're lost?" That grounded him, his brows furrowing a little. "Well, where'd you come from? Zakkaria, maybe?"
"Ah, no, that's… I actually don't know," she shook her head. "I just woke up a fair distance away from here, somewhere inside the forest. I think I saw a stream earlier? Then I just walked in this direction because, well, it's a big tree."
"Big is an understatement," he sweat-dropped. "But wait, you really don't know where you came from? Not even where you live?"
"No. I only know my name. Sorry about that."
"Ah, no, it's okay! It's not your fault or anything. If what you say is true… well, you're probably a child of Vector. Didn't think they exist, though…"
"What?"
"Oh, that's a term we use for people like you; people who wake up in the forest and have lost all their memories. The stories mention how the dark god Vector spirits people away from their homes, wipe their memories and leave them in the middle of woods. Supposedly for his own entertainment."
"Wow… And he's supposed to be a god?" Her lips and brows tugged downward. "What an asshole."
The boy almost stumbled at the blatant curse. Kiriko either didn't notice or was still focused on that singular thought. For such a beautiful girl, she sure isn't all that reserved about swearing. The utter juxtaposition was way too surreal.
"Do you worship him, er…"
The hesitation on her face has him pausing for a moment, only to realize that he hadn't shared his own name when Kiriko shared hers. "Oh right. My name's Eugeo."
"Eugeo? Well, nice to meet you," she flashed him a simple smile—one that had him gulping a little.
"A-Ahaha, yeah. N-Nice to meet you," great, now he was stuttering. Good going, Eugeo. "And, er, no. Vector is typically worshipped by those in the Dark Territory. Here, we worship the goddesses; Stacia, Solus and Terraria. There are those who worship Lunaria, but I'm not sure who does…" He trailed off after seeing the confused looks on Kiriko's face, making him smile. "You don't know any of those, huh?"
"Yeah, no, I really don't," she sighed. "Which sucks quite a bit. All I remember is my name, and nothing else."
"It's fine. I'm sure you're bound to remember things someday."
"Perhaps, perhaps. So hey, listen. Is it cool if I like, you know… leave?"
"Leave? Well, that would be preferred," he hummed. He took in their surroundings, evergreen stretching out all around them. "The forest is a little big, so it might be easy to get lost in, but…"
"No, no. I mean, I want to log out."
Eugeo paused. "Log out?" He repeated the words with some amount of confusion. "Err… sorry, I've never heard of that phrase. Does it have something to do with trees or something?"
Kiriko's eyes widened momentarily before her expression turned flustered, waving her hands in front of her. "Ah, no! That was dumb of me. That was, uh, it just meant that I'm, uhh… looking for a village or a city," she chuckled nervously. "Felt like I heard someone say that before, so I thought you would've known too. Now I'm not sure."
"A village, eh..?"
Well, this certainly was a precarious situation for Kiriko. Waking up in a forest with no memories and no way home, there was practically nowhere and nothing that she could realistically do to help herself. She needed all the help that she could get.
And he could do that.
Granted, there wasn't much he could realistically do to help. Sulinea and father would probably accept her into their home, but he didn't want to burden them with having to feed another mouth. And they didn't exactly have any spare rooms in the house for another person.
So instead, another place came to mind; Sister Azalia's orphanage, where other children—those abandoned by their parents, or whose parents had died, or even other children who'd lost their memories (although there were only one or two, and he personally didn't know them that well)—also lived.
It might be a little difficult to convince Azalia to take in a… what was she? A teenager? They sort of look like they're the same age. But if she could understand Kiriko's situation, she might be willing to take her in. The woman may seem intimidating to most, but she was as kind as a mother could be.
"Well… how about you come with me to our village?"
"Eh?"
"I probably mentioned it… or not. But I came from the village north of here; Rulid Village," he gestured in said direction. "It's not too far from here, and there's someplace that could take you in. That is, if you'd like."
"Ohh… Well, if you don't mind. But I don't want to bother you or anything, so I could go on my own."
"That… might be a little difficult," he rubbed the back of his head. "It'd be a lot easier if I just come with you to explain the situation to the guards. But we can't leave immediately," he gestured to the tree. "I've got some work left to do, so I'll need to be done with this before I can leave."
"Oh, sure. I'm okay with waiting," Kiriko smiled. "Thanks, Eugeo. I appreciate the help."
"A-Ah, it's fine, really. Just trying to help however I can…"
"Seriously, you have no idea how much this means to me. Were it not for you, I think I'd probably be wandering deeper into the woods hoping to find some way out. You're a lifesaver."
"No, no, it's fine. It's just coincidence we ended up meeting here. Good fortune and all."
"Yeah. Say, what is that work you mentioned earlier?"
"Oh, I need to cut down this tree," he tapped his Dragon Bone Axe against the massive tree's trunk. "I'm a tree-cutter of this one specifically. It's called the Gigas Cedar."
A look of stupefaction overtook her prior expression. "You need to cut down this thing?"
"Mmhm. Although, it's farfetched to assume that I can cut it down—generations of fellers before me have tried, but no one have actually succeeded. I've been doing this for six years now, more or less."
"Urgh… That's a pain. And sure, I may be a guy too, but even that sounds exhausting."
Eugeo stifled a chuckle at her exasperation, feeling somewhat touched to know that there was another person who shared his distaste for his calling. Misery loves company, or however that phrase was used.
And he had to admit… having some company after so many years of being out here all on his own since Alice had been taken away, it was… it felt really nice.
He wasn't sure why, but he felt oddly comfortably with Kiriko, despite this being the first time they'd met and her technically having been a complete stranger out in the woods. By all accounts of logic, he should be a little more wary of her, but there was no such thought coursing through his mind.
Instead, the only thing going on in his head was the fact that he was out here in the middle of the woods with easily the most beautiful girl he'd ever met in his seventeen years of life.
He was grateful that she was currently staring up at the sky. If she'd just turned to look at his face, she would have noticed the frozen smile, the tense facial muscles and the small bead of sweat on his brow. Every fibre of his being was focused on his task, and not making a foolery of himself in front of her.
When was the last time he'd even talked to a girl who wasn't his sister or Alice? This was way too sudden! At this rate, he might end up saying something so horribly dumb, he'd dig himself a hole to bury himself in if something does happen!
'Just… Just be calm, Eugeo. There's nothing to be awkward about, alright? Nothing is happening, so everything is fine.'
Absolutely nothing will happen. He'll just be doing his work, and Kiriko would just need to wait for him in the meantime. That's all. Everything would be fine. He'll make sure of it.
"So hey, Eugeo. This orphanage wouldn't mind if I asked to stay with them?"
"I don't think you'd have to worry about that. Sister Azalia's really nice," even if she may make for a terrifying person in some ways. "So she'll definitely help you out."
"Cool, cool. But I'm definitely going to carry my weight around. After all, a man who doesn't work does not get to eat, and I am not going to be a man who sits on his arse all day."
An amusing saying, though one that wasn't wrong in any way. No matter where one went, one would have to put in effort if they want to—
Wait a minute.
Eugeo halted, mind suddenly registering something that he'd just heard. "Wait," he blurted without even thinking. "Hang on. What did you say?"
"Which part? Pretty sure I said a bunch of things."
"You called yourself a man," he said.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, I did," she chuckled, twirling a lock of hair around her index. "Technically a teenager, obviously, but you know. It's just the saying."
"But, that's… You're a girl."
Rather than earn a nod or some form of agreement, she shook her head. "No. I'm a guy."
The axe slipped out of his hands, eyes wide. "W-What?"
"Yeah. Did I not say that? Sorry if I was misleading," she… wait, he(?) chuckled. "To be fair, yeah, I look like a girl—" No kidding. From the hair to the voice to the face and the dress, nothing about him screamed 'dude'. "—but I can promise you, I'm a boy just like you, full penis and all," Kiriko laughed. "Surprise! I guess."
Eugeo stared at her… at him, mouth flapping open and close like some kind of fish he remembered seeing in a book, trying to discern any falsities in her… in HIS statement.
Not a single hint of deceit was laced in any word, and Eugeo felt himself a capable judge of a person's word. He'd know if someone was telling the truth or not, and though it had only been for a short while, he already knew what kind of person Kiriko was.
He was being completely honest. He is a boy.
What the fu—
Sister Azalia was a respected woman in the village who'd lived here for a very long time. Perhaps around the time of his parents, though a little longer back, considering that she was considered an elder here. Still, she was incredibly healthy, walked straight and always with energy. He respected her, as everyone else did.
She was also responsible for leading the sermons and rituals alongside the chieftain in the village, as well as overseeing the orphanage. Well, it wasn't exactly an orphanage of sorts, though Sister Azalia opted to use the church as a home for children who had nowhere to go. She'd provide food and clothes for them, some of which other villages often donated.
One would think that there wouldn't exactly be many of them, though it seemed that the reverse proved true. At best, the church was currently housing at least twenty children a year, the number fluctuating whenever a child is old enough to leave or someone new is added. At times, someone opted to adopt a child, while a few had decided to move to the bigger cities to make a better living.
Eugeo didn't really have a reason to come here, though it seemed that there was one today, and that involved guiding a person he'd found in the forest here.
That really sounded pretty ominous when put like that. He should have been a little more wary, yes, especially when they told him they'd lost their memories. A person without memories in the middle of the forest? Yeah, that's not a bad sign in the slightest.
Oh well. Not like he could do anything about it anymore. He'd committed, and it would be rude now to just ditch the person in the woods. It was the least he could do after they'd told him that they didn't have anywhere else to go, and if there was anyone he trusted to watch over them, it would be Sister Azalia. Although…
"Wait, you're a dude? You look so pretty!"
"Aw, thanks! But I promise, I'm a guy, through and through."
A cacophony of 'ehhh?'s and 'whaaat?'s filled the living room as all children gawked at the girl—boy in apparent surprise. Said boy simply giggled back, his voice a little too melodious and higher in pitch that there was no way that that had to be a boy.
Someone stepped beside him, nudging his arm with hers. "Hey Eugeo?"
"Yeah?"
"I, um… Not like I'm doubting you or anything, but are you absolutely certain that's a guy?"
"That's… well, that's what he said."
"…I see."
Selka had the look and the hum of a person trying very hard to believe him, but was clearly in severe doubt. Honestly, he didn't blame her for that. If anything, he shared the same opinion. After all, the person that the kids were interacting with just… well..! He looked and acted like a girl!
There was a cognitive dissonance that his brain was dealing with, understanding that Kiriko called himself a man but all physical and behavioural evidence given was linked solely to that of a woman. There was absolutely nothing else that could convince himself otherwise, save for Kiriko's insistence that he was man despite it all.
Honestly, anyone whose first thought was to call him a boy over a girl would clearly be insane, since he looked exactly like one. But for the opposite to be true? Yeesh.
Quietly, he pinched himself in the arm to reaffirm himself that he was entirely conscious and not experiencing a state of deliriousness. The acute pain that came with the pinch fortunately ended whatever worries he previously had, though it certainly did not make his current situation any different. She—that is, he… uurgh!
Eugeo groaned in his head. Honestly, the fact that he was still mistaking him to be a girl was a serious problem. But again, no one could blame him for that. Looked and sounded and acted like one, for heaven's sake! Even the kids and Selka feel the same way.
It hadn't exactly been so bad after they'd met, though, if one ignored the utter confusion and disbelief he'd been experiencing moments later and his new friend's persistent attempts at convincing him. While he worked the Gigas Cedar, they'd just hung out together. Talked a bit about this and that.
That short moment had honestly been relaxing. Way more than he'd expected it to be, considering that he literally chatted with a stranger. But the company had been entirely pleasant, and that was enough for him to stick with his decision to help him out.
Arriving at the church in the evening, he wasn't surprised in the slightest that everyone else here were more than a little confused over the fact that the supposed girl was a boy, so at least it confirmed that his manner of perceiving people's identities hadn't been greatly skewed and whatnot. It was just that he was different.
But that was no reason for all of them to start treating him any differently. He was a person like any other, and Eugeo would not forgive himself for being prejudiced against someone else. Even if this was a very, very weird situation.
Footsteps approached them, snapping him out of his thoughts—and in time to catch a gentle smile, one that defied the odds of being so incredibly girlish despite his claimed masculinity. It was enough to make him unconsciously flush. "Everyone sure is lively around here, though it seems like almost everyone here are just kids."
"Yes. Usually, those who are grown up would get a calling and move out. We only take in those who are too young, which is why everyone here are mostly children."
"Where are they from?"
"Children who lost their parents, or their memories," Selka nodded. "Just like you."
"That must be difficult for you," Eugeo hummed. Their friend simply shook his head.
"It's fine. While I don't remember much besides my name, I'd still say that my luck wasn't the worst," he chuckled. "After all, I got to meet you."
"E-Eh?" Those words, spoken so easily and genuinely, caught him on the back foot. "Me?"
"Yes, you! You opted to help me out even though you didn't have to. Pretty much helping me find someplace to stay. Thanks for that."
"Ah… It's fine, Kiriko," he nervously replied, doing his very best to remind himself, once more, that this was a dude. "Really. It's nothing to make a big deal of."
"Well, if you say so. In any case, Selka, I know you said it's okay for me to stay here, but are you sure? I'm not a kid, after all."
"Oh, it's fine. Sure, everyone else here are kids, but that's not a criterion. And besides, the kids here have clearly warmed up to you, so it'd be nice to have you with us," Selka replied with her own grin. "We wouldn't turn away someone who needs help. Our doors are open to everyone, you included."
"That's really nice of you. I appreciate it. So, is there anything I need to do? Stuff I need to get?"
"Nothing so far. We'll just prep your bed and get you some night clothes. I'll brief you on any other necessary details at a later time."
"A'ight, cool. I'll be relying on you, then."
The smile on the little girl's face slowly weakened into what seemed like awkwardness. "So, uh, we split our rooms according to everyone's genders. Do you want to sleep with the boys, or..?"
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw most of the boys go red in the face from the idea, while a few girls looked visibly displeased when she said that. He did his best to mask his wince by coughing into his fist, able to imagine just how awkward it'd be for either genders, though Kiriko had the advantage of being able to fit in either one. Sort of. Right?
"I don't mind either one," shrugged the ravenette. The little action threw some locks of hair down her shoulders, framing them in a picturesque way that he couldn't help but call simple yet beautiful. Never in a million years would he ever admit to anyone that he'd stared at his shoulder for a little long. "But if it's too much trouble, I can just sleep here. It's fine with me."
"What? Don't be ridiculous. We can spare a room or two."
"Then she can sleep with us!" A young girl cried out. Eugeo did not miss the wrongly-used pronoun.
"But he's a guy! Wouldn't it be awkward?" A boy shot back, hands on his hips. "Better he sleep with us, then."
"Nuh-uh! He's too pretty! He needs his beauty sleep!"
'How are those two correlated..?' Was Eugeo's thoughts.
"If this is too much trouble, then he can sleep in his own room."
All chatter and noise came to a full stop with the addition of the new voice, all heads turned towards the elderly Azalia, her grey bun and nun garbs recognizable from a clear distance. Her presence alone was enough to have everyone on their best behaviour, and even Eugeo was not unaffected by the silent urge to avoid getting chastised by an adult.
"Sister Azalia," greeted Selka, getting a nod.
"I heard of your situation. Is it true that you found him in the woods, Eugeo?"
"Er, yes. He was alone at the time, and Kiriko doesn't seem to remember anything, so…"
"Then it is only right that we take you in. That is, if you'd like."
"That would really be appreciated," smiled Kiriko. "Thank you, Sister Azalia."
"It's no trouble on our part. So long as you don't do anything to scare the other children or hurt anyone, then there shouldn't be any issues. However," everyone perked up. "This may come off as entirely rude on my part, so I will offer my apologies first and foremost. You are a boy, yes?"
"A hundred percent am," he replied chipperly.
"Is that so? Well, despite that, your physical appearance doesn't exactly say the same, so do forgive everyone for their incredulities."
Rather than be offended, Kiriko looked particularly used to it, waving it off with a chuckle. "It's fine, ma'am. I'm fine with that. Honestly, if I don't remind myself that I'm a boy every now and then, I think even I'd believe the fact that I'm a girl. Actually, if you'd like, you can check for yourself."
All eyes promptly stared towards Kiriko, honestly unable to believe what they were hearing. Was he offering to..?!
"Are you certain?"
"W-Well, I'd obviously be embarrassed, don't get me wrong," and now, he was fidgeting on the spot, clutching his arm as he twisted left and right, hair swaying. Eugeo did not look away. "But… I don't know. You're, uhh, no offense… older? So I sort of trust you."
"No offense taken. And yes, I suppose I do understand your logic, though it does come off as a little drastic," she sighed. "But if you are certain, then very well. Everyone, you're free to go on about your day or simply wait for dinner. Kiriko, come with me."
Eugeo watched the two leave the area, and only when they were out of earshot did he finally let out a huge sigh of relief. What in the actual hell was even happening?
"I… think my world is being turned upside-down right now."
"Yeah. You're not the only one."
For years since Alice's departure, neither Eugeo nor Selka had ever spoken to one another, one too afraid to approach the sister of the girl he'd failed to protect, the other unsure whether to give him distance or not. They had been at crossroads, unknowing how to approach one another.
Ultimately, though, for just a moment, their distance had been closed… and rather than bond over their shared troubles, they were instead lamenting the craziness of their current situation and trying to do away with their headaches.
Misery loved company indeed.
"Yes, he's a boy, so none of you should be having any misunderstandings regarding that matter. Now everyone please wait as I make dinner."
When Sister Azalia left, she'd likely done so expecting the children to not remain quiet for any longer. And she wasn't wrong; everyone literally exploded into noise, chatting over one another as they tried to ask the new addition to their home a million questions.
Eugeo, on the other hand, was busy trying to convince his brain to shut up and accept the truth. Sister Azalia wouldn't lie about anything, and if she said he was a boy, then he was a boy. End of story.
Except one thing was a lot easier said than done. Glancing over at Kiriko, to where he was giggling at someone's accusations of Sister Azalia making up some kind of conspiracy, he could almost feel his brain melt. How many times has he heard him laugh? Goddesses above, each one sounded much more angelic than the last.
Urgh. Again, maybe it's just the fact that he hasn't dealt with a girl for such a long time. And yes, Kiriko has been confirmed to be a boy, but it shouldn't be too wrong to consider him a girl. And that sort of changes his perception of the guy, unsure just how to behave around him.
Just… be normal. Be cool.
'I don't know what to do!' The folly of man; knowing what to do, but unable to do it regardless.
"Well, I guess I now have a place to live in," Kiriko said once most of the children were moving to the canteen, their excitement having shifted from his gender to their next meal. "It'll be a different feel to be living with so many children at once, but I think it'll be fun."
Selka fixed him with an amused smile. "It'll be loud, that's for certain. You'd be hard-pressed to find a quiet day within these walls."
"Hah! I think I can live with that," his laughter was so much louder this time, living up to his sense of masculinity. Didn't make him any less cute, though. "So Eugeo, can I ask when you typically go to do your job?"
"Eh? Um, at seven or so."
"Ahh, I see… Well, I'm not too used to waking up early, but I think I can manage," his brows furrowed. What was he talking about? "Let's meet up in the village square. We'll go to the Gigas Cedar together tomorrow."
Wait, what? "Did we agree on that beforehand or something?"
"Well, I don't exactly have much to do otherwise," he shrugged back. "I told you my calling is being a swordsman… or, well, I think it is," that was certainly a surprise all of its own. Of all callings, that was the last one he would consider. "Though there isn't anything I can do about that at the moment. I might as well join you for your tasks. That cool with you?"
The image painted in his mind's eye was that of him and Kiriko, alone, talking under the massive tree as they had earlier today. The wind's breeze would be just right, beams of sunlight dancing through the canopy. Kiriko might laugh at a silly thing he would say, and—
Oh Goddesses. He was going to be in so much trouble.
"Y-Yeah. Let's meet up in the square tomorrow, then."
"Cool! Be seeing you, then!"
Eugeo was all smiles when he went home, but if anyone ever asked, he was completely baffled. He was so doomed.
By the time he was done with recounting the events of the day, Eugeo slumped in his seat, feeling that strange feeling of weightlessness and exhaustion, all mixing into one strange concoction that made him want to pass out. And maybe get drunk. Either one.
His sister and father looked… well, they looked like they didn't know how to feel about things, which was his very state the entire day. Again, this whole day hadn't been a problem on its own. Just an encounter with a very strange person.
A strange and very beautiful man.
He wondered if this was some kind of cosmic joke. It didn't feel funny, though to whatever deities were out there, this must be so amusing for them to watch. He was almost tempted to jump into fire, find those deities as a ghost and punch them in their faces.
Almost.
"I want to meet him."
"Huh?"
"I'm curious! I want to know who your new friend is!" She had that impish smile of hers that promised nothing but absolute embarrassment on his part. Eugeo practically went pale from imagining the possibilities. "I'm reeaally interested in just who this person you're describing to me is… In fact, let's have him come over tomorrow! He can have breakfast with us!"
"But, but that's…"
"It's fiiine! We'd be happy to have some extra company!" She waved him off, completely ignoring his hesitation. "Aaand…"
"And..?"
"I'd love to meet the person who has my little brother so flustered!"
A chain of events happened following her statement. His brain froze. His knee jerked forward, striking the underside of the coffee table, making him hunch over in pain as he clutched his leg. With a raspy wheeze, he forced out: "I-I'm not flustered..!"
"Oh, phooey. This is the first time I've ever seen someone make you like this. Of course I'd be interested in meeting that person!"
From there, Sulinea trailed off to all the topics that they would be discussing. Eugeo looked to his father for help, practically begging, but all he got was a slow shake of the head, confirming his fears; there was no stopping his sister once she's decided on something.
And this entire situation, spawned by one random encounter with the single most beautiful girl—boy he's ever seen in his life.
Goddesses, give him strength. He'd be needing it for the many days to come, he knew that for sure…
Author's Notes:
Well. This was a weird one, lmao. And I wish I got this out a little earlier, but oh well.
I wrote this back in January, but then remembered that it would have been funnier to just post it as an April Fool's thing—let it be known that I've never taken part in that sort of thing before, but it does feel nice to do something as silly as this.
And hol'up. Chapter 1? Does that mean there will be more?
Yessir. Initially, I was going to post a chapter every single day for the entirety of April, but (un)fortunately, I lack the time and insanity to do that, so maybe it'll be a weekly update alongside the other two stories that I'm working on. I've already mapped out the plot thread, though, so it should end with thirty chapters. God help me.
It's nothing but a silly story inspired by a bunch of fanart I saw while going through Pinterest and a Discord channel, so yeah. Might as well have some dumb fun. Kindly leave any and all brain cells at the door and enjoy the story.