When I woke up today, gazing at the neighborhood bathe in the warm glow of the morning sun, I thought to myself—maybe destiny would finally skew in my favor. And needless to say, I will never trust a gut feeling ever again.

  Had I thought about it better, a sunny day during the summer would mean standing underneath the scorching heat for hours until my back is completely soak because I forgot how hotter this place was compared to Mistveil. Global warming and all.

  But I could forgive it all had my job hunt had not gone disastrously. Most establishment that I could apply to had no shortage of staffs yet I just knew that I flunk all of the interviews I've went on. In no small part thanks to these four taking turns answering the questions for me. But why am I surprised at this point?

  I sighed while leaning my forehead against the slightly cooler concrete wall of a shaded alleyway, torso hunched over.

  Should I have just stayed at home and make up for lost time with uncle Ken? Definitely. But curse my stupid guilty conscience. Because leeching off his savings in exchange for small interactions that could be boiled down to simple pleasantries felt wrong.

  That stubborn guy is definitely more than happy to allow it, but his soon-to-be wife should take priority.

  There's more places to visit and more interviews to sit through, but something as simple as moving my head feels like a chore. The heat, the constant possessions, it was starting to wear my body down.

  Once again, another sigh escaped my lips. This time however, they were going to bring it up into their stupid banter.

  "See what you're all doing to the poor girl!" Finn exclaimed while extending his arms in my direction.

  "It's not like you were any better! Don't think we'd ignore how you threw a hissy fit!"

  "Evelynn, I wasn't going to stay idle until they give Karin a better working condition. There is no way I would ever let her work from night till morning! Who knows what sorts of cretin is up at those hours."

  "Though, are common thugs and creeps an issue for her at this point?" Caldwell chimed in. Hands on his hips as he boisterously declared as usual, "In fact, I dare them to come. Let them tremble in their boots as the hero of Mistveil struck justice into their corrupt hearts!"

  Right. And I distinctly remember how he so proudly declared my achievements to the interviewer through my own mouth. Making me look like woman who hasn't grown out of her edgy phase at best, and a complete lunatic at worst.

  Had I stayed in Mistveil—no, don't think about it. I've made my choice, and there was no guarantee that the folks back there would shower me with gifts for the rest of my life, work me to death, or simply dispose of me for not being of value anymore. Maybe some would even see me as a threat.

  A quiet and unassuming existence, that was a life that befitted me. But no matter how desperately I've tried to drill that fact into my head, simultaneously, it also made me aware of this looming void that had taken root. The feeling of... Incompleteness.

  "Help a poor soul?" an unfamiliar voice called out. It came from an average looking salaryman whose legs were levitating slightly off the ground. A spirit. "Please, I need to see my baby girl."

  "Haa... It's another stray." Evelyn grumbled with hands on her hips. Phae stepped forward to shoo him away like how anyone would a stray animal.

  He fought back of course, gripping Phae's arms tightly as she tried to push him away. "Please, I know you can see me. Just grant me this one request!"

  "Sorry lad, she's not accepting requests at the moment."

  His shoulders sagged and he then retreated into his corner of the alley. I feel sorry for the guy, he seemed different from the rest we've encountered so far here on Earth. He was genuinely remorseful instead of clinging on to the life he had lost like most others.

  My thoughts were flooded by remorse that I had almost passed by a hiring sign. A really small one which they printed out on an A4 paper in plain text. Were they even trying, or was this all part of some elaborate scheme to harvest my organs?

  It really didn't help that the building itself looked somewhat decrepit with its dusty windows and paint that were starting to peel off in some places.

  But beggars can't be choosers, so I swallowed my doubts and head inside. The antique bell softly chimed as I opened the door, and what immediately hit me was the subtle stench of tobacco that wafted around the confined space.

  "Welcome. If you're here for the lunch set then know that we no longer serve food till nighttime," I followed the raspy voice to a middle-aged woman sitting by the counter. Her attention solely on the magazine laying on the countertop. "So unless you're only interested in our small selection of coffee and tea, scram."

  Not exactly meeting the standards of basic customer service, but at least she had the decency to ask I guess?

  "Actually, I..." I paused to readjust the volume of my own voice, thinking that she might've not heard it. "I wanted to..."

  But no luck. She continued to flip through the pages of her magazine while I stood here trying not to agonize over my failed attempt at catching her attention.

  "I can't watch this," Evelynn muttered before phasing into my body. And then slammed my palm against the countertop and assert, "Little too early to start growing deaf, don't you think?"

  "EVELYNN!" Caldwell and Finn screamed in horror, accompanied by Phae's hearty laugh in the background. The witch wasn't too bothered however, and continued on with her rude remarks despite the two telling her otherwise.

  It was then that Caldwell decided that enough was enough and kicked her out, taking the reigns for himself in the process.

  "Apologies for such a boorish display, but I assure you that it won't be a common occurrence. In fact, Kari—no, I am more than capable to run this establishment by myself. So name your challenge, and I'd even be willing to put my head as a wager."

  "What sort of impression are you trying to give, huh?" Phae sneered. Smacking the back of his incorporeal head through my own, so hard that it was pushed out for a brief moment before he pulled it back in.

  He opened my mouth to retort, though could only grumbled in defeat as realization sunk in. The guy was the type to act before thinking, but that didn't mean that he was a complete idiot.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  He just needed time to adjust, everyone does, even myself to some extent. Give it a few more days or perhaps a week and we'd find our place here on Earth. Hopefully...

  For now however, just bear with them involuntarily making a complete fool out of you.

  "How is that supposed to be better you oaf!?" Evelynn shouted. Having pushed back Caldwell's possession partially, and was now taking control of my entire left half while he took the other. "And the audacity to kick a lady!"

  They were locked in a childish fistfight using my arms, taking turns to smack a bicep or shoulder.

  My head meanwhile remained untouched. So while my arms seemingly flailed around for no discernible reason from an outsider's perspective, my expression remained stoic. Too tired to even care to intervene.

  I closed my eyes and sighed knowing how things would play out in the next few minutes or so. First comes the rejection, followed with my apology, and then—

  "Can you cook?"

  My eyes shot wide open and the world seemed to stopped as everyone else stared at the woman in shock. Was she really considering hiring me?

  "N-no... I'm no good around the kitchen. And honestly, I've never worked at a cafe before."

  "Then grab a spare apron from the back and come back here afterwards, I'll teach you how to brew a cup of coffee."

  I couldn't believe it at first, and was too stunned to even speak. But I got my bearings back together and firmly answered, "Yes!"

  ??????

  The cafe was quiet during the first few hours of my shift. So the woman—who asked to be refer to as simply "Tama"—strictly used that off time to get me started on the basics. Mainly the processes I'd be dealing with around the main counter and dining area, as those are where I'd be working at.

  Come evening however, a sudden influx of customer started pouring in. From overworked salarymen, college guys, male geeks, teenage boys—

  Alright, I see the pattern already!

  Didn't exactly know why this place is popular with men, and it was definitely not the boss' doing. How would I know? Because everything in the menu is quite mediocre, the place is run-down, and she herself was a chore to interact with.

  Not as bad as some of the patrons at least.

  "Hey girlie— Ouch!!"

  "Dearest customer, I implore you to keep your hands to yourself at all times, okay?"

  Caldwell had taken complete control over my body as one of the college students reached his arms out towards me. Gripping it tightly in my hand, with a force enough to make a man of his stature to squirm pathetically.

  "Now then, can I take your order or shall I kindly escort you out?" He then added a bit more force into the grip.

  "Iced coffee! Now let go— Ow!"

  The man ran his hand along the red marks left on his arm after Caldwell had let go. And when control was relinquished back to me, I gave him a curt bow and hurriedly walked back to the main counter.

  "Your first time here, isn't it?" I overheard an older patron spoke to the college student who gave a hesitant nod in response. "You're lucky that it wasn't the boss lady who stepped in. If there's one rule you should always follow here, it's that you should keep your hands to yourself."

  A shiver ran down his spine as every last one of our patrons set their gazes onto his table like a hivemind. And I watched it all unfolded from the main counter while brewing his order. Letting out an exasperated sigh, wondering if this was going to be my daily occurrence for the next few months or so. Maybe for a longer term even.

  That foreboding sense of incompleteness again...

  I put the kettle down and calmly reorganized my thoughts. Trying to convince myself not to dwell into it.

  "You doing okay?" Finn had came up to me and asked.

  "Yeah. Yeah! Just..." I struggled to even describe it. "Uh... Forgot the rest of you were still here."

  "Ouch," Phae feigned hurt. "You didn't once acknowledge us, though we've been here the whole time?"

  "S-sorry. But you all have been weirdly docile, and Caldwell's the only one taking over, so—"

  "Calm down, you know Phae was only joking. Wouldn't want to stand out now, would you?"

  I quickly covered my mouth in embarrassment, and looked around to see if anyone had noticed. But with how lively the place was, my voice would've definitely been drowned out.

  "But yeah, Caldwell's the only person for the job," it pained him to admit. "He will treat everyone impartially, even when they should've deserve a harsher punishment."

  "Finn would've ripped their nuts off," Phae added. "And you know how I am."

  "And if you haven't notice it already, Evelynn's just plain terrible around men."

  The witch in question bristled at his words. Raising an arm to retort but then slowly pulling it back down, knowing that they'd ask her to prove them otherwise like so many times before. So instead she cleared her throat and chose to double down.

  "W-Well... With so many good-looking guys in one room—"

  "Huuuh!? In a room with a all these geezers and snot-nosed brats!?"

  "Shut up! You know they're not the ones I meant!"

  "Who— Wait, don't tell me it's those fucking eejits!" Phae laughed while pointing at the table of college guys. "Haha! Are you joking!? You've a really warped view on bad boys! Let this be a lesson to you Karin on why it's a bad idea to lock yourself in a room, working yourself to death."

  "Oh, you don't want to go there," Evelynn tone grew colder, her eyes bloodshot with barely contained anger. "My research in combustion magic has paved the way for mages that came after me. And pray tell, what sort of legacy did you left from meandering and sowing chaos everywhere you go, huh!?"

  Phae could only laugh awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Not out of shame, god knows this centaur doesn't understand the meaning of the word. But in hopes to defuse the situation.

  Because when it came to Evelynn—while usually a glass cannon that cannot withstand the slightest bit of vitriol aimed at her—woe betide the poor soul that spoke ill of her research.

  They went at it for a while and it had become a welcomed distraction. So much so that I forgot that I was supposed to be brewing a cup of iced coffee right now. From an outsiders' perspective, it must've seemed like I was spacing out.

  "Overwhelmed?" Tama had snuck up behind me and asked. "Just the way it is here."

  "N-no. It's fine really."

  "I'm not trying to scold you. You weren't supposed to be working till this hour anyway. But I need you to cover for my daughter until she's back," she pulled out a cigarette from her pocket but never even got to put it in her mouth as her eyes darted towards the front door. "Speak of the devil..."

  "I'm back." A tender voice as clear as ringing bells cut through the commotion and made herself known. It's almost uncanny even, to see a woman catching the attention of the entire room in a fraction of a second. "Ah, did mama finally find a part-time worker?"

  She aimed the question at me, so I felt compelled to answer. "Y-yeah. Karin..." Awkwardly extending my hand out as greeting.

  We both stood still, only a few feet apart from one another. It was difficult to tell what her first impression of me was with those large eyes which seemed to carry no thoughts behind them. But her lips twitched and curved into a smile. Her hands clasped mine tightly and shook it almost vigorously.

  "Thank you! Mama needed an extra pair of hands around the cafe! And... oh, I'm Reina by the way! Nice to meet you!"

  "R-right... I'll be in your care."

  "No, you're done for the day," Tama interrupted to say. "You'll only be helping out when Reina is absent. Usually on weekdays, but I'll contact your number if needed."

  I then followed Reina to the back to grab my stuff and she suddenly reiterated in a calmer and more genuine tone, "Thank you. For helping mama out. She may not show it, but I like to think that she appreciates it deep down."

  Your average person would feel proud after hearing such words. And I do, or wanted to. But, "That wasn't really my intention..."

  "Hmm... I see. But does it really matter? I do believe that actions weigh more than intentions. Mama was struggling to run this place while I'm gone, and you filled that role. Your intentions didn't change that outcome. So ultimately, wouldn't you say that our actions are what define us?"

  "Reina!"

  "Coming mama!" she hurriedly put on her apron as Tama shouted her name. "We won't be seeing each other much, but I hope we could talk more tomorrow."

  I watched as she giddily walked out to the main dining area, and was greeted with cheers that was barely muffled by the thin walls. Guess, I finally found out why this place attracts a certain demographic.

  I took in the lively atmosphere beyond the walls one final time tonight before stepping out into dark alleyways. Quietly leaving through the back door and made my way home.

  Expecting a warm greeting, or something at least only to find nothing at all. Just rows of missed calls followed by a short text from uncle Ken. He was heading out to for dinner with his in-laws.

  How envious...

  That single line of thought plagued my mind as I grappled with this void in me that only kept growing bigger and bigger, threatening to suck every last breath from my body.

  "Karin, are you okay?" Finn asked.

  "Yeah... Just need a breather. It's fine. Everything's gonna be fine."

  I continued to repeat the phrase in my head like a mantra. It had only been a week, I knew it was never going to be this easy.

  So just... keep at it, Karin.

  ...You got this...