“Sterling Snowdrop. My travel guides say it’s a wonderful place with cheap food to boot. It does seem to be awfully full though,” Kalina remarked.

  “Don’t worry about that, everyone’s friendly,” Machia said as he walked up to the door.

  His gaze rested on the door just as he was about to open it. Just for a brief second, he hesitated. But that brief second was all it took for someone else to open the door for him.

  “Welcome! Is it-“ Machua cheerily opened the door from inside.

  “Hah!? You!?” Machua suddenly pointed to Kalina and exclaimed.

  “Pfft! You’re bussing tables at your own party?” Machia couldn’t contain himself and had to let out a few laughs.

  “How did she get here!? And wait, is she a nun? Did you solicit her in front of the church!?”

  “As a matter of fact, he very much did, Ms Machua.”

  “We happened to meet. We have a dinner planned so I thought why not invite her here. May we come in?”

  Before Machua could answer that, Guanciano walked up and asked, “What’s taking so long? Any trouble…”

  Guanciano’s eyes widened wide the moment he laid his eyes on the ‘other Machua.’

  “Fellas. Back me up here. We’ve got trouble.”

  Almost as if waiting for the call, a group of men and women near the front walked to Guanciano’s side. Having spotted the duplicate Machua, they moved to block him from her.

  “So, what’s your deal here, huh!? Trying to scam us or something?“ Guanciano almost growled.

  He looked to Machia and then to Kalina with beady eyes. “A twin sister trick with a posey of a nun to back you up, huh? Trying to scam her out of her hard-earned cash?”

  Guanciano cracked his knuckles and ice began to form over them. The rest of his group followed suit, allowing their Aspects to manifest more visibly.

  “I’ll tell you what, ma’am. After last time, we ain’t gonna let-“

  “THIS IS THE BROTHER I TOLD YOU ABOUT!” Machua screamed as she forced her way to the front.

  Machua held out her phone where a picture of the Purin household enjoying a hotpot was shown. The group inspected the photo in brief confusion.

  “But… Machua, he looks exactly like you. You’d expect your brother to look slightly different, even if you’re twins.”

  “What do you want me to tell you? My mom’s genes are hella strong? He looks like me and he’s my brother, that’s a fact.“

  The group didn’t really know what to think. They muttered amongst themselves and glanced at the twins from time to time. It was until a certain person spoke up that they dispersed.

  “Alright, alright, that’s enough of that.” Iana spoke up. “I won’t refuse Machua’s family so let him in.”

  “Iana, what if he’s trying to do something to her?” Guanciano asked.

  “Look at her face. She isn’t lying. And that nun, I was just at her sermon. The priest said she’s a bigwig or something. Let them both in. If worse comes to worst we trash them. We outnumber them.”

  Guanciano eyed Machia uneasily before returning to his seat.

  “Thanks, Machu, I owe you lots,” Machia winked as he said.

  “Geez, they’re so mean to you. Come in. You too, nun.”

  The nun in question nodded and followed the two inside. The mood was a bit dour now, it was obvious a lot of people were taking precautions around the two. Machua returned each and every stare back. Almost everyone who looked at them looked back to their food in shame.

  Machua guided the two to the table their entire squad was waiting at. Plue raised a hand to wave, while Rasa nodded at them. Carmine looked at the two before settling on Kalina.

  “Sorry about that, Kalina,” Machua spoke as she handed her a menu. “These dumbasses love to assume things.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind it so much. It’s certainly better than facing down a bloodthirsty monster.”

  “What’s she doing here?” Carmine suddenly asked aloud.

  The group all turned to Machia for answers, but instead of answering, he placed a hand on Machua’s shoulder.

  “I’ll get in the kitchen. Go take a seat and grab their orders.“

  ———————————————————————

  “My, I didn’t expect you to be this skilled,” Iana spoke to me as I finished cutting the tofu for the dish.

  “I’m better than Machu, you know,” I said with a bit of a snark.

  “Mmm, I can see that. Your knife skills are certainly more refined.”

  I nodded to Iana’s words. When I asked if I could join her as her sous-chef earlier, she was a bit surprised but allowed me to enter. Machua stayed outside as a waitress, while I assisted Iana with the dishes.

  I surveyed the dishes we had lined up. We had a little bit of leeway since a lot of them were stews and they were already in the pot.

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  “Mind if I cook a few extra dishes not on the menu?” I asked. “I’ll pay for the ingredient costs.”

  “You’re a lot more proactive than your sister. Normally, I wouldn’t allow it, but I’ll let you. Just this once.”

  “Thanks, Iana. You’re as kind as Machu told me you’d be,” I said as I quickly cut up a bunch of potatoes into fries.

  I placed them all into the deep fryer before wrapping some bacon around a few asparagus shoots. Following that, I checked on the stew and confirmed it wasn’t done yet.

  “She’s told me lots about you as well. When we chatted earlier, she couldn’t stop chattering about you.

  I paused and took a look at Iana. “She couldn’t?”

  “No, she couldn’t. She had all these wonderful things to say about you. I felt I had no choice but to believe her when you came through the door,” Iana answered with a gentle smile.

  “That’s… nice of her.”

  I… was a little surprised at that. Both at Machua’s chattering about me earlier and the fact that I was looking at Iana’s gentle smile. I didn’t expect that I’d ever see this scene again.

  I had hardened my heart in preparation for Aramaya City. I knew the market folk there, and of how defensive they were of me, well, ‘Machua.’ If another Machua had appeared, they would try and protect her. I knew what was going to happen the moment I showed up in front of that doorway. I had kept the same slightly jovial expression on my face, letting their reactions wash over me like water off a duck’s back. I knew they would act like that. Yet… I found that I wanted to avoid them when I walked inside. I went into the kitchen here for that very reason.

  So, it took me a little-off guard. Iana was a fierce woman when she had to be, and I expected her wrath. But instead, I was facing her comfort.

  ‘I didn’t realise how much I missed living in this place.’

  “Hey, Machi! Carmine wants another bowl of noodles again. Also she asks if you can add ‘you know what’ to it and I’m going to tell you not to,” Machua came up to the kitchen and said.

  Seeing my finished dishes, I responded, “You take over, Machu. I’ll wait the tables now.”

  ‘Alright, time to go back to being me.’

  Without waiting for an answer, I walked outside with the dishes. I moved from table to table and dropped them off smoothly. I announced each dish to them with enthusiasm, just like I used to back in the day. People were still a bit suspicious of me as I passed them by but I didn’t pay it much mind.

  “Here you all are,” I announced to my squad. “I threw in a few extras as an apology.”

  “Oh you don’t have to do that.”

  “Damn straight.”

  Kalina and Carmine answered my question at the same time. When they realised they briefly turned to each other. Carmine narrowed her eyes at her and then they broke eye contact.

  “Um, I appreciate you inviting me here even if it’s a little rough for you,” Kalina turned to me and said, trying to avoid that awkward situation.

  “The food’s so good!” Plue chimed in.

  “It’s delicious,” Rasa added.

  “Good to see you find this place good. Alright, I gotta go hand over a dish to a special someone next. See ya later.”

  I manoeuvred through the crowd of people. At this point in time, they had all settled back into themselves. I guessed that they could only do so because they trusted Iana’s judgment, which made me all the more thankful for her. And for Machua.

  But simple thanks wasn’t enough. I had to give back. So, I made my way to the table with my currently biggest hater. I laid out their dishes and then turned to him.

  “And for you, Guanciano, I got you something a little special,” I said as I placed the extra side dish on his table.

  “Hmph, I know what you’re on to. You can’t fool me, you scammer.”

  “Not even with your favourite fries and bacon-wrapped asparagus? I know your favourite stall closed down a year ago when the owner left to live with his children. You used to always make Machu go on late night deliveries to buy them, right?”

  “So, Machua told you huh? Iana doesn’t make these, so how the hell did you get them?” Guanciano pointed at the side dish with an irritated expression.

  I could tell he wanted to eat them. Old Guanciano was never good at hiding his emotions.

  “I made them. How about we make a deal? If it’s good, you start enjoying yourself tonight again. If it’s bad, I’ll take a hike.”

  Seeing an excuse to eat them, he grabbed a fistful of both and shoved them into his mouth. “Itsh-not good. Not good at all.”

  Guanciano’s face lit up after a few more bites. He struggled to contain himself as he kept chewing, causing his feathers to tremble. The other old men at his table pointed fingers at him and laughed.

  “Haha! You’re not so bad, Machua’s brother.” One of them slapped me on the back.

  “Machia’s my name.”

  “Ohhh, yeah that checks. Good name.”

  “Hey, Guan, what’s the verdict? He taking a hike?” Another one asked.

  “It’s… not bad. And anyway if we kicked him out, Machua would kick us out. Can’t celebrate her welcome party without being there,” Guanciano grumbled.

  “Haha hey, you can stay. Isn’t that just great?”

  I smiled back at the guy who asked.

  “Hey, Machi! Stop bullying Guanciano and help me out over here!”

  “Coming, coming! You have a good night guys.“

  The group at the table lightly cheered as I ran back into the kitchen. When I came back, both Machua and Iana were furious at work. Dish after dish lined up at the counter. I went to grab a dish, but Machua moved before me.

  “We’re switching again, got it? You’re going back to the kitchen.”

  Machua left without an answer. I watched her go around, serving the dishes, acting with just as much enthusiasm as I did. Thankfully, it seemed that the mood of the crowd had lightened up again. People were rowdily eating their food, chatting with each other, and playing around. The party was well on its way.

  My eyes turned to my squad’s table. Kalina had already integrated into the group, happily chatting with the others. Other than Carmine. Carmine interjected from time to time, but Kalina tried to avoid talking to her.

  With a soft sigh of relief, I got back to work in the kitchen.

  ‘Just a few more people. A few more faces in the crowd.’

  ———————————————————————

  “Hm, hm, hm….” a catkin hummed as she strode along the market streets.

  The catkin had white hair and fur, and was wearing a dark hood, which had little holes for her cat ears. Her hair grew to her shoulders neatly, and she walked with a lackadaisical gait. She was a young girl, but clearly an adult.

  “So that’s where everyone was,” she muttered. “Wonder if I can swipe some food.”

  With a quick pounce, she had arrived at the doorway. The door was luckily left slightly ajar, allowing her to peek inside.

  “Ooooohh. How warm.”

  A nice and rowdy party was happening inside. So many people, so many dishes. Surely it could fit one more.

  “Excuuuuse me…” She whispered as she snuck inside.

  The white catkin traipsed around the room, looking for any empty seats with half-eaten dishes. As her eyes scanned over the room, she laid eyes upon one particular person. A waitress, who was busily handing out dishes and taking orders. Occasionally, she would shout into the kitchen and her lookalike would respond back.

  ‘A clone? Or a duplicate maybe? I bet it’s some sort of spell.’

  As she watched to figure out the secret of the waitress, she found that she was getting entranced. Everywhere the waitress moved, people greeted her jovially and sometimes they even cheered. She shot back with the same amount of energy and was often laughing.

  “Oh, did you just get here?” The waitress asked her. Wait. Her?

  ‘Oh shit, what do I say?’

  “Ah, uh, I saw a party going on and I wanted to see if you had room for one more!” The white catkin stammered out.

  “Sure, sure. Go sit over there at that table. I’ll get you the menu,” the waitress pointed.

  The white catkin followed her order and sat on that table. The chair next to the table wasn’t particularly comfy but it would do. The menu was given shortly after.

  ‘I want something meaty today…’ the white catkin scoured the menu. ‘I’ll go with the most expensive one and then dash!’

  The white catkin looked up to see the waitress waved to a leaving customer. “Bye then! Have a good night!”

  The waitress turned to her tray that had a beef bowl laid on top of it with a troubled expression. “It’s a little unprofessional but…”

  “Hey! Does anyone want this beef bowl!? It’s already paid for!”

  At the mention of free food, the white catkin dashed up to the waitress. With wide eyes and a bright grin, she reached her hands out for the beef bowl, took it, and ran back to her table.

  “Oooookay.”

  ‘Yes! Now I’m a legit customer! How lucky! I can stay here for longer!’ The white catkin began voraciously devouring her beef bowl.

  It didn’t take long before she finished her meal. Holding her happy stomach, the white catkin nestled into the chair. It had been a long time since she felt this full and so she was very, very satisfied.

  “Would you like some water?” The waitress asked.

  “Is it free?”

  “Yes, it’s free. Free refills too.”

  “Thank you so much!”

  The white catkin practically chugged down the glass of ice-cold water. She did it so fast she almost began choking, but she was okay in the end. When she looked up, she found the waitress looking down at her with a smirk and another glass ready for her. This time, she would take her time drinking it.

  “Haaaaaaahh…” The white catkin purred.

  This restaurant was just soooo comfy. She felt sooooo full she couldn’t really help but take a nap. A little nap before she continued on her day.

  “You think Chimaera’s gonna be there?” The voice of the waitress asked.

  Never mind. She couldn’t quite take a nap yet.

  “Maybe. The dig site Aramaya City’s parked close to has a den of monsters near it. While everyone’s out excavating it could be the perfect time to nab some monsters. It’s been parked for a few days, so they might have already started moving. Either there or in the City,” the voice of the waitress answered her own question.

  ‘The lookalike,’ the white catkin, who still had her eyes closed, figured.

  “I’m actually going to the dig site myself tomorrow. I have a duty to retrieve and inspect any artefacts I can, especially if they relate to the Lancets.”

  “If you don’t mind, could we work together in this case? We can help you do some excavation while keeping a lookout for Chimaera.”

  “I wouldn’t mind the extra help.”

  “It really sounds like we’re splitting up again. I don’t like it.”

  “If we are splitting up, then I would like to investigate the monster noises Enzo heard. I should be particularly effective there,” a monotone masculine voice said.

  “I think I can help with the dig site then,” a youthful feminine voice said. “I’m sure I’ll be helpful exploring it.”

  “Actually, Plu… I think you should stay in the City. If you come across anyone, you can track them back to their base. I don’t think Chimaera will be at the dig site themselves. They’d either be at the monster den near it, which is too dangerous to explore without our full squad, or already in the City.”

  A new female voice asked, “What’re you going to the dig site for then?”

  “I’ll catch anyone if we meet them. But chances are low anyone’s there so I don’t want to send too many people.”

  “Wow, so it’ll be just the two of you, hm? Fine, I’ll do what you say. I’m joining City squad too.”

  “Wow, so Machi’s just going off alone again huh? Kalina, you’d better keep a close eye on him. Who knows if he’s gonna get himself killed.”

  “Thank you for entrusting your brother to me, Ms Machua.”

  “Aargh! I told you to stop doing that! You’re just trying to annoy me!”

  The white catkin opened her eyes and let out a big yawn. She made a show of heading for the door, causing the waitress and her lookalike to say goodbye to her.

  ‘Well… Looks like I’ll be meeting some interesting folk tomorrow.’