Chapter 2 (1/2)
First Story – Let Me Listen to Your Lingering Regrets Part 2
“What in the world is this?” That was his first reaction when he woke up. I wasn't sure what he was referring to.
”W-What's wrong? Did something upset you?” I nervously inquired.
”I can actually see the floor.”
”Of course, you can. I cleaned it after all.” I said with a tinge of relief.
In fact, cleaning wasn't that difficult.
I simply gathered all the doc.u.ments on the floor and arranged them on the file cabinet. I arranged the books on the bookshelf. And even though I didn't want to touch the dirty laundry, I somehow managed to endure and folded them.
Just with that, the room became surprisingly organized. It's unbelievable that he could live in that messy state. He only needed to do that much cleaning.
”Apprentice.”
”It's Yuma.”
”Pour me a cup of coffee. The instant type.”
”Okay, okay.”
When I came back with the coffee in hand, I took a sip, then breathed out a sigh of relief.
”Yummy. As far as coffee goes, instant is the way to go. Apprentice, you seem promising. You can be a good housekeeper. Why don't you reconsider?”
”Instant coffee, no matter who prepares it, will always taste the same. Also, I didn't come here to be a housekeeper.”
”Then, what did you come here for?”
”Stop kidding around. It's a matter of life and death.” I answered and he shrugged his shoulders.
”Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just take it easy.”
”I can't take it easy. Not to exaggerate but my future depends on this training period.”
”That's why I'm giving you an excellent grade.”
”But that's…unfair. I want to do my best and achieve it with my own power.”
He let out a sigh of exasperation, pulled up a chair near the desk and sat down.
”I only give excellent. Not good, not pa.s.s, not fail–only excellent. (1)
”Why is that? I want to be evaluated based on my competence.”