Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 80 – Night Market

“Master… Master…! Wake up…!”

“She seems… weak in the mornings. Heh heh.”

Beyond the dark, hazy veil of my vision, I could hear the voices of Kali and Kalea. Even though their voices reached me, I couldn’t manage to open my eyes.

If there was a flaw in being a third incarnation, it was this.

Was it because my body was frail? It took a long while for me to finally open my eyes and rise from my place.

My mind was awake, yet my body felt akin to a deep slumber. No matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn’t rouse myself.

Every morning began with the same scenery. I would flounder in bed, lost in sleep, while the early-rising Kali and Kalea prepared breakfast.

Eventually, I would groggily rise, joining them for the meal they had prepared. Some might scold me for doing nothing.

But breakfast was merely the sisters going out to fetch food, and since I was the one footing the bill, wasn’t that alright?

“Hey, Master. It’s really time to wake up now. Stop whining and get up.”

“Ugh… my head…”

“Get up! Or else… I’ll call you Master all day?!”

“Alright… I’m up…”

In a rush to escape the terrifying threat, I hurriedly got to my feet. As expected, waiting had allowed me to fully awaken from my slumber.

I dodged Kali’s playful growls and made my way to the table. On it lay a tempting spread of fish and meat stew.

—

“Here. Try eating it.”

“…Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Me? I already ate earlier. While you were sleeping. I tried to wait, but someone kept sleeping like a newborn.”

“Really? Then I’ll eat well.”

Nom- chew chew.

I took a spoonful of the meat stew and ate it. It was just an ordinary, delicious stew. Precisely because it was ordinary, it felt even more special.

For some reason, it seemed like Kali and Kalea were staring at me as I ate. Kalea glanced between Kali and me a few times and then laughed.

“….How is it?”

“Huh? This? It’s just tasty.”

“Really?! That’s such a relief…! Ahem… ahem.”

What’s this? Why is she so excited? Kali seems to be in a particularly good mood today.

– Great… Then tomorrow I’ll…!

– Sis. You shouldn’t show you’re too excited…!

– Is… is that so?

– Yes! That’s how it feels special..!

Watching the Kali sisters whispering quietly without me. I finished my ordinary but delicious meal.

“Thank you for the meal. This is quite good. I could buy it again next time.”

“Heh… really? Then that’s a relief.”

Kali smiled bashfully. She really seems to be in a good mood today, and it makes me feel good too.

‘Let’s see… the time…’

Oh no. At this rate, I might not be able to go to the counseling center at the usual time.

“I’ll take a shower and then let’s go straight to the counseling center.”

“Wh… what? A shower?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“N… nothing. Just hurry up and shower.”

Kali’s ears perked up. Her face seemed to turn a bit red too.

Well, it’s probably fine. Kali often acts like this.

Swoosh-

– Sis…! Now! Right now…

– …What?! How could you do such a thing! It’s not like we’re fools, who would believe that…!

—

– “Mr. Venice is such a fool! So absurdly oblivious, but surely it will happen!”

– “Ah… no! I can’t do itttt!!”

“What’s going on? What are you all doing here?”

“…Hic.”

“Ugh…”

What I could see upon emerging from the wash was Kali, her face flushed crimson, hiccuping uncontrollably, and Kalea, exhaling a sigh as she gazed meaningfully at her.

*

“Ah… I truly feel at ease now. Thank you, teacher.”

“Yes. Then please take your leave.”

Today, the counseling session concluded smoothly. It seems that fewer and fewer people have been seeking counsel lately.

Perhaps it’s best to see it as a good thing? With fewer troubled souls, this outcome seems to follow.

As the resident who had just expressed their gratitude turned to leave, they suddenly spun around to face me.

“Teacher. Are you also… going today? Today is ‘that day,’ after all.”

“Eh? Where to?”

“Ah… I see you’re not aware. Well then, take care.”

Going? Where are they talking about?

There are only a few places worth visiting in the upper district… Is it the newly opened café at the intersection? But why mention a café all of a sudden?

“….What are you talking about? Kali, Kalea. Do you know anything about this?”

“No. I don’t know either.”

“I have no idea…!”

Even Kali and Kalea were in the dark. What on earth was that resident trying to convey?

That question lingered as I finished my work at the counseling center and made my way to Hudi’s convenience store.

“Today, you say? Today… Ah, so that day has come already. Time really does fly, it seems.”

“Ah! So today is that day! Mr. Venice! This time, you must join us…!”

When I inquired about ‘that day’ to Hudi and Rania, whom I met at the convenience store, they paused for a moment in thought before nodding as if they knew the answer.

What is it? What on earth is it? I asked them, filled with curiosity.

“….Did you forget? Today is the night market day that comes once every few months!”

“Night market?”

“It seems you’ve been so busy that you forgot. The night market is…”

Hudi began to explain to me, and soon both Kali and Kalea leaned in, eager to listen.

Night market. A word that felt all too familiar to me.

A day when countless food stalls and amusements gathered in an utterly ordinary apartment complex, offering a delightful escape to the weary souls.

And the night market in the lower levels of Espilia was no different.

Once every few months, outside merchants and local residents would come together, providing various delicacies and entertainments, while the residents enjoyed the day without a care.

An event that began by chance to help forget the painful memories of Espilia, it was said to draw in throngs of people each time.

Some residents from the upper levels even donned robes and masks, hiding their identities, to partake in the joy of the day.

“Oh… so this exists? Sounds fun!”

“Yeah! I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life…!”

“You guys didn’t know about it?”

“Well, we haven’t been here long.”

Kali and Kalea’s eyes sparkled in unison. Such similar sisters they were.

“Are you planning to join the night market this time?”

“Yes. I suppose so.”

“You’ll never forget it if you give it a try, Miss Venice!”

I felt a flicker of anticipation myself. Memories from my childhood began to resurface, vivid and warm.

So, shall we indulge in this day?

*

Once again, after finishing our distribution with the help of Hudi and Rania, we returned home to take a moment of rest.

Outside, the sounds of revelry began to swell.

It seemed the hour had grown late, and judging by the raucous laughter spilling into the air, the night market had commenced.

“Wow…! Look at that…! It’s truly beautiful…!”

Kalea exclaimed, standing on the sofa and gazing out the window. Kali and I followed her gaze, peering outside.

“Wow… it really is pretty. I like it.”

“……..”

Indeed. It was exactly as I remembered from my past—the night market.

Orange lights illuminating the dark night, red canopies fluttering in the breeze. And a sea of people, their laughter blooming as they engaged in lively conversation.

With a heart swelling with excitement, I turned to the beastkin sisters and spoke.

“Hey, shall we go check it out?”

“Let’s gooo!”

“Yay!”

As I stepped quickly out of the house, a different visage of the lower district unfolded before me.

It was never truly devoid of people, but today, it could be said to be a throng, a sea of bodies filling the dark alleyways.

Then, a sweet yet savory scent began to waft through the air. Even to a mere human like me, it was intoxicating—what must it be like for the beastfolk?

—Wow… that smell is insane! Where is it coming from?

—Over there! It’s over there!

—Just let me have a bite!

—Hey, you little brat! What if you eat it all?!

“Shall we go check it out?”

“Sounds good…!”

“Yeah! That smell is to die for!”

Watching the children dash off, laughing and playing, we too made our way toward the source of the aroma.

“Welcome!”

“Could we have three chicken skewers, please?”

“Ah, my lord! Just a moment! I’ll make them the tastiest you’ve ever had!”

The familiar sweet and savory scent filled the air. Kali and Kalea swallowed in unison.

—My lord! Enjoy yourself today!

—Always grateful! Brother!!

—Thanks for healing me before!

—You’re the best, Venice!!

I smiled as the beastfolk who spotted me erupted in excitement.

Now, even this wicked laughter seemed to bring them joy. I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Moments later, the owner of the chicken skewer stall handed me three mouthwatering skewers.

Juicy pieces of chicken glistened, drenched in a sweet sauce that threatened to overflow.

“Here, try it. It’s delicious.”

“Yum… nom nom nom…”

As I handed them the skewers, they began to devour them with the same expressions and postures.

In an instant, only the sticks remained. Their faces were alight with joy.

“Wow..! This is so damn good! Can’t you buy me just one more?!”

“Eat as much as you want. We have plenty of money.”

“…You’re the best, my lord!”

“Hey!”

Kali devoured twelve skewers of chicken right there. It was amusing to see the eyes of the street vendor and even the passing beastfolk widen in surprise.

And above all, what she cherished most was the cozy, warm atmosphere that enveloped them.

The gentle glow of lights illuminating the dark night, and the warmth of a person that could even quell the cold wind.

“Next! Let’s go over there! Hurry!”

Heh—

“Yeah. Take your time. We have plenty of it.”

And there was Kali, excited like a child. She loved all of this scenery.

May this warm ambiance remain forever, casting light upon their difficult lives.