SIDEREAE

Chapter 4

"What are you thinking?" Mathieu asked while looking at Sid.

They're currently on the school's rooftop, eating their lunch which composes of burgers and apple juice, along with some sweets that he bought for Sid.

"If you were given a chance to live in a fantasy world, what would you like to become?"

"That's so random," He laughed, "Hm. . . I think I would like to become a mage."

"Why, Mage?"

"Well, isn't it cool to do magic and to have the power of teleportation, producing lightning bolts or shooting a water ball," He answered while copying the gestures of anime characters, "Pew, pew, pew!"

"Pfft–!"

"Haha!"

"I thought you're going to say, Hero."

"Oh, that's good too! Heroes are strong and good at swordsmanship. I'll be willing to become a hero, as long as you become a Saint so that I can protect you!"

I looked at him ridiculously. Me, a Saint? Just imagining myself as a Saint takes a toll on my lifespan. Becoming a saint is so tiring, I'm not someone like Mathieu who has good communication skills, patient and energetic.

"You crazy? I'm not cut to be a Saint."

Mathieu looked at me with a confused face saying, "What are you talking about?"

I frowned.

"Don't you think being a Saint is tiring? You need to be generous, benevolent, kind, and pure and always strive for the greater good. I'm not like that. The contrast with my personality is waaay too huge! Just thinking about it, makes me want to become a demon lord instead. Plus, Doesn't it sound cooler than being a saint?"

"So you're willing to become a bad person just to avoid becoming a saint?"

"Yeah? I think we humans tend to lean towards something dark and evil. Even if we claim that we hate evil and praise good, our actions tell differently. We unconsciously and consciously do more evil than good. That's why, if I'm given a chance to become a saint, I won't take that role no matter what!" I said in a firm voice while nodding my head.

Mathieu burst into laughter as he started messing with my hair.

"You know Sid, have some confidence in yourself. I know you're brave and kind, it's just that you always think about negative things."

He pinched my cheek, making me frown.

"You're just saying that."

* * *

As soon as the class ended, I immediately left the school to try and look around for a shop, that was willing to hire a student as a part-timer. Mathieu wanted to accompany me when I told him about my plans, but he wasn't able to come because of his club.

I have some experience working in a small bakery shop during summer vacation when my dad was still alive. I wonder if someone is willing to hire me. I know that most of the shops here don't take underage students to work, but I still need to try my luck.

I sighed in a dejected manner, after leaving the fifth shop that I visited. Every shop that I entered so far rejected my resume, telling me that they aren't accepting part-timers.

Should I just call it a day for now and continue my job search tomorrow? It's also getting late, and I still have some homework to do.

"Aish, I'll just head back after trying once more."

I took a deep breath after deciding to head towards the sixth shop, that I saw near the train station.

"Where are you going, Dreamer?" I almost jumped because a man's voice suddenly spoke behind me.

"Did I not tell you, not to talk so suddenly without appearing first?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I can't help it, because it was fun seeing you getting startled." He smiled mischievously.

My brow twitches in annoyance because of his teasing and I hate this side of him.

"So where are you going?"

"I'm going to look for a job." I resumed walking towards the ramen shop.

"Why?"

"Why? Because I need money. I need to work to pay for my expenses because dad isn't here anymore and I don't have someone to rely on."

I entered the shop. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a bustling crowd. There are a lot of customers occupying the seats, along with busy servers getting the orders and serving the food.

"Welcome!"

A girl in her early twenties, with short hair wearing the shop's uniform and apron, greeted me.

"Hello," I greeted back and did my best to smile.

"I, uh. . . I was wondering if. . . if, you are hiring a part-timer to work here?"

I asked while barely keeping my nervousness at bay. I was about to hand in my resume when the girl suddenly left.

"Well, I guess it's a no. . ."

I mumbled quietly, as I saw the girl talking to a middle-aged man, who seemed to be the owner, who was looking at me with an unreadable gaze. My shoulders slumped, knowing that I probably get another rejection.

'Ha, well I guess that's it. I should probably go home now.'

I turned my back and started walking towards the exit when the girl suddenly called me. I stopped momentarily and turned. I saw her walking hastily towards me, along with the middle-aged man who came with her.

"Is it fine for you to start working right now?" The man asked.

"Sir?"

"As you can see, our shop is quite busy and we're a little short of hands. So, I'm asking you if you're okay to work right away."

My eyes widened in surprise after realization came to me. I feel like I'm going to tear up any moment, feeling like a load suddenly lifted from my shoulder.

"Yes! Yes, Sir, I can start working right now!"

"Good. I'm Carlos, the owner." He held out his hand.

"My name is Sid, Sir. Thank you for hiring me, I'll do my best to work here!" I enthusiastically said as my voice filled with gratitude.

Carlos gave me a nod before turning to the girl beside her.

"This is Judy-Anne. She'll be helping you from now on, so you can adjust here quickly."

"Yes Sir!"

"Then I'll leave her to you, Judy."

"Hello, I'll be in your care from now on." I politely smiled at her.

* * *

It was already late when Sid finally left the Ramen shop. She ran towards the train station and boarded the train immediately. It was a hectic day for her because the number of customers are no joke, especially the time around 6 pm to 8 pm.

Thankfully, Judy helped her a lot in adjusting to her new workplace. She's been assigned to taking orders and sometimes she helps in the kitchen to wash dishes.

"I'm tired."

Sid wants to sleep as soon as possible but she still needs to talk to her mother, and tell her about her job. She needs to inform her, that she won't be able to come home early from now on. She got up from her seat and chose to stand by the door to keep herself from dozing off. It won't be okay if she accidentally dozes off and missed the station.

"I wonder what type of world will I be going to, tonight?"

"You won't be traveling tonight."

Oneiroi said after appearing in front of her. Come to think of it where did he go earlier? Did she disappear after I enter the Ramen shop?

"What do you mean?" Sid frowned.

"You need to rest. You're tired from working, aren't you? Plus, you need to take it slow. Your soul isn't used to it yet." Oneiroi explained as he made a sitting position while floating in the air.

"Didn't you feel anything strange when you woke up?"

"Nope, aside from feeling tired more than usual, and needing to doze off right after waking up."

"That's it, that's the side effect for the first-timers. Dreamers usually had that sort of feeling, especially when they travel into a different world, which has an intense environment."

"I thought it's just piled up fatigue?"

"Well, that's probably one of the reasons too. Anyway, you need to rest well today, Dreamer. If you're not careful, your body will suffer. That's why in the meantime, you can only use your ability in moderation until you'll be able to get used to it completely."

"Alright, I'll do that."

"Good," Oneiroi said in a satisfied voice as he nods his head.

After she arrived at the station, Sid had to walk for five minutes before she arrived at their house. Thankfully, the neighborhood is safe and there's Oneiroi who's keeping her company.

"I want to eat the noodles that you're selling earlier. It smells good and looks tasty."

Sid threw him a bewildered look,

"You can eat human food?"

"Of course, who do you think I am? Elknox would buy me those small bread with a soft cream on top. What was it called again?"

"Cupcakes."

"Oh yes, Cupcakes! I love how sweet they are and it's also pleasing to look at them," Oneiroi said as his golden eyes sparkled in interest.

For a moment Sid thought that this mysterious man looks like a child, which is quite the contrast to his usual character. She stopped walking for a moment and rummaged in her bag. She just remembered that Mathieu gave her some cupcakes during lunch.

"Here." Sid handed him two cupcakes.

"Oh, this is great. Thank you, Dreamer!"

He jumped happily as he took it from her. Oneiroi quickly took a bite and savored it.

"Mmn. . .This sweetness is really what I'm looking for!" He said in a delighted voice.

Sid chuckled as he watch him eat. She also took one out and began to eat it, as she suddenly felt a little hungry after watching Oneiroi.

"This taste much better than what Elknox is giving me before. Where did you get this?"

"I got it from my friend, Mathieu Noor. His mom is a professional baker, that's why the cupcakes taste really amazing."

Oneiroi went silent for a minute. His face seems like he was thinking about something serious, which puzzled her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just thought about something for a moment."

"Eh, Okay?"

Oneiroi suddenly went in front of me with a serious look in his eyes.

"Dreamer, don't ever mention me nor your ability as a dreamer when you're with him."

"Of course, I won't do that. But why?" Sid asked in a confused voice.

Oneiroi was acting a bit weird, 'Does he know Mathieu?'

"Don't ask questions. Just promise me to keep it a secret," He said in a stern voice.

"O-okay, I promise."