Chapter 8- Pleasant Aroma

  The dorm room slammed open with a bang as the footsteps echoed through, followed by Lucy's voice.

  “Hey, Taya! It’s time! Wake up!"

  Lucy stood in the center of the room, pumping her fists with high enthusiasm. "It’s time to finally be financially independent!", she said cheerfully.

  She caught sight of Taya’s comically puffed-up face and let out a chuckle. “Oh, look at you! Come on, sleepyhead, your paycheck is waiting!”

  Taya, who had been lost in the dark labyrinth of her own thoughts, jerked awake, from the sharp sound that reached her ears.

  “Financial independence?,” Taya mumbled, still blinking the sleep from her eyes, A slow, groggy smile spread across her face.

  “Sure.... let’s go then.”

  By the time they stepped out, the afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting long, amber shadows across the courtyard. The orphanage gates closed behind them with a soft, rusty creak, but Taya barely noticed the sound over Lucy’s non-stop chatter.

  “So, you know the diner owner? He’s an ex-awakened,” Lucy said proudly.

  “Well—he still is, technically. He just chose to retire. No more monsters, no more traveling, no more fighting. Just running a small shop now.”

  Lucy’s expression flickered with a brief shadow. “I don’t really like the fact that he retired,” she admitted. “But he’s kind. A really good soul. That’s how we got to work there.”

  She leaned in closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “And those shady types Lisa mentioned? They don’t dare breathe wrong when he’s around. Thugs like them know better than to mess with a retired Awakened. So I really admire him.”

  Taya patiently listened and offered short, quiet nods while Lucy, on the other hand, didn’t need encouragement. Once she started, there was no stopping her.

  “So,” Lori asked suddenly, glancing sideways at Taya with curiosity clear in her eyes.

  “Where are you from, exactly?”

  Taya's pace faltered for a heartbeat, as her speech fumbled.

  “I’m… I’m just a wanderer,” she said choosing her words carefully. “Just looking for a way to survive.”

  To shift the attention, she reached into her coat and pulled out the high-quality food packets she had scavenged from Cory’s apartment.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Oh—what are those?” Lisa exclaimed, her eyes widening. “Damn, Taya! Where did you get these? Packaged rations are insanely expensive!”

  Taya tore the seals open, and the girls crowded around, sharing the luxury food as they walked.

  “Hm… not as tasty as our cooking,” Amy said with a playful grin, wiping a crumb from her lip. “But still good.”

  Taya smiled faintly. It was a real, genuine warmth, that didn't come from the food, but from the human act of sharing a meal.

  After a few more blocks, their steps slowed. “Finally, we’re here!” the girls cheered in unison.

  The diner looked antique In both design and structure. It's dome-shaped architecture was built with gray- black stone, now weathered by time, but it's foundation strong. When they pushed open the heavy, translucent glass doors, the interior felt even more archaic.

  A grand chandelier hung from the center of the dome, spilling a warm golden glow across the room, and the Dark- coloured walls absorbed the light, giving the space an almost pre-historic atmosphere, softened by smaller decorative lamps suspended above each serving table.

  A pleasant aroma lingered in the air, accompanied by a gentle warmth that wrapped around them as soon as they entered. Only a handful of people were scattered throughout the spacious room, their sparse presence making the neatly arranged rows of tables feel even emptier.

  "Oh! You must be wondering why it's quite empty right now," Lucy said cheerfully.

  "Dinner service starts at five. Come back then, and you'll see the place completely packed."

  She clapped her hands lightly, "So, let's start cooking, shall we?"

  Lucy guided them through a side door and into the kitchen. And the sight ahead looked chaotic. Raw ingredients lay strewn across the counters, cooking utensils were scattered without order, and in one corner, a towering pile of plates and platters overflowed the basin.

  The girls wasted no time. They slipped into motion, reorganizing the space and preparing for the evening rush. Lisa marched towards the sink and let out a frustrating grunt.

  "Ugh... Look at this mess." Then, she turned, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

  "Hey, new girl," she said staring directly at Taya.

  "Why don't you start with the dishes? First job and all right." But Lucy's voice cut in before Taya could respond.

  "Hey, you don't give the orders here," Lucy said firmly, stepping between Lisa and Taya. "It's her first day. Let her observe and get used to rhythm of the things here."

  Lisa clicked her tongue in annoyance, mutterings something under her breath, but she turned back to the mountain of dishes without further protest.

  Lucy turned back to Taya with a reassuring smile. “For now, grab a cloth and start on the serving tables. People leave crumbs and trash everywhere—it gets messy faster than you’d think. Once you’ve made a pass through the dining room, come back and watch how we operate here.”

  Taya nodded, accepting the task, and moved off to do as instructed.

  As the afternoon light faded, the heavy front door groaned open. A man in his late forties stepped inside, bringing cold air with him. He sported a scruffy, salt and pepper beard and wore a thick sweater paired with rugged trousers, both stained with patches of black soot. A short glaive was strapped to his hip, and a heavy black glove covered his left hand.

  Despite his rough appearance, there was an air of easy approachability about him. The moment the girls noticed him, their faces brightened up.

  “Hey, girls!” he called out cheerfully.

  “Now that is an inviting scent. Something tasty is definitely cooking.”

  He laughed and strode toward the fireplace, setting fresh logs onto the fire. Flames soon crackled to life warming up the place.

  He took the side door and entered the kitchen. He paused, eyes sweeping over the space—now neat and orderly. The rich aroma of food filled the air, and a pleased expression spread across his face as he inhaled deeply.

  “Looks delicious, girls.”

  As he turned to leave, his gaze snagged on Taya. He went still for a heartbeat, his eyes curious. “I haven’t seen you before,” he said. “Who might you be?”

  “I’m Taya, sir,” she replied softly, clutching the cleaning cloth.

  Lucy immediately jumped in to bridge the gap. “Sir Edward, this is Taya. She was looking for a way to earn some credits, so I invited her along. You don't mind if she helps out, do you?”

  Sir Edward chuckled.

  “Well, I've always trusted your judgment, young lady,” he said. “If you think she’ll do a good job, then that’s fine by me.”

  He glanced at the large clock on the wall. “Alright, everyone. It’s nearly five.

  “The customers will start coming in soon.”

  With that, he gave a nod to Taya and exited through the side door to take his post at the reception.

  Right on cue, the quiet of the diner was shattered. By five o'clock, a wave of people surged through the glass doors.

  Awakened clad in armor and gear, weapons strapped to their sides, alongside ordinary folk dressed in simple clothes. The once-quiet diner suddenly filled with the roar of conversations and the scraping of chairs.

  And as people entered, a man in a hooded figure slipped through along with them.

  Amidst the throng of hungry customers, a shadow slipped through the door— A figure draped in a heavy, dark hood. The stranger moved and melted into the crowd, heading toward a corner table where the light of the chandelier couldn't quite reach.