5 Let’s Become Family!
Malik-san was really excited.
After we bought shirts and pants for me, we went to the shoemaker to get a shoes. They measured my feet and we finally get a good fitting shoes for me.
Then we went on to buy underwear for me. The underwear in Alsar looked like the usual boxer underwear in Earth but there was no rubber to keep the underwear from falling off. Instead, they used a string to tie it together.
“No need to hold back! Today we are celebrating the day Ren become my son!”
“Eeeh? I am penniless right now but I will surely pay you back later! Though.. We really become father and son huh.”
Malik-san and I were walking to get some lunch, since we’ve finished shopping clothes for me.
“It’s okay, no need to pay me back. Let’s go to the government office someday to register you so you will officially become my son! I was quite a well known adventurer back in the past so becoming my son will make your life more convenient! And there’s that house too, if anything were to happen to me, you will be the one to inherit it. It’s okay!~”
“Becoming your son for the sake of money and fame is kinda.. bad don’t you think? I’m really happy to become your son but I don’t think I’m going to stay in Alsar forever.”
I replied to Malik-san, his face suddenly turned solemn and gloomy.
Was he seriously going to adopt me as his son?!
Actually I was quite excited because I’ve never had a father figure in my life before but if possible, I wanted to return to Japan!
“Ahh.. That’s right I haven’t told you huh. The truth is, I’ve never heard of other worlder that managed to return to their previous world. As far as I know, every other worlder got stuck in Alsar until the day they die.”
“Ah.. I see.. I kinda expected it but..Yeah. Well I guess that means the only family I have in Alsar is Malik-san then.”
I knew it, returning to Japan was impossible after all.
Before I was transported here, I rarely saw my family but now when the option to visit them completely disappeared, I felt lonely in my heart.
I really love my mother and my step father though I never get the chance to bond with him yet.
When was the last time I called my mother? I couldn’t remember.
I had lots of friends in the university but I only went out with them because it was convenient and I just went along with the flow.
Huh? Now that I was thinking about it, had I been really that lonely when I was in Japan?
“I see, this is my chance to finally have close family. Okay! I’ve decided! Let’s go to the government office!”
“Eeeh? Today?? I’m really happy but today right off the bat??”
I knew it was sudden but.. A father huh.. I liked the sound of it.
The mood around us suddenly grew warm and happy.
We walked back to the market area to buy the other basic necessities I needed.
“Since we finished earlier than I expected, let’s buy the ingredient for tonight’s dinner first.”
“Yes. Ah and please let me make our dinner tonight. I want to know how to handle the ingredient in Alsar.”
I guess from now on I would be relying on Malik-san a lot so at the very least I had to contribute in any way I can!
“I see, I will leave the dinner to you then but if you have any trouble, feel free to call me, okay?”
“Yes, understood.”
We were walking to the vegetable shop when I saw some kind of vegetable that looked like potato but the color was purple instead of brown.
Oh! And over there, there was something that looked like grapes but the color was pink! And over there.. Some kind of small apple?
Even though they looked familiar, I couldn’t imagine how they will taste like at all. I decided to quietly listened to Malik-san talking to the seller from the shop.
“I see. This young man is an otherworlder and a babe to the boot! Wow! This is my second time to meet an otherworlder! Here, will give you some extras!”
“Thank you! I will be sure to come back again!”
Though I don’t really understand what he meant by ‘babe’. I choose not to comment on it and gladly accepted the vegetables. Well since otherworlder only came once in 5 years, I guess we were pretty rare but not like extremely rare or something. But when Malik-san said I was an otherworlder, people around here became really kind to me out of sudden.
“Malik-san, we got a lot of extras huh.”
“Well of course, it’s thanks to Ren. You’re so beautiful that’s why! I will just put all of these inside my magic bag.”
Malik-san put the vegetables inbhis magic bag and slung it over his shoulder nonchalantly. We already put a lot of things inside but the magic bag didn’t seem to be reaching its limit.
Ah that was right!
The currency in this world was Elk. If I were to compare it to japanese yen.. Probably 1 elk equaled to 1 yen.
“After we have lunch we will visit the office and then we will go to the guild.”
We increased our pace after Malik-san said that though because Malik-san’s feet is longer than me, I got left behind.
In the end, Malik-san noticed me after a while and matched his pace with me.
But really, to think he wasn’t kidding about making me his son..
~*~
For lunch, we have some kind of sandwich with chicken meat, tomato and cabbage pressed between pair of bread. It’s very delicious.
After filling our stomach, we walk again for about 10 minutes to the government office. The location between the guild, market, government office and the shop is really strategically close.
By the way regarding the flow of time in Alsar.
One year was equal to 12 months but unlike earth where there was a month with 31 days and 30 days, every month in Alsar only consisted of 30 days. So one year was equal to 360 days.
One day consisted of 24 hours.
The bell in Pedrell rang on 7 o’clock, 12 o’clock, and 17 o’clock everyday.
I didn’t notice the bell at morning but when I was eating lunch the bell rang, that meant it was 12 o’clock.
The bell was very loud though, I was sure the people residing in the forest could even hear it.
“Okay we’re here, let’s get this over with quickly.”
Malik-san walked toward the front desk to talk to the shop assistant there.
Malik-san explained the situation to him and then the clerk nodded before he left us.
A second later, another clerk greeted us.
His blonde hair was slicked back neatly.
From his appearance I guess he was the intellectual type.
Judging from Alsar’s standard, he was pretty short though he was still taller by about 15 cm than me.
“Why, I was wondering who it is but turns out it’s Red Crimson Malik. You want to have an adoption? And your son is this otherworlder here?”
“Eduardo-sama! Why is the second prince working in here?? Ah and yes, I’m thinking of adopting Ren-kun here as my son.”
Eh? Prince?! What?!
Malik-san was acquainted with the prince?!
“No need to be formal with me here. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Eduardo Aspel, the second prince of this kingdom.”
“Ah, my pleasure. My name is Himukai Ren, please call me Ren.”
Wow, a real prince in a flesh.
As I thought, a real prince had this different aura about him huh.
Somehow I felt like he was glowing brightly.
“Alright, then you can call me Ed too. Malik here, even though he already retired now he used to be a really famous adventurer. Now he’s the guild master in Pedrell here and he’s one of the few people who I can trust.”
Umm..
Just what kind of people was Malik-san? Though I couldn’t agree more with him, I also trusted Malik-san a lot.
But for a prince like him to also trust Malik-san, I guess Malik-san was more amazing than I thought.
“Eduardo-sama, although Ren may look like this, he’s actually 21 years old.”,Malik-san explained.
Wow, even though he was so surprised that his jaw dropped in shock, the prince still looked handsome.
“Huh?! No matter how I see it, he’s still a teenager! Malik you..! Even though we’ve been friends for a long time, you won’t be able to deceive me so easily you know!”
“No no, I’m not trying to fool you. Heck, even I was surprised as well. But think about this, haven’t you heard that the other worlder tend to look younger than they actually are?”
“Of course I’ve heard it but…”
Hm?
Just what kind of relationship these two had?
Malik-san was using keigo (honorific speech) with the prince but sometimes he slipped and used casual words instead?
“Umm, Eduardo-sama, Malik-san..” I started.
“Just Ed is fine.” The prince interjected.
“Ed-sama..”
“Umm, Ed-san is fine..”
“I’m sorry but I can’t. Please at least let me call you Ed-sama.”
“It can’t be helped then. Fine.. What’s wrong?”
Ah, please forgive me. I couldn’t just call you Ed-san like that. Calling you Ed-sama was the best compromise I could give since you were a prince afterall.
“Umm, are you and Malik-san..a friend?”
“Ah.. He was my sword teacher. I think around 25 years ago? He taught me swordsmanship back in the castle.”
What?? Malik-san you were so amazing!! To think you actually taught the prince himself!
“Back then I was still 10 years old. My older brother and sister and my twin brothers were also taught by Malik.”
“You have a lot of siblings huh, I’m so jealous since I’m an only child. Malik-san too, you’re incredible! Becoming a teacher for the royal family is amazing!”
“Yes, but Malik is retired now. Back then, there’s no one that doesn’t know who he is. He’s really famous. Actually I have 7 siblings, when Malik taught us 25 years ago, my younger brother were still 2 years old brother so he was exempted from the course. Not long then, I have another younger sister. Her mother is also an otherworlder, like you.”
Wow, not only 5 but 7 siblings! Also, that meant the king and queen was in polygamous relationship then?
Well since they were a royalty I kinda expected it.
I wonder if the mother was also a Japanese like me? But to be able to marry the king, she must be amazing!
“I see! Now I’m curious, if possible I want to try to meet the royal family, especially the otherworlder queen. Ah but it’s impossible huh, I’m just a common person after all.”
“It might be difficult to meet my father and mother but you may be able to meet with the fifth prince since he already refuted his right to the throne and decided to become an adventurer instead. Since Malik is the guildmaster here, you might be able to meet him one day.”
I see. As expected, meeting her was impossible. I really want to meet another otherworlder though..
But to think even person like a prince would decided to become an adventurer was pretty shocking.
That meant the prince that decided to become an adventurer was the 2 years old one then? Since he was the fifth prince.
~*~
After that, Ed-sama told me that the king had 3 wives. Just like me, the queen looked younger than the average people in Alsar.
Ed-sama, the fifth prince and the youngest princess was still unmarried.
The youngest princess was only 17 years old and because the difference in age was too great, the other siblings tended to spoil her.
Ed-sama was only 35 years old but he already had 8 nephews!
He was here because he wanted to check on the situation in Pedrell.
Apparently the royal family in Aspel tended to just dive into the fieldwork to see how things worked.
~*~
“Eh? Where’s Malik-san?”
Suddenly, Malik-san disappeared when I was busy talking with Ed-sama. I frantically looked around, then I spotted him. Malik-san waved his hand from the distance.
“Ren! I’ve finished with the paperwork. From now on, you are officially Ren Himukya Cleva!”
“Eeeh? So suddenly! Ah..as I expected, from Himukai into Himukya huh..”
Ugh.. I didn’t think that Malik-san would actually finished the administrative work while I was talking with Ed-sama.
Ren Himukya Cleva huh. My name sound like a westerner. Himukya..I didn’t really like it but I guess it couldn’t be helped.
“Congratulations, Malik and Ren! Malik, now that you are his father, please avoid on trying to make a pass on him.” Ed-sama said with a smile on his face but his eyes were really cold.
“Thank you Eduardo-sama. What are you saying though?! In the first place, the difference between our age is too great! I will not hit on a boy 20 years younger than me!” Malik-san replied, flustered.
What was with this flow of conversation..
Perhaps Ed-sama actually didn’t like that I became Malik-san’s son?
Well I didn’t really get it, I guess it was okay to leave things as it was.
“Well Ren now that we’re finished here, we can go to the guild now. I’ve said it before, right? Since I’m the guild master here, I have some leeway and what’s more Ren is an otherworlder so the process is much faster than usual.”
“I see. Thank you, Malik-san. From now on I’m officially your son, huh.”
I would’ve preferred if you told me though so I could help you with something.
Haa, in just two days I’ve been in Alsar, I somehow have acquired a family already.
Ah no, we’ve only just getting started.
Now that the paperwork was done, we could work on to become a real family now.
I hoped me and Malik-san would be able to get to know each other more.
“You can call me dad, or father. Hmm, or maybe you can also call me papa, I’m fine if it’s Ren! Hehehe!”
“Malik-san.. Since when did you have this kind of personality…? Anyway I’m still not used to it so I probably will still call you Marik-san but maybe.. I will call you father oneday.”
Malik-san seemed disappointed I didn’t choose papa.
No matter what, I was already 21 years old, calling you papa was kinda pushing it.
Though I was still embarrassed now, I hope one day I could call you father instead.
“Father huh! Please call me ‘father’ soon! I’m waiting for it! Now then, Eduardo-sama I’m going to go to the guild now. Please excuse us.”
“Yes, goodbye Malik. Ah, Ren. I hope you will have a good time here in Alsar. See you next time!”
Ed-sama said with a smile on his face.
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
He said ‘see you next time’ but I doubt we can meet again, such coincidence like this won’t happen often.
~*~
Character’s Introduction!
Eduardo Aspel
Age : 35 years old
Height : 187 cm
He has shoulder length bob cut hair.
He is the second prince in Aspel.
He’s aspiring to become the Prime Minister one day so he can help his brother in ruling Aspel.
A/n : Ahh, Malik-san is moving on his own pace. (´Д` ) I didn’t plan for the story to progress this way, the story wrote itself.
5 Let’s Become Family!
Malik-san was really excited.
After we bought shirts and pants for me, we went to the shoemaker to get a shoes. They measured my feet and we finally get a good fitting shoes for me.
Then we went on to buy underwear for me. The underwear in Alsar looked like the usual boxer underwear in Earth but there was no rubber to keep the underwear from falling off. Instead, they used a string to tie it together.
“No need to hold back! Today we are celebrating the day Ren become my son!”
“Eeeh? I am penniless right now but I will surely pay you back later! Though.. We really become father and son huh.”
Malik-san and I were walking to get some lunch, since we’ve finished shopping clothes for me.
“It’s okay, no need to pay me back. Let’s go to the government office someday to register you so you will officially become my son! I was quite a well known adventurer back in the past so becoming my son will make your life more convenient! And there’s that house too, if anything were to happen to me, you will be the one to inherit it. It’s okay!~”
“Becoming your son for the sake of money and fame is kinda.. bad don’t you think? I’m really happy to become your son but I don’t think I’m going to stay in Alsar forever.”
I replied to Malik-san, his face suddenly turned solemn and gloomy.
Was he seriously going to adopt me as his son?!
Actually I was quite excited because I’ve never had a father figure in my life before but if possible, I wanted to return to Japan!
“Ahh.. That’s right I haven’t told you huh. The truth is, I’ve never heard of other worlder that managed to return to their previous world. As far as I know, every other worlder got stuck in Alsar until the day they die.”
“Ah.. I see.. I kinda expected it but..Yeah. Well I guess that means the only family I have in Alsar is Malik-san then.”
I knew it, returning to Japan was impossible after all.
Before I was transported here, I rarely saw my family but now when the option to visit them completely disappeared, I felt lonely in my heart.
I really love my mother and my step father though I never get the chance to bond with him yet.
When was the last time I called my mother? I couldn’t remember.
I had lots of friends in the university but I only went out with them because it was convenient and I just went along with the flow.
Huh? Now that I was thinking about it, had I been really that lonely when I was in Japan?
“I see, this is my chance to finally have close family. Okay! I’ve decided! Let’s go to the government office!”
“Eeeh? Today?? I’m really happy but today right off the bat??”
I knew it was sudden but.. A father huh.. I liked the sound of it.
The mood around us suddenly grew warm and happy.
We walked back to the market area to buy the other basic necessities I needed.
“Since we finished earlier than I expected, let’s buy the ingredient for tonight’s dinner first.”
“Yes. Ah and please let me make our dinner tonight. I want to know how to handle the ingredient in Alsar.”
I guess from now on I would be relying on Malik-san a lot so at the very least I had to contribute in any way I can!
“I see, I will leave the dinner to you then but if you have any trouble, feel free to call me, okay?”
“Yes, understood.”
We were walking to the vegetable shop when I saw some kind of vegetable that looked like potato but the color was purple instead of brown.
Oh! And over there, there was something that looked like grapes but the color was pink! And over there.. Some kind of small apple?
Even though they looked familiar, I couldn’t imagine how they will taste like at all. I decided to quietly listened to Malik-san talking to the seller from the shop.
“I see. This young man is an otherworlder and a babe to the boot! Wow! This is my second time to meet an otherworlder! Here, will give you some extras!”
“Thank you! I will be sure to come back again!”
Though I don’t really understand what he meant by ‘babe’. I choose not to comment on it and gladly accepted the vegetables. Well since otherworlder only came once in 5 years, I guess we were pretty rare but not like extremely rare or something. But when Malik-san said I was an otherworlder, people around here became really kind to me out of sudden.
“Malik-san, we got a lot of extras huh.”
“Well of course, it’s thanks to Ren. You’re so beautiful that’s why! I will just put all of these inside my magic bag.”
Malik-san put the vegetables inbhis magic bag and slung it over his shoulder nonchalantly. We already put a lot of things inside but the magic bag didn’t seem to be reaching its limit.
Ah that was right!
The currency in this world was Elk. If I were to compare it to japanese yen.. Probably 1 elk equaled to 1 yen.
“After we have lunch we will visit the office and then we will go to the guild.”
We increased our pace after Malik-san said that though because Malik-san’s feet is longer than me, I got left behind.
In the end, Malik-san noticed me after a while and matched his pace with me.
But really, to think he wasn’t kidding about making me his son..
~*~
For lunch, we have some kind of sandwich with chicken meat, tomato and cabbage pressed between pair of bread. It’s very delicious.
After filling our stomach, we walk again for about 10 minutes to the government office. The location between the guild, market, government office and the shop is really strategically close.
By the way regarding the flow of time in Alsar.
One year was equal to 12 months but unlike earth where there was a month with 31 days and 30 days, every month in Alsar only consisted of 30 days. So one year was equal to 360 days.
One day consisted of 24 hours.
The bell in Pedrell rang on 7 o’clock, 12 o’clock, and 17 o’clock everyday.
I didn’t notice the bell at morning but when I was eating lunch the bell rang, that meant it was 12 o’clock.
The bell was very loud though, I was sure the people residing in the forest could even hear it.
“Okay we’re here, let’s get this over with quickly.”
Malik-san walked toward the front desk to talk to the shop assistant there.
Malik-san explained the situation to him and then the clerk nodded before he left us.
A second later, another clerk greeted us.
His blonde hair was slicked back neatly.
From his appearance I guess he was the intellectual type.
Judging from Alsar’s standard, he was pretty short though he was still taller by about 15 cm than me.
“Why, I was wondering who it is but turns out it’s Red Crimson Malik. You want to have an adoption? And your son is this otherworlder here?”
“Eduardo-sama! Why is the second prince working in here?? Ah and yes, I’m thinking of adopting Ren-kun here as my son.”
Eh? Prince?! What?!
Malik-san was acquainted with the prince?!
“No need to be formal with me here. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Eduardo Aspel, the second prince of this kingdom.”
“Ah, my pleasure. My name is Himukai Ren, please call me Ren.”
Wow, a real prince in a flesh.
As I thought, a real prince had this different aura about him huh.
Somehow I felt like he was glowing brightly.
“Alright, then you can call me Ed too. Malik here, even though he already retired now he used to be a really famous adventurer. Now he’s the guild master in Pedrell here and he’s one of the few people who I can trust.”
Umm..
Just what kind of people was Malik-san? Though I couldn’t agree more with him, I also trusted Malik-san a lot.
But for a prince like him to also trust Malik-san, I guess Malik-san was more amazing than I thought.
“Eduardo-sama, although Ren may look like this, he’s actually 21 years old.”,Malik-san explained.
Wow, even though he was so surprised that his jaw dropped in shock, the prince still looked handsome.
“Huh?! No matter how I see it, he’s still a teenager! Malik you..! Even though we’ve been friends for a long time, you won’t be able to deceive me so easily you know!”
“No no, I’m not trying to fool you. Heck, even I was surprised as well. But think about this, haven’t you heard that the other worlder tend to look younger than they actually are?”
“Of course I’ve heard it but…”
Hm?
Just what kind of relationship these two had?
Malik-san was using keigo (honorific speech) with the prince but sometimes he slipped and used casual words instead?
“Umm, Eduardo-sama, Malik-san..” I started.
“Just Ed is fine.” The prince interjected.
“Ed-sama..”
“Umm, Ed-san is fine..”
“I’m sorry but I can’t. Please at least let me call you Ed-sama.”
“It can’t be helped then. Fine.. What’s wrong?”
Ah, please forgive me. I couldn’t just call you Ed-san like that. Calling you Ed-sama was the best compromise I could give since you were a prince afterall.
“Umm, are you and Malik-san..a friend?”
“Ah.. He was my sword teacher. I think around 25 years ago? He taught me swordsmanship back in the castle.”
What?? Malik-san you were so amazing!! To think you actually taught the prince himself!
“Back then I was still 10 years old. My older brother and sister and my twin brothers were also taught by Malik.”
“You have a lot of siblings huh, I’m so jealous since I’m an only child. Malik-san too, you’re incredible! Becoming a teacher for the royal family is amazing!”
“Yes, but Malik is retired now. Back then, there’s no one that doesn’t know who he is. He’s really famous. Actually I have 7 siblings, when Malik taught us 25 years ago, my younger brother were still 2 years old brother so he was exempted from the course. Not long then, I have another younger sister. Her mother is also an otherworlder, like you.”
Wow, not only 5 but 7 siblings! Also, that meant the king and queen was in polygamous relationship then?
Well since they were a royalty I kinda expected it.
I wonder if the mother was also a Japanese like me? But to be able to marry the king, she must be amazing!
“I see! Now I’m curious, if possible I want to try to meet the royal family, especially the otherworlder queen. Ah but it’s impossible huh, I’m just a common person after all.”
“It might be difficult to meet my father and mother but you may be able to meet with the fifth prince since he already refuted his right to the throne and decided to become an adventurer instead. Since Malik is the guildmaster here, you might be able to meet him one day.”
I see. As expected, meeting her was impossible. I really want to meet another otherworlder though..
But to think even person like a prince would decided to become an adventurer was pretty shocking.
That meant the prince that decided to become an adventurer was the 2 years old one then? Since he was the fifth prince.
~*~
After that, Ed-sama told me that the king had 3 wives. Just like me, the queen looked younger than the average people in Alsar.
Ed-sama, the fifth prince and the youngest princess was still unmarried.
The youngest princess was only 17 years old and because the difference in age was too great, the other siblings tended to spoil her.
Ed-sama was only 35 years old but he already had 8 nephews!
He was here because he wanted to check on the situation in Pedrell.
Apparently the royal family in Aspel tended to just dive into the fieldwork to see how things worked.
~*~
“Eh? Where’s Malik-san?”
Suddenly, Malik-san disappeared when I was busy talking with Ed-sama. I frantically looked around, then I spotted him. Malik-san waved his hand from the distance.
“Ren! I’ve finished with the paperwork. From now on, you are officially Ren Himukya Cleva!”
“Eeeh? So suddenly! Ah..as I expected, from Himukai into Himukya huh..”
Ugh.. I didn’t think that Malik-san would actually finished the administrative work while I was talking with Ed-sama.
Ren Himukya Cleva huh. My name sound like a westerner. Himukya..I didn’t really like it but I guess it couldn’t be helped.
“Congratulations, Malik and Ren! Malik, now that you are his father, please avoid on trying to make a pass on him.” Ed-sama said with a smile on his face but his eyes were really cold.
“Thank you Eduardo-sama. What are you saying though?! In the first place, the difference between our age is too great! I will not hit on a boy 20 years younger than me!” Malik-san replied, flustered.
What was with this flow of conversation..
Perhaps Ed-sama actually didn’t like that I became Malik-san’s son?
Well I didn’t really get it, I guess it was okay to leave things as it was.
“Well Ren now that we’re finished here, we can go to the guild now. I’ve said it before, right? Since I’m the guild master here, I have some leeway and what’s more Ren is an otherworlder so the process is much faster than usual.”
“I see. Thank you, Malik-san. From now on I’m officially your son, huh.”
I would’ve preferred if you told me though so I could help you with something.
Haa, in just two days I’ve been in Alsar, I somehow have acquired a family already.
Ah no, we’ve only just getting started.
Now that the paperwork was done, we could work on to become a real family now.
I hoped me and Malik-san would be able to get to know each other more.
“You can call me dad, or father. Hmm, or maybe you can also call me papa, I’m fine if it’s Ren! Hehehe!”
“Malik-san.. Since when did you have this kind of personality…? Anyway I’m still not used to it so I probably will still call you Marik-san but maybe.. I will call you father oneday.”
Malik-san seemed disappointed I didn’t choose papa.
No matter what, I was already 21 years old, calling you papa was kinda pushing it.
Though I was still embarrassed now, I hope one day I could call you father instead.
“Father huh! Please call me ‘father’ soon! I’m waiting for it! Now then, Eduardo-sama I’m going to go to the guild now. Please excuse us.”
“Yes, goodbye Malik. Ah, Ren. I hope you will have a good time here in Alsar. See you next time!”
Ed-sama said with a smile on his face.
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
He said ‘see you next time’ but I doubt we can meet again, such coincidence like this won’t happen often.
~*~
Character’s Introduction!
Eduardo Aspel
Age : 35 years old
Height : 187 cm
He has shoulder length bob cut hair.
He is the second prince in Aspel.
He’s aspiring to become the Prime Minister one day so he can help his brother in ruling Aspel.
A/n : Ahh, Malik-san is moving on his own pace. (´Д` ) I didn’t plan for the story to progress this way, the story wrote itself.
