Chapter 9

　　She had never expected this kind of help from him. He must have taken the full force of the falling objects, yet he showed no sign of pain, his face impassive as ever as he stared down at her.

　　“Why did you do that?”

　　“I don’t know…”

　　He just blinked, as if he genuinely had no answer. A strange feeling washed over her. Yesterday he had attacked her on sight, yet today he had protected her. It made no sense.

　　“Thank you. Are you hurt?”

　　He simply tilted his head and went back to moving the items, as if the accident had never happened.

　　“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?” Elena pressed, but he only shook his head. Watching him move, he didn’t seem to be in any discomfort.

　　Well, he said he’s fine.

　　Deciding it was best to finish quickly, Elena started again. By the time they had moved the last of the items, the sky had grown dark.

　　“You must be hungry.”

　　Before he could even nod, a loud growl rumbled from his stomach.

　　“Here, just harvest what we need for dinner. You know how much, right?”

　　While he went to the garden, Elena retrieved a cut of aged meat. She sliced it into thick slabs and laid them on a hot pan. A delicious, sizzling aroma soon filled the house. When the man returned with the vegetables, he sat at the table with a mesmerized look on his face.

　　“Do you drink?”

　　“Drink?”

　　“Just try a little.”

　　Elena poured two glasses of wine, handing one to him and keeping the other for herself. A drink after a hard day’s work was pure nectar.

　　Seeing her relaxed expression, the man took a sip. His brow furrowed, and the corners of his mouth turned down. His face, which clearly screamed, ‘This is disgusting,’ made her laugh.

　　“Not to your liking?”

　　He pushed the glass away, a clear sign he was done with it. Elena quickly placed a steak in front of him.

　　“Eat up. And thank you for shielding me earlier.”

　　He paid her thanks no mind, his focus entirely on the food. He stabbed the center of the steak with his fork, lifted it, and took a massive bite. Unlike his reaction to the wine, a look of pure satisfaction spread across his face.

　　Elena cut a piece of her own steak and popped it into her mouth. As she lifted a second piece, she felt a persistent stare. The man was watching her intently. Puzzled, she continued to eat. The man set down his fork, with the steak still attached, and picked up his knife, beginning to slice his steak.

　　Is he copying me?

　　Just as she suspected, he began to use his utensils properly. But it was more than simple imitation; he was mimicking her every gesture with unnerving precision. It confirmed her suspicion. His brutish behavior stemmed from a complete lack of education, not malice.

　　“I’ll do the dishes.” He now offered to wash up without being told, having already grasped that the one who eats must also work.

　　“Alright, but leave this glass. I’m not finished with it yet,” Elena said, holding up her wine. The man nodded and started on the dishes. His broad back was quite a pleasant sight.

　　He could shield me completely because he has such broad shoulders…

　　The memory of the earlier incident surfaced unbidden. After finishing the dishes, the man went to the sofa and spread out a blanket. His actions were so natural, so matter-of-fact, that Elena had to ask.

　　“You’re not leaving?”

　　“Do I have to?”

　　His shamelessness was astonishing. Did he help me just so he could stay?

　　“Yes, you have to.”

　　“Where would I go?”

　　She had no answer for that. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

　　“I don’t want to go.”

　　“You don’t want to go?” she repeated softly.

　　He nodded, his clear eyes fixed on her. There was no pleading in his gaze, yet she felt an inexplicable urge to grant his wish.

　　Elena sipped her wine, reflecting on the day. It wasn’t so bad.

　　A diligent worker who did as he was told without complaint was a rare find, especially in this village, where men were used to being in charge.

　　And he did protect me.

　　She never would have imagined he would shield her with his own body. All things considered, having him around wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

　　“I have no use for a freeloader, you know.”

　　“I’m good at doing what I’m told.”

　　That much was true. Still, she had to be sure.

　　“Can you promise me? That you’ll continue to listen to what I say.”

　　He clamped his mouth shut. His refusal to promise made Elena’s eyes narrow. If he wanted to live under her roof, he had to show a little sincerity.

　　“Look, if you’re going to be like this, why should I trust you enough to let you stay?”

　　Her probing question was met with silence. This was a stark contrast to his obedience throughout the day. His stubborn refusal to make a promise, even an empty one, was palpable.

　　She drained her glass and stood. “It’s late. You can sleep here tonight and leave in the morning.”

　　He looked at her with an expression of profound injustice, but Elena had no intention of housing a guest who wouldn’t even give her his word.

　　“…I promise.”

　　The words came just as she was about to step into her bedroom. She turned back. He met her gaze, his own filled with a new intensity, and spoke with deliberate clarity.

　　“I promise I will listen to you.”

　　As he spoke, a sudden warmth bloomed in the air, a cozy, protective feeling that seemed to envelop her. Stunned, Elena glanced around the room.

　　What was that? Have I had too much to drink?

　　She couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had just transpired. Before she could dwell on it, the man asked again.

　　“Can I stay here now?”

　　He followed instructions without complaint and didn’t treat her like a monster. He might even make a decent housemate. But was that enough to justify living with a complete stranger? Her hesitation was brief.

　　“Alright, you can stay.”

　　Her decision was solidified by three things. First, she trusted her own strength and knew he wasn’t a threat. Second, a powerful intuition told her she shouldn’t let this suspicious man wander off on his own. And third, he was surprisingly useful to have around.

　　“Let’s get along, then.”

　　“Let’s.”

　　And just like that, the little general store in the quiet village had a new resident. Only then did Elena remember a crucial detail.

　　“Um, by the way, what’s your name?”

　　It occurred to her that they didn’t even know that much about each other.

* * *

　　When he first heard her ask his name, he didn’t understand why.

　　“I don’t have one,” he had replied.

　　No one had ever been curious enough to ask before.

　　She looked puzzled. “…Then what did people call you?”

　　“Hey.”

　　“…They really called you that?”

　　He was always called that. Hey, do this. Hey, eat this. Hey, come here. Hey, go. Hey, take care of it. Hey, kill. When he was young, they had called him “brat,” but once he had grown, it was always just Hey.

　　It was normal. He couldn’t understand the expression on her face.

　　“Well, I can’t call you that, so let’s pick a name,” she’d said. “What would you like?”

　　Did he need a name? The thought had never occurred to him. No one would ever call him by it.

　　“Why? Can’t you think of one?”

　　He shook his head. Having never felt the need for one, of course no name came to mind. She could call him anything. It didn’t matter.

　　“How about Jayden?”

　　“Jayden?”

　　“Yes. For you.”

　　“Do I need a name?” he asked, genuinely confused.

　　“You need one to live,” she’d explained. “It’s what makes you, you.”

　　He had never possessed a will of his own. From the day he was born, he had only done as he was told. He was alive, therefore, he lived. He couldn’t grasp why a name was necessary for that, or how it could possibly make him himself. But hearing her speak, it suddenly seemed essential.

　　“…Jayden,” he repeated, testing the sound.

　　“I think it’s a good name, but do you not like it?”

　　It was the first time anyone had ever asked for his opinion. Everyone else just gave orders. A tool doesn’t need to think, they said, only obey.

　　‘Why was a thing like you ever born! It’s your fault! If it weren’t for you, my life wouldn’t be like this! You’re a monster. Disgusting. Get away!’ The very person who gave birth to him had cast him out.

　　“Do you dislike it that much?” she’d pressed. “If you don’t, we can choose another.”

　　From the very beginning, she had treated him as a person.

　　“It’s fine.”

　　“…Does that mean you like the name, or not?”

　　“It’s my name.”

　　“Then I’ll call you Jayden from now on,” she’d said with a smile. “This is a bit late, but I’m Elena.”

　　“Elena.”

　　He pointed a finger at her. Then, he turned it back to point at his own chest.

　　“Jayden.”

　　That day, he became Jayden. And Elena taught him everything about life—the joy of eating, the comfort of rest. She taught him to read, to hunt, to farm, to count, and how to deal with other people. For Jayden, family was not this man sitting before him; family was Elena.

　　“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

　　He had been forced to leave Elena because of this man who had appeared out of nowhere. Ignoring Oscar’s nervous glances, Jayden turned his gaze to the window.

　　He had to memorize the route so he could return. He was Jayden, and his home was with her.

　　These people were acting friendly now, but there was no guarantee they would be so welcoming on his way back. Hadn’t they tried to stop him from leaving before? At that time, he had been transported to Elena’s house by some unknown means, so he didn’t know its exact location. This time, he had to learn the way.

　　I want to go back already.

　　A dull ache began to throb in his temples the farther they traveled from the village. He couldn’t tell if he was genuinely unwell or if it was just his anxiety.

　　Elena’s reaction before he left gnawed at him. She had been her usual self, affectionate yet firm, but something had felt different.

　　He fiddled with the small pouch she had pressed into his hand as he left. It rustled with the crisp sound of paper. A letter. One she had given him separately, right at the end. A bad feeling coiled in his gut. More than anything, her attitude troubled him.

　　She didn’t tell me to come back.

　　She hadn’t even answered when he’d promised he would. Jayden sensed something deeply wrong but forced the feeling down.

　　She said she would make him her lover if he listened to her. Just this morning, she had smiled and said how happy she was to be with him. He had felt so close to finally becoming her lover.

　　So, Elena wouldn’t… she wouldn’t do that.

　　Elena was the one who had shown him the warmth of being with another person. She would never abandon him.

　　He just had to meet the person she wanted him to meet and then hurry back. Then their peaceful days would resume. Not alone, but together with Elena.

　　You must stay safe and quiet until then. Otherwise… Jayden’s impassive eyes turned chillingly cold.