In A Parallel World With Random Skills, I Reluctantly Become A Mafia Boss?

Chapter 17: Insight

I was slightly embarrassed about my roaring abdomen, but it couldn't be helped. Though, when I looked towards Elle-chan to see her reaction, I was surprised.

"I knew it, then let's go Kyouya-nii!"

Because a bright smile of a playful child was seen on her small face, I smiled a bit as well. It seems I was not mistaken after all, she was a saint. That, I was sure of.

As she pulled me along towards the narrow corridor outside of the room, a pleasant scent wafted around my nostrils, that inevitably made my mouth water in anticipation.

I didn't want to show my unsightly side to Elle-chan since I was the older one, but my body is honest. I can't do anything about the basic human needs.

I wish I could somehow be more cooler in her eyes though. For now, let's meet Elle-chan's mother. Judging from where the delicious scent was coming from, she was probably still in the kitchen. As we got closer, the smell got stronger, and I involuntarily gulped.

After all, I had been eating hard bread for a week. I couldn't complain back then, because if I said it out loud, my head would be separated from my torso. But still, I was looking forward to tasting some normal food for once.

I noticed that there weren't any stairs leading upwards, which meant that this house was only one story high. The passage leading up to the few rooms from what I assume was the house's entrance, was just a short distance. Truly, a villager's cottage.

When we made it to the room where the scent was coming from, I gasped in shock of what danger that met my own eyes, which could not believe what they are seeing...

"...Just right, hmm? Oh, Elle, is that the boy who fainted near the forest?"

*Bounce*

B...big...

In the room, there was only one person. A woman, who looked to be not a day older than in her early 20's. With brown hair that flowed down until her waist, fair skin, amber eyes, and those weapons of mass destruction, a beautiful woman wearing a simple apron, asked Elle-chan a question about me.

I didn't pay attention to what she said that much, but it seemed she was looking towards me now, almost as if she was evaluating me. It's not strange after all, considering a strange guy had entered your home, and is now going to eat breakfast with you.

I would be suspicious of someone like that as well, if I were in her position. But, please stop pushing 'those' upwards with your arms crossed like that. I feel like my face is getting hotter each time I looked at 'them'. So, I quickly averted my gaze, and made my eyes swim like a suspicious person.

It couldn't be helped. If she really was Elle-chan's mother, I would have invoked my facade and paid my respects all the while introducing myself in a straightforward and calm manner.

But...

I could tell, for some reason. That those eyes of hers, could somehow maybe see through my fake words and gestures that cover up my inner lacking sociability.

Yes, she was like a certain person I used to know back when I was a kid, my teacher who I relied on too much. Also, I doubt using my facades here would be a wise decision. Since her daughter saved me from dying of hypothermia outside, or something even worse, I would feel guilty if I lied to her.

Huh, is this what it feels like to have a dragon's insight? This skill was more useful than I previously thought. There are many things I need to guarantee my safety in this world.

One of those things specifically, is wisdom.

The thinking capacity to make decisions according to the situation without regretting it. A very important trait that I needed to have, was somehow gained after that battle.

"Yes, I am Kyouya. Thank you very much for letting me stay here even though there was no merit for you in doing so. I'll be sure to repay this debt someday."

I did a grateful bow, after speaking out my true feelings.

That might have been awkward. I wondered what she thought, so after a while, I looked at her once again, resisting the urge to look a bit more downwards.

"....Alright, you're welcome. My name is Marielle, and this is my daughter, Elle. We're just about to start breakfast, so would you care to join us?"

The earlier suspicious gaze, turned into a beautiful smile. Oh no, I might fall under her charm. Control yourself, me! What was I even thinking of doing to a married woman!?

"Yes, thank you. I would be glad, since I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon. Is your husband joining us as well?"

I was happy at being invited by the person herself into sharing a meal, but as soon as I said that word, their happy faces suddenly turned somewhat gloomy.

What, did I do something bad?

"...Did I say anything that offended you, Marielle-san? If so, I'm really sorry."

When I said those words, Marielle-san suddenly released a sigh.

"No....it's just that my husband already passed away a few years ago in the war."

A slight smile could be seen on her lips, but I knew that there was a hint of sadness hidden within it. I had this absurd skill that could tell at least that, after all.

"I see. Sorry, for asking something like that so lightly."

I lower my head down once again, but this time, showing my sincere apologies.

The word 'war' interested me of course, but this was not the time to ask these questions.

"No, no, you were just curious, that's all. It's nothing you should be sorry about."

".....Yes."

I could only nod at the strange expression on Marielle-san's face.

"Alright then, let's eat before the meal gets cold."

She led us further into the room, where a circular table made of wood, with four chairs at each corner. The various foodstuffs lined up were dishes that I could recognize.

Each plate had a scrambled egg, a strip of meat that looked like bacon, and tomato slices slightly hidden by cabbage leaves. A wooden bowl that was filled with vegetable soup was placed on the side. You could tell that it was just made, when you looked at how the heat was evaporating into the air. Although, there was a piece of black bread placed near the warm soup, I couldn't complain about not having any rice in a different world.

While thinking about different things while eating the delicious meal that almost brought me to tears, I started telling fairy tale stories that were popular back on Earth to Elle-chan as we passed time together. Looking over the happy faces of me and Elle-chan was the one who made the meal, Marielle-san.

I had various mixed feelings about Marielle-san and her circumstances, when I saw her gentle smile at the corner of my eyes, but I chose to not mind it and continued the first delicious meal I had since coming to this world.