Chapter 40: Dinner Outside
When I finally turned to look at the clock on the wall, the hands were already pointing at five in the afternoon. Time had seemed to pass so quickly amid the relentless pain from earlier, as if those hours had slipped by without me truly noticing.
It seemed that this torturous training was enough for today. I had no intention of repeating an experience like that anytime soon—at least, not without much stronger mental preparation.
Ugh... seriously, that was absolutely exhausting. And right now, what I needed most was a shower and dinner, no compromise and no negotiation.
I then walked toward the bathroom with slightly heavy steps, each one feeling as though I were carrying extra weight. As soon as I entered, I immediately turned on the water without a second thought.
The flowing water washed over my body, bringing a cool sensation that slowly eased the lingering tension.
The remnants of discomfort left behind since this afternoon began to fade little by little, replaced by a simple yet deeply meaningful sense of freshness.
I let the water run longer than usual, enjoying every second of the calm I could finally feel after enduring hours of pain.
There was no sound except the steady trickling of water, creating an atmosphere that felt peaceful and soothing—a sharp contrast to the chaos that had previously taken place inside my body.
After finishing my shower, I quickly dried myself, though my movements still felt a little slow from exhaustion. Then I stepped out of the bathroom and headed to my room without much thought.
Inside my room, I began getting dressed at a more relaxed pace. I put on my gray long pants first, followed by a dark blue T-shirt underneath, the fabric feeling comfortable against my still slightly damp skin.
After that, I immediately put on a black jacket over it. The material felt slightly thick but comfortable, instantly giving warmth to my body, which was still a little cold after the shower.
The jacket fit well—not too loose—just enough to make me feel neater and ready to go out.
Once everything was in order, I took a light breath for a moment, making sure I had not forgotten anything. I stood still for a few seconds, feeling how much fresher my body was compared to before. The traces of fatigue were still there, but they no longer bothered me like they had earlier.
That clean and light sensation made me feel a little more energized before I finally stepped out of the house at an easy pace.
Outside, the sky had already begun to dim. The orange glow that had once been bright was now slowly darkening, blending with faint streaks of purple in the distance, signaling that the day had entered the evening hours before nightfall.
The air felt cooler, brushing gently against my skin, while the streets were no longer as busy as they had been during the day. Only a few vehicles passed by now and then, their sounds not too disruptive.
At that moment, it was six in the evening. I walked casually along the road, my steps light and unhurried, intending to find the nearest restaurant for dinner while enjoying the calm evening atmosphere.
The streetlights began turning on one by one, adding a warm glow amid the fading natural light.
In the middle of that leisurely walk, my gaze was suddenly drawn to two figures who felt quite familiar. From a distance, I saw May and Peter walking together, their pace relaxed, as though they had just returned from somewhere. Their silhouettes were clear enough beneath the streetlights for me to recognize them immediately without difficulty.
I briefly considered calling out to them, parting my lips slightly as if to speak, but the distance between us was already too far.
My voice probably would not have been heard clearly amidst the occasional passing vehicles and the steady evening breeze.
I let out a soft sigh, abandoning the thought without much consideration, then returned my focus to finding dinner. Besides, if I happened to run into them again later, I could greet them more easily then.
Not long after, I found a restaurant on the roadside that looked quite appealing. The place was not very large, but it appeared clean and well-maintained.
Warm light spilled out through the glass windows, making the atmosphere feel cozy and inviting, as if offering the perfect place to rest after a tiring day.
Without hesitation, I stepped inside, the doorbell chiming softly as I opened it. The aroma of food immediately greeted me, making my previously empty stomach even more aware of its hunger.
I quickly placed my order—a bowl of hot chicken soup, grilled sausages as a side dish, and a glass of iced milk to drink.
I sat down casually on one of the chairs, leaning back slightly to ease my fatigue. Not long afterward, the food arrived. Steam rose slowly from the chicken soup, carrying a soothing savory aroma that made me feel even hungrier.
I began eating slowly, savoring each bite without rushing. The warmth of the soup felt just right in my throat, spreading through my body and bringing a simple yet satisfying comfort.
Meanwhile, the grilled sausages offered a stronger savory flavor, their texture just right, adding a pleasant variety to every bite.
After finishing, I paid for the meal without saying much, then walked out of the restaurant with steps that felt lighter than before.
With my stomach full, my body felt more energized, though a slight trace of fatigue still remained.
On the way home, by coincidence, I saw May and Peter again. This time, the distance between us was not too far, and they also seemed to be on their way back home, walking in the same direction as me.
Without hesitation, I quickened my pace, approaching them with slightly longer strides, the distance between us closing rapidly.
“Yo! Did you two just buy something?” I greeted them casually, raising one hand slightly as a gesture.
“Uncle Dante!” Peter immediately responded in a cheerful voice. His face lit up with excitement, and he even quickened his steps to come closer, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
“We just bought a few things,” May answered with a warm smile, her expression as gentle as ever, carrying that familiar calmness. “What about you, Dante?”
“I just finished having dinner,” I replied lightly. I briefly glanced ahead, noticing the road growing quieter as the streetlights were now fully lit, then smiled faintly. “Ah, looks like we’ve arrived.”
Before we realized it, our steps had brought us right in front of our respective houses. That short walk passed by so quickly, as if time had moved faster than usual.
“Then, see you again, Uncle Dante!” Peter called out with a wide grin, his voice full of his usual energy.
“Yes, see you again, Peter,” I replied with a slight nod. My hand rose naturally to pat the top of Peter’s head, casually straightening his slightly messy hair.
“See you, Dante,” May said softly, her smile still warm and calming.
“See you, May,” I answered, nodding briefly in return.
After that, we parted ways. Without any extra words, each of us turned in our own direction and headed toward our respective homes, leaving behind an atmosphere that gradually returned to silence among the quiet rows of houses.
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“Is it morning already?” I murmured softly while letting out a long yawn, my hoarse just-awakened voice still clearly audible, slightly rough and heavy, as though my throat was not yet fully ready to be used.
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[Note: This novel updates every Tuesday and Thursday]
[Note: This is my other novel: As a Blacksmith in the World of Jujutsu Kaisen]
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