Mastore 119 - Dumpster

Magic Realm Convenience Store – Ch. 119

The Gate’s effect on convenience store clerk (6)

A few years ago, when I was working at an employment agency, there was a common remark that elderly gentlemen I encountered at construction sites would make.

‘Back in my day, I was assigned some verrry important missions in Vietnam. If someone told me to cut off heads, I cut off heads. If someone told me to swim across the sea, I swam across the sea, y’ know?’

Of course, I just listened without much thought. If those words were true, they would certainly be ‘very important classified’ content in the military, and I shouldn't be hearing it. Why would I want to get dragged away somewhere?

And if they were just made-up stories, well, there was no reason to pay attention in the first place.

I decided to take what he said the same way. Whether the elderly gentleman’s words were true or not, I had no way of verifying them, so I just let them go.

"Merely an old man’s ramblings. I don't imagine Boss would believe me, but still."

The elder was also giving me this hint. Since the premise was already set, I decided to take it a step further.

"May I ask why your partner received an escort—"

“It wasn’t for a good reason.”

"...Ah."

"You can just leave it at that."

His tone was firm. One more step, and I'd probably fall off a cliff.

The conversation was forcibly cut off, but I was grateful for what he had shared so far. He had answered as much as he could about a question he didn't want to address. Thinking it might be a way to repay him, I said,

"You know, I've never heard someone call their wife a 'partner' before, Elder."

“...Is that so?”

"It's such a respectful way to address her. You really love each other deeply. You must have spent a very long time together."

“She was a spirit far too kind for someone like me. I’m still trying to repay her.”

Ah, the elder’s partner was apparently a spirit.

Spirits. In the world I live in, spirits are usually things like fire or water droplets with free will but no fixed form…

But it must be different here. She looked perfectly human but wasn't actually human. My knowledge has expanded.

“....”

"Hmm…."

After finishing his words, the elderly gentleman seemed lost in thought, and the atmosphere grew cold. I thought he would speak happily about his partner as he did about his granddaughter, but...

I guess I stirred up something I shouldn’t have. Still, if the situation calls for an apology, I’ll apologize, even if it makes things worse. I waited for about a minute while thinking that.

"...Boss mentioned earlier. That Owner once collaborated with someone from the unit I belonged to."

“Uh... yes. That’s right.”

To be precise, I wasn’t sure if the person Manager had collaborated with was the Elder Wolf, but now that’s been cleared up. If they had worked together, they would have recognized each other the moment their eyes met.

One of them would’ve mentioned something by now. I think the reason Manager didn't ask first was because it might have been sensitive content to bring up without having a proper acquaintance with the Elder Wolf.

"Might I ask if you've heard anything about who this person was?"

"I didn't hear the exact details, but Manager-nim said he guarded the president."

"Ah. So it was Captain..."

Elder Wolf murmured with a sigh, as though something had clicked into place. Now it seems I should take it as an establishedfact that the elder is from the knights.

“Did you also hear how he’s been doing?”

“I haven't heard anything about that. Manager also said it’s been a long time since they've been in contact.”

“…I see. Thank you for answering, Boss.”

After saying this, silence again. He kept looking down with his hands on the counter, seemingly lost in thought. Perhaps he was reminiscing about the past.

At the very least, it seemed difficult for him to just stand there casually. I gently suggested,

"Elder, would you like to sit and continue our conversation? It looks like no customers will be coming today."

"Oh... yes. I apologize for troubling you."

So he sat down at the table first, and I grabbed two bottles of water from the beverage display. Perhaps because of the change of scenery, Elder Wolf seemed a bit more comfortable and resumed speaking.

“The last time I saw my comrades was right after the war ended. We took a picture celebrating our survival, then went our separate ways.”

“And you haven’t been in contact since then?”

"No. We had a promise between us. That war didn't leave only good memories for us."

Then what kinds of memories did it leave? If they were other species who had lived in this world, they could probably recall specific events by thinking back to the important moments in history books.

But I couldn’t do that. Because I’m an outsider.

Therefore, I can only reference memories from my world, and the textbooks I read somewhat omitted most of these things, but described concisely and clearly.

Such-and-such battle: total casualties X number. It was a devastating battle.

For them, that brutality must have been even more intense. Isn't guarding someone essentially about taking on the threats directed at the person being protected?

It would have remained as a memory that they don’t want to recall. And the most effective way not to recall something was to discard everything that reminded you of it.

"Just before we each went our separate ways, the Captain said: If we ever want to meet again, let's meet after forgetting all the bad memories."

"I see...."

"But decades have passed since then."

Time really does fly by.

Concluding with those words, he slowly grabbed the water bottle, opened the cap, and took several gulps.

Even as he drank, his gaze remained fixed ahead. He was staring intently at something invisible. I waited until he put the bottle down and then asked.

"Do you want to see them again? Those people?"

“I suppose so. I thought I had forgotten everything, yet a single conversation has brought it all vividly back.”

"Then—"

“Still, I don’t really have any desire to meet them.”

He cut off my words almost like slicing with a knife.

It was clear that his mind was in turmoil. I could roughly guess why.

The captain had said it like this. Meet again after forgetting all the memories.

The elder hasn't been able to do that yet. He said he thought he had forgotten, but if you think about whether that’s really true… well…?

If one had forgotten something even once, they would know the method of forgetting, wouldn't they? If he were to follow that method exactly, there would be no reason to react so sensitively.

Assuming he hasn't forgotten, that he couldn't forget. He might be thinking he can't meet his former comrades because he hasn't forgotten yet. Let's meet after forgetting. This is the captain’s last order.

Or perhaps he was worried that they might dig up the memories he had tried to forget. Either way, it's reasonable. I have no desire to refute it, nor the heart to.

Still... I'm not without a thought. As carefully as possible, I asked the Elder,

"...Um, may I share my thoughts once? I know it might be presumptuous..."

“Not at all. Boss answered my questions, so it's only right I listen to Boss too.”

Permission granted. There's no backing down between men, Elder Wolf.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

"I don't think you'll be able to forget those memories, Elder. Not by yourself."

Horrific memories of war. Memories that were accumulated over decades. You tried to forget them on your own for decades, but it didn’t work?

Then it just can't be done. The current method won't do. Another method must be found. What might that method be? Has the Elder Wolf spoken with anyone about it?

I don't think he has. Who would you share special forces missions with? A convenience store clerk from another world? I don’t think I could handle that—I haven’t lived long enough for that kind of talk.

He needs to talk to someone. Who would be a good person to talk to? Someone who understands exactly what he's been through. Precisely speaking, someone who's experienced the very same things.

“Let's meet after forgetting. That’s what the captain said. I think that needs to be interpreted a bit differently—”

"In the military. A superior's orders are absolute, Boss."

The elder immediately retorted in a matter-of-fact tone.

This seemed to be the reason. A former soldier. For a soldier, a superior's orders are absolute, so one must follow orders without self-interpretation.

Let's meet after forgetting. This is also an order to forget. But forgetting is an unconscious act. The moment you consciously think about having to forget, it becomes impossible to forget.

That person is the captain, a superior. I doubt he wouldn't know something even an outsider like me could consider, or would deliberately ask the Elder to be conscious of it. So why did he say that?

“I don’t think it was an order given as a superior at the moment of parting. That's how I see it."

“....”

"He would have experienced more as a superior, and thus been more exhausted. So I think what he said at the end was a request.”

“…What kind of request?”

“If you happen to forget first, could you come find me and tell me how you did it…?”

Let's think about this rationally. A lot of time has passed equally since then. Decades for Elder Wolf, and decades for the captain.

Back then, their age difference might have mattered, since both were young. But does it really matter so much now? The difference between 20 and 27 feels quite different from the difference between 80 and 87, doesn't it?

What I'm saying is that they've reached similar ages. And since this Elder Wolf couldn't forget, what guarantee is there that the captain has?

I don't think so. From the moment he first mentioned ‘Let's meet after forgetting,’ the captain was also conscious that these were memories that needed to be forgotten.

"It's just my opinion. Just my opinion, but this might be difficult memories for him to forget too. Maybe he left that possibility open on purpose, because he wasn’t sure he could forget.”

“…Are you saying he might be waiting for me to come find him?”

"If I were him, I would. Dealing with equally difficult experiences is best done between those who experienced the same hardships. It's the easiest way. Because there’s no need to explain.”

One might worry, 'Will I be of any help if I go?' After all, the Elder never managed to forget. If asked why he came, he might have nothing to say.

Still, if it were me, I would say this. With a bit of cheekiness.

“I came to pour you a drink, Captain.”

“....”

“And I’d ask how you’ve been all this time.”

Did you forget the old days? No, I couldn't.

Then why did you come? I thought you might not have forgotten, so I came.

Well, it was pretty damn awful back then. Yeah, it sure was.

Even if neither knows the method, couldn't they comfort each other? Can’t they talk about the pain of holding onto memories that were supposed to be forgotten?

I hope it turns out that way. Thinking this, I finished speaking and looked at the Elder, who had pulled his hat down low.

From the bridge of his nose to just under his eyes. So I couldn’t see his eyes. He continued speaking in that state.

"Captain was a strong person. He took special care of me when I was newly assigned, and whenever there was a group mission, he always led from the front."

“A true soldier.”

“Yes. So I never thought about it even once. In the direction Boss suggested..."

He slightly shifted his gaze inside the hat's shadow, then set it back down. His tone returned to its usual gentle manner.

“I’ll think deeply about what Boss has said. Thank you, boss.”

"No, I should be the one apologizing. I said whatever came to mind without thinking much about it, and now you’re saying you’ll take it seriously….”

Honestly, I was extremely nervous while speaking. When you think you’re close to someone, where’s the line for what’s appropriate to say? Is this someone who will take my words seriously?

This is especially something to consider when the person is a shoulder dislocation specialist. I spoke because I believed Elder Wolf wouldn’t react badly, and thankfully, my belief paid off.

While secretly doing Lamaze breathing to release my pent-up tension, the Elder looked at me intently and said,

(Lamaze breathing is a breathing technique based on the idea that controlled breathing can enhance relaxation)

“Before I first came here, I never would’ve imagined having a conversation like this with you, boss…”

"I feel the same way."

"This is quite a fascinating place. Boss, and so is the Owner."

Well, I am a strange guy. How many others from another world could have landed here? As for Manager...

"Manager-nim does claim to be a great mage in her day, but it seems both true and not true..."

“Hoo. If she truly was a great mage, then did she do something else before running this store?”

"It seems so. Though I've only heard a few details—"

I was about to open my mouth to lighten the mood with this story, but I stopped. A pedestrian was walking toward the store from outside the front window.

There was something ominous about their walking gait. When I see him approaching, I see that his ears are particularly pointy, which is even more ominous. Standing in front door, he grabbed the door handle and stood there for a long while. Just from that alone, I could tell…

“…Ugh, he’s drunk.”

A drunken middle-aged elf. In other words, trouble. Whether they were opening the door or holding onto it to avoid collapsing, as soon as the door opened, they sprawled on the floor and started rolling around.

"Hey, heyyy. A customer's heeere."

If you’re going to be a customer, act like one. I stood up and sought the Elder Wolf's understanding.

“I’ll just take care of this person for a moment, Elder.”

"Let me go with you. I'll help if needed."

It was burdensome, but I didn’t say anything since the Elder seemed strangely eager. As soon as I touched the shoulder of the elf wedged in the doorway, they shouted angrily.

"Heyyy!! How dare you lay hands on a customer?!"

"Please calm down. If you sleep in a place like this, your mouth will go crooked."

"That's bullshit! Hey. Take this and go get me a bottle of soju.”

At least they seem conscious enough to buy something—or so I thought, but I was mistaken. This elf pulled out something extremely bizarre from his pocket.

Namely, a squirrel.

“No, where did you even catch that squirrel...?”

“Hey. Take it and go get me some soju, quick.”

There are occasional troublemakers like this in convenience stores. The type who pull out some unknown object instead of cash or a card and demand a barter exchange.

Particularly heavily intoxicated individuals tend to do this. The solution is simple: just call the police.

"I said take it quickly, give me soju!! Are you ignoring a customer right now?!"

"Should I make the call, Boss? Or—"

"No. Let's just move this customer away first."

I didn’t want the cold air coming in. Thinking I’d humor his request and then help him up and send him on his way, I checked what the elf was holding out. No matter how I looked at it, it was unmistakably a squirrel.

That rodent with a chestnut-brown bushy tail and thin claws. But this critter was holding something in its hand.

It was hard to see because it was hidden between the elf’s fingers, but it looked like…

“Uh…”

No, seriously, what is it? An acorn?

It was acorn-sized, but the color was off. Purple, and it looked like a rock I’d definitely seen somewhere before—

“Please step back, Boss.”

The Elder spoke from behind me, and my nape was sharply pulled back. As I tumbled backward, there was a short squeak from the squirrel.

—Chik!

At the same time, lightning shot up to the ceiling.



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