Welcome to the Innocent World

I walked down the street toward the hotel, the sun still blazing overhead, when a smell of something delicious hit me—grilled meat, maybe, or fresh bread, drifting from the hotel ahead of me.

My stomach growled hard as the aroma came into my nose.

"Damn… smells tasty," I muttered, picking up my pace a little. "I'm seriously so hungry right now—all my breakfast got digested in that club, sighhh…" I shook my head, the memory of the wild morning flashing through my mind, every ounce of energy burned up in that sweaty chaos.

As I walked, I noticed the knights and guards of the island scattered around, their armor glinting in the daylight, swords sheathed but hands twitching near the hilts.

They'd been on edge since my fight at the shore last night, that messy brawl under the moon that'd left a many of them confused. Now they were everywhere, posted up on corners, patrolling the streets, their eyes sharp and suspicious.

A couple of them locked onto me as I passed, their stares heavy, like they were trying to peel me apart and figure me out.

"Do they suspect me of something?" I thought, keeping my hands shoved deep in my pockets, my face blank as I paid them no mind. I wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of a reaction—just kept strolling, the hotel's glass shimmering closer with every step.

But then their gazes shifted, sliding past me to a couple walking up from behind, a guy and a girl chatting low as they approached.

The guy noticed the stares first, his jaw tightening as he snapped, "What the fuck are you staring at, huh!?" His voice cut through the street, loud and pissed, his arm tensing around the girl's shoulders.

"Yeah, so creepy," she chimed in, wrinkling her nose as she glared at the guards, clutching her boyfriend's sleeve like they'd offended her personally.

The knights didn't flinch—just flicked their eyes away, scanning the next batch of people strolling by, their faces stern and unreadable.

I smirked to myself, keeping my head down as I walked. "Guess they're just randomly trying to catch the perpetrator with those scary looks," I thought, a quiet "hehe" slipping out under my breath.

"Like this, it'll take 'em a hundred years to pin anything on me—and they're nothing strong anyway." My shadow mystic girls could wipe them out in a snap—those dark, slippery figures I could summon with a thought, fast and ruthless. These guards didn't stand a chance.

The hotel loomed ahead now, its sleek glass doors catching the sun in a bright flash. I stepped up, the faint chime of a bell ringing out as I pushed through, the cool air inside hitting me like a relief after the sticky heat of the street.

The aroma of food was stronger now, wafting from the restaurant—roasted spices, sizzling oil, something hearty that made my mouth water. Whatever those guards were up to, it could wait. I had a plate to finish first.

I stepped into the hotel lobby, the chime of the door fading behind me as the vibe hit me full-on—unique lights dangling from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over everything, perfect for a late afternoon.

The place screamed five-star luxury, all polished marble floors and sleek furniture, the kind of spot that made you feel fancy just standing there. Couples dotted the space, cozied up on plush couches or strolling arm-in-arm, all lovey-dovey, whispering sweet nothings like they were in some romance movie.

I smirked a little, weaving through them toward the restaurant, the fresh aura of food pulling me in like a magnet—continental dishes, Asian spices, hints of something exotic from who-knows-where mixing in the air.

"Umm… smells delicious," I muttered to myself, my stomach growling again as I scanned the room. "What should I eat, I wonder…"

The restaurant stretched out ahead, tables covered in crisp white cloths, a few scattered with guests digging into plates piled high with colorful food.

I picked a spot by myself, a small table tucked near a window with a view of the street, and slid into the chair, the cushioned seat sinking under me just right.

The menu sat there waiting, big and fancy, leather-bound like it was some sacred tome. I flipped it open, squinting at the names—half of them foreign as hell, twisting my tongue just looking at them—but thankfully, they'd listed the ingredients in tiny print below. I skimmed through, landing on something that sounded edible: grilled chicken with some kind of herb sauce, paired with rice and a side of roasted veggies. Safe enough.

A waitress glided over before I could second-guess it, her heels clicking soft against the floor. She was a sight—wearing this sexy naked apron, the kind that barely covered anything, her curves popping out from the sides, full and distracting. The short skirt flared just above her thighs, so thin and short it looked like one good puff of air would blow it right off, leaving nothing to the imagination.

She stopped at my table, flashing me a bright, easy smile that lit up her face, her eyes sparkling under the chandelier light. "Hi there," she said, her voice smooth and warm. "What would you like to order?"

"Uh, yeah," I said, clearing my throat as I glanced back at the menu one last time. "I'll take the grilled chicken with the herb sauce, rice, and veggies. And a Coke, too." I handed the menu over, watching as she scribbled it down on her little notepad, her pen moving quick.

"Got it," she said, repeating it back with a nod. "Grilled chicken with herb sauce, rice, veggies, and a Coke." Then, before I could react, she leaned down, her hair brushing my shoulder, and planted a soft kiss on my cheek, her lips warm and quick against my skin. She straightened up, still smiling like it was nothing.

I blinked, caught off guard, and rubbed my cheek where she'd kissed me. "Why'd you do that?" I asked, half-laughing as I raised an eyebrow at her.

"It's special for single customers," she said, her smile turning playful, a little wink in her eye as she shifted her weight, the apron swaying just enough to tease. "Gotta make sure you feel welcome."

"Damn, I see…" I chuckled, shaking my head at the unexpected perk. "That's one way to keep people coming back."

She laughed with me, a light, bubbly sound that bounced between us, her hand resting on the edge of my table for a sec.

"Hehe yes, it works every time," she said, then gave me a little nod before turning to head back to the kitchen, her hips swaying as she went, leaving me grinning to myself.

I grabbed the glass of water already on the table, taking a few slow sips.