Chapter 2: Nik Faran (2)

"I see. Does the name Amano Yuuko ring any bells? You were found in her backyard buck-naked," Genta followed up with another question and Nik shook his head.

'A backyard? It really looks like I fell into a bad spot,' Nik sighed internally.

"Then, where do you live?" Genta followed.

'That's a tough one,' Nik pursed his lips. What should he say? On another planet? In your sister's house? In your parent's house? Too many answers to a single question yet Nik found himself stumped because he knew nothing about this world. Lying would be inadvisable. Mocking would, too, be inadvisable. Speaking the truth? Also inadvisable. So Nik remained silent.

"Ehm, Nik... san? I didn't catch your last name," Genta changed the subject. For a moment, Nik frowned and his heart shuddered.

"I don't remember," he whispered.

"Excuse me?" Genta frowned and with a furrow of his own, Nik's expression grew solemn, "I said, I don't remember. The last thing I do is taking a bath. My first name. And the fact that I'm not supposed to be here."

'God... please work,' Nik wasn't sure. For all he knew, he may be spinning the web of lies that'll corner him itself but despite settling into this new world, Nik had a thirst for life. To live again, and this time, by not getting caught easily.

"So... you just don't remember anything? And you didn't feel like mentioning to the nurses?" Genta frowned.

"I couldn't communicate... and," Nik hesitated a little.

"And what?"

"And I feel harassed. From the moment I woke up, everyone is staring at me like I'm some sort of a freak. When I tried to have a little walk outside the room, there were three nurses who began... passing some remarks that I couldn't understand but their expressions didn't look good enough."

His expression darkened and Genta was speechless. He had issued man restraining orders in favor of females over the short period of his duty but this was the first time he looked at the similarly pitiable expression on a man... who seemed to be wallowing about his beauty and charm.

'Now I get why Raiji-senpai felt too annoyed by this guy,' his lips twitched and he pointed at the clothes.

"Wear these clothes. We will have a walk to the location where you were found and see if we can figure something out."

Nik nodded and picked the clothes before entering the bathroom.

Sighing, Genta took out his cellphone and tapped open the Lime Messenger, and logged into their precincts group chat.

@me: Taking the one in the hospital to the site. #livelocation.

@raijigod: Don't let him see your wife.

@me: Worry about yours, senpai.

With that, Genta smirked and locked his cellphone. It's just basic caution to keep one's mates updated on your well-being when taking out suspects or criminals alone. At least, this way, in the situation where things go south, others have a greater chance of knowing.

It took Nik a minute or two to change clothes. But he barely looked better and the only thing keeping his charms in this unbathing, non-toothbrushed state of his was none other than this strange addition of 'bloodline.' Even his hair felt a bit sticky but these were the things he needed to endure.

Genta's clothes were clearly meant for the spare. A bit washed-up cream t-shirt that felt a bit loose around the shoulders but annoyingly close to his neck and a pair of light green trousers. One thing that Genta forgot was the underwear and this lack of attention to detail cost Genta dearly as he walked with an embarrassed expression. After all, normal individuals only sport a bulge even if limp in their underwear due to the softness of the fabric and how it's manufactured. But the clear bulge tilting a bit to the left which was only worsened due to the thick fabric of the trousers made the officer almost shout in anger.

"We'll first stop at a departmental store..." Genta murmured.

"A what store? Anyway, sir, I don't want to be unnecessarily burdensome," Nik smiled. Already relieved that he was leaving the hospital as he finally felt somewhat chilly morning refreshing him.

"But can we buy a jacket?" Nik added, "Or something warmer?"

Another detail Genta should have picked when he wore his own sweater.

---

"Thanks a lot!" Nik smiled brightly, the cozy blue sweater covering his torso and a new shirt with sea-green collars folded out. His trousers remained the same but the noticeable package was a lot more restrained and as Genta paid, the cashier couldn't help but look at Nik with an obvious blush. Not only that, in the well-lit departmental store, despite the traffic of customers being low due to this being a weekday and morning to boot, the few customers present would glance at the dark-haired, tanned youth with a tall and slightly lanky build.

"Now, let's go to the Shopping District," Genta beckoned Nik and walked out with a sigh. Following behind, Nik absorbed the sight of the new world and noted the most immediate difference.

Tall buildings.

Unlike his previous world, this one was more... uniform and dull in its structure. Tall buildings. Apartments. Stores. Everything had a similar 'straightness.' The roads were wide. The cars seemed more compact. There were even two-wheeled 'cars', more like a bicycle, Nik noted. Just more... advanced. But people in the street made him feel more overwhelmed.

Although he attracted glances, overall, not many hung up on his appearance and walked while minding their own business. Almost everyone covered their lower faces with a mask. Some colorful and some dark. A few girls would occasionally point a small article towards him with a smooth rectangular surface and three black dots drawn over it.

'What the fuck... it isn't just the communication barrier here... the hospital really was tamer than the outside world. And what're these small things in their hands? Everyone has it. Even Genta...' Nik kept a stoic expression. A bit dazzled, too.

Soon, Genta led him towards a small flight of stairs that extended to a shopping district.

"This is where we found you," Genta spoke and Nik looked around. By now, he was half of the mind to just run away. Over this period, Nik was testing his more comprehensive physical changes. Though no longer frail, his strength wasn't too high either. And Nik knew that if he met an unfortunate accident this time around, he won't get another chance. Of course, that didn't mean he didn't have one back-up specifically provided by the entity named Infinity to all its members.

"And I was naked?" Nik inquired.

"And in a compromising position," Genta mumbled. The shops on the street were only opening at this time. A few men scribbling their daily events on chalkboards but this was something that Nik did not understand. A few occasional glances landed on him. In fact, many stares were unkind. As if he had committed a great sin.

"What's going on?" Nik whispered and Genta shrugged.

"Circumstances, if I have to term it. The backyard you were found in belongs to a middle-aged widow. Her husband was taken by the recent pandemic and because of being a single mother, she is cared for by the residents of the Shopping District. In fact, there were too few of such cases during the pandemic in this and the nearby region so every loss was mourned for deeply."

Nik's lips twitched. Although he could understand most of it, the accent made it harder for Nik to communicate with the man. Standing in front of a locked entrance, Genta politely knocked before waiting.

"When you were trying out new clothes, I contacted my senior. They want you to co-operate with us until we can find something about you. If you're worried, then I can also tell you that the doctor in the hospital said that your body happened to be the cleanest he ever inspected. So aside from this mysterious amnesia, you have nothing to worry about.

Well, how old are you?" Genta glanced back at Nik.

"20, Sir," Nik replied. Until now, he was treated only with appropriate respect and attention. No point in being rude or insensitive to the man.

"Yeah, then you have to worry about education, proper identical papers, and even having a job. Can you really not remember anything?" Genta eyed Nik suspiciously as he shook his head without a verbal response.

The shutter entrance slowly began to open now, revealing the glass doors behind next to which stood a middle-aged dark-haired woman. She wore a light-yellow turtleneck sweater and a pair of blue denim jeans and when she saw the two men waiting outside, her eyelids jumped in surprise. She quickly rotated the pulling mechanism of the shutter and unlocked the glass door before quickly greeting the man.

"Good morning, I thought I heard somebody outside. Is... Are you alright?" She looked at Nik and inquired. Her embarrassment was overpowered by the surprise that his nose looked practically alright in a day. After all, it was gushing blood yesterday evening.

"Um, Amano-san, right? Good morning. The truth is, he doesn't speak Japanese. I'm tasked with finding what is going on and also act as a translator so that he doesn't cause any form of misunderstanding. Could we come in to let him take a look where he was found? That may just job his memory."

"Jog his memory?" The woman looked at Nik, subconsciously glancing down before quickly shifting her eyes towards the officer inquisitively.

"Yes, he claims to have lost his memory. Verification on the matter is still pending. I'm Asagi Genta, by the way. Sorry to trouble you."

"A... sagi? Officer Asagi, by any chance, do you happen to know Kaya? Kaya Asagi?"

Genta blinked.

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"Brown hair? Medium built? Spectacles?"

The woman nodded and Genta sighed deeply, "Yes... that's my cousin. I'm sorry if she has troubled you with her airheaded way of living."

"Oh, no, no," The woman quickly waved her hand, "She's a regular customer and a friend. She always likes to buy books regarding cooking."

Genta nodded and looked at the clueless Nik peering through the window and gazing at the large shelves of books.

"Did you remember anything?"

"Yes, breakfast," Nik mumbled and Genta's eyelids twitched.

"We'll have breakfast... after we inspect the backyard." Turning to the woman, Genta inquired, "Amano-san, may we enter and inspect the backyard?"

"Y-yes, please," She nodded and led the duo through the bookstore and into the entrance of her home. It was the first time for Nik to enter such a building. The aesthetic was simple and pleasing. The colors were simple, too. Being the one behind the woman, Nik couldn't help but look around a bit more. His gaze landed on the woman, too. By every right, if such a beautiful woman ever picked him in his previous life, he would have felt blessed but being in the more expensive section of the 'product' line, those who could even afford him were...

Well, Nik shuddered momentarily. It wasn't just the old age that shook him. It was their eccentric temperament. Even with a new body, he felt a searing pain pass through the locations of his few old wounds and burn marks. Brands, to be exact.

Sliding open the glass door to the backyard, the woman stood on the wooden platform while Genta and Nik stepped down in their socks.

"Amano-san, could you tell me the exact location where... Nik fell down on?" Genta inquired and Amano gulped before pointing close to the wall. The bloodstain on the ground was already evident but Genta had inquired just for the sake of formality.

Seeing the bloodstain, Nik frowned.

"How did I fall?" he inquired softly.

"You fell from the sky, or so Amano-san's daughter states."

"Can I ask you something else?" he looked at Genta.

"Why do you add '-san' behind names? I even heard '-kun' being used."

Genta glanced at Nik before sighing, "It's just... a difference in language. Don't worry about it. Look around. Even towards the sky. See if something comes to your mind. I have something to discuss with Amano-san."

Nik nodded and crouched down. The moment he did, Amano couldn't help but glance at Nik's butt and compare it to the naked peach that fell yesterday.

"Amano-san, I have something to ask. Can we sit inside?" Genta appeared and she almost yelped in surprise.

"Yes, please. Would you like some tea?"

"Oh, no. This wouldn't take long," Genta smiled.

There was a low table present in the room right adjacent to the backyard where Nik was currently gazing at the stain of blood. He was hungry, too.

On the other hand, Amano and Genta sat down on cushions around the table and he rubbed his forehead before speaking up.

"Amano-san, before you called for an ambulance yesterday and contacted the authorities, did your daughter say anything else? Did it feel like she is trying to cover up for Nik?"

Shaking her head, she spoke, "No, Asagi-san. My daughter was practicing kendo in the backyard when it happened. In fact, the way... Nik, is it? The way Nik-kun fell was more than just dangerous. And it is already lucky that his nose is already in such a good condition."

"Ah, about that. Although there was blood, the doctor said that it was a superficial wound. His nasal bridge was fine and even his body seemed much healthier than your average man so he was patched up with an ointment and a bandage. Nothing else," Genta smiled before sighing, "But I'm afraid that I will have to ask you to look for Nik. Just for a few days until we find more about him."

"What?" Amano raised her voice in an instant.

"Please, Amano-san, hear me out," Genta revealed a wry and helpless expression. Then he explained how the hospital wouldn't cover for Nik without any appropriate reasons because he didn't even have any criminal record that could make the authorities compel the hospital to ground him. And with the communication barrier, it is already hard for Nik to survive. It wasn't because the foreigners are often insensitive but mainly because their own culture was hard to follow by individuals studying their history for a year or two, much less someone who cannot even understand them.

"I'm truly sorry," she shook her head, "It's not that I don't wish to take care of him. But I have a daughter and our expenses are barely covered by my work. Not only that... I don't think it is appropriate for a single mother and a young girl to live with a stranger, even if it is for a few days."

Genta sighed. This was already a long shot but since his seniors asked him to try it, he had to give it a go. But... this meant that he needed to keep Nik with him because he lost the toss yesterday.

'Wait...'

Genta suddenly looked at the woman and inquired, "What if he can help you with your work?"

Amano blinked.

"It's like this. Nik doesn't have anything on him. But we also cannot keep on observing him forever. He needs a job. And identification papers. If nothing happens, we can help Nik gain identification under special circumstances but even then, he needs to earn his living until he manages to recall his memory. I'm not asking you to accommodate him. It was rude of me to even entertain such an idea. But are you looking for help in your shop?"

Amano looked outside and found Nik already standing out and leaning against the tree, a yawn escaping his lips. He... truly looked innocent and defenseless. Not only that...

'He can actually be a perfect help. A few other comic book stores and figurine shops all try to hire foreigners to dress them up and attract customers.'

Amano saw a chance but ended up frowning.

"All I can actually provide him is... well, food. But even if it is hiring him on money, the earning he will receive would be quite small and that's unethical."

"Ah, don't worry about it," Genta smiled, "Even if we cannot break the law and just put him behind the bars for convenience's sake, if he can even provide for himself in any way, that would be already amazing enough. In a few days, if nothing changes, I will get him the proper Identification so that he can find an actual job for himself. And, as far as communication goes, you can just use the translator of your mobile phone, right?"

---

"Hah..." Genta gazed at his lightened wallet and sighed deeply, "Good thing that the responsibility of feeding you will fall on someone else."

"Thank you for getting me a job," Nik smile and patted his stomach, "Breakfast, too."

"No, that covered your lunch, too. It's already afternoon," Genta scoffed and stood straight.

"Where are we going now?"

"To look around and find some residence for you. At least, someplace where you can stay without paying for a few days."

"And clothes?" Nik inquired with a bright smile.

"I'll bring you some of my remaining spares," Genta shrugged. He wasn't going to pay for someone else's entire wardrobe. That's where he drew the line.

"Then... that phone, you were talking about? Can I get one?"

Genta frowned. Communication was definitely needed but with how Nik happened to not know anything about them, Genta felt that what Nik retained was more important memories. Like food, or other basic concepts. After all, the other possible explanation would be... that Nik came from a place where no cellphones existed and that's just not possible. No country exists where there are no cellphones, right?

"I don't get paid enough for this, sorry," Genta sighed and he scratched his head, "For now, let's head back to the station for now."

Genta groaned and led Nik away.

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