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1.
Raage 9 is sitting in the corner of a cáfe. Unlike other human who are enjoying the food, he just ordered on cup of black coffee.
Ordering only black coffee in a cáfe famous for its desserts, is somewhat disrespectful to the reputation.
Granite picks the cup and takes a sip, then frowns subconsciously.
He doesn't understand why humans were so crazy for this bitter liquid; the sour taste produced by the deep roasting reminded him of the food distributed while mining.
Raage 9 used to saving some of his mining income so that he could sometimes buy some better food for his young brother.
…Comel.
Everytime he thinks of young brother's name and face, Raage 9 feels as million needles are stabbing his heart.
Daru. He presses down the black hat brim, reaches for gavv's Mimic Key, and decides to quickly complete today's purchasing work.
“Rakia？”
Although it has been a while since he entered human world as "Raage 9", Granute is still shocked when someone just called his real name. Rakia Amaruga stops reaching to Mimic Key, looks up with little surprise, and see a shining person sitting opposite him.
Crystalia Takamichi, he looks just same as before.
2.
When Rakia first time met Takamichi, it was actually an accident.
The mine was deeper than usual and more dangerous, but the higher-than-usual pay induced Granute to accept this short-term job.
The moment Rakia realized that the rock wall was about to collapse, his body was one step ahead of his brain. He pushes his co-workers out of the mine firstly, and then he saw the passage to the surface was blocked by falling rocks.
Just as Granute was thinking about how to escape, the rock walls around him began to shake again. Rakia started worrying: hold on, is this a SECOND collapse?
If a second collapse occurred, his chances of escaping would be even slimmer. But the most important thing now, was to find a good cover and protect himself as much as possible.
So, Rakia huddled beside a huge rock and watched the ground shaking more and more violently, until it collapsed downwards to form a hole.
And then, a man crawled out of it.
Wait, WHAT?
The strange man with the shiny drill on his shoulder, pushed his goggles up to his forehead, looked at the Granute who was sitting into dust in front of him, and asked cheerfully:
"Where am I?"
3.
As a well-informed prince of the Crystaria Kingdom and explorer, Crystalia Takamichi would not be too surprised by the Granute he had never seen before.
But for Rakia, who was born into a poor Granute family, he was shocked beyond words when he saw the shining Crystarian falling from the sky, no, emerging from the ground.
After a conversation with different but cleverly connected brain waves, Rakia found a passage that Takamichi had accidentally dug that led to the surface.
"Honestly, I don’t know there’s such a place on Earth," Crystarian pats Shiny Kiramai Changer, "Looks like my exploration map can be updated again. By the way, do you know any treasure here?"
“Tressure?” Rakia is still confused.
Takamichi raised his goggles, "I'm an explorer. I heard there are very rare treasures here, so I found all the way here."
"There are sapphires in this mine," Rakia thought for a moment and then the tall Granute really plucked up the courage to ask for help like a helpless jellyfish, "If possible, can you help me find it?"
4.
The foreigner was easier to talk than Rakia expected.
Takamichi's eyes lit up immediately when he heard the word "sapphires". He promised to help Rakia find it no matter what.
After all, this was a very attractive treasure.
Takamichi carried the shiny breaker and led the way in front of him very efficiently, making Rakia, who was holding the pickaxe behind him, seem a bit redundant.
"What do you want to do after you find the tressure?" Takamichi asked loudly while busying himself, "Exchange some money? Or you’re looking for it for someone else?"
"...I’m not sure," Rakia also raised his voice, "but I want to show it to my younger brother first."
Crystarian suddenly stopped, "Brother?" He raised his goggles, "Wonder coincidence! I also have a little sister!"
He took out his notebook, grabbed photo from it, and showed it with great joy, "This is my sister Mabushina, she is the cutest little crystal in the whole world!"
As a brother, Rakia also understood Crystarian's passionate emotions; the girl in the photo had a completely different appearance from Takamichi, a little shy, but still showed a sweet smile.
"Looks like she really like you." Rakia was a little envious, "Sorry, I don't have a portrait of Comel right now."
But Takamichi shook his head, and he immediately became a little lonely, "Actually, for some reasons, Mabushina is very dissatisfied with me now..."
Granute, who had similar troubles, stopped talking.
Even though the relationship between the two brothers had already been strained because of Dark Snack and Stomach’s part-time job, Rakia still didn't want to give up his brother completely.
Perhaps because of the blood relationship, Comel also tacitly went home to rest for a day or two regularly.
Today was the day when Comel went home.
Rakia was a little stubborn and believed that younger brother was bewitched by Dark Snack, just because he was born in poverty and had never seen good things.
If he could save more money and exchange some rare treasures, Comel would definitely change his mind and still be his best and most sensible brother.
While he was thinking, Rakia's thoughts were pulled back by Takamichi, "Wonder bingo! Found it!"
The visibility in the mine tunnel was not good, but Granute still saw what the Crystarian was holding: it was a piece of azure gem, like a small piece of sealed deep sea, reflecting the stars. A small piece of sapphires can also shine brightly in the dim mine.
However, there is only one gem, how should they divide?
Rakia pointed at the shiny breaker with little awkward, "Can this split the gem in two?"
Takamichi was stunned, then he laughed, "Don't worry, take it and show to Comel!"
"But Takamichi just come all the way here to look for treasure..."
"I've found it," Takamichi pointed to the part of Rakia that should be his heart, and patted his chest, "Such sincerity is the best treasure!"
5.
Before parting, Crystalian stood on the hillside and shouted against the sun: "Make sure reconnect with Comel!"
Granute, holding the sapphire in his hand, also waved in response, "You and Mabushina too!"
But the unearthed rare treasure did not have the opportunity to be presented to Comel. Rakia took it to the market and exchanged it for money to deal with his brother's funeral.
It was only a long time later, when Rakia lay on Nyelv's operating table, he looked at the glaring lights and reminded him the sapphire and the shining Crystarian.
That afternoon, it was just like a dream.
Then Rakia passed out from the extraordinary pain.
6.
"What a wonder reunion," Crystarian smiles. "Not so sure but this is so familiar. Of course, you are Rakia."
Takamichi points to his own face. "Did you reference to my face?"
Rakia nods slightly. "I didn’t choose specific reference person, maybe it should be affected by related memories."
He doesn’t want Takamichi realize his true purpose, so Granute speak first: "Is there any treasure in the café?"
Takamichi puts the stuff on the table, Rakia sees that it’s a full bag.
"Juru said this café is so famous because of the signature desserts," Takamichi says with a reliable brother feeling, "Just walked by, so I brought some for Mabushina to try!"
Looks like little sister has forgiven him, Rakia thinks subconsciously.
"Ah, how about Comel? Did he come out with you?" Takamichi, also an elder brother, naturally asks about other younger brother.
Rakia is silent for a moment, and finally he speaks in a low voice: “……Comel, he’s gone.”
Takamichi receives a completely unexpected answer and seems a little unprepared. The tall Crystarian hesitates for a long time, still feeling very embarrassed to apologize: "I'm sorry, I didn't know..."
“Daru.” Rakia feels a little irritated. He pulls the brim of his hat down even lower.
Oh, he almost forgot.
Although now he is in human world, after witnessing Crystarian's excellent treasure hunting skills, Granute decides to take a gamble.
Rakia takes out the portrait, shows it to the Crystarian: "Not wish you can help but, this is Comel. Have you seen him anywhere before?"
Takamichi tries to recall: "Be honest, I haven't seen other Granutes since last time we said goodbye."
“I see.”
Takamichi raises wrist and Rakia sees his Shiny Kiramai Changer, "But I will tell other Kiramagers, they can help to find him."
“…Thanks.”
7.
Takamichi's changer suddenly rang at the right time. Rakia remembers that he had heard this voice before they parted before the mine. He looks at Takamichi's nervous face and suddenly feels a little flustered.
Kiramagers, are also curious about Granute?
"Muryou said there are Jamenshi around here." Realizing that the other one has no idea what he is talking about, Takamichi slaps his head and gestures in the air, "It's the kind with a weird head, but it's not a Crystarian or Granute... Anyway, very dangerous, you better leave here right now!"
"I see," Rakia purses his lips, "That’s not more dangerous than mining. Besides, I'm not a slow runner."
Couldn't be more dangerous than Stomach Inc., he thinks.
Takamichi nods, stands up from the table, walks a few steps away, seems to remember something, and returns to Granute.
“Wait,” Takamichi takes out a yellow plastic cup from the bag, and hands it over. “Here you are, Mabushina said this is classic flavor. See you soon!”
He clasps his hands together apologetically, turns around, pushes the door open and runs out of the café.
The pale-yellow jelly lays quietly in the plastic cup, and the smooth surface reflects a soft luster.
Rakia looks at the food that Crystarian placed in front of him. After thinking for a moment, he takes out the spoon, scoops up a mouthful and puts into his mouth. The top one.
The rich milky aroma and slight bitterness of the pudding create a perfect balance, and the delicate texture of the dessert melts in the mouth instantly.
This is a taste Granute has never tasted before, but he doesn't hate it.
He looks at the torn wrapping paper and read out the katakana which is deliberately written in a cute style: Caramel Pudding (キャラメルプリン).
…Daru. Rakia suddenly changed his mind: Even if an excellent part-timer occasionally skipped shift, he would not be blamed for it.
Well…if Nyelv asks, just tell him a “Jamenshi” made the mess.
Rakia finishes the last bite of dessert, stands up and goes out to the street. There are many panicked people running around, and their fear evident in words.
But the Granute walks straight through the crowd, decides to go to the convenience store across the street, and buy some more caramel puddings.
END.