Chapter 335 Obsessive Parents and Endless Pie

As Suzuka and Olivia walked down the familiar cobblestone streets of Woodmill Town, the crisp air carried a mix of excitement and nostalgia for Suzuka. The buildings, although aged, held a comforting familiarity, each corner of the outskirts of the town a fragment of her past. They approached a quaint, bustling street lined with shops and stalls, each storefront teeming with the energy of the town.

Suzuka’s gaze was drawn to a charming, weathered building with a sign that read “Gunter’s Blacksmithing” hanging above the door. It was a place she hadn’t seen in over two and a half years, a relic from her childhood now bathed in the golden light of the late afternoon sun.

“Look, Olivia, that’s old man Gunter’s shop,” she said, pointing to the building with a nostalgic grin.

“I used to come here all the time on rainy days. I'd sneak into his storage room and take naps while skipping classes. The sound of the rain hitting the tin roof was like music to me - it was soothing, almost like a lullaby. It was my little escape. The rattling that rain made was just right.”

Olivia, intrigued by Suzuka's fond memories, looked at the shop with curiosity.

“A blacksmith? That sounds charming. I’d love to see it. And who knows, maybe I'll find something interesting to add to my collection.”

With a playful chuckle, Suzuka led the way toward the blacksmith’s shop, the rhythmic clinking of metal on metal growing louder as they approached. The smell of hot iron and coal wafted out onto the street.

As they entered the shop, the interior was a lively blend of rustic charm and industrious chaos. The walls were adorned with an array of weapons and tools, each piece meticulously crafted and polished to a gleaming finish. The forge was alight, casting a warm, golden glow that illuminated the room with a fierce, energetic light.

Old man Gunter, a burly man with a beard as wild as the flames of his forge, looked up from his workbench. His eyes, though weathered by age and toil, still sparkled with a sharp intelligence. He was hammering away at a piece of metal, his movements rhythmic and sure.

Suzuka’s heart raced as she approached the counter, where Gunter’s face lit up with interest.

"I'm sorry, ladies but the shop is closed for the day. Got a lot of work to do. Drop by another day."

“Hey Gunter,” she said, her voice a playful lilt with a jesting tone that cut through the hum of the shop.

“It’s been a while. Two and a half years, to be exact. I know it’s a bit late, but I came to pick up that magic wand you promised me. Remember? The one you promised me after my school graduation as a gift to kick off my adventure. The one that shoots little hearts and tiny sparks. You even promised a few candies to be thrown into the package.”

Gunter’s hands, which had been deftly handling a piece of metal, froze mid-motion. His head snapped up, and his eyes widened as the recognition dawned upon him. He squinted, blinked rapidly, and then stared at Suzuka with a look that mixed disbelief and shock.

“Wh-wait a minute!” Gunter stammered, his usually calm demeanor cracking under the weight of his astonishment. He looked her up and down, his face reflecting a cocktail of amazement and bewilderment.

“Suzuka? Is that you?”

Suzuka's lips curled into a mischievous grin as she observed Gunter’s reaction.

“In the flesh, Gunter! Surprised to see me?”

Gunter’s mouth opened and closed as if he were trying to find the right words, but no sound came out at first. His eyes were locked on her with a mixture of incredulity and dawning realization.

“But... but you’re different. I mean, you’ve changed! I thought you were...”

“Dead?” Suzuka finished for him, her tone softening slightly as she leaned on the counter.

“Yes, well, I was kidnapped, transformed, and lost in a forest for quite some time. But I’m very much alive, and I’ve had quite the adventure.”

Gunter’s face shifted through a range of emotions, from sheer shock to a growing smile of relief and joy.

“I... I don’t even know what to say! You’re... you’re back! This is incredible!”

Suzuka chuckled.

“It certainly is. And now that I’m back, I think it’s time to collect on that wand you promised. The one with the hearts and the sparks. And don’t forget the candies! But hey, jokes aside, yes, it’s me, Gunter. I’m back. I’m sorry for disappearing without a word, well, not that it was my fault or I could have done anything about it.”

Gunter’s face softened, his eyes misting over as he took in the sight of the grown woman standing before him, now so different from the mischievous child he remembered.

“I can't believe it! You’re alive! We thought we’d lost you forever. Look at you-”

Suzuka cut him off with a warm, heartfelt smile.

“I know I’m not the same as before, but it’s me. I’ve been through a lot, but I’m finally back.”

Gunter wiped a tear from his eye and reached out to pull Suzuka into a hearty embrace.

“Oh, kiddo, it’s so good to see you. We’ve missed you terribly. And I’ve even kept a place in the storage room just for you, your rainy day spot, in case you ever came back. But... but you're a big girl now, a woman and a pretty one at that. I guess you don't need such silly stuff anymore.”

Suzuka chuckled softly, her eyes welling up with tears as she squeezed him tightly.

“Thank you, Gunter. That means more to me than you know. Also, I might look like this but I still love the rain and rainy days. So, while I'm staying in town and if the rain comes, I might take you on that offer.”

"Any time, kiddo, any time you like."

"But please, I would like you to keep this between us, the fact that I'm back and alive. You see, I don't want to cause you any problems. I'm a 5-star MBPU now, and you know how that is."

Gunter gasped in surprise but after a short pause said, "Oh my! Now that's amazing and, well, at the same time a heavy title to carry, kiddo. But you can rest assured, your secret is safe with me. Even if my old bones break I will not tell anyone anything."

"Thanks, Gunter. How about you tell me what I missed while I was gone?"

As they chatted, Olivia wandered around the shop, admiring the finely crafted weapons and armor. She picked up a sleek sword and inspected its blade with a discerning eye, clearly impressed by the quality of Gunter’s work.

After a while, Suzuka and Olivia said their goodbyes and left the shop, the air outside now filled with the comforting hum of town life. Suzuka glanced back at the blacksmith’s shop, her heart lighter than it had been in years.

They walked side by side, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestones as they made their way toward the outskirts of town. Suzuka’s gaze swept over the familiar landmarks she hadn’t seen in over two and a half years - the same quaint shops, the old fountain that had seen countless townsfolk gather for gossip and laughter, and the towering oak tree that stood sentinel by the street. It was as if time had stood still, yet everything had subtly changed in her absence.

As they reached the edge of town, the scenery transformed from bustling streets to serene fields and rolling hills. Suzuka’s eyes were drawn to the distant silhouette of her family’s home, nestled against the backdrop of the setting sun. Her childhood home, where she had shared countless moments with her family, now seemed like a distant dream.

As Suzuka and Olivia approached the house, Suzuka’s eyes softened with nostalgia. The house stood there, just as she remembered it, with its whitewashed walls and the ivy climbing up its sides. She stopped just short of the front gates, turning to Olivia with a playful smile.

“Ta-da! This is my home sweet home,” Suzuka announced with a touch of mock grandeur.

“I grew up here with my parents until one day I got snatched away. But hey, if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met you. So, something good came out of it, right?”

Olivia took in the scene, her gaze lingering on the house. It was modest, but it exuded an undeniable charm. It was a small, two-story structure with a thatched roof that sloped gently downwards, giving it a snug, cottage-like appearance. The walls were constructed of wooden beams, their natural grain visible beneath a layer of pale, whitewashed plaster. Vines, lush and green, climbed up one side of the house, their leaves creating a natural, living tapestry that added to the home’s warm, inviting feel.

A small garden lay in front, bordered by a low, picket fence that had seen better days. The garden was a riot of colors, with wildflowers in full bloom, their petals fluttering gently in the evening breeze. A cobblestone path wound its way from the gate to the front door, which was a sturdy, dark oak with intricate carvings of leaves, flowers, and vines, etched into its surface.

Each window was decorated with flower boxes brimming with bright marigolds and trailing ivy. A thin curl of smoke rose lazily from the chimney, hinting that someone was home.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, her voice touched with genuine admiration.

“You can see the love and care that went into making this place a home.”

Suzuka grinned playfully, giving Olivia a nudge with her elbow.

“Well, if you’re thinking of moving in, I’d have to warn you - my Mom has a serious obsession with homemade pies. And if you thought I was stubborn, you should meet my Dad. But hey, at least you’d get some of the best pie in town and the most relentless hospitality!”

She laughed softly, trying to hide her nervousness.

“Don’t let the quaint exterior fool you. This place is as cozy as a warm blanket and just as full of memories. Let’s see if they still have my old room ready - or if they’ve turned it into a storage closet for all the junk they’ve accumulated over the years while I was gone.”

“Ah, a cozy home with obsessive parents and endless pie? Sounds like a dream come true, especially for someone who’s never known anything but the cold, calculated world of combat and training. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a ‘normal’ family.”