Chapter 36 - Her, Being Schemed Upon

Seemingly as if she expected Ingrid's response, her mother explained in a matter-of-fact tone, "You were really young when he left home, and we never talked about him again in front of you since then, so it's given that you don't remember having a brother."

10 years… then Clauen was 11 when her brother "supposedly" left their home. Her age was not that young, Clauen can already talk sense at that age, so it's impossible for her to forget about such a big existence in her life.

Ingrid rummaged through Clauen's memories in her head. But she wasn't able to find anything about this so called brother of hers, even just a vague silhouette of a big brother figure was none.

Turning her attention away from the phone for a moment, Ingrid asked 1002, "Hey, was there something wrong in the memories you've given me again?"

1002, who was lying on her pillow comfortably rolled on her sheets, using this momentum, it started to float.

Ingrid's left eye twitched. That scene… reminded her of an airplane that was about to take off.

"The memories you received whether it was complete or a jumbled mess is completely based on the previous owner's emotional and mental status. Like the previous world, since the previous owner had an experience traumatic enough to cause a temporary memory loss, you received a memory with a dormant part. However Claue---" but before 1002 could utter the remaining words that he meant to convey, the lively metallic ball suddenly went still and with a "thump" fell flat on the bed.  

Out of shock Ingrid cried out, "1002?"

This… never happened before?

"N-nothing." Ingrid let out a dry cough. "1002.. is a cat i recently adopted. It suddenly became naughty, that's why."

Looking at the motionless "cat" on her bed, Ingrid can't help but get worried. Using her index finger, she poked the the little one hoping that it would wake up.

Of course nothing would happen. After all, 1002 don't have a flesh. It's a system controlled by who-knows-who. So simply tapping it won't change anything.

"Okay hun. I don't have anything left to say, you can now clean the mess left by your cat." There was a few seconds of silence before Alisa Sorzano, Clauen's mom, sent her parting words. "Your father and I misses you. Take care."

"Please take care of your health too. I miss you both." Then the line was cut off.

Ingrid's mind was filled with thoughts about 1002 that she completely forgot to investigate more about this brother.

"1002?" She called out again. Since what else can she do?

This time, the little ball finally started to give off a metallic hue.

"What happened?" Ingrid worriedly ask.

"..."

"It's a rare system breakdown."

Oh, so an absolute system can have that moments too.

Ingrid had doubts in her heart but still left the matter go.

---

The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans hung in the air. Ingrid took a deep breath, inhaling the addictive smell of caffeine.

As usual the shop was loaded with customers. Although the number of guests was quite large, the establishment was designed to be able to accommodate it all. Of course, with such a busy place, it requires a number of employees. That is why, no matter how careful Ingrid moves, she was still able to attract some unwanted gazes from her co-workers.

This was because of the "special treatment" that she suddenly received from the shop's manager. As a newbie, she tends to work harder than the other employees, however, after that incident happened a few days ago, the manager insisted that she doesn't need to clean the tables anymore and just focus on brewing coffee and some other beverages.

She refused, of course, but words regarding this matter was spread among the employees. They grieved since Ingrid was given such privileged when it was just a small incident to begin with.

The door chimes only made a noise whenever someone entered the coffee shop. This time however, it seems like a bigshot went in since the manager greeted the costumer personally.

Ingrid was busy cleaning the espresso machine which made her incapable of peeking at the crowd.

"Two shots, iced americano." Ingrid received the order from the cashier and immediately started grinding coffee beans.

On an exquisite glass, she poured a cup-full of ice, a right amount of water, and finally two shots of espresso.

She placed the glass on a tray. She's on her way of sending it to the counter when she unknowingly stepped on a hard object. She heard something "cracked" then followed by loud banging noise after she slipped on the floor.

Thankfully, she managed to catch the glass, although half of its content was gone.

She never thought that she would hate ice in her entire lifetime. Kill her but she would know if she ever spilled a piece of ice. It seems like she's been living a laid back recently that she hadn't noticed that someone actually dared and made a freaking. move. on. her.