Chapter 9

I'm back in the kitchen after making sure Melzul won't kill himself using the farming machines. He isn't that bad with machines, which is a good sign.

Sadly, there are a lot of procedures in preparing dinner for everyone that can't be done by machines.

Actually, there have to be machines that can do those jobs, but we don't have those. We weren't sent here to live a perfectly good life, and...

I gather the spring onions onto the butcher knife, moving them to the bowl to the side. I should think about something else.

Melzul's grumpy face shows up again. I wonder what happened to him. Maybe it really was an accident that brought him here, but... One would think he'd want to head back to his place, but he didn't even ask to check his ruin of a spaceship.

If he was from home, he would have told us long ago too. But... All he did has been to join us poorly.

"Irene, how's it going? I almost thought you were with the herding team today too." Acea and a few who are here to start working their shift arrive. He is happy as always.

I smile at him even though I'd rather be on my own. I came here early so that I could take my mind off my worries, which didn't work well. Now, they are here with me.

It's always good to have more hands in the kitchen, except I have to watch my face again. I better look business-ready for everyone.

I say, "Not today, we're making a new lot of dumplings after all."

"Oh, right. We didn't have enough left after last night."

"Yes. I've told the rest of the team to be a bit more accurate with the ingredients this time around."

Acea puts on his apron, tying a knot behind his back. "Did that guy cause you trouble?"

I shake my head. "it's just different cultures. He is with the farming team now, which I think will be better for him."

"Oh, right. I can't stand his ass."

"Don't mock him like that. Come on. You know better when you aren't friends with him. Jokes don't land the same way."

"Fine. I was just telling him that there might be leftover garlic bread, then he got mad at me."

"He didn't like to feel like he had to ask for food from us."

"Oh... Does that come off that way? I was trying to tell him that after we were done with the dishes, we could enjoy the extra together."

I let out a breath. "He and I already talked about that and I think it is time for us to move on."

"Sure, sure." Acea starts picking up and sharpening the knives before we get to work. I give him my knife too, now I can only stand and stare at the wall. The others are weighing out ingredients, which doesn't need my interruption.

"Acea, I mean it."

"I know. He seems to be a pretty strong guy and will be very helpful if he wants to help us and be a part."

I nod. "I still don't know where he comes from."

"Do you think... he is bad news?"

I shake my head. "For bad news to crash his ass, he really should have done better. It's just... I don't understand him."

"Yeah, I've never seen any one of his species, but at least he speaks our language."

"Yes, I'm so grateful about that. Seemingly he and I piss each other off all the time. Imagine can't even communicate with words."

He chuckles as he hands me my knife so I can resume work. "You bet. Sometimes, it isn't easy even with words. Imagine."

I sigh and get back to chopping ingredients. There is a lot to go through, like always. I've been sighing enough recently that I don't want to bother with that anymore. But I have to keep going. Melzul didn't show up at the right time...

But he is here, and he keeps showing up in my mind. Maybe part of that has to do with how he is the only being who seems to insist on walking around half-naked. Speaking of which...

I check the clock. It is getting late now and it is going to get dark soon. Without a doubt, he won't have remembered his coat. He didn't bring it with him when we headed outside. Maybe I should have paid attention.

But he is an adult, he should be figuring it out himself.

But...

Fine...

I set the knife to the side. "I'll be back soon."

"Okay...?" Acea seems confused, but I don't have time to explain.

It isn't like Melzul will freeze into ice within seconds anyway, I don't have to be in a hurry.

He is such a grumpy adult kid.

I go to his room and find the coat hung on the hook on the wall. Obviously, he didn't even plan to bring it with him.

I take it and put it over my shoulder, heading to the lift.

His coat on my shoulder feels like... A hug from him?

That's dumb. Why would I let him hug me? It makes no sense at all.

I put on my coat that's left on the couch in the lobby. I do that so I'll never forget when I get out of the door. I stare at his coat, which is a few sizes bigger than mine. Hm... It's going to be warm to—

No.

Stop the stupid thoughts.

How dare he mess with me even when he isn't around?

I get out of the central building and to the small spaceship that's meant for flying within a planet. I'm going to tease him when I arrive.

It doesn't take long before I arrive at the farming area. With the help of machines, we can farm a decently large area with ease.

I see that gray body down there on the farm. Maybe he is still working and doesn't feel the cold. He is there moving bundles of hay, a job that's fitting for a male his size.

I land on the port and get out of the spaceship. The leader of the farming team comes over almost at once.

He is a big male too, with white fur that covers almost his whole body. He is perfect for this planet and one of the few who don't need a coat. But even he has clothes on, while...

"Irene, nice to see you. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I'm just here to give the new guy his coat."

"Oh, right. I didn't know he didn't bring his."

"He isn't used to the weather here." I give Melzul's coat to him. "You can give him this."

"So... I thought you were going to give it to him."

My heart skips a beat and a stream of heat reaches my cheek. Do I have to? I shrug when the leader nods at the side. "Here he comes."

Melzul is here. He is sweating, but he gives me half a smile. "Looks like I have delivery."

I roll my eyes at him and toss the coat to him. He catches it. I say, "I don't do deliveries. If you don't remember your coat tomorrow, you can freeze and I won't care. It's just pretty depressing for the guys who saved you to find you dead this quickly."

He grunts, but the hint of a smile lingers. "Thank you."

I nod. "I have to go, otherwise, no one will have dinner on time."

The leader bows his head. "What's dinner? If you don't mind I ask."

"Pretty much what we had yesterday, and the leftover garlic bread from breakfast."

"Nice."

I get back to the spaceship to head back. Maybe I could stay for a bit longer, but the way Melzul looks at me... I don't know whether it is a good idea to get close to him. That's if it's even what I'm doing. All I did was bring him his coat. He seemed to be a bit too happy about that. It feels... off...