The Side Where No Stars Shine

Truth

Lior's POV

The next day, I walked into the guild with "Team Natsu," as they called it.

The looks from yesterday were no different, though I was aware these things took time.

I was a bit groggy as I walked.

The lack of any good sleep last night was getting to me.

I sat down at a table with the three.

"What can I get you four?"

The girl I'd apologized to went around taking everyone's orders until it got to me.

"I-I'm fine..."

"You sure? I figured you'd be hungry after coming all this way yesterday."

"I'm sure..."

I'd learned a long time ago to ignore the growling in my stomach.

I'd find it rude to ask for something when they've already given me so much.

"So, Lior... any clues on how to help Lucy?" The dark-haired boy asks.

I had yet to know their names.

"Not yet... I can't really force it to happen either."

"That's okay... Just do your best." The scarlet-haired girl from last night replies.

The girl from earlier brings back plates of food for the three guild members.

I watch as they eat.

One thing I can remember is that after Aunt Lilith began to change, the food around the house became less available.

It started to feel more and more like my past life.

I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal.

My stomach rumbled, though I wished it'd quiet down.

"You sure you aren't hungry?"

I look up to see the kindhearted girl over my shoulder.

"You sound hungry to me."

I just look at her awkwardly before she gives me a bright smile.

"I'll bring you something."

A few minutes later, she returns with a plate of food, setting it in front of me.

"Thank you, uh..."

"Mira." She replies sweetly.

"Thank you, Mira."

As she walks away, I turn to my food.

It smelled so good.

I grabbed my silverware and dug in, eating at least half almost instantaneously.

I felt as if I hadn't had this good of a meal in years.

Maybe, in fact, it was because I hadn't.

I looked around the table.

I'd finished before everyone else.

"You really we're hungry!" Mira claims, taking my plate away.

"Even Natsu doesn't eat that fast!" A blue, talking cat mentions.

I think I'd read about them somewhere...

An exceed?

"I can't believe I ate all that in one sitting..."

To them, it must've seemed fairly regular sized, as they looked at me weirdly.

If this was the past, that would've lasted a few months, but I decided not to bring it up.