110. A Brand-New Beginning—Am I Called “I Don’t Know”?

"Oh! You're awake!"

A gentle breeze stirred her waist-length, deep green hair. Her flawless features left the man at the doorway completely mesmerized.

"Ah... did... did you save me?" The man stepped forward, blushing, unable to meet the woman's brilliant gaze.

"Is there anyone else here besides me?" The woman turned, a smile blooming on her face that made the moonlight pale in comparison. She swayed gracefully toward him, her large eyes wide, covering her mouth as they curved into crescent moons.

"Th-thank you..." A refreshing scent, like floral fragrance, radiated from her, exuding a captivating, natural aura.

"Hey! What's your name?" Tilting her head, the woman placed her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, her beautiful eyes curious as she studied his face, which looked rather fierce.

"I don't know..." His mind a blank, the man shook his head gloomily.

"Then where is your home?" The woman blinked her large eyes.

"I don't know..." The man lowered his head, his nose twitching slightly; the fragrance made him feel incredibly relaxed and at ease.

"And your parents?" The woman frowned. Kind and gentle by nature, she didn't know what to do.

"I don't know!" As his voice grew quieter, the man suddenly looked up, revealing a silly, grinning face.

"Don't know? I think you should just be called 'Don't Know.' Based on my deduction, you must have amnesia." She turned around, cupping her chin and shaking her head as if she were a sage.

"Then I shall be called Don't Know from now on." His dark eyes were filled with pure, simple-minded foolishness.

"In that case, you can stay here for now!" The kind-hearted woman thought it over; she couldn't bear to chase him away. Not to mention his injuries, just seeing him look so foolish made her worry.

"Thank you, you are so good to me, just like my master's wife..." The man scratched his head and suddenly blurted out.

"Master's wife?" The woman was startled. She leaned closer, blinking her large eyes, and asked, "Did you remember something?"

"No! But just now, there was a blurry silhouette... and now my head hurts a little!" The man clutched his head, looking pained.

"Never mind, don't think about it. You can help out at the bar until your memory returns!" The woman stepped forward to support him, looking concerned.

"Okay!"

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The next day, the sky was clear and vast; the weather was magnificent.

In the morning, the Partys Bar in the center of town opened as usual, but with one difference: there was one new person there today.

"It's really hot today!" A large man walked into the bar and shouted, "Makino, give me an ice-cold beer."

"Oh! Coming right up." Behind the bar, the woman with waist-length deep green hair tied into a braid turned around and smiled. "Uncle K, why are you so early today? Don't Know, get Uncle K an ice-cold beer."

"Ah... okay!" Beside her, the man who had been wiping the tables quickly put down his rag and fetched a bottle of chilled beer.

"Hey! Makino, is this the guy you saved by the beach? He's awake?" The middle-aged man called Uncle K looked surprised.

"Yes, he seems to have lost his memory, so he's called 'Don't Know' now. Isn't that an interesting name?" the woman behind the bar giggled.

"Haha, I didn't think you had a mischievous side, Makino. Once he recovers his memory and finds out you gave him such a name, be careful he doesn't bully you!" The big man took a swig of beer, looking fully satisfied, then teased her.

"I wouldn't bully Makino; she is my savior." With a flushed face, the man retorted anxiously.

"Pfft... haha... look at this kid. He might look a bit fierce, but his personality is really quite silly!" The big man spat out his beer and doubled over laughing, as the man now looked like a pure, naive boy, flustered by the teasing.

"Uncle K, stop picking on Don't Know. His injuries haven't healed yet!" Makino rolled her eyes and glared at him.

"Alright, alright! Here... here is the money for the drink. I'm off to work." Shaking his head with the knowing look of an experienced man, Uncle K left the money and staggered out of the bar.

"Honestly, Uncle K just likes to joke around. Don't Know, don't take it to heart." Pouting slightly, Makino explained to him.

"It's okay!" Don't Know shook his head and offered a silly grin.

Throughout the day, many customers came to the bar to drink; they were all residents of the town.

It was a thriving place where neighbors were warm and simple. They all teased Don't Know a little, but they didn't distance themselves because of his unknown identity; instead, they were very welcoming.

At night, the moon hung high, bright as a lamp. After a long day, the tavern finally closed.

"Don't Know, what would you like to eat?" In the kitchen at the back, Makino, wearing an apron, asked the man standing beside her.

"What would I like?" Seeing the fully stocked kitchen, Don't Know suddenly remembered something and said uncertainly, "Can I try to cook? I feel like I remember someone else cooking for me like this once."

"Really? Go ahead!" With her large eyes wide, Makino stepped aside, watching curiously as Don't Know picked up a kitchen knife.

An hour later, four dishes and a soup appeared exquisitely on the table.

"Wow! I couldn't tell, you actually know how to cook!" Amazed and eager, Makino stared at the fine dishes and started eating immediately.

"Mmm, delicious, even better than what I make." After one bite, Makino's eyes lit up. She smiled delicately, "How did you make this? The technique is so innovative. I've decided, from now on, cooking is up to you!"

"Really? Let me try too!" The man smiled and began to eat, but a moment later, he froze.

His thoughts drifted, and a scene began to unfold in his mind.

"Big brother, your cooking is so good, I want to eat it forever." A girl whose face he couldn't see lay across the table, her mouth covered in grease.

"Silly, big brother will always cook for you. I learned this especially for you." He patted her head with affection, constantly placing food into her bowl.

"Foolish girl, eat more greens. Too much grease is bad for your heart!"

"I don't want to! Who told you to make it so delicious!" The girl acted spoiled. Although he couldn't see her face clearly, he could feel how incredibly happy she was.

"Whatever you say, you little glutton!" He tapped her head gently, feeling helpless.

"Big brother is the glutton..." Suddenly, the girl's breathing became shallow. He could clearly feel her great pain.

"What's wrong? Is your heart hurting again?"

Anxiety, worry, helplessness—an endless wave of emotions instantly flooded Don't Know's nerves.

Uncontrollably, two clear tears welled up and tracked down his cheeks.

"Hey! Hey! Don't Know... what's wrong?" As he came to his senses, Makino was looking at him with concern.

"I saw a girl. It seems someone had cooked for her, too. My heart hurts so much."

The man clutched his chest, his face pale, as if he had just been through a terrible illness.

"How could this be? Don't think about it, just relax, relax... yes, like that, take deep breaths..." Losing her composure, Makino worriedly tried to soothe his emotions.

"I can't remember who the girl is, but my heart tells me she is very important to me." Wiping his tears, the man looked utterly despondent.

"It's alright, don't think about it. You haven't fully recovered yet..."

"I understand."