Lighthouse [Alice in Borderland x Reader]

Soulmate AU + tall and buff foreigner [Name]

Ippein is a daycare teacher located in Kyoto. His pay was not that high, but it was enough to pay all of his monthly expenses. Other than that, he sees cute and energetic children everyday, and he feels fulfilled with just that fact.

He is satisfied with his life as a daycare teacher.

Other people actually doubt that. They just cannot believe that someone who has just above the minimum wage is living happily. But due to his carefree attitude, he just let their voices be heard from his right ear and exit through his left.

But one thing that made him insecure, was the writing in his arm.

“A daycare teacher, really?”

It first appeared when he graduated high school. It was in [favorite color] in a hand writing he had never seen before.

Being used to rude comments from other people, the writing sounded somehow insulting. As much as he wanted to have his own fated person, the thought of someone undermining him because of his occupation, made his goal to meet his soulmate waver.

Being a farmer is really difficult sometimes, but it was rewarding. Using your grandmother's savings she lend to you to study, you graduated with the course of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

In your home country, being a farmer is not really common, that was why you decided to fly to Japan and start your new life there. In the country, farmers are in demand, and you finishing an exclusive course for it made you a potential gift for several companies.

You decided to freelance. Not being held back by any superior, all of your pay was yours. It was hard at first, competing with large companies, but you managed.

Folding your sleeves, you proceeded planting rice stalks into the cold wet muddy soil. The sun was beginning to rise, and its warmth rays kissed your chilly skin, making you comfortable.

Resting from time to time, you finished planting two of the several divisions of the the rice plantation before lunch. Deciding to eat, you washed your hands and feet. You could have boots and gloves, but the feeling of water and earth was something you would never dislike in your skin.

You saw your old lady neighbor walk towards your house while you wiped your sweat. She was carrying a basket, walking with her rattan cane. You ran to her quick to assist her despite her always insisting that she's still strong.

“Grandma!” calling her in your native language (which she really liked), you worriedly sprinted when you saw her picked her pace.

“Rascal! My grandson is coming here this afternoon!” she beamed as she hit the flattened path of ground with her cane
. “Thank goodness that brat is coming! Oi! Come in my house for dinner.”

She jumped in delight. Her age did not deter her happiness when she announced the news to you. She practically shoved the basket to your face while she left you to process what she just said.

You peeked inside the basket, and inside were steaming hot meal that smelled like your favorite native dish. You grinned in appreciation and entered your house.

You washed your hands before eating, and there you saw your soulmark. It was a cute doodle of a stickman dressed in yellow and blue with children beside it. At first you got scared that your soulmate was a toddler however, the possibility of them being a tutor, a child caregiver, or a babysitter made your heart ease a little.

You always wondered if your soulmate will like you. You are a foreigner farmer, and although you are proud of your occupation, dating is not that easy for a person like you. A tall, physically fit immigrant.

Cultural differences was one of the main problem. Second was the intention of some of the people you've tried to date in the country were either to brag you like a prized possession, or to have children with you.

After years of trying, you made up your mind to just stop and just be happy as a farmer. After all, you are not fated to be alone in you life. Munching on the food your old neighbor gave you, you rehearsed your approach to her grandson.

Would he be energetic and enthusiastic like his grandma?

Would he be calm and peaceful like his grandfather (old lady aways bragged about her stoic husband that was still soft to her even in the last moments of his life)?

You were nervous but excited in meeting a new person.

An hour or two had passed, and you heard a joyous shriek-ish laughter. It seemed that your neighbor's grandson came and she was evidently delighted about it.

“So you're a farmer? That's really amazing and cool, [Surname].” his eyes disappeared when he smiled. You nodded.

Cute.

Your eyes widened while your realize what you just thought of him.

Your neighbor gushed at her grandson while you ate without talking, giving the two their moment. You spaced out that you did not realize that the two stopped talking already.

“Hey, are you not gonna talk?” you eyes turned to the old lady.

“Oh— sorry! The food was just good I forgot to talk.” the old lady pinched your cheeks harshly.

Ippei was shocked that you did not become irritated. He actually thought you will be mad. He found you as an intimidating person because of your physique, and seeing you tear up while rubbing you cheeks was really adorably funny to Ippei.

A—adorable?!

“My grandson is a daycare teacher in Kyoto.” Ippei's grandma's nose comically elongated, feeling proud with his achievements. Your eyes crinkled at that.

“A daycare teacher, really?” your voice held admiration despite being relaxed and soft.

Ippei's utensils fell.

“Are— are you fine?” you stood up from your seat.

“Oi brat—” your neighbor's brows knitted in worry.

He then grabbed your wrist, seeing a tattoo-like mark drawn in it. It was like his drawing, messy and ugly. He saw the stick figure holding children he very much recognized.

“Hmm? Are you alright?”

“You...”