Chapter 2 - Into the Town

Nana: Whoa!

I can't contain my amazed gasp as we reach town.

There are so many people!

Haru: You haven't seen anything yet!

Haru leads me through the crowd. Just being here drains my energy quickly.

I'm just not used to this...

I keep an eye on Haru's back as he leads me through the town. Should i...?

Haru: What's wrong?

Nana: Wait for me!

Haru: Am i walking too fast?

He slows down his pace so i can catch up to him. Haru is careful to take shorter strides so i can walk be his side. I keep on looking around in wonder.

Nana: Are those shops?

Haru: You know it! There are shops for food, toys, clothes, and many other goods.

A clock on a building grabs my attention.

Nana: That's such a big clock!

Haru: Isn't it pretty?

Nana: I'ver seen a clock so huge!

Haru: You really concentrate on funniest details.

Nana: I can't gelp it! It's my first time outside.

Haru smiles widely.

Haru: I know.

He seems to be enjoying this. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I'm enjoying it too.

Haru: Oh! Let me take you to the military academy. You said you wanted to see it.

Nana: Yes!

It's where my father trained when he was young.

Haru leads the way. I feel safe as long as i'm with him.

The town is sure wonderful!

Suddenly, a shop with beautiful dresses at its front catches my eye. It has a particularly pretty pink dress in the window. While distracted, i get separated from Haru. He's already a fews steps ahead of me.

Nana: Ah, Haru!

He glances towards me. Just as i'm about to catch up with him, a wave of people start walking past me.

Nana: Haru!

I'm reaching out to him, but the crowds pulls me the opposite direction. When i try to fight it, i crash against a stranger.

Stranger: Watch it!

Nana: I'm sorry!

I look around, but i can no longer see Haru. Without him around, i'm scared. I place my hand over my pocket where my blade is, feeling its hilt for comfort.

I end up walking with the crowd, exhausted. It feels like i've been walking for a long time. Finally, i see a bench and stagger through the crowd to take a seat.

Haru... Where are you? I should head back. But i'm not sure where i am anymore. What should i do?

This place feels so different and intimidating when i'm alone.

???: Excuse me.

A gentle voice calls out to me. I look up to see a beautiful man. He looks at me with concern in his eyes.

He's somehow different from all the men i've seen before.

I look him up and down.

Nana: Yes...?

I have to be on guard. He smiles kindly at me.

???: Please, don't be alarmed. My name is Hisui.

Hisui: Are you lost?

Should i admit that to him? I continue to eye the man suspisciously. He definitely has his wits about him, so he can't be an oni. But oni aren't the only danger in the outside world.

Hisui: I'm not going to hurt you. Promise. See?

He holds up both his hands to show that they're empty.

Nana: Well... I'm lookong for my friend.

Hisui: Where did you last see your friend?

Nana: Back where there's this beautiful dress shop...

Hisui: A dress shop, huh? Was there a pink dress at the front of the shop?

Nana: Yes! Do you know it?

Hisui: I passed by there earlier. I think i can dind my way back there. Let me show you the way.

I shouldn't trust strangers, but he doesn't look like a bad person.

I nod relunctantly.

•••

Hisui leads through town, and soon, we reach the dress shop.

It felt like i was walking for such a long time...

I still can't find Haru anywhere.

Nana: He's not here...

Hisui: Perhaps he's gone to look for you. Let me help you look for him.

Nana: Are you sure?

I remind myself i shouldn't be so trusting about this man even though he's offering to help. But Hisui smiles softly and nods.

Hisui: I'll make sure you're safe. Come on, let's go.

He holds out his hands to me. Shyly i place mine on his. We walk around town, but after almost an hour, there's still no sign of Haru.

Hisui: Do you know where he might have gone?

Nana: We were about to go to the military academy...

Hisui: Should we look there, then?

I nod. Hisui leads me to the military academy. But Haru isn't there, either. Hisui continues to guide me through streets, walking slowly. His hold on my hand is so gentle. I keep on scanning the faces in the crowd. But still, no luck.

I can't even get excited about being in town anymore... This is exhausting.

Hisui looks at me worriedly.

Hisui: Do you need rest?

I wonder why he's being so nice to me.

I nod weakly, and Hisui brings me over to a bench.

Hisui: Are you alright?

Nana: I'm fine. I just don't get out much...

Hisui: I can tell.

Hisui looks up at a clock on one of the buildings. I follow his gaze and see that it's a quarter to five in the afternoon.

Wait, that clock...

Nana: I saw that clock earlier! Just as i was walking into town! Which means the path back home should be nearby.

Hisui: It's getting late, and we've had no luck finding your friend...

Nana: Yeah... Maybe i can wait for him back home instead.

Hisui: That's a good idea.

I look around my surroundings again.

Nana: I can get home from here.

Hisui: Are you sure?

I point out the forest path leading back to the mansion beyond the clock.

Nana: That's my way home.

Hisui: I'm glad, then.

Hisui walks me over to the path.

Hisui: I should be leaving as well.

Nana: Oh! I almost forgot... Thank you! You didn't have to stay with me all day.

Hisui: I couldn't leave you alone when you looked so troubled. It wouldn't be right.

Nana: But i don't have anyway to repay you.

Hisui: Don't worry, knowing you can get home safely is enough for me.

With a smile, i bow to him before walking back into the forest.

If i ever meet him again, i should repay him somehow.

But for now, I focus on making my way home.

It's just a straight path down from here.

It's a bit of a long walk, but home is on the other side.

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