𝐵𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹𝓎 𝒲𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒾𝒶 | 𝒦𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓉𝓈𝓊 𝒩𝑜 𝒴𝒶𝒾𝒷𝒶

第4章

I slid the door open to the right, letting Ayame go in first. Her eyes sparkled as she saw Rio, he was awake and was probably waiting for me.

The first thing I did was look at his food and water bowl, they still had some water and food left in them. I grabbed both of his bowls as Ayame played with Rio. I rinsed both of the bowls out, even if they weren't necessarily dirty, I wanted to clean them. I dried the bowls out after rinsing them, as well as putting fresh water and food in the bowls.

I began to walk over to where Rio and Ayame were, '' Do you have a house of your own, or a house to stay in? '' I asked her.

She sighed, '' Yeah but it's far away from here.. That leads me to what I was gonna ask earlier... '' I looked up from petting Rio, '' Hmm? You can ask don't worry. '' I smiled at her.

'' Can I stay here tonight? '' She managed to speak without stuttering her words.

'' You can for sure, I will set up some bedding for you. '' I turn my attention back to Rio who is making questionable sounds but is cute either way.

I played with Rio as much as I could in an attempt to make up for the lost time at the final selection. When I noticed it getting dark I decided to get up and set up the promised bedding from earlier. The bed was set up by the time the sun was fully set, Ayame getting comfortable.I feel giddy in a way, like a little girl.

I didn't have many friends as a child and this is basically a little sleepover, friends have sleepovers, right? Ayame's really nice and pretty, I like her as my friend.

 We talked as it got darker and darker, the sound of crickets making the mood seem nice and calm, with Rio purring into my side. Ayame decided to go to sleep eventually and I suddenly remember I have a lot of things to do.

So I get up with Rio scurrying off to Ayame's side in search of warmth. I'm glad Rio trusts her, seems like even Rio knows she's a good person.

I walk down the hall, making a mental checklist for things I need to do, and eventually reach the door that leads to the basement. My base of operations if you will.

I walk down the stairs, I take out the boxes upon boxes of poisons and antidotes I made. They were all mixed together but labeled on the front of the capsule, it will take a bit but I need to sort them out. Everything could go wrong in battle if I don't. I sigh as I looked at the boxes while I count them, I groan, there are 8 boxes filled with just antidotes and poisons.

I begin with the first box. Honestly, it was incredibly boring and not fun in any way whatsoever but stuff needs to get done. The bottles clinking together, and my hands working fast. I hoped I wasn't being too loud but my efforts were in vain when once I got to the 4th box I noticed Ayame was coming down the stairs.

"Ah, sorry.. Did I wake you up?"

"Yeah... it's alright though, I like to keep you company. Do you want some help?" She askedAfter a few moments, I smiled, "sure."

I proceed to explain the process to her and how things needed to be done. Then we got to work.We just talked and got to know each other better while organizing, she seems like a fun person to hang out with. It said my sword should come in a few days, so I am gonna need to tell Ayame to go home sometime soon so she can also receive hers.

At a point, it just went quiet because we were focused on organizing, but at some point, I lost focus and my mind just wandered off. I wanted to think of a name for my crow. I was organizing but thinking, then it hit me.

'' Daisuke! '' I said out loud on accident, covering my mouth right after in embarrassment.

'' Haaaah, huh? Daisuke? '' Ayame asked as she looked at me, closing a box that has been organized.

'' Sorry, I was thinking of a name for my crow.. Do you like the name Daisuke? '' I asked.Ayame smiled at me, '' It is a great name for your crow, I need to figure one out for my crow as well. ''

I looked back down and continued to organize the last box. I also was able to tell it was sunrise since from under the door I could see some sunlight. I sighed as we closed the last box, finally done organizing them all.

'' Hey, are you gonna head home today? '' I asked her with a slight smile.

'' Well... I was gonna ask you if maybe you wanted to go to town for a bit, since our swords are arriving in a few days we won't have much free time due to missions. ''

I was a bit shocked at this request, but I thought it out and decided to go. '' Sure, I will bring Rio along as well, he wouldn't run away or anything, he's always staying by my side. ''

I headed back inside and called out for Rio, who immediately came running out of his little nest on the bed. He gave a happy little yip at the sight of me and I couldn't help but coo at his adorableness.

"Hey Rio, wanna head down to town for a bit? Ayame and I were planning to hang out today!"If foxes could have facial expressions I'm sure he'd be doing, something but as to what I'm not sure. I'm not even sure why I think this but I believe it's the bond between us letting me understand him a little better. Aside from this, it seems he agreed considering he was outside by the time I came to my senses. I chuckled as I caught Ayame looking at Rio fondly.

I walked ahead, "come on!" I called over my shoulder.

Ayame and started our walk to town, Rio following by my side. I started counting the amount of money I have, luckily my dad was decently wealthy so I had quite a bit. I look up from my money and put it in a hidden pocket located in my belt.

 I look forward, seeing trees, and I eventually start seeing houses and shops. I smile as I see a stand outside a shop with what looks like a bunch of jewelry.

At some point Ayame picked up Rio so he wouldn't get lost, seeing as there were a few people outside. I was about to walk into a shop when I noticed Ayame stopped and stared at a certain hairpin. It was a gold hairpin with a blue orb near the top, and small white star ornaments below and above the orb.

Ayame snapped back into reality and walked next to me, I went back to the stand that held the hairpin. An old man was about to grab it, but I grabbed it before he could.

'' Excuse me, Ma'am, I'll take it! '' I said and paid with a smile, ignoring the old man's glare.

I also noticed a haori, it was a black and blue gradient with white stars similar to the one on the hairpin as a design. I looked behind me and noticed Ayame was in a shop still holding Rio, I walked over to the store I saw the Haori in. I grabbed it and went to the store owner, asking how much it was and then paying afterward. I wrapped the hairpin in the haori and folded the haori.I went to grab Ayame, pulling her near a stand that has food. I sat her down on a bench, while she was still holding Rio.

'' Do you want Udon? '' I asked her while smiling.

Ayame looked confused but then smiled, '' Yes please, I would love that. '' As a response to this, I just smiled.

I asked the stall owner for 2 bowls of Udon, as well as paying, making sure to leave a tip of course. I then sat down next to Ayame as I put the haori on my lap. I unfolded the haori and then draped it over Ayame, she looked confused. Her confusion changed to shock when I put the hairpin in her hair, she smiled softly at me.

POV CHANGE

The air grew thick around the girls. Both had met just recently, yet feel like they've lived a whole lifetime together. Y/N didn't know what was wrong with her, she felt... anxious? Something must be wrong she thought. Her smile faded and her eyes became lidded as she becomes unfocused whilst trying to connect to her senses.

Ayame on the other hand was leaning in, mistaking Y/N's actions as an initiative.

Just a little further...