The Inoue

- 05 -

┌                                           . . .

ROCKY

. . .                                           ┘

As Izumi and Baji made their way through the village of Trivia, they came across an abandoned building which they found in poor condition. Baji mentioned that the building was once an orphanage which brought curiosity to Izumi's mind. While exploring the interior, he stumbled upon a frame that he lifted. As he looked at it, he was surprised by the familiar face of a person he knew staring back at him.

"Baji, look here." Izumi called out to Baji who was nearby, showing him the frame he had found. As they both examined the picture, they were taken aback by a familiar presence. "Isn't it Ayato?" Izumi inquired, pointing at the face in the frame. "Ayato used to be from here?" Baji responded, as he inquired if the person in the picture was actually Ayato, which it indeed was.

─┉┈◈◉◈┈┉─

Ayato was seated on the bed in front of the window, gazing out of it towards the outdoor scenery. Kiyoko entered the room with a tray of food items and placed the tray onto the cabinet beside the bed. Sitting beside him, she inquired about his health and whether he was faring better. Ayato nodded in response. "I can feed myself. Thanks for the food," he stated to Kiyoko, whose care toward him appeared to be appreciated by the man.

"Okay then, just call me if you need anything," Kiyoko stated before making her departure from the room and heading downstairs. She came across Kai and Hinata, who had just stepped through a portal. "How was your mission?" she inquired, eager for news from the duo regarding their endeavors. Kai responded, "It went well. The thief has been incarcerated." Hinata waved the snitch excitedly in Kiyoko's direction. Kiyoko calmly lowered Hinata's hand a bit. She commented, "Alright, easy now, no need for excessive excitement."

Kiyoko looked at Hinata who was rubbing her cheek against the tiny creature, spoiling it with her affection. "Just make sure you take care of it," Kiyoko warned her, emphasizing the importance of handling the animal responsibly. She glanced toward Kai who appeared to be fed up with Hinata's excessive enthusiasm.

Kai had hauled her body into her room, moving her toward the bed and laying her down upon it. She opened her eyes and looked at the bed, softly talking to it. "Hi, bed," she uttered, addressing the furniture item as if it were a person. The young woman's tired voice carried a sense of longing as she anticipated settling down for the day.

Hinata was perched inside her room, enjoying the company of her newly obtained pet. "I'm going to name you Rocky," she exclaimed with excitement while holding the creature securely in her hands. The snitch seemed delighted by its new name, perhaps recognizing the significance of receiving it from its new owner. Hinata was clearly enamored with its fluffy exterior and small size, finding plenty of contentment in her new companion.

"You must be hungry. Let me see what we can find for you," Hinata said to Rocky with a soothing voice, making sure to establish a rapport with the creature. She left the room and proceeded towards the kitchen in order to acquire whatever she would be feeding to her new friend.

Hinata swung open the door and beckoned Rocky, anticipating that the creature would enter the room. However, as she looked around, Rocky seemed to have disappeared. "Rocky?" she called once again but to no avail. Beginning to panic, she began to comb the room from top to bottom in search of the small creature, who she was convinced should be somewhere nearby.

Kai, who was on her way to the bathroom, heard a small squeaking sound that piqued her interest and drew her out of her focus on the destination at hand. She searched the area and came across Rocky laying on the floor in a cute and innocent manner.

“What are you doing here?” she inquired, gently picking up the cute little snitch. Suddenly, Hinata ran over to Kai and began to sob uncontrollably. “I can’t find Rocky! He’s gone!” Kai maintained her composed demeanor and placed Rocky into Hinata’s hands.

"Take care of it. Don't let it lose again"