The TRIBE Chronicles : Forgotten Memories (Completed)

06.1 - Hidden Sorceress Unveiled (Part 1)

Another new morning came in Kyoto City where the sunny sun of summer kissed the land with its warm light. The morning routines repeated again across the city, marking the third day of Hiro's group staying at the girls' place. It was actually just like another morning for the girls where Lia and Lopka woke up early to shop for groceries and cook breakfast.

But today, their morning routine had become unusual when the two older girls found their younger friend standing in front of them, saying that she would do the shop for breakfast.

"Huh? Why do you want to do the shopping?"

Lopka sounded out her confusion while Lia only tilted her head with confusion frown on her face. Both of them knew precisely if Gail wasn't the morning person type. Even without drinking on the night before, Gail would always be waking up after the sun had high. But today, the girl had stood in front of them, awake without any drowsiness hint on her face.

Behind them, Takahiro was standing clueless, having no idea about why it became matter if Gail did the shop. He was actually been waiting to accompany Lia to the morning market although he didn't mind if he went with Gail instead.

But then, why was Takahiro there with the two older girls?

Well... Last night, he had actually promised Lia that he would accompany her to do her morning groceries. He even had given them the reason if bringing groceries for eleven people would be hard to handle for a girl; the groceries might be too heavy for her. The reason was quietly made sense for the girls. So the girls let him to help, despite of Lia's reluctant.

"I just want to do the shopping." Gail still insisted without giving them the proper reason.

"Well..." Lopka turned her gaze to Lia, asking her to sound out her opinion. The latter girl turned her gaze to the older one and shrugged as she said, "I don't actually mind though—"

"Then, let me do the shopping," Gail insisted, even without listening to Lopka's next words. She even took the basket from Lia's hand. "You can leave the groceries to me." She turned to the house's exit. "I'll be going now."

"Hey, Gail. Do you even know what our plan for breakfast today?" Lopka tried to shout out but the girl had left.

"I guess I'd better leave with her," Takahiro distracted the two girls.

"Yes." Lia then smiled at him. "Please take care of her, Takahiro-san."

He nodded. "I'm leaving then."

"Be careful on your way," Lia replied him.

Takahiro bowed to excuse himself and went away, following Gail; while Lia and Lopka were only looking at them.

"I wonder why Gail woke up so earlier. It's really out of her habit." Lopka suddenly spoke out her mind.

"I wonder why too."

After knowing Lia for years, Lopka had learned to distinguish her behaviors, including the slight change of her spoken tone. It was why, when she heard playful knowing tone on her voice, Lopka knew if Lia had known something. She turned her gaze to her and saw a knowing look on her face.

"You know her reason, right?" She guessed.

A knowing smile bloomed on Lia's face. "Well, there is one obvious reason on why Gail can be so persistent for going to shop today. You can even see it in plain sight."

"Obvious?"

And Lopka only got a nod as a reply. At first, Lopka was wondering. But when the younger girl pointed back at the couple who had just left, she quickly understood the reason. "Eh? Takahiro-san?"