Gentle Old Eyes

35

The cold autumn air bites at Zeno and his cheeks. The broken and ripped ends of his old haori are blowing in the harsh wind.

Zeno tussles his hair a bit more so it cover his mouth from the bare air. Zeno can see the tips of his fingers turning a little blue. The streets are mostly empty and Kouen is getting slower with each step.

The 10-year-old is gasping for breath, cheeks a burning a rosy red color. Kouen tugs Zeno's hand once again to slow down. Honestly either of them had expected a sudden change in weather and as such the summer clothes they had on left them freezing. A little boy like Kouen shouldn't be outside in this kind of weather, especially with summer clothes.

Furthermore, they had wandered to the opposite side of the village. To the same soba stand Zeno had been in the first time they met and as such there was still a long way until they would reach Kotami at her home.

Suddenly to their left a door opens and a little girl looking younger than Kouen steps out. She squints her brown eyes and tries to hold her black hair in place as she glares.

"What are ye two doin' out 'ere in tah wind!? Get in, get in!" She shouts and Zeno quickly takes the offer. Zeno scoops Kouen to his chest and runs to the house, quickly stepping in.

"Excuse the intrusion. Thank you very much miss, we were caught off guard by the wind." Zeno blabs while taking his sandals off and placing Kouen back down. Now that they are inside Zeno recognizes the little girl as Erimi.

Erimi is the villages prettiest child at 9-years-old. A sick orphan but because she was so pretty the grandma who lived alone had taken a liking to her and brought her in. Although she seemed to have a sickness, coughing all the time, she was still able to do normal work. Erimi truly just as her name suggests is the blessed village beauty.

As for why Zeno knows, it's because Kou-kun here happened to have a crush on her and mumbled these small tidbits about her.

By the way, Kouen who had earlier been expressionlessly following Zeno is currently looking at Erimi with stoic eyes and pink cheeks. His brows furrowed like he hated being here and his mouth basically a cute pout.

"Nice to meet you, Zeno Ouryuu at the miss's service." He bowed to the girl and watched as she smiled back.

"Name's Erimi. Nice to meet'cha Ouryuu-chan, what about you?" Erimi turned her attention to Kouen who somehow got avoided any blushing at the recognition.

"Kouen." The boy says, still managing to keep his silent cool attitude by turning his face away after saying it.

Although Zeno can tell it didn't completely work as the younger child smirks a little. And hoo-boy Zeno sees this is already starting to become a bubbling romance.