(By the time Kora reaches the destination, it is already noon. Despite the sun almost coming down, the streets are still full of the noises of people buying and selling goods, kids running around, and the laughter of girls and boys)
(Kora squeezes her stomach to force herself to endure the feeling of hunger that has been torturing her for the past few minutes. Her stomach lets out a huge growling sound in response)
Kora: *Sighs* Come to think of it, I haven't been able to eat or drink for the entire morning. All I did was walk walk walk...
Kora: (Reaches into her pocket) Do I have anything edible...? Wait, what is this? (Takes out a green, crumbled paper with a man and the sign "1" printed on it) A... paper? Why would I have this?
(Memories flashes again)
Kora thoughts: Oh right... this is my "allowance" that my mother gave me last year. It was the first time I was able to get out of bed and walk around, so I decided to help the nurse clean a little. Of course, I wasn't able to do much... But my mother gave this dollar bill to me as a reward.
Kora thoughts: She was so happy... She told me every time I am able to walk on my feet again, she will give me a dollar. Unfortunately, I was only able to earn this one dollar.
(Kora's stomach growls again as she was examining the dollar bill)
Kora: Ah... I can't bear it anymore. I need to find something to eat. I hope I am able to buy something out of this...
Kora: (Sniffs) What is this smell...? It smells so good! It's coming out of this store?
(Kora walks into the store)
Girl: (Bright Smile) Welcome!
Kora thoughts: Oh... this is bakery, isn't it. I've seen pictures of them in the magazines that were given to me before. I never knew they smell so good...
Kora: (Shows the girl the dollar bill) Um, hello. Can I buy some bread with this?
Kora thoughts: Awkward... I've never bought anything before.
Girl: (Blinks in confusion) ??? Sorry, customer, but what is this?
Kora: Huh? Well, this is a dollar bill…...? I mean, money...
Girl: Dollar Bill? Is he a brother of the Bills family next door?
Kora: (Flustered) N-no, I mean the paper I'm holding right now.
Girl: (Laughs jokingly) Well that certainly doesn't look like a member of the Bills family.
Kora thoughts: Is she playing a joke...?
Girl: Anyways, so um, I'm afraid you can't buy things with that…... I've never seen those papers before. If you haven't drawn so much green stuff on it, I would've taken it as a trade. You see, I don't really like green... Maybe you have something else you would like to trade?
Kora thoughts: I can't buy things with this? But mother told me this was money... She told me I could buy candy when I get better to go outside... Was mother just telling stories to make me feel better?
Kora: Um... then how do you buy food here?
Girl: Huh? You don't know? --Ah! You must not be from here. We use mofs to buy goods! (Shows Kora a round coin) This is a bronze mof! There are also silver mofs and gold mofs which are more expensive.
Kora thoughts: "Mofs"? What is that? Mother never told me anything about that...
Girl: (Examines Kora for a long time) Hhm...you seem really hungry...Want to try one of my new recipes? I have been stuck on them for days, hesitating to choose which ingredient. It would be a great help if you can taste them and tell me how you feel!
Kora thoughts: She probably realized I don't have any "mofs" or any other valuable things to trade on me. I can't tell if she really needs a helper or is she just offering me a favor, but I am already starting to like her.
Kora: Thank you! You are very kind...
Emili: Come on! Don't say that, I just needed help. I was about to jump off the cliff if you weren't here. Those recipes are blowing my mind, and I can't stand tasting them anymore! Hah, can you imagine eating the same things for two whole weeks! Oh yea, my name is Emili, what about you?
Kora: Kora. Kora...Yorps.
Emili: (Smiles) Hello there, nice to meet you Kora!
(Emili walks inside. Kora waits outside and examines around)
Kora thoughts: This bakery smells so good…... Or maybe all bakeries smell like this? I'm not sure, but I bet the food here tastes really good too.
Kora thoughts: That girl... Emili, what a kind person... Mother has always told me to be careful of strangers when I get outside. She told me some people may act kind but they really aren't. Is that what Emili is doing? ...No, I shouldn't make such assumptions on someone who is being so kind to me.
Kora thoughts: (Looks outside) The sun is almost down... But everyone is still outside. I thought everyone would be going home once the sun starts setting.
Kora thoughts: The sunset... It's so beautiful... I wonder if it was this beautiful back when I was in the hospital. I think I never really paid attention to the scenery. I was always looking down at the people. Especially the kids that were my age... I was too envious of them to take a good look at the sunset.
Kora: (Watches the people going there and here) I thought this place was different, but I guess people never change. They always look so busy...
Man: You think so huh? I guess that's what humans are born for. Always busy to get things done.
Kora: (Startled) --Ah! Uh, um, hello! I, um, Emili...?
Kora thoughts: That scared me! Can't believe I accidentally spluttered my thoughts out! And who is this man?
Ken: (Big smile) Hello, young lady! I am Ken the baker! The baker of this bakery! Well, obviously. Is there anything you need?
(Just Kora was about to speak, Emili finally comes out with a pan in her hand. A sweet smell of bread spreads around the room)
Emili: Here! Sorry for all the waiting! --Oh! Dad!
Ken: Hello, dear Emili! Isn't that your new recipe?
Emili: Yup! I got myself a new taster! Kora, this is my dad. He's the best baker of all times! Dad, this is Kora. My taster and savior!
Kora thoughts: Oh... He's Emili's dad. No wonder they looked kind of similar.
Kora: Hello! My name is Kora.
Ken: Kora! Nice to meet you. Please, feel free to ask me for any help, being my daughter's taster is quite tough. (Winks)
Emili: (Coughs) Ahem! Dad, you may leave now. (Whispers to Kora) Don't listen to my dad, I'm not that bad of a baker. Although I may not be as good as Dad... I'm not lying! Here, try this! It's not bad, right?
(Kora takes a bite of the bread. The sweet taste of bread quickly fills her mouth. She swallows the bite and was about to give her compliments to Emili--)
(--"BOOM"--)
Kora thoughts: ?! Wha-What was that?! An explosion?!
Kora thoughts: It's so noisy outside... People are, screaming?!
People: The Defus... It's the Defus! They are attacking! Quickly, run!
Kora: Defus...? What is that? Emili, what's going on -- Emili? Are you alright?
(Kora turns to Emili, she sees Emili completely in shock. Her mouths wide open and eyes full of fear. Kora tries to touch her, in response Emili flinches and the pan of bread dropped to the ground)
Kora: Emili…? Are you alright
Ken: (Holds Emili tight) It's alright, it's fine, everything would be fine Emili.
Man from outside: --Ken! Hurry, we have to get to the shelter!
Ken: (Holds Emili) Come one Emili, we have to leave. The Letze Knights would come soon, and they will settle the issue. (To the man outside) We're coming now!
Ken: And you, Kora young lady, hurry and follow us.