Emili: Kora, what are you doing?
Kora: (Turns around) Emili! Hi, I'm practicing writing. Ken gave me a book to learn, it's like a basic study book for the language of this country.
Emili: (Blinks) Kora, you can't read or write?
Kora: (Embarrassed) Uh, yea... At least the words in this country aren't familiar to me. Last time Jek asked me to buy some goods for him, and it wasn't until I went out of the house that I realized I can't read a single word on the paper... I had to ask around for people to help me understand what was listed on the paper.
Emili: (Confused) But... didn't you say you read books before in the "Hospital"?
Kora: Yea... I'm also a bit confused. I can't remember the words on the books, but I think it's different from the language here. If I have seen or heard of something in the past, I would've at least felt familiar.
(Hearing Kora's explanation, Emili suddenly turns dead silent. Her face is cold as ice, which made Kora a bit nervous seeing her reaction)
Kora: Uh... Emili, are you alright? Did I say something wrong?
Emili: (Complex face) ...Kora, you... aren't from Frendrilk, are you?
Kora: (Surprised) What--? N-no! Nonono! Uh, I mean, maybe not? (Emili's face turns colder by Kora's words) B-but I don't feel familiar from their clothes or flags either! Besides, if I really were one of the Frendrilk people, how could I have gone all the way up to here?
Emili: (Expression eases) ...You have a point. And you're so small and thin... Without food and money, I doubt you could even step into the borders. Sorry... I got so suspicious about you... It's just, you said how you don't recognize our language so I couldn't help wondering where were you from...
Kora: (Relieved) Y-yea, I'm also wondering. I don't have that part of my memory at all.
Kora thoughts: More like, all the things in my memory that I can vaguely remember does not match the things I see in this country... So weird, it's like coming to a completely different world.
(Kora completely lost in her thoughts)
Emili: (Pats on Kora's shoulder) It's okay, don't worry too much. You're probably just having some weird dreams that are confusing your memories. Let's forget about them for now. Show me your learning progress!
Kora: Huh? Oh, yeah sure. (Gives Emili her paper) I just started, so it's just some easy vocabulary and simple greetings.
Emili: (Examines) Hmm... How strange.
Kora: (Nervous) What's wrong?
Emili: Nah. I was just wondering how you can communicate with us perfectly fine but is unable to write down the words and sentences, even though you can use them properly in daily conversations.
Kora: Oh. Yea, you're right...
Kora thoughts: She's right... If I can't understand their language, how could I talk to them without any issue? It doesn't make sense... Everything about me is like a mystery, and I'm the one that is most confused. Just who am I...?
Emili: (Shakes head) Whatever. Father did say the world is full of unexplainable phenomenons, you can't waste your time trying to solve the mystery of each and every one of them. Let's not focus too hard on this problem. (Jokingly laughs) Besides, it's so much easier to teach people that don't have communication issues, as long as you can understand what I'm saying, I'm sure you're going to learn fast. Here, give me the pen.
Kora: (Hands over pen) Thank you, Emili.
Emili: No worries. (Starts writing) --You see, these are the basics that you have to memorize. Everything is going to be straightforward after you get the hang of this. Then you can start grammar, I know you can talk perfectly fine but no one knows when you would need to write, and only memorizing vocabularies won't help when constructing sentences.
Kora: (Focused) Ok, I got it.
Emili: Understanding how to create sentences also helps to memorize the meanings of vocabularies faster. Here, remember this is homework okay? Ask me if you have any questions. Though I'm pretty busy in the morning, but I'll come by every night!
Kora: (Touched) Ok, thanks! (Suddenly thought of something and starts fidgeting) Uh... Well, Emili...
Emili: Yes?
Kora thoughts: To be honest... I really can't promise that I am definitely not from Frendrilk. If I end up finding the hospital in my memory there, then it would prove that I am actually... from the enemy country of my best friend... Then, Emili would hate me too.
Kora thoughts: I really shouldn't be hiding stuff from her, but... I feel like I should keep this prediction a secret before I find out why she hates Frendrilks so much.
Emili: (Worried) Kora? You alright? Are you hurt anywhere?
Kora: N-no, I'm fine. Sorry I got you worried.
Emili: What's the matter? What were you thinking before?
Kora: W-well, I was just wondering... Why do you hate the Frendrilks? I know it's because they are your enemy country, and so of course as the citizens of Askalandra you would despise them. But... from your behavior earlier, I thought if there were maybe other deeper reasons to why you hate them so much...
Kora: (Quickly) Of course, if you feel uncomfortable you don't have to tell me! Sorry, I'm just barging into your business...
(Kora lowers her head, unable to meet Emili's eyes)
Emili: (Softly) It's alright. So you finally asked, huh? I was wondering when you would start asking me this question (Smiles gently). Although it is a bit difficult for me to tell you the details... Just remembering what happened horrifies me, and drowns me in rage. You've seen how I reacted to the Defus attack, haven't you? (Laughs awkwardly) It's quite embarrassing.
Kora thoughts: She's probably talking about when we first met. She really did frighten me back then, it was like she couldn't hear or see anything anymore, lost in her own fears, all she could do is tremble and cry.
Kora: Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it we can change the subject--
Emili: (Shakes) No, it's fine. You already asked, didn't you? It's better to tell you now than later. (Takes a deep breath) The reason... is my mother.
Kora: Your... mother?
Emili: (Nods) Yes. The Defus... They took my mother. They... killed her. (Trembles) I won't forgive them. I won't forgive a single soul in that rotten country, even their newborn baby are just the offspring of the devil to me. Not a single human born on that land is innocent for my mother's death! My father... He has never recovered from that day and is never the same man anymore... I could see his sorrow isn't any less than mine. Dan, even Dan--
Kora: Emili...
(Seeing how Emili is getting more and more out of control, Kora gently places her hand on Emili's trembling arm, trying to comfort her)
Emili: (Smiles gently) Thank you... I'm fine. (Shakes head) Don't worry, I won't let them take away people that are important to me anymore, you too. (Grabs Kora's hands and holds them tightly) I'll protect you. Though it might seem a bit unconvincing to hear from a person that was just protected from you... (Laughs) But I promise I won't let that happen again. Trust me, someday... We will destroy Frendrilk.
Kora: Uh, y-yea, thank you, Emili...
Emili: (Brightens up) Okie dokie! Away with the depressing stuff! Back to studying, studying! You have a lot to memorize, Kora! Wait here, I have more books in my own room, I'll get you some. It's easier to learn with a guidebook.
(Emili leaves the room)
Kora thoughts: Emili... I hope we can stay as friends forever. But... if I really am a Frendrilk... then what should I do? I...
(Kora shakes her head anxiously)
Kora thoughts: I shouldn't think about the negatives... It'll be alright. Emili and I would stay as friends, we're going to be best friends forever... I'm sure that'll never change.