Violet thought everything about her early discussion with her grandfather about the world she thought was just fictional. What else is there? Is there anything more? By all she knew, her grandfather just taught her the first level of everything.
As she ate her breakfast of fruits, eggs, and rice, her mind is drowning with thoughts about the forest and its mysteries that she had failed to hear what her grandfather was talking about. She did listen at first and he was talking about the village down the mountain. She just kept agreeing with him by muttering "Mmhm" to him.
"And today, you will spend the rest of your day in the forest again."
"Mhmm," Violet muttered. Then she seemed to process what his grandfather just said and blurted out as she dropped her spoon and crossed her arms, "Wait... WHAT?! No. Oh no, no, no, no. No way. Nada! There is no way I am going back in there, grandfather! I don't want to get lost again."
Her grandfather smiled warmly the way he always does. "But you won't get lost this time."
"Why would you say that? It's not like I memorized the length of the forest when I got stuck in there last time."
"You will have a guide this time. One that I can trust and I know you do too."
"Great," Violet said with a groan. "And who might that be? Last time I checked, I don't know anyone in this place except you."
"So, you don't know me?" a voice said as a loud thump on the ground came.
Violet screamed and stood up upon the presence of the kitsune she just met last night.
"You?!" Violet said and pointed a finger at Renji.
"Woah. Easy there, chickadee," Renji said in a teasing tone. "Is that how you speak to someone so early in the morning?" Renji then pretended to be hurt. "Ouch. That's very saddening."
"What are you doing here?!" Violet exclaimed and clearly didn't care about Renji's charade just now.
"What am I doing here, you say? Well, hate to break it to you, but I will be your guide to the Suzuki Forest today."
"Why you?!"
"Ask your grandfather," Renji said simply while truthfully, he himself also wanted to know.
Violet rolled her eyes at him then looked at his grandfather. "Why him?"
Grandfather Seto sipped on his cup of tea like this is not a problem at all. "Well, just like I said, I trust him and I know you do, too."
Renji started acting flattered to tease Violet again. "Aww. Do you trust me? That's really touching."
Violet finally decided to hit him on the head.
A tiny "Ow" can be heard from Renji as Violet turned to his grandfather, "Who told you I trust him?! I don't! I only met this creature last night! If you think one night is enough to build a firm trust between two parties, then you're wrong, grandfather."
"Even if he just saved your life last night for your carelessness?"
Violet paused. His grandfather became firm about this topic and he is not usually like that. "Even if he just saved my life!" Violet urged.
"Well then," Grandfather Seto said as he placed down his cup on the table. "You two better start building that trust."
"Why should we anyway?"
"It is the least you could do to repay him for saving you."
"But-"
"No more buts, dear grandchild," Grandfather Seto said that gave Violet no more choice but to shut up. "Now," Grandfather Seto said. "Renji, would you like to join us for a little breakfast?"
"If it is alright," Renji said bashfully.
"Why, of course, it is alright! Dig in!" Grandfather Seto said and patted the available space between him and Violet. The old man then turned to Violet. "Would you be so kind as to get a plate and utensils for our guest?"
"Yes, grandfather," Violet mumbled and got up after a little kick she gave to Renji under the table that she clearly didn't hide from her grandfather.