(Ophelia)
***
The fierce current pulled us forward, so we moved northward alongside thousands of other people. I didn't get a chance to confront Koharu about what she said, but I figured my expression did all the scolding it needed to.
*Next time, just let me answer.*
"Wow," Koharu remarked after we were swept past a few blocks of buildings. "This place is nuts."
"It is. It's a whirlpool of people. I've never seen this many in Mirai."
"Neither have I," she replied. "I'm shocked the capital is still called Orbis. I haven't heard of any of the other towns, though."
"Not even Flor?" I asked as my feet ached from the sharp rocks on the concrete drilling into my soles.
She glanced up to the sky to sort through her brain's compartments of knowledge. "Yes, actually. I think I've heard of it. It's the city of beautiful flowers, right?"
"Yeah."
Something caught my attention, and I let my eyes trail down it.
"Hey,"—I pointed to a large stream of people aiming in a conflicting direction—"there's a road going west."
Koharu smiled as if we stumbled upon buried treasure. "Let's take it."
We joined the wave of people crashing along the buildings. Eventually, the structures thinned out like animals by the shore, but many people still crowded around us like zealous beachgoers. In the midst of the urban chaos, Koharu extended her hand to interlace her fingers with mine and pecked me on the cheek. I shook her off.
*Kisses from you always make me happy, but…*
"Koharu, we're in public."
"And?" She laughed. "The people here care about as much as I would if a civilian got a haircut."
"And that's how we ended up here in the first place."
I wasn't going to back down (much). Though, she always found a way to break down my walls.
With a wink, she reached for my hand again. "Whatever. I'll pull you into an alley later."
I side-eyed her for that feeling like an innuendo, but I allowed her to keep our palms pressed together. It was easily excusable as a precaution to not get lost. (Never mind that longing for closeness that threatened to supersede the petty distrust I felt.)
*Actually, leave that there. That soft touch is the only thing keeping me sane right now.*
Frankly, nobody questioned us while we continued forward, and the tall buildings faded into humble homes and itty-bitty businesses. This area seemed much more like Mirai than the megalithic city. I wondered how substantial Orbis would appear in comparison.
It was mid-afternoon when the empty feeling of hunger wrenched my stomach—almost dizzy and a little weak. The first pricks of a headache nicked my brain, rendering me unable to think coherently.
Koharu and I still hadn't eaten since we arrived despite our short-lived jokes, and my parched throat added to the discomfort. Had it not been as chilly as it was outdoors, I would have been as thirsty as a desert traveller with no oasis, but I was fortunate in that regard. Still, a cup of water would be essential at some point.
WHOOSH!
I was pulled back and to my right, startled by the change in motion. Koharu smiled as I stopped abruptly.
I raised an eyebrow at her. We were in an alley lit perfectly well by the overhead sun.
*I didn't think you'd act upon your words so early.*
"Look by the metal crate," she directed.
Beside the green container that was the size of a few people were thin white boxes. The tops were propped open to reveal flat pieces of circular bread. I smelled them from where I stood—the delicious scents of cheese, tomatoes, and a variety of meats and vegetables pervading my nostrils and adding to the aching in my gut. I grinned and almost slid an arm around Koharu's waist before I halted myself.
I chuckled. "How did you even notice this?"
With a goofy expression on her face, she pointed at me by poking my nose. "You just aren't paying attention, Lia."
I hadn't heard her use that nickname in a while, and it made me stupidly happy. "Let's grab them then and keep going."
"No!" she whined. "Let's rest somewhere nearby. We've been walking all day." Weakly, she grabbed my arm and tugged on it. "Come on."
I scanned the area, scrunching up my nose. "I wasn't expecting you to be okay with eating in grime and filth."
*I wouldn't even do it. That pile of rotten trash probably has ten diseases in it alone.*
She frowned. "I'm not. That's why I said nearby. There are tables with umbrellas right in front of the building."
I softened some when we were not under the spotlight of the public eye. Giggling in relief, I responded, "All right."
Koharu picked up two of the boxes and gestured towards me.
"I could have gotten those, you know," I said as I lifted the last one from the ground.
She stuck out her tongue.
"I don't care." She held out a finger teasingly and beckoned me—coy and calculated. "Follow me."
And so I did.
*She's still the only hope I have in this shithole.*