It was any other day in Arkala Town and was as vibrant as ever.
The civilians walked. Most people passed several people playing music through the districts, while some spoke to shopkeepers for items at the market.
A woman entered Emma's shop, "Hey, Emma! Good to see you being as hard-working as always!" Smiled the woman, stepping in front of Emma's counter that had a variety of fruits and vegetables.
"You know me. Somebody's gotta provide people with ingredients, and it just so happens I'm the perfect person for that kind of stuff, Sam." Emma chuckled, holding a napkin in her left hand. "So, have you come here to buy something or just talk?"
Sam reached into her pocket and dragged out a purse with coins. "I came to buy Zibberind. You know, the usual." She chuckled and placed the coins on the counter. "Oh, I ran out of it, but don't worry. Chiaki and Blythe went to get some. Mind if you wait for a few minutes? They'll be here soon." Emma claimed with a friendly smile.
"Yeah! I'm not in a rush. Must be nice to have some help at the shop."
With a friendly smile, Sam claimed. "Ever since I found Chiaki and Blythe on the shore 5 years ago. The business's been much easier to deal with, and with their help, I have enough greens ready at the shop. And even if not, those two are always active and bring me more." Smiled Emma, wiping the counter with a napkin.
"Yeah, I know. Those two are really friendly and helpful. It's sad that the other kids in the town aren't fond of them because of their history." Sam explained with a deep sigh.
"Chiaki became a lively girl, despite other children disliking her. But she has her brother with her the whole time. I'm pretty sure Chiaki couldn't ask for a better brother." Emma grabbed a Shohiva fruit and washed it under the sink, placing it into the bowl.
"Do they know about their mother?" Questioned Sam, noticing that Emma became saddened. "I haven't told them yet. The Deadly Rain was fatal for thousands of innocent people, the Yasuda people, the pirates and marines, including their mother." Emma explained, grabbing another fruit to wash.
"You should tell them. They need to know. Besides, you've done an amazing job in raising them. You're pretty much a mother to them. You've given them everything to become what they are now." Sam responded, "Let me help you. If you don't mind?"
Emma raised her gaze at her, smiled, and nodded. "It's no problem, really. I can handle a few dirty fruits."
Sam walked toward the counter and lifted the trapdoor. "Come on. Don't be so stubborn," Sam chuckled, "More arms, the better." Sam grabbed the vegetables and used the second sink to help Emma.
"All right then, Sam. If you're already willing to help, be my guest."
Chiaki held a basket as she ran through the city with her arms spread like a plane. "Look at me, big brother! I'm a plane!" She continued swaying left and right like a real airplane.
Blythe followed behind her, "Chiaki, be careful. We don't want to drop the fruits and vegetables we picked up from the forest." Blythe was 17 years old, and Chiaki turned 5 since the first time they met with Emma.
"Aw, big brother! I'm not that clumsy!" She called, starting to run around him. Blythe looked at her circling him. "I know, but you never know when you'll slip. Besides, we're almost home. I wouldn't want to go back and pick up the fruits because you lost a few."
Suddenly Chiaki's cheeks puffed and blushed from slight disappointment. "You're lazy. You know that, big brother." Blythe blinked in confusion. "I'm not lazy. Emma will need some help at the store. So if we go back, we'll waste more time. And we haven't had lunch yet either." He explained, seeing Chiaki crossing her slim hands, the basket hanging past her elbow. "Aw... fine... But you're still lazy." She called and turned around. She began walking confidently and grumpily, taking longer steps.
Blythe cocked his head to the side and smiled. "Then I'm lazy. You win, Chiaki." He called, walking behind her to keep an eye out for her.
There were other children in the vicinity, and everyone looked at Chiaki. "Look, it's that silly girl who got out alive from the Deadly Rain." One kid pointed, "I wish she didn't. We wouldn't need to worry about pirates or the world government attacking us in the future." They tried to keep as silent as possible, but Chiaki and Blythe seemed uncomfortable.
"Nobody likes you, little swine!" A girl shouted, "Why don't you just go cut yourself some more and run around trying to get attention!" Shouted a boy. "And try not to fall, loser!" Another boy yelled out.
Chiaki's tried to ignore them, but the more insults she received, the more she felt betrayed and disposable. "Come on, that's not nice! She's too young." Another boy called but immediately received a spit in his face. "Oh!? Are you her little boyfriend trying to defend her, or what? Because if that's your little girlfriend, then you may as well get some campfire to cook that little piggy!"
"Knock it off!" The boy called, but every bully denied it and laughed in his face as another girl noticed Chiaki's face. "Oh! Are you gonna cry, little baby!"
Suddenly Blythe became infuriated. "That's enough!" He shouted and immediately scared the children in the distance.
"He's angry!" A girl called.
"If you want to bully someone, then do it to me! What did my sister do to deserve that? You're just a bunch of immature children that need better parents!" Blythe shouted, his eyes glowing red.
"Run! He's going to attack us!" The children ran into the distance in fear and anxiety, calling out for their parents.
Chiaki gazed down at the ground and grabbed Blythe's shin. "Big brother, why do other children not like me? Am I really a bad person?" She was sorrowful and barely managed to hold firmly. "Chiaki, don't say that."
He reached for the top of her head and gently moved her hair from her view. "You're not, don't listen to them. They are just a bunch of silly kids who say stuff out of boredom. You're perfect as you are, and nobody should change your perspective. It could bite you in the future." Blythe explained, trying to appear as solemn and kind as possible for her to understand.
"You always say that, big brother. But those children keep saying mean stuff about me, and I don't like it, even if I try to ignore them." She explained, grasping Blythe's shin tighter with her hands. "I know... I know. I really do, Chiaki. But please, listen to your big brother. When they grow up, those kids will regret what they said and will wish to go back in the future to fix it."
His explanation finally caused Chiaki to smile a little. "Now, let's go back home and talk to Emma. She's probably already wondering what's taking us so long." He said, gently patting the top of her head.
"O-Okay!"
Chiaki grabbed his hand and felt his warm grasp holding her tight.
To be continued...