Curry is a preferred dish made by travellers because the ingredients to make it are obtainable in the wild. Any meat can be made into a delicious curry, that being said, deer meat would complement the curry. The pot that was placed above the fire, was filled with water in preparation, and Shin quickly prepared the spices. By the time Shin is ready, the water has reached a boiling point.
The deer meat that was cut into dice and thrown in the pot enhanced the smell of already mouthwatering curry. Eira was amazed by Shin's cooking skills, her intrigued face as she got closer to peek at the pot became slightly red; she was excited about the meal as she had never eaten anything that tasted slightly tasty in her life.
"You're incredible." Eira compliments him. Shin let her taste the curry, "I've never eaten something this good." She breathes the cold air to cool down the hot meal in her mouth.
"Thank you,"
As a high-ranking general, Shin had learned how to cook as it was important for survival and because it would be a convenient skill to have as a spy. He had studied various types of dishes from a lot of different cultures. Shin continued honing his cooking skills as they were really useful even after the war had ended.
"...Here," Shin handed her a steaming bowl coming from the hot curry inside.
Eira had a soft smile on her face, indicating that she was really grateful for the meal he made for her and her father. She brought the curry over to her father, her exposed arm looked thin as she blew the curry to feed her father. Eira looked happy as she prioritised her father before her, simply showing how much love she had for her father.
Shin always feels better everytime he gets to help someone, but he feels something different this time. Could it be… No, it must've been something else.
Eira's father went to sleep right after he had finished the meal. Shin approaches Eira with another bowl of steaming hot curry in his right hand.
"Here's more,"
Eira's face shifted into confusion, she had presumably assumed that one bowl is all she and her father get to eat for tonight. Eira didn't expect anything more from Shin, she didn't how to react to his kindness. Even when she was still a child, Eira had to become strong to take care of her ill father, she had someone relying on her. Now, she felt as if those weights just disappeared. Her emotions overwhelm her.
"Tha-" Shin shoved a spoonful of meat into her mouth before she could get a word out. Her face becomes bright red from how embarrassing that was.
"How is that..?" Shin asked nonchalantly, with his innocent smile.
She looked visibly annoyed at how he just cut her off, it brushed off all the emotions just a moment ago, as she wiped the curry off her cheek, but she couldn't say anything with her mouth full. Eira still feels deep gratitude toward Shin, but she decided to keep it to herself as she could see that Shin does this out of the kindness of his heart and he wouldn't want her to be too grateful toward him.
Shin looked happy as Eira enjoyed eating the meal he had put some effort into, from the side Eira looked as if she really never enjoyed her life all that much. Eira only knew work all her life so that she could take care of her father. Shin had an idea to get some heat off her head.
Shin has a gentle smile on his face as he looks at Eira who had enjoyed the meal.
"Do you want to see something incredible?"
Eira looked curious as she moved closer to him. "Yes, I want to see that with you!" She flustered and looked down to the ground, hiding her red face after realising what she just said. She stretched her arms out and pushed him away. "It-it's not like that."
"Alright then, follow me." Shin reached down to her.
"..." Eira froze for a moment as her face slowly turned red again before she caught Shin's hand. She was feeling a bit confused about the emotion she just felt, never in her life experienced that, not even toward her father.
***
"What are we doing here?" she asked in confusion.
Apparently, Shin had brought Eira to the base of the mountain, the dark of the woods spooked her. She tried to come up with any possibility of why Shin brought her here, although it was already midnight. It can't be to climb the mountain right? It would take hours and hours to even climb half of it. Eira had thought for a second to just return but Shin reassured her yet again.
"We'll be quick, follow me."
The path to the top is barely visible with trees often blocking the way. Eira already breathing heavily, the steps getting shorter each time. Shin noticed it and reached out his hand and asked.
"Let me?"
Eira doesn't want to be a burden to Shin, after all, he has already done for her, she refuses. "No, I can do this myself." She smiled, covering her exhausted face.
Although Eira had already refused, Shin then picked her up and carried her on his back anyway.
"It's ok, you don't have to force yourself." Shin gave her a gentle smile.
Eira flustered, she leans on his back hiding her face, "Why are you doing this."
"Don't worry I'll get you there safe and sound."
"That's not what I mean," she mumbled as her flustered face covered by his back.
***
The mist was thick and the air on the top of this mountain is cold, with every breath they exhaled it turned into fog. However, the atmosphere is far thinner than it is on the ground, and Eira's visibility breathing deeper with every breath. But her excitement washed over that. Her eyes were wide open astonished by the stars shining beautifully above their head.
"Amazing… It's stunning."
He put her down and they both gazed at the sky and admired the beauty of the stars. While enjoying the moment together.
Shin asked. "Eira, is there something that your heart desires the most?"
"My heart desires?" She asked.
"Yes, is there something that you really want?"
"I don't know… Probably the purpose of life." She smiled.
Curious, he asked. "Purpose of life?"
"You know that my dad is the only reason for me to continue living… I'm not going to be naive or anything but I know that one day my dad's going to leave me alone in this world… Until the day comes, I don't know what my purpose is to live."
With the back of his hand, he moved her hair to the side and held her head from the back. "Eira, you're stunning… You outshine the night sky."
Flustered, her face became bright red. "What, why so sudden..?"
Shin continued talking. "You should be your purpose to live… You should be someone's purpose to live… Nobody can say otherwise." His forehead touches hers before he lets go of her head.
Embarrassed, she says. "I got it ok…" she blushes; looking at the sky. "Outshine the night sky huh?" She thought to herself.
She then leans toward Shin. Enjoying the moment, slowly she fell asleep on his side.
In the morning Eira woke up and found herself sleeping in her house.
Seeing Shin outside the house, ready to leave. "Wait, Shin wait!" she yelled.
Shin looked back at her. "What is it?"
Eira got up and ran up to him. "Where are you going?"
Shin pointed in the direction of Naga Town. "I will be going there."
Eira looked confused. "To Naga Town? Wait why so sudden? I thought you were staying here longer."
Shin then turned to her. "I'm sorry but I can't stay here any longer. I have to get going."
Eira looked disappointed, she turned her head down.
Shin then gave her a necklace. "This necklace will prevent dangers from you, you don't have to worry anymore."
She held the necklace in her hands. "Tha-thanks you!" She looked up and saw the yellow eyes of Shin, her face became bright red. "Is anything wrong?"
"You have such a beautiful eyes."
"Thank you." He smiled; Shin then continued his journey to Naga Town, leaving Eira and her dad.
From the distance, Eira yelled. "Shin! I think I want to travel the world as you do! Tha-that'll be the purpose of my life! Then maybe… Maybe one day we could meet again under the night sky. And if we cross paths again, can we gaze at the stars together? Can we? Shin Naga?"
Shin turned around. "I'm looking forward to it! Until the day comes please take care of yourself. I'm sure the day we meet again is going to be more beautiful." Shin continues walking further and harder to be seen by Eira.
Tears come flowing down, Eira yelled. "Shin! Shin! That night, the moon! The moon is beautiful isn't it?" With tears flowing down her cheeks, she smiled knowing Shin didn't hear her anymore. "One day, we'll meet again and that's a promise!" She said to herself.
***
Naga Town used to be a village of my kind, Naga. Influence from the east started to grow here, almost all of my kind were pushed out of this town. Mother and father are not one of them. Right now, this town is just a lawless shed that attracts all kinds of criminals. My treasured mother gave birth to me here as a single mom after my father's death. He was not ill or died in battle, he was murdered by a noble from the Nigati Kingdom. I used to be naive that I couldn't comprehend how someone could carelessly take the life of another without care in the world.
The moment I stepped foot here I could already tell that this town still looked the same as the last I was here. My boots clicked against the uneven cobblestone streets, the echoes reverberating through the dark alleyways that seemed to swallow the feeble light of flickering streetlamps.
This place never changed huh?
North from here is kemono village, I stare in that direction for a while.
Kemono village is in the opposite direction from my next destination… This is probably going to take me another 50 years to meet with Chief again.
Naga Town clung to its notorious reputation like a stubborn stain, and the air was thick with the familiar scent of lawlessness. Most adventurers would prefer to avoid this town at all costs. It's understandable since this place is basically a hiding place for crooks. Another special feature in this town is fights occurring in all of the bars in this town. Though, the bartenders looked like they had been used to it by now.
***