On the next day , Minami arrive at the 'South to East' terminal gate and meet with Ren to prepare their gears for Gaoru hunting. After that , she check on his armor to make sure if there's any missing tools or spots that had a hole.
Ren: "Yup , it seems perfectly fine. You're good to go for the hunt."
Minami: "Thank you very much , Urehara-san."
Ren: "Hmm~ , you don't have to be so formal , you know. You can call me Ren."
Minami: "Okay , Ren-san."
As they keep on chatting to one another , their team leader finally arrive and look around to see if anyone on his group is not arrive yet.
Minami: "Who is that ?"
Ren: "Oh him ? , his name is Masayoshi Kojima , our team leader of group 3."
Minami: "I see , he seems very serious about the hunt huh."
Ren: "Well , he's been here longer than me. He must be worry about our group this many and think of the way to secure our safety."
Minami: "I hope so."
Minami look around to see if there's any group is here beside them. Then out of ordinary , a group of 3 peoples arrive at the area but only one of them carries a sniper and a handgun while the other one carry a katana.
Ren: "You must be wondering why there are only 3 of them , right ?. Well , these group are the newly formed of group 9. They are the only group that doesn't scout any new member to join them and I don't know the reason why. The one with the sword and shield is their leader and I believe his name is...what was it again ?...oh , I remember now , it's Ootori Seo."
Minami: "I see , it is a very unique group."
Ren: "Indeed. Despite few in number , they somehow able to fight on their own in sync with one another. It's no wonder they're survived and we are no match against their level unfortunately."
Minami: "Yeah. We probably get in their way if we ended up joining them."
Thus , Minami and Ren proceed to gather on to their group then enter the east building for the hunt. During their hunting , Ren teaches him some basics about what to do when he encounter Gaoru since the monster at their area are mostly weaker than the rest of other building. At first , he's having a hard time on defending himself against a monster who a bit smaller than him so Ren is there to help him whenever he is in trouble. As the days goes on , he is able to catch up with his skill and able to fight alongside Ren against a monster two times bigger than them and manage to defeat it. When the hunting is over , they return to the South building where a festival is held that day. As they arrive at the festival entrance where they see many food and game stalls , he look at Ren and see how excited she is then she look at him with bright eyes.
Ren: "Hey Minami-kun. Can we go ?"
Minami reply with a smile;
Minami: "Sure."
Ren: "Really !? , woohoo!!!. Come on let's go , I can't wait to eat more delicious foods cuz I'm hungry."
Ren grab Minami's hand in a rush toward the festival. Moments later , Minami sit on a nearest bench with Ren as she ate so much foods and now she's holding a stick of candy with sweet golden nectar.
Ren: "To think I'll be able to taste many great foods , oh I thank you Kami-sama for such blessed opportunity."
Minami: "Ahaha...."
Ren: "So , I have something to ask you about."
Minami: "Hmm ? , what is it ?"
Ren: "Well , do you remember anything before you wake up to this place ?"
Minami: "Hmmm well , I do remember last time that I'm on my way to came home from school then suddenly I don't remember much of the rest. When I realize I was asleep , I wake up then ended up to this place."
Ren: "Is that so ? , it's great that you remember that well. As for me , I don't remember much about myself in the past. I wonder what am I doing back then before I came here..."
He could see her sadness within her smile so , he change the subject.
Minami: "W-Well , you must be thirsty since you ate so much , right ?. I'll buy you one so wait here and I'll be right back."
Ren: "Ok , be careful."
After he bought 2 bottles of drinks , he's on his way back to where Ren is when he bump into someone then fall over to the ground. As he regain himself , the person he bumped come to check on him.
???: "Hey , are you alright ?"
Minami: "Yeah I'm fine , sorry for bumping into you."
???: "It's fine. Can you stand ?"
The person give him a hand then Minami grab the person's hand for him to get up.
Minami: "Thank you very much."
As he thank the person , he look at the person's face and he realize that the person he bump into happen to be Seo , the team leader of group 9.
Seo: "You're welcome , are you sure you alright ?"
Minami: "Eh ? uh , yeah..I'm fine"
Seo: "Well , seems like my friends are waiting for me. So , I have to go now , see ya."
Minami: "Oh , bye."
As Seo wave at him , he then continue on his way back to Ren. When he's arrive;
Minami: "I'm sorry I came back longer than I thought."
Ren: "No , it's fine. I'm glad that you're not lost along the way to here. It got me worried , you know."
Minami: "Oh..."
Minami is blushed for a brief moment then;
Minami: "Ahem ahem..b-by the way , I have something for you."
Ren: "Oh , something for me ?"
He then give a small present in his hand to her. It surprise her then gently pick the present from his hand.
Ren: "Do you mind if I open it ?"
Minami: "Sure , please go ahead."
She proceed to open the present. Inside , it is a white crystal necklace with the shape of four sided star that always seen at the sky. As she look at it;
Minami: "I saw it when I'm on my way to buy the drink. I thought it might suit you and all so , I bought it to say thank you for teaching me all these time. I wouldn't have survived without your lesson."
Ren: "Can you help me put this on ?"
Minami: "Eh ? , uh sure."
He stand on her back and help her to put the necklace on. As she let out a breath , she look at him.
Ren: "How do I look ?"
He look at her with the necklace on;
Minami: "You look...beautiful , Ren-san."
As he compliment her with a smile , he could see her expression the one that sad before has turn into a warm smile.
Ren: "Thank you. I will treasure it."
And thus , they stay sitting on the bench for a bit longer as they watch the livelier atmosphere of the festival.
(End of Chapter 2)