CHAPTER 03
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The sun had just risen, casting a warm glow over the forest. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of pine and earth. I decided it was the perfect time for some early morning stretching and practice.
I headed to the small clearing near our makeshift home, where I had spent countless hours training under Yoru's watchful eye. As I began my stretches, the familiar routine brought a sense of calm and focus.
After warming up, I picked up my practice sword and started running through the drills Yoru had taught me. Each swing, each step, felt more precise than the last. I could feel my skills improving day by day.
Just as I was getting into the rhythm of my practice, dark clouds began to gather overhead. A few moments later, the first raindrops started to fall. I paused, looking up at the sky.
"Looks like a storm's coming," I muttered to myself.
The rain quickly intensified, turning the clearing into a muddy mess. I sheathed my sword and started to head back to the shelter when I heard a faint cry.
"Help! Is anyone there?"
I turned toward the voice and saw a young girl about my age, soaked to the skin and shivering under a large tree. Her eyes were wide with fear.
Without a second thought, I ran over to her.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, offering her my hand.
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears. "I... I'm lost. I don't know how I got here."
"Come on, let's get you out of the rain," I said, helping her to her feet. "My place isn't far from here."
We hurried back through the rain, the storm growing fiercer with every step. By the time we reached the shelter, we were both drenched. I led her inside and handed her a dry blanket. "Here, use this."
I gave the towel with a smile.
"... Uh-uhm... Are you a demon?" she asked in a scared tone, on guard.
Her words echoed in my head.
--- Right... What am I doing? I asked myself.
--- Because for three years that I'm in this forest, I'm with Master Yoru. I only felt and experienced peace. That's why I forgot about it. I just brought a human girl into the place where I, a demon, am staying...
As I thought of that, many questions flashed through my mind.
--- What would happen if she were to tell the other humans about me and they came here to subjugate me? What if they attacked this forest? What if they took me from here, from this peace? ... I wouldn't like that.
My smile faded and my mood fell gloomy.
I was scared...
"... I-I'm not," I said with a slightly loud voice, "Wh-what are you talking about?"
I turned around and reached for my sword slowly.
--- My conscience would probably haunt me after this, but if I can stay with this current peaceful life, I would, even if I were to kill this innocent girl...
I gripped the hilt of my sword with the intent to kill.
But then...
"It's okay, even if you are, I know you're a good person. You helped me, after all," she said.
Her voice echoed in my mind and woke me up to reality.
I looked back at her and saw a bright smile on her face.
Now that I had a better sight of her, I could say...
--- She's pretty.
Her voice was gentle, her eyes were cute, and her face was beautiful. But... something made me feel uncomfortable...
My heart was beating so fast and my face was heating up.
Maybe because it was my first time seeing a girl, and... her clothes were drenched, I could almost see through them.
"Th-thanks, use this," I said and looked away.
Tonight, I should ask Yoru what I'm possibly feeling now.
After the rain stopped, she finally fell asleep. I went outside the shelter to train and wait for Yoru.