Jiro and Shira walked side by side, following the path shown by the bandit earlier. The forest began to thin out, replaced by rocks and more scattered shrubs.
Shira looked around with curiosity. "So, are we really going to find our way out of this forest?" she asked hesitantly.
Jiro nodded, "Yes, that's what one of the bandits said. We should soon reach an open area."
They continued to walk in silence for a while, until Shira spoke up again.
"Jiro... About what happened in the cave earlier," she said hesitantly. "What did you do to them?"
Jiro paused for a moment before answering calmly. "I just did what I had to do to protect us, Shira."
Shira frowned, "But... you killed them. I know they were bad, but was there really no other way?"
Jiro sighed. "I had no choice, Shira. They were too dangerous to be left alive. I couldn't risk them coming back for revenge in the future."
Shira lowered her head, visibly uncomfortable with Jiro's explanation. "I understand you did it to protect me, but... I don't like seeing blood and violence like that."
Jiro stopped walking, then turned to face Shira. He gently held her shoulders. "Shira, listen to me. I did all of that because I want you to be safe. You're my best friend, and I won't let anyone hurt you."
Shira looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. "But don't you regret it, Jiro? I don't want you to become like them, involved in violence and killing."
Jiro wanted to say that he didn't regret it at all, and that he actually felt this world suited him well, where they could do whatever they wanted as long as they had the power.
However, he couldn't say it out loud in front of his friend.
Jiro smiled gently. "No, Shira. I don't regret what I did. As long as it's to protect you, I'd do anything necessary."
It was a lie, Jiro's words were a lie. The truth was he did it to protect himself. He was a selfish person.
In fact, Jiro didn't want to protect his friend, but his body moved on its own. He himself was confused as to whether he truly cared for his friend.
Shira was stunned by Jiro's words. She felt warmth spreading in her chest, making her heart race faster. Somehow, Jiro's words made her feel incredibly valued.
Deep down, Shira wondered. Did she really deserve Jiro's protection in such a manner? Would she continue to burden her friend and involve Jiro in acts of violence?
Shira lowered her head, hesitating. "Jiro... I'm afraid that one day I'll end up getting you hurt again because of me. I don't want you to become a cruel person just to protect me."
Jiro gently lifted Shira's chin, forcing the girl to meet his eyes. "Shira, listen to me. No matter what happens, I'll never regret protecting you. You're my friend, and I'll always be here for you."
Shira was captivated, mesmerized by Jiro's gentle and sincere gaze. Without realizing it, she felt herself being drawn into the charm of Kurojiro Hayashi. Her heart pounded, and she began to realize that her feelings for Jiro might have changed.
All this time, Shira had always regarded Jiro as an irreplaceable best friend. But now, something was different. Jiro wasn't just a friend in her eyes but someone truly important. Shira didn't want to lose Jiro, didn't want Jiro to become cruel, and didn't want Jiro to get hurt because of her.
Shira bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the tumult of emotions within her. Should she fully accept her identity as a fox girl? Or should she fight to return to being a man, as she once was?
These questions kept swirling in Shira's mind, making her increasingly confused. But before Shira could find her answer, Jiro called to her again.
"Shira, we're there," Jiro said, pointing ahead.
Shira lifted her head, amazed by the view before them. An expanse of grassland spread out, with a clear blue sky stretching toward the horizon. A gentle breeze blew softly, caressing Shira's white hair.
"It's beautiful..." Shira murmured, captivated by the sight so different from the dark forest they had just left.
Jiro smiled, observing Shira's enthusiasm. "Yes, we finally made it out of the forest. Now we need to figure out where we are and what to do next."
Shira nodded, then looked back at Jiro. This time, there was a different look in the fox girl's eyes—a look filled with doubt and complex emotions.
Jiro noticed the change in Shira's expression and asked gently, "What makes you look so confused, Shira?"
Shira was silent for a moment before finally responding softly, "Jiro... I don't know what to do with myself. I'm still confused about my current identity."
Jiro gazed at Shira with an understanding look. He knew the transformation his friend had undergone wasn't easy. Gently, he pulled Shira into a hug.
"I know this is all difficult for you, Shira. But I'll always be here for you, helping you find your way," Jiro whispered as he stroked Shira's white hair.
Shira returned Jiro's embrace, feeling safe and comfortable in her friend's arms. She knew that no matter what happened, Jiro would always be there for her.
With that assurance, Shira slowly began to find peace within herself. Perhaps embracing her identity as a fox girl wasn't a bad thing. As long as Jiro was by her side, Shira would be ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Together, Jiro and Shira stepped out of the forest, heading toward a new world full of possibilities. Whatever they would encounter there, one thing was certain—they would face it together, as inseparable friends.
At this moment, Shira didn't know that all of Jiro's expressions and words were a lie. She didn't realize that perhaps Jiro had been deceiving her all along, she was just too naïve to understand.
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I'm a beginner writer