Entering the tea shop, Jiro was enveloped by the fragrant aroma of tea welcoming his arrival. The atmosphere inside the shop was quite peaceful, with a few patrons sitting and enjoying their respective drinks. The man gestured for Jiro to take a seat at a table near the window.
"Please have a seat, young man. I'll order the best tea for us," said the man with a broad smile before heading to the counter to place the order.
Jiro looked around carefully, absorbing every detail that might help him understand more about this village. However, a feeling of unease and caution continued to linger in his heart. When the man returned with two cups of tea, Jiro merely smiled politely but didn't touch the tea that was offered.
"Let's enjoy this tea while we discuss this beautiful village," said the man, lifting his cup and sipping slowly with a satisfied expression.
Jiro nodded and then began to inquire, "Could you tell me more about this village? I find this place quite interesting."
The man grinned widely, displaying enthusiasm. "Oh, of course! Our village is known for its peaceful and harmonious life. After the harvest, we have plenty of plentiful food supplies, and every resident here has private livestock in their homes," he explained.
"Isn't it amazing? Raising livestock is a joy. Every morning, people wake up and immediately check on their livestock. There's a sense of satisfaction and pride that's hard to describe when seeing our livestock thrive," he continued, chuckling softly.
He continued his story with an unusual zeal. "Moreover, this village takes great pride in the livestock we raise. Whatever you need, we can get it from these animals. Fresh milk, quality meat, you really should see how extraordinary this village is!"
"Here, every aspect of life is beautifully interconnected. The relationship between humans and livestock in this village goes beyond mere utilization, but also includes friendship. These animals truly become part of our family," the man added, this time with such a broad smile that Jiro sensed something peculiar.
Jiro listened attentively, but the more the man talked about livestock, the more uncomfortable he felt. The way the man described village life sounded too perfect, and the more he spoke about livestock, the stranger it seemed.
The man's smile, initially warm, began to look unsettling, with an inexplicable sinister glint. Jiro suspected a darker and more dangerous meaning behind his words.
"Here, every resident has their personal livestock. It's one of the things we take great pride in. Imagine, every family has their own livestock at home! Isn't it convenient?" the man continued with a small laugh.
"Where all our needs and desires can be perfectly fulfilled just from these livestock," the man carried on, endlessly praising the village as if it was a true utopia.
Jiro's instincts were screaming for him to leave immediately. Something was wrong with this village.
Without hesitation, Jiro decided to act. He interrupted the man's laughter, "Excuse me, could you show me where the restroom is? I'm feeling a bit unwell."
The man appeared momentarily surprised but then smiled again. "Certainly, the restroom is at the back of this shop," he replied politely, although there was an odd gleam in his eyes.
Jiro nodded and tried to smile, then stood up. He made his way swiftly, pretending to head towards the restroom while his real intention was to return to the inn and take Shira away from this village.
As Jiro walked away, the man continued to watch his back with an inscrutable expression. The smile that had previously adorned his face suddenly faded, replaced by a cold and unreadable expression. However, in a moment, his smile reappeared, this time more menacing, stretching wide across his face. The smile exuded a dark aura that could send chills down the spine of anyone who saw it.
Feeling a growing sense of anxiety, Jiro hurried back to the inn. His steps were quick yet calculated, trying not to attract too much attention from others who might be watching with suspicious eyes. But upon reaching the inn, his hope of finding Shira safe and sound began to fade.
Opening the door to their room, he was not greeted by Shira's shy smile from this morning, but by a room that appeared tidy and well-arranged. It was as if no one had occupied the room. The sheets were neatly folded, belongings were in place, and there was no sign of Shira's presence.
Jiro stood frozen for a moment, his gaze meticulously sweeping the room. Although his face might seem calm on the outside, those who truly knew Jiro would understand how angry and anxious he was at that moment. In his heart, the fire of anger began to burn because his close friend had disappeared without a trace.
His first reaction was to seek answers from the innkeeper. With determined steps, Jiro headed to the reception on the ground floor. However, upon arrival, he found no one attending the desk. The place was empty, and the previously normal atmosphere now transformed into a silent and eerie zone.
Jiro felt a strong urge to act immediately. He stepped out of the inn, hoping to find traces of Shira's whereabouts in the village streets. However, what greeted him was a deserted scene. Previously bustling with residents going about their daily lives, the village now resembled a ghost town. The streets were empty, with not a single human figure in sight.
Confusion mixed with frustration filled Jiro's mind. 'Where have all the people gone? And more importantly, where is Shira?' His thoughts swirled in search of answers, yet there were no clues to rely on.
Time passed slowly, and after nearly an hour of fruitless search, Jiro began to feel despair. Every corner, every alley, all were inspected thoroughly. Yet there was no trace of Shira to be found.
Just when despair was about to reach its peak, his gaze caught sight of a group of people walking toward him. There were four individuals, each dressed in neat uniforms. A bronze badge adorned their chests, indicating a certain authority.