『Arthur: Damn, I don't know if we'll be able to take everything with us. 』
『Neizan: That doesn't matter now. We'll come back for the rest another day if we need to. What's important is taking the essentials. 』
『Arthur: Fine, then you carry the heaviest stuff in your backpack. 』
『Neizan: Done, but I'm not going with you. It's too dangerous for us to be seen together now that they're looking for me like crazy. 』
After gathering their things, the two left through the door of a house located in a narrow alley, giving the impression that they were in the slums of a poor neighborhood.
『Arthur: Well, take your stuff and let's go. You go ahead and be careful. 』
『Neizan: Right, see you later at the usual spot. 』
In a field of short grass, the wind was calm, and the sky was clear. Near a river, a few trees offered shade. A boy was approaching one of them, standing more apart from the others.
『???: Good, you finally made it. 』
On the ground, next to the trunk in the shadiest part, lay a backpack. The voice had come from above, where a boy was lying on one of the high branches of the tree.
『Arthur: Hello? Uh… what are you doing up there? 』
Arthur, standing below, looked at him with a mix of disgust and curiosity.
『Neizan: Nothing. Just hiding from the guards. Though, actually, I'm watching someone. 』
『Arthur: Watching someone? 』
『Neizan: Yeah, a girl who's waiting over by the river. 』
『Arthur: Wait, a girl? Don't tell me you've done it again… 』
Arthur couldn't believe what he was hearing. The first thing that came to mind were unpleasant memories, which made him sigh deeply, beginning to worry seriously.
『Neizan: Well… more or less. 』
『Arthur: You messed up again because of a girl! I can't believe it! 』
『Neizan: Hahaha, I knew you'd say that. Alright, let me explain what happened. 』
They began talking after the boy climbed down from the tree. As they spoke, the boy summarized what had happened in the town and with the girl.
By the end of the conversation, everything became clearer for Arthur.
『Arthur: I see… I understand that this time you didn't have another option. 』
Arthur nodded slowly, lowering his head, with his eyes closed and one hand on his chin, reflecting on what had happened and what they should do next.
『Neizan: Exactly. I couldn't just stand by and watch. I'm sorry. 』
The boy's apology carried a certain weight for Arthur. He knew the boy had admitted his mistake and was still sincerely apologizing. Arthur accepted the apology without further hesitation since, this time, he wasn't directly involved in the big problem the boy had gotten himself into by his own will.
『Arthur: You're really stubborn, but at least that doesn't make you a bad person. 』
After a few seconds of silence, the boy looked over to where the girl was. Then, he glanced at his watch. It was already quite late.
『Neizan: …I'll go talk to her first. I've been watching her for about two hours to make sure she didn't try anything weird. But she's been there waiting for at least six hours, so I don't think she informed anyone that we would meet here. 』
『Arthur: You're always so cautious and reckless at the same time, I honestly don't know how you do it. 』
『Neizan: Let's just say I learned from the old school. 』
『Arthur: What? You? Did you even go to school? 』
The conversation became a bit awkward and confusing, although the boy with dark skin didn't seem to care at all.
『Neizan: Whatever, hahaha. Do you have everything in that backpack? 』
『Arthur: Yeah, like you told me, I packed everything important I could. 』
『Neizan: Alright, but hurry up, it's getting late. 』
『Neizan: Look who's talking, I've been waiting for you for an hour. 』
『Arthur: Yeah, I was dealing with an important client. I couldn't just leave, that's why I took so long. 』
『Neizan: I figured as much. Well, I'll go talk to her, wait for me here. 』
Neizan ended the conversation and headed toward the bridge over the river. The landscape was a vast green plain, with a field stretching beyond the river, where an old ruined mill could be seen, and in the distance, mountains stood against the horizon.
When he reached the bridge, he saw her. On the small slope near the river, there she was, the girl with black hair and dark eyes, as beautiful as spring and as warm as summer.
The sun was shining brightly, although the occasional clouds cast shadows on the green ground. A gentle breeze accompanied the soft sound of the wind, and the flowing river added a serenity that enveloped everything. It was a world full of sensations.
『Neizan: Hey. How have you been? 』
The girl slowly turned to see who was speaking. It was the same boy she had been waiting for with uncertainty, wondering if he would actually show up as he had said.
He looked at her with a serious expression, though there was a hint of concern on his face.
『Lina: . . . 』
Lina remained silent, still somewhat affected. However, seeing the boy again eased her heart a little.
『Neizan: Do you feel better? 』
『Lina: Yes. 』
With a weak response, Lina looked away to observe the flowing water of the river beside her. It was a small river that could be crossed on foot, as it wasn't very deep.
Its water was clear, thanks to the numerous stones that filtered the sand, leaving a silvery-gray bottom.
『Neizan: Well, it looks like it's getting dark, so I have to go again. 』
Upon hearing these words, the girl got up from the ground and approached the boy.
『Lina: Please don't leave me alone again... 』
With a louder and clearer tone, she asserted with determination what she wanted to say to the young man with dark eyes.
『Neizan: You might be afraid of being alone again, but that's something that sometimes happens in life and can't be avoided. I won't always be by your side like your mother or father would, so I hope you understand that from now on. If you don't keep up with me, I'll leave you behind, and this time I won't be as kind as before. 』
The girl reflected for a moment on those words. She understood that a criminal like him had no time or patience for those who might hinder his path.
Therefore, she chose her words carefully and gave him a firm look before speaking again.
『Lina: ... I won't be a burden, I promise you. 』
『Neizan: Alright. I've settled my debt with you and your father for stealing your things, so we're at peace now. You can do whatever you want. 』
『Lina: So can I accompany you now? 』
The boy turned his gaze away from her and looked up toward the place where they were. When he stopped, he sighed, tilted his head slightly to one side, and said:
『Neizan: ... Just for now. Let's go. 』