The city buzzed around them as Yoshirata, Eiko, and Taro made their way through the lively streets. Their excitement was understandable; they had never seen anything like this before. The bustling market was alive with the scent of freshly baked bread, the sight of vibrant fabrics, and the calls of merchants trying to outdo one another. It felt like a dream, far from the quiet, familiar simplicity of their village.
"Look at that!" Taro exclaimed, pointing at a vendor juggling flaming torches. His eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. "I've only read about this in books!"
Eiko's gaze shifted to a nearby stall filled with shimmering crystals. "It's beautiful," she said softly, tracing her fingers along a polished gemstone. "I never thought I'd see something like this in real life."
Yoshirata was about to respond when his attention was caught by a commotion up ahead. He saw a young boy sprawled on the ground, shielding his head as a burly seller yelled at him. "Thief!" the man roared, his face contorted with anger. He raised his hand as if to strike the boy again.
Without thinking, Yoshirata sprinted toward the scene. "Hey, stop it!" he shouted, throwing himself between the seller and the boy. He braced for impact, but the blow never came. He looked up to see the seller's fist halted in mid-air.
"What do you think you're doing, kid?" the merchant growled, lowering his hand but still glowering at Yoshirata. "This brat stole from me!"
Yoshirata held his ground, glaring back. "I don't care what he did," he snapped. "You can't just beat him like that. He's just a child."
Taro and Eiko rushed up behind him, standing beside their friend. Eiko placed her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with anger. "Hurting a kid like this? That's shameful," she said, her voice cutting through the crowd's whispers.
Taro clenched his fists. "If it's about what he took, we'll pay for it," he offered, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with a serious frown.
The seller hesitated, his anger fading slightly as he realized he was now facing three determined teenagers. "Fine," he huffed, crossing his arms. "But it'll cost you. He took a lot."
Yoshirata didn't hesitate. He pulled out his coin pouch and handed over every last coin. It was all he had left everything his grandfather had given him for the journey. "Here," he said, shoving the pouch into the seller's hands. "This should cover it."
The merchant snatched the pouch, grumbling but clearly satisfied as he walked away. The crowd slowly dispersed, the spectacle over.
Yoshirata turned to the boy, who was still cowering on the ground. "Hey, it's okay now," Yoshirata said gently, offering his hand. "You're safe."
The boy looked up, his tear-streaked face filled with fear and shame. He took Yoshirata's hand hesitantly, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. "I'm… I'm sorry," the boy stammered, his voice small and broken. "I didn't want to steal, but I had to. My little brother and sister… they're hungry. We haven't eaten in days."
Yoshirata's heart clenched at the boy's words. He knelt down, meeting the boy's eyes. "It's okay," he said, his voice soft with understanding. He pressed the last few copper coins he had into the boy's small, trembling hand. "Take this. Buy some food for your brother and sister. Make sure they get something warm to eat tonight."
The boy stared at the coins, his eyes wide with disbelief. He looked up at Yoshirata, his lip quivering. "But… but this is your money," he whispered. "You don't have to do this."
Yoshirata smiled, ruffling the boy's hair. "It's just money," he said lightly. "Your family needs it more than I do."
The boy's eyes welled up with tears, but he managed a shaky smile. He threw his arms around Yoshirata in a sudden, tight hug. "Thank you," he sobbed. "Thank you so much."
Yoshirata patted the boy's back, feeling a swell of emotion in his chest. "Go on now," he said, gently pulling away. "Take care of your siblings. And remember, don't steal anymore. Find another way."
The boy nodded fiercely, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "I promise," he said. He gave one last grateful look before running off into the crowd.
As the boy disappeared from sight, Yoshirata stood up, feeling a strange mix of sadness and contentment. He turned back to find Eiko and Taro looking at him, their expressions a blend of admiration and concern.
"You gave him everything, didn't you?" Eiko asked quietly, her sharp eyes noticing the now-empty pouch hanging from Yoshirata's belt.
Yoshirata chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I still have a little left," he lied, trying to play it off. But his eyes couldn't hide the truth.
Taro shook his head with a laugh, slapping Yoshirata on the back. "You're a terrible liar, Yoshirata," he said. "Your eyes give you away every time."
Eiko sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're too kind for your own good," she said, pulling out her own coin pouch. She handed him a small handful of coins. "Here. Take this. It's not much, but it'll get you through the day."
Taro followed suit, pressing his own coins into Yoshirata's hand. "What are friends for, huh?" he said with a grin.
Yoshirata stared at the coins, then back at his friends. His vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. "I… I don't know what to say," he managed, his voice thick with emotion.
"Don't say anything," Eiko said, turning her head away, her cheeks flushed pink. "Just take it before I change my mind."
Yoshirata laughed, wiping his tears away quickly. "Thank you," he said, his voice full of gratitude. "You two are the best."
Taro smirked, slinging an arm around Yoshirata's shoulders. "Of course we are," he said confidently. "Now let's get going. We've got an academy to reach!"
Eiko rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "You two are impossible," she muttered, though the warmth in her voice betrayed her affection.
Together, they continued their journey, chatting and joking as they made their way through the city. By the time they reached the academy gates, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the towering stone walls.
Yoshirata looked up at the massive iron gates, his heart pounding with excitement and a hint of nervousness. "This is it," he said, taking a deep breath. "We finally made it."
Taro gave him a reassuring nudge. "We've come this far together," he said. "No turning back now."
Eiko stepped forward, her eyes alight with determination. "Whatever comes next," she said, "we face it together. Agreed?"
Yoshirata and Taro exchanged a look, then nodded in unison. "Agreed," they said.
And with that, the three friends stepped through the gate.