Aiko pushed open the wooden doors of the library. The familiar scent of aged paper and faint incense filled the air, wrapping around her like a quiet whisper of the past.
Soft lantern light flickered between towering shelves, illuminating neat stacks of scrolls and worn tomes. At the far end of the room, surrounded by books, was Kenji.
As always.
Dressed in his navy-blue jacket, glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose, he scribbled notes into a leather-bound journal, completely lost in his research. An old parchment lay open in front of him, his eyes darting across faded ink with unwavering focus.
Aiko walked up to him and dropped a cloth-wrapped bundle onto the table.
"Eat."
Kenji blinked, snapping out of his reading trance. He glanced at the rice bun, then at Aiko, raising an eyebrow.
"I knew my hunger would kill me eventually, but I didn't think it'd be by your hands."
Aiko crossed her arms. "Smartass. I brought this before you starve yourself and force the village into holding a literary funeral."
Kenji unwrapped the bun slowly, as if performing a sacred ritual.
"Well… I accept this sacrifice."
He took a deliberate bite, closing his eyes in appreciation.
"Mmm. Not bad."
Aiko smirked. "I made it myself."
Kenji cracked one eye open. "Still like your dad's better."
"Hey!"
He chuckled, adjusting his glasses.
"Relax. I'm just messing with you."
Aiko shook her head, but she couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips.
Kenji had always been like this—calm, methodical, and just the right amount of annoying. He was slightly older than her, and ever since they were kids, he had treated her like a younger sister.
But today… something felt different.
She narrowed her eyes. "What are you studying now?"
Kenji wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and slid one of the scrolls toward her.
"Ruins."
Aiko frowned. "Ruins?"
Kenji nodded, tapping a hand-drawn map spread across the table.
"These scrolls arrived at the library a few days ago. They're old—most people just ignored them. But while I was cataloging them, I noticed something strange. They mention a location I've never seen before."
His finger traced a spot on the map, marked deep within the forest surrounding the village.
"Here."
Aiko leaned in, studying the parchment.
"Couldn't it just be a mistake? Maybe someone spilled ink on the page?"
Kenji smirked. "That's what I thought at first." He grabbed another scroll and unfurled it beside the map. "Then I found this."
Aiko scanned the worn-out script. The writing was ancient, barely legible in some places, but one line stood out clearly.
"A sanctuary where time bends and echoes of the past remain…"
A shiver ran down her spine.
"This… 'sanctuary' still exists?"
Kenji leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Only one way to find out."
Aiko lifted her gaze to him. "You want to go there?"
"Of course." Kenji's lips curled into a rare, eager smile. "Reading about history is great, but I need to see something with my own eyes for once. I don't want to just be the guy who organizes books, Aiko. I want to understand this world."
Aiko fell silent.
Kenji had always been reserved, content to bury himself in research rather than venture outside. But now, there was a spark in his eyes—an excitement she wasn't used to seeing.
She sighed. "And you want me to come with you?"
"Obviously. You're good at handling unexpected situations, and you don't mind getting your hands dirty."
Aiko folded her arms. "You're scared to go alone, aren't you?"
Kenji chuckled. "Let's call it teamwork."
Aiko studied the map again. She had never heard of these ruins before. But something about this discovery felt important.
"Fine. When are we going?"
Kenji rolled up the parchment with a precise flick of his wrist.
"Tomorrow morning."
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "Tomorrow? You planned all this without even asking me?"
"If I had asked, you would've said no."
Aiko opened her mouth to argue—but shut it again.
Damn it. He was right.
She groaned. "Alright. But if we get attacked by wild V-Monsters or fall into some ancient death trap, I'm blaming you."
Kenji smirked. "That's part of the adventure."
Aiko rolled her eyes and snatched up the map, scanning the route they'd take.
"I should bring Pulsebun. He's been looking for conductive metals. If this ruin is from the old world, it might have something useful for him."
Kenji hummed in thought. "It's interesting, isn't it? How much metal the old world used." He rested his chin on his hand. "There are records of all kinds of ancient ruins—dark glass panels, orange wires that used to carry energy…"
Aiko nodded. "Which is exactly why Pulsebun would want to see it."
Kenji chuckled.
Aiko glanced at the parchment once more, an unfamiliar excitement buzzing in her fingertips.
Ancient ruins. A forgotten sanctuary.
Why did she have a feeling… this trip would be more than just a simple expedition?