The tavern was lit by torches mounted on the wooden walls, their flames casting dancing shadows across the room. The soft echo of the place mixed with the clinking of spoons against wooden bowls as Jotaro, Kira, and Aiko ate in silence.
Jotaro stirred his soup absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the steam rising from it.
He let out a sigh.
"Why did Ronin leave so suddenly…?" he muttered, mostly to himself.
Aiko, holding a spoonful of soup in one hand, answered calmly.
"Maybe he was tired."
"I don't think so," Jotaro replied. "If that were the case, he wouldn't have treated the craftsman that way."
He frowned slightly.
"I wonder what really upset him… It felt like something the craftsman said really got to him."
At that moment, Kira spoke up while chewing on a large piece of meat.
"I don't see why you care so much. Personally, I'm glad he left," she said casually. "Now I don't have to share my food."
"Even if he'd stayed, you wouldn't have shared anything anyway," Jotaro said. "Besides, Ronin has more than enough money to buy his own food. He wouldn't need yours."
Aiko glanced at Jotaro.
"You should eat your soup before it gets cold."
"You're right… yeah, I'll eat."
She nodded.
Just then, a woman approached their table.
"Would you like something to drink?" she asked kindly.
"Yes, could I have a beer?" Aiko replied, looking up.
Jotaro, who was in the middle of sipping his soup, lifted his head slightly.
"A beer…?" he thought.
The woman nodded.
"Alright, I'll be right back."
Jotaro fell silent, memories slowly surfacing.
It's been a long time since I last drank…
He remembered his previous life—being dragged to a party by his coworkers. It had been the first time he drank… and also the worst. The hangover the next day was so terrible that he swore never to drink again.
"Here you go," the woman said, placing a wooden mug on the table before walking away.
Aiko noticed Jotaro's distant expression.
"Jotaro… do you want to try some?"
"Huh? No, thanks. I don't like beer. And I'm underage."
"Really?!" Aiko said in surprise. "How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Then you're allowed to drink."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. From fifteen on, you can drink… and you're considered an adult, too."
"I didn't know that…" Jotaro said, resting his hand on his chin. "So I'm already an adult…"
Aiko then looked at Kira.
"By the way, how old is Kira?"
"Eighteen," Jotaro answered.
"Eighteen?!" Aiko exclaimed, staring at her. "But she looks like she's thirteen."
Kira turned away, still chewing, her face red.
"I-it's not my fault! Everyone grows at their own pace!" she protested.
"But you've already grown," Jotaro teased. "So even if you're eighteen, you'll always look thirteen."
"Don't talk!" Kira snapped. "You're only 1.58 meters tall, shorty!"
"Yeah, yeah… whatever the little girl says," Jotaro replied with a grin.
Kira puffed out her cheeks, her eyes burning with anger, and lunged at him.
"You're so mean, Jotaro!"
"Hey! Don't pull my hair!"
"That's what you get for teasing me!"
Aiko watched the two of them with a soft smile before taking another spoonful of soup.
After they finished eating, the three of them left the tavern.
"I'm full," Kira said, patting her stomach.
"You're such a glutton," Jotaro commented.
"Well," Aiko said, "I guess this is where we part for today."
"Yeah."
"See you tomorrow, Aiko," Kira said.
"See you tomorrow…" Aiko replied, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Oh—wait. You two don't have anywhere to stay, do you?"
"No," Jotaro admitted. "We have the temple, but it's not here. We were planning to stay at an inn."
"But you can't live in an inn forever!" Aiko said, leaning forward.
"It's all we have for now."
Aiko hesitated for a moment… then smiled.
"Why don't you stay at my place?"
"Huh?" Jotaro blinked. "Are you sure? We won't be a bother?"
"Not at all."
"But—"
"Come on, Jotaro," Kira interrupted, yawning. "Just accept it… I really want to sleep."
"Well… I guess one night won't hurt."
"Then follow me," Aiko said cheerfully.
Jotaro nodded, and they followed her.
"By the way, Aiko, where's your house?" Kira asked.
"It's nearby, so it won't take long."
When they arrived, Jotaro and Kira were impressed by how large and neat it was.
"Your house is really tidy," Kira said.
"I like things organized," Aiko replied, setting her cloak on a chair.
"It shows."
"It's a nice place," Jotaro added.
"Thank you."
They went upstairs, and Aiko opened a door.
"You can sleep here."
Kira ran inside.
"I'll take this spot!" she said, throwing herself onto the bed and pulling off her boots.
"Then I'll sleep in the other—"
"Actually," Aiko cut in, "there's only one bed."
"Huh?" Jotaro stiffened. "I'm sleeping with Kira?"
"I don't see the problem."
"That's because you used to sneak into my room while I was asleep."
Aiko froze, staring at them wide-eyed.
"H-huh? You two have slept together before?"
"Yes! We've slept together already, so it wouldn't be a problem to do it again."
Kira froze.
"Hey! Don't say it like that!"
Aiko covered her face, completely red, and quickly looked away.
"I-I see… t-then… good night!"
She hurriedly shut the door.
"Wait! Don't get the wrong idea!" Jotaro called out.
Too late.
"Hey, Jotaro," Kira said with a teasing grin. "Come to bed… or are you embarrassed something might happen?"
"You're just trying to mess with me," he sighed.
Kira sat on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her face, pressing her cheeks and smiling mischievously.
"Oh yeah? Then come lie down with me."
"I'm coming!" Jotaro grumbled.
"Make some room."
"Sure," Kira said, flopping backward onto the bed.
She shifted to the side, one leg bent, her shoulders relaxing as if she'd dropped all her weight at once.
Seeing the way she was lying, Jotaro blushed even harder. He looked away and muttered,
"I'll just sleep on the floor."
"I won't allow that," Kira whispered, hugging him and pulling him down with her.
"What?! Huh?!"
"Tickle time!"
"Haha! What do you think you're doing?" Jotaro said, scrambling away to the edge of the bed.
Kira raised her hands, wiggling her fingers slowly.
"Tickles. Come on, don't be shy—let me hear you."
"No!" he shouted.
The next morning, Aiko opened the door.
"Kira! Jotaro! It's time to—"
She stopped.
Kira was fast asleep, one hand resting on her exposed stomach, one leg draped over Jotaro's chest. He was still wearing his armor, surrounded by tangled sheets.
Aiko watched them quietly. For a moment, the image reminded her of two small children smiling together. Her lips curved into a nostalgic smile.
"They're just like them."