Dawn slid over the mountains, washing the sky in orange and gold. As the mist thinned, Kyoten's wooden rooftops rose like small islands in a white sea.
Aiko opened her eyes. Soft morning light filtered through the paper screen, drawing delicate shapes on the tatami. She stretched under the futon and stood, letting the cool air kiss her skin.
She slid the wooden window aside. A breeze slipped in, making the curtains dance. From downstairs came the warm, welcoming smell of fresh bread.
Her room was small and cozy: walls dotted with her own scroll sketches of breads and sweets, a low table stacked with cookbooks, and a shelf with colored crystals and old wooden toys she'd collected since childhood.
She dressed quickly, tied up her dark hair, and stepped into the creaking hallway. Her footsteps faded toward the stairs that led straight into the family bakery.
The kitchen glowed with the red light of the wood-fired oven. Her father was already there, sleeves rolled, hands dusty with flour, shaping dough with practiced ease.
"Finally awake, sleepyhead," he teased without looking up.
"I was dreaming about sweet rice dumplings," she said, smiling as she grabbed a white apron.
"Always dreaming of food. Definitely my daughter," he chuckled.
Aiko took a basket of golden loaves and set it on the polished counter.
The door squeaked—and a spark of energy slipped in before she even turned around.
"You're early today," she said, smile already forming.
Pulsebun hopped onto the dark counter in a single bound. The little V-Monster's short, sleek fur glowed a warm yellow, and his long, pointed ears swayed as he moved. Tiny blue sparks flickered across his coat. His big, bright blue eyes were wide with curiosity. He plunked a small leather pouch on the counter.
"Of course! If I'm late, the best sweets are gone!"
"As if I wouldn't save the best for you," Aiko laughed, handing him a still-warm treat.
He took a dramatic bite, satisfied. Aiko wrapped another sweet in a clean cloth.
"I'll take this to Kenji. I bet he forgot to eat. Again."
Pulsebun hopped down and trotted beside her.
They stepped into the crisp morning. Kyoten's dirt roads wound between wooden houses with pitched roofs, lanterns hung over doorways, and little gardens of rocks and bonsai carefully tended by their owners.
Stalls in the central market creaked open, the air filling with voices and the color of fresh vegetables and fruit. Children ran after tiny V-Monsters, while vendors pushed wooden carts heavy with food.
Aiko and Pulsebun walked the main street. He bounced from stone to stone, buzzing with energy. Aiko kept an easy pace, enjoying the cool breeze on her face.
"Just imagine, Aiko!" Pulsebun threw his paws up. "Going out there, discovering new places, meeting new people! There's like a million amazing things waiting for us!"
Aiko gave a shy smile and shook her head.
"You might be right, but… I like it here," she said, gaze drifting. "My dad, the bakery, the smell of bread in the morning… I just want a quiet life and my own restaurant. I don't see the point of chasing adventures."
Pulsebun snorted, amused.
"You don't ever wonder what's past those mountains? Not even a little?"
"I like what I know," she murmured. "Adventure… is kind of scary."
Pulsebun paused, eyes bright and electric.
"Okay, I get it. But if you ever change your mind, I'm with you. Until then, I'll just bring the adventures to you!"
She shook her head, smiling, and they kept walking.
They soon reached the Guild's outpost, larger than the village homes, solid wood with a covered porch and a big sign bearing the Explorers' crest. Behind the front desk, a door opened to shelves of scrolls, old books, and careful maps.
Kenji sat in a comfortable chair, glasses sliding down his nose, face unusually serious as he read a narrow-print newspaper.
"Brought you something," Aiko said softly, setting the wrapped sweet on his table.
He looked up, adjusted his glasses, and smiled.
"Thanks, Aiko. You always remember."
"If I didn't, you'd read right through lunch."
Kenji sighed and set the paper down, thoughtful.
"Something interesting?" Pulsebun asked, hopping beside the paper, head tilted.
Kenji hesitated, concern moving across his features.
"Maybe 'interesting' isn't the word." He nudged the newspaper toward Aiko. "There have been incidents in the capital. V-Monsters going out of control. The Guild's worried."
Pulsebun's ears perked.
"Attacks? In the capital?"
A small chill traced Aiko's spine as she scanned the letters.
Kenji nodded.
"I hope it's just an isolated case. Still… stay sharp, okay?"
Aiko agreed with a quiet nod, the air around them turning a shade heavier.
Something was shifting. And the peaceful village where Aiko only wanted a simple life might be closer to that something than she ever imagined.