"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
Miko's tail flicked impatiently as he hopped down from the counter, landing gracefully in front of the open passage.
As Hana stepped onto the stone pathway, her breath caught. This place is just like a village straight out of the fantasy books she used to read as a child. The village was unlike anything Hana had ever seen. Wooden cottages leaned against one another as though whispering secrets, their rooftops patched with moss and vines. Lanterns dangled from poles, glowing with a soft golden light even under the daylight sky, casting a dreamlike hue over the cobbled streets.
The people here bustled about in clothes that looked as if they belonged to another century, long cloaks, aprons smeared with herbs, belts heavy with strange trinkets. Some carried baskets filled with fruits Hana couldn't recognize, odd shapes, unusual colors, some with skins that shimmered faintly like pearls. Others bartered over jars of powders that glittered unnaturally in the sun. Their voices rose and fell in a rhythm that was both warm and wary, laughter from children mixing with the low mutter of merchants.
Hana felt the weight of curious stares following her as she walk. Whispers drifted around her, too soft to catch, yet sharp enough to prickle her skin. The whole village seemed alive, welcoming with its colors and scents, yet watchful, as though measuring whether she belonged.
Hana nearly jumped out of her skin. "No way! I'm not going in there! That's some creepy unknown place or village or whatever that is! Who knows what kind of danger is waiting inside?!"
Miko let out a long, exaggerated sigh, like he'd just been paired with the most hopeless partner in existence. "Welcome to Evermere Village," he announced, his golden eyes glinting while showing at the wooden sign. "The only place where you'll find the ingredients for that recipe book of yours."
Hana blinked. "Hold on. Ingredients? You mean those ridiculous things in the book?"
"Yes." Miko licked his paw slowly, then added with cruel honesty, "Though I doubt someone like you could even handle them."
Her jaw dropped. "Excuse me?!"
But before she could argue, the glow from the passageway shimmered brighter, almost pulling her gaze in.
Hana hesitated, then slowly followed Miko along the path. The strange air wrapped around her, cool and fragrant. From far away, she caught the scent of something rich and savory like beef stew simmering in a pot. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that all she had eaten today was a single cup of ramen. Definitely not enough.
"Miko…" she whispered, keeping close behind him. "What is this place? Everyone's wearing such weird clothes… and… why are they looking at me like that?"
She tugged at her sleeves nervously, feeling dozens of curious eyes following her every step.
Miko smirked without looking back. "Because, you are the one who is weird here, you stick out like a sore thumb."
As Hana walked deeper into the village, something caught her eye. A crooked little shop leaned against the street corner, its wooden sign swinging in the breeze:
"Toad Nails & Elixirs."
She wrinkled her nose. "Ugh… gross. Who would ever buy that?"
Miko ignored her disgust, padding ahead with his tail flicking proudly. "We're almost there. The market where you can find everything you'll need for your recipes."
"Market?" Hana blinked, then frowned. "Hold up, you said we need to buy these ingredients, right? How am I supposed to do that? In this world I'm… I'm completely broke!"
Miko smirked without looking at her. "You'll find out soon enough. Just follow me."
Before Hana could argue, a sudden grip closed around her wrist. She gasped and turned.
A woman stood there, long crooked nose, wiry hair sticking out from beneath a pointed hat, her cloak tattered at the edges. Her sharp eyes gleamed as she leaned in close.
"Well, well… hello, young lady," the witch crooned. "Why don't you step inside my potion shop? I can grant you anything you desire. All I ask… is something in return."
Hana quickly shook her head. "Uh, thanks, but I'm not interes.."
But then her eyes met the witch's. And the world around her melted away.
.....
"Papa! Papa, what's this?"
A tiny voice echoed through her memory. Hana looked down, she was small again, her hands reaching toward a glowing berry that shimmered gold beneath the sunlight.
Beside her stood a tall man with gentle eyes and warm hands, her father.
"Oh dear," he chuckled softly, "you've found the Aurora Berry. This is no ordinary fruit, Hana. It's said to bring the best of luck to anyone who eats it."
Her younger self stared at the glowing fruit with wide eyes. "Can I eat it, Papa?"
Her father smiled warmly. "Yes, my dear."
Hana lifted the berry to her lips, her mouth watering. The glow pulsed, drawing her closer.
So close. So sweet. She wanted, no, needed to taste it!
"Hana."
Her breath quickened.
"Hana."
The berry's glow consumed her sight.
"HANA!"
......
Hana snapped back to reality, stumbling in place, her chest heaving. "Eh? what happened?!"
Miko stood in front of her, fur bristled, golden eyes blazing. "I left you alone for two seconds and you already caused a disaster."
Hana blinked, confused. "D… disaster? But I just saw my father and he said…"
"That wasn't your father," Miko snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "These witches twist your mind with illusions. They make you see what you most desire until you're blind to everything else. If I hadn't pulled you back, you would've given yourself away completely."
The witch shrank under Miko's glare, trembling as she backed toward her shop and vanished into the shadows.
Hana's hands trembled. "I… I didn't even realize…"
Miko flicked his tail, his tone cutting. "Exactly. One moment of weakness, and this village would've swallowed you whole. Next time, nut head, you might not walk away."
Hana's steps slowed. Her palms were clammy, her chest tight. This is why I never enter unknown places… I have zero survival skills! Cold sweat trickled down her neck. She mumbled in her heart, Oh Hana, you need to be careful. You almost lost your life to some creepy witch just now… I don't want to die hereeee.
"Here we are," Miko said calmly, padding forward. He stopped in front of a sturdy timber building with smoke curling from its chimney.
Hana tilted her head back, reading the carved sign above the doorway:
"The Hearthhouse."
The savory aroma hit her instantly. The smell of rich beef stew drifted from inside, thick and comforting, making her stomach growl so loudly she nearly covered it with both hands.
"Yes," Miko said, his tail swishing as he walked toward the door. "Come in. We need to meet someone inside."
Hana hesitated, then pushed it open. The door creaked on its hinges, letting out a long groan.
The moment she stepped in, the lively hum of voices cut short. Every head in the room turned. Silence blanketed the Hearthhouse, heavy and suffocating. Hana's skin prickled, her blood running cold as she stood frozen in the doorway.
"Uh… h-hello…" she managed to squeak out.
Nobody answered. Dozens of eyes stared. Her knees trembled. Her stomach twisted so bad she thought she might faint, or worse, pee herself. Every kind of fear and embarrassment collided inside her at once.
Then, a voice broke the silence.
"…Sakura?"
An old man stepped forward from behind the counter, his wrinkled eyes wide with recognition. "Is it really you, Sakura? Oh dear… it's been such a long time. You've grown into such a fine young lady."
Hana's eyes went round. "I-I think you've mistaken me for someone else," she said quickly, shaking her hands in protest.
But the old man only smiled, his gaze warm and unreadable, like he was looking at a ghost come to life.
"Come. Follow me."
The table was set before Hana, steam rising from a bowl of thick beef stew, slices of golden bread resting beside it, and a cup of warm juice glowing in the lantern light. Miko was already devouring his share without shame, licking his whiskers and purring in satisfaction.
Hana, however, sat stiffly, hands fidgeting on her lap. She didn't know this man. She didn't know this place. Her appetite was tangled up with nerves.
"Don't worry, Sakura," the old man said gently, noticing her hesitation. His voice was soft, calm, almost fatherly. "I'm not a bad man. Your father knew me well. Eat as much as you want."
Hana's grip on the spoon tightened. "Wait, how do you know my dad? And… who are you, mister? What is this place?"
The old man smiled faintly, leaning back. "My name is Eldrin. I am your…"
Before he could finish, the door behind the counter creaked open. A woman in her mid-thirties stepped out, carrying a wooden platter of desserts that shimmered faintly under the tavern light, the sweet scent of honey and spice wafting through the air. She set it gently on the table before turning to Hana with a warm smile.
Hana froze. Her spoon slipped from her hand, clattering against the bowl. Her eyes blurred with tears as she whispered, voice trembling..
"You… you…"
Her chest tightened, the word barely escaping her lips.
"Mama."