The girl, awakened by Mukiwa's loud shout, opened her eyes in a daze.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the Red-faced Brothers and others standing not far in front of her, weapons gleaming in their hands.
The little color on her face drained away in fear. Screaming in terror, she fled in the opposite direction from the Red-faced Brothers.
The shout from Mukiwa, along with the girl's screams, thoroughly shattered the quietude of the surroundings.
The Hieda residing in the houses on both sides of the street, who were sleeping soundly, were awakened by the sudden noise. They curiously pressed their heads against windows or doors to see what had happened.
Upon seeing Aoto and the Red-faced Brothers confronting each other, and noticing the blades in their hands and at their waists, their expressions changed dramatically, and they quickly withdrew back indoors.
The houses, which had just become a bit noisy, instantly turned extremely quiet again.
