The carriage rolled along the road.
Saito, Kaito, Bomb, Rin, and Alya sat inside while the young driver guided the horses.
Saito peeked outside before looking at the driver.
"So when will we arrive?"
The driver glanced back.
"From Lorum to Roma City?"
Saito nodded.
The driver smiled.
"About a day."
Saito immediately frowned.
"That long?"
The driver nodded.
"Roma City is pretty far from Jokun."
Saito leaned back into his seat.
"Great."
Kaito chuckled.
"You wanted a vacation."
Saito pointed at him.
"I didn't want the travel part."
Bomb laughed.
Rin shook his head.
"Captain, you're unbelievable."
Meanwhile Alya quietly looked out the window.
The driver adjusted the reins.
"Don't worry."
"I'll send you to the nearest village first."
Saito nodded.
"Sounds good."
The carriage continued down the road toward Roma City.
After half a day of travel—
the carriage finally slowed down.
A small village appeared ahead.
Stone houses lined the roads.
Villagers walked between shops and market stalls.
The driver pulled on the reins.
The horses stopped.
Then he smiled.
"Welcome."
"To the outskirts of Roma City."
He pointed ahead.
"Forun Village."
Saito immediately climbed out of the carriage.
Finally able to stretch his legs.
"Thanks for the ride."
The young driver nodded.
"No problem."
Saito waved before walking toward the village entrance.
Looking around curiously.
New people.
New buildings.
A completely different place from Jokun City.
Behind him—
Kaito climbed out and sighed.
"Hey."
"Wait up."
But Saito was already walking ahead.
Kaito shook his head and followed.
Bomb, Rin, and Alya soon joined them as they entered Forun Village together.
Forun Village was far busier than Saito expected.
The streets were packed with people.
Merchants called out from their stalls.
Travelers moved between shops.
Most villagers wore leather clothing instead of the outfits common in Jokun City.
Everything felt different.
But one thing immediately caught Saito's attention.
Food.
Restaurants lined both sides of the road.
Large menus hung outside their doors.
Some displayed dishes Saito had never even heard of before.
He stopped in front of one and stared.
"Whoa."
Kaito looked over his shoulder.
Saito pointed at the menu.
"Buffalo wings."
Then another item.
"Chicken curry?"
His eyes widened.
"This is fascinating."
Bomb glanced at the menu.
"I thought we came here for a vacation."
"We did."
Saito immediately pointed at the restaurant.
"So let's eat first."
Rin nodded.
"Best plan you've had all day."
Alya quietly smiled.
Even Kaito couldn't argue with that.
The entire group headed inside the restaurant.
Ready to enjoy their first meal in Forun Village.
A few minutes later—
the food finally arrived.
Plates covered the table.
Buffalo wings.
Chicken curry.
Fresh bread.
Various side dishes.
The smell alone made everyone hungry.
Saito didn't wait.
He immediately grabbed a piece of chicken.
Took a bite.
Then his eyes widened.
"Hmm."
"Delicious."
That was all the approval the others needed.
Everyone began eating.
Alya tasted the curry.
Then blinked in surprise.
"Wow."
"It's full of flavor."
Rin nodded while eating.
"Not bad."
"Nice meal for today."
Meanwhile—
Kaito's attention wasn't on the food.
He was staring at a bottle sitting on a nearby shelf.
His eyes narrowed.
"Wait a second."
Everyone looked at him.
Kaito pointed.
"Blue Amethyst."
Saito blinked.
"What is it?"
Kaito looked genuinely surprised.
"This is a famous wine brand."
He stood up slightly to get a better look.
"I didn't know it existed here."
Bomb followed his gaze.
Then nodded.
"That's actually impressive."
Kaito looked almost excited.
"Very impressive."
Saito stared at the bottle.
Then at Kaito.
Then at the bottle again.
"...You're more excited about the wine than the food."
"Correct."
Kaito answered immediately.
Rin laughed.
Alya smiled.
And the group continued enjoying their meal in Forun Village.
After finishing their meal—
the group left the restaurant.
The streets of Forun Village were still lively.
Merchants shouted from their stalls.
Travelers moved between shops.
Music drifted from nearby buildings.
As they walked—
Saito's eyes landed on a bar across the street.
He suddenly stopped.
The others took a few more steps before noticing.
Kaito looked back.
"Saito?"
No response.
Saito remained staring at the building.
Motionless.
Kaito frowned.
"You okay?"
But Saito wasn't really looking at the bar anymore.
His mind had already drifted elsewhere.
Flashback
A baby cried inside a small room.
The sound echoed through the old wooden house.
The room was simple.
A small bed.
A table.
A few shelves.
Nothing expensive.
Nothing luxurious.
Just enough to live.
The crying continued.
Then the door opened.
A woman in her forties hurried inside.
"There, there."
She gently picked up the baby.
"Shhh..."
"Don't cry."
She carefully rocked him in her arms.
Trying to calm him down.
The crying slowly softened.
The woman smiled.
"That's better."
Then she looked around the room.
Checking the shelves.
The cabinets.
The table.
A worried expression appeared.
"...Hold on."
"I'll find some milk powder for you."
She gently placed the baby back down.
Then hurried toward the door.
"I won't be long."
The door closed behind her.
Leaving the baby alone in the room as his cries slowly echoed through the house.
A few minutes later—
the door opened again.
The woman hurried back into the room carrying a small bottle.
"There we go."
She sat beside the bed.
Then carefully lifted the baby into her arms.
The crying immediately resumed.
"Alright, alright."
"I'm here."
She gently placed the bottle near his mouth.
The baby immediately began drinking.
Hungry.
Desperate.
The woman smiled softly.
"There you go."
"That's better."
The room became quiet.
Only the sound of the baby drinking remained.
As she watched him—
a tiny hand suddenly reached out.
Small fingers wrapped around one of hers.
The woman blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"Oh?"
The baby's grip tightened.
Refusing to let go.
The woman looked down at him.
At the tiny face.
The innocent eyes.
The child who had been left alone.
Found with nobody beside him.
Nobody claiming him.
Nobody searching for him.
Her smile slowly faded.
Replaced by sadness.
She gently squeezed his little hand.
Then quietly asked:
"...Who could leave you?"
The baby simply continued drinking.
Holding onto her finger as if it were the most important thing in the world.
A few years later—
The small room was gone.
Now the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air.
Inside a cozy bar—
Kira wiped down a table.
Customers chatted.
Mugs clinked together.
The smell of food drifted from the kitchen.
Business was good.
At least for today.
Then—
she noticed a familiar little figure crawling across the floor.
Heading directly toward the tables.
"Oh no."
Kira immediately put down her cloth.
"Now, now."
"It is dangerous to crawl around here."
She bent down and picked him up.
The small boy immediately giggled.
Not bothered in the slightest.
Kira sighed.
"You are way too energetic."
The boy simply laughed again.
Then—
the front door opened.
A large man entered.
Harold.
One of the bar's regular customers.
He smiled when he saw them.
"Am I disturbing anything, Kira?"
Kira adjusted the child on her hip.
"No."
She smiled.
"Actually, this little one is being super energetic today."
Harold laughed.
"I can see that."
Then he walked toward the counter.
"One glass of beer, Kira."
Kira nodded.
"Coming right up."
She turned to prepare the drink.
The moment she did—
the little boy stretched toward Harold.
Wanting to be carried.
Harold chuckled.
"Oh?"
"You miss your uncle already?"
He took the child into his arms.
For a few seconds—
everything seemed peaceful.
Then suddenly—
YANK!
Harold froze.
The little boy had grabbed his beard.
Hard.
"OW!"
Harold nearly dropped his drink.
"Ow, ow, ow!"
Kira immediately burst out laughing.
The boy laughed too.
Completely proud of himself.
Harold carefully tried to free his beard.
"You little menace."
The boy only giggled louder.
And for a brief moment—
the entire bar filled with laughter.