Vengeance Upon Fate - Chapter 21
By the time Kurogane had reached the city, a fair amount of people were already present on the walkways. These individuals mostly consisted of merchants and shopkeepers who were preparing to unlock their shops and set up their stalls for the day.
Upon passing by a pair of trash cans between two shopping stalls, Kurogane noticed a rope that sat on the floor between them. It looked worn out and thinner than the usual kinds, but he figured it would be useful to tie the roll of cloth onto his back instead of holding it everywhere he went, which quickly proved to be convenient after doing so.
(The central fountain… if I remember correctly, it should be several blocks from where I am now.)
After a decent amount of walking, Kurogane was finally at his destination.
The sun slowly but steadily began to rise, illuminating the city all over.
The area was now decently crowded – the sounds of chatter boisterously echoing in his surroundings.
Several minutes went by and Kurogane started to doubt whether Mitsuo would show up or not.
(Did he sleep in..? Maybe he became too busy and forgot.)
Kurogane turned around to look at the flowing fountain waters – loosely observing as various fish and other sea life calmly swam within.
(Or what if.. I was wrong about him..?)
The sounds of the water splashing down the fountain strangely started to get louder the longer Kurogane stared at it.
He began to remember the moment he sensed someone was watching him while bathed in the river earlier. It was as if the entire scene suddenly started playing in his head.
He pictured a black, eerie unknown figure looking at him from behind the tree – perhaps more than one figure. The image started to intensify, sending shivers through Kurogane’s body as he thought more about it.
A hand suddenly grasped and tugged his shoulder firmly, startling him and turning his body around in the process.
{Hurghh…?!}
Gasping out loud, Kurogane was caught completely off guard.
“That was close! You were way too near the fountain buddy!”
It was Mitsuo. He had arrived in his adventurer’s attire with the same welcoming smile on his face.
Kurogane had daydreamt to the point where he didn’t realize he was standing too close to the fountain.
“Oh, hey..”
“You would have been drenched as a dill pickle if I didn’t snap you out of it!”
“Eheheh… thanks for that.”
“Anytime bud, anytime. By the way, why is your face sweating?”
Mitsuo leaned forward, attempting to observe Kurogane up close.
“Are you okay? You look sort of pale too.”
{Eeeehhhh!}
Kurogane leaned backward, his usual shyness getting the better of him.
“You haven’t eaten, have you?”
“No no, I’m fine! Bel-”
A noticeably loud rumbling sound took place, originating from none other than Kurogane’s hollow stomach.
“Alright, come with me bud. Time to grab a bite. No excuses.”
“O-Okay..”
Both walked together and stopped by a food wrap stall. Various pastries and wraps of all kinds were being sold, ranging from different fillings such as meats, veggies and cheese.
“One meat and veggie pastry please.”
Mitsuo paid some copper coins and handed the pastries to Kurogane, heading back to the city walkway right after.
“Eat up! Let me know if you want more, okay?”
“Thank you very much. You really didn’t have to honestly.”
“Aw don’t mind it. Anything for a friend.”
“Friend..?” Said Kurogane out of surprise after biting into one of the pastries.
Mitsuo grinned happily at Kurogane.
“Yeah, why not?”
Kurogane looked down, slightly blushing.
(Is this is what it’s like to be a friend of someone?)
…
(It feels awesome!)
He smiled and closed his eyes as he munched away through the pastries.
After finding a bench near the central fountain, the two of them sat down.
“Say, did I call you out too early? Is that why you weren’t able to eat with your family?”
“No no, I did this solely out of my own will. Don’t worry!”
“Hmm, alright. You seem to be wearing the same white Kimono too… no shoes either. Are you all going through poverty right now?”
Kurogane looked down to the side, too nervous and sad to continue his act filled with endless amounts of false, made-up statements.
(I should probably tell him everything. I can’t keep lying to someone who’s been so kind and helpful.)
“I-…”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable.”
Mitsuo then smiled and looked at Kurogane.
“Besides, we met here today to have some fun, y’know?”
Kurogane exchanged a light smile and nodded in return.
“Absolutely.”
(Sooner or later, I will tell him everything. I just need to find the right time.)
“Let’s go then, allow me to show you a few interesting places around here.”
Mitsuo introduced Kurogane to various shops, stalls and restaurants, followed by other markets with miscellaneous such as weapons, armor, toys, books and headwear.
A little more than an hour later, they were back on the city walkway once again.
“Whew. So… what do you think?”
“I never expected them to add so many cool things in the market.”
“Well, yeah. You’re new to the city, so obviously you’re going to see new shops with new things, haha.”
“Ohh.. right.”
(I almost gave away something crucial there)
“You’re pretty interesting, you know? Can’t really put my finger on it.”
“Ehhhh, you think so?” Wuxiaworld for visiting.
“Relaaax, in a good way, haha. Anyways, where should we go next? Hmm…”
Mitsuo thought for a few seconds before raising a finger.
“Ah, I know! I got this place I wanted to check out. You might like it too. I saw it when my parents and I were coming back to this city from our trip a week ago.”
“Your family travels?”
Mitsuo briefly laughed upon replying.
“Yea, we do it occasionally. It’s like they can’t sit still, you know?”
“I see.”
“Anyways, let’s go. It’ll be right outside the south gate.”
“Right.”
Both began walking, crossing their way through several blocks to reach the southern entrance.
