"Hello, I'm Thana."
 
Blade looked at her hand with a blank face before looking at her.

"I'm… Blade." 

Thana had a surprised look on her face but she quickly switched back to a smile.

"Nice to meet you."

Thana grabbed Blade's right hand and placed it in hers and shook their hands.

"You should do this when you meet someone new." 

Blade was thrown off by her sudden touch and lost his composure. His eyebrows moved downwards.

"Oh… Understood."

"By the way… Do you have somewhere to stay tonight? If you don't, I don't mind letting you stay for a few days."

Blade tried to read Thana's face but he couldn't figure out if she had hidden motives and what they were. He contemplated whether if he should lie or not.

'It'd be better to hide in a shelter than in the alleyway during the night. If she tries anything, I can just kill her and take her place.'

"…No, I don't."

"I'll need to get some groceries for this week… Do you mind helping?"

"…No."

"Great! Let's go!"

She grabbed his wrist and dragged him down the streets.

 * * *

Blade held several bags of groceries in his arms and could barely see the path ahead of him.

"Phew! I think that's everything!" 

Thana pointed at a small house decorated with flowerpots just a block away from the shopping district.

"That's my place! Come on!" 

She skipped forward and Blade swiftly followed while he held the groceries tightly. Thana took out a key and opened the door. She took a step into her home and turned her head.

"Come in, Blade."

Blade nodded and entered Thana's home. He noticed that Thana had taken off her shoes and placed them to the side. So he followed her actions.

"You can sleep on the couch, and please put the groceries on the table."

After Blade had placed the groceries down, he looked around the house. It was comfortable and gave off a warm feeling. 

'It feels… safe.'

He looked back at Thana. She was nearly finished putting away the groceries they brought. While Thana took a large knife out from the drawer, she noticed Blade's gaze on her. She smiled sweetly at him.

"You…"