The unusual trio make their way down the stairs towards the dining room. Mirai goes to pay for the meal, as Nozomi pulls Sora along to find an open table. 

Sora watches as Mirai holds her hand out as if to exchange coins for payment, but after a moment, what looks like a droplet of viscous azure light drips down into the Inkeeper’s hand, who nods to confirm receipt. 

Mirai’s face pales momentarily from the transaction. Draining hope to use as currency wasn't pleasant to begin with, and since her reserves were chronically low, it was also taxing on her body.

If overtaxed, it could eat away one's lifespan.

The amount of hope that can be held in reserves varies from person to person and depends on their capacity for hope. Mirai's capacity was a puddle compared to Nozomi's ocean, but compared to the rest of the population, she could hold more than most, by nature of her blood.

The upper classes of society hardly use their bodies for reserves. There are a variety of objects, such as stones or gems, that can be used as external reservoirs to carry concentrations of hope. 

However, these objects are rare and costly, and most go their entire lifetime without ever even knowing such objects exist.

Witnessing this exchange draws an audible gasp of interest from Sora. Forgetting momentarily that he had to conceal his heart, he accidentally releases a short pulse of surprised interest from his inner world to the room. 

Nozomi tugs at his shirt to remind him, and he quickly returns his attention to concealment, straining a bit. Making eye contact with the Innkeeper, Sora nods politely in apology, for which he receives a nod in return.

“Etiquette doesn’t seem all that different,” he thinks to himself. “I’ll need to tread lightly, since I don’t understand all the ways I can affect people in this world. If I rub someone the wrong way, I could easily find myself in actual danger. I already did with Mirai and got lucky! That kind of luck doesn't come by twice.” 

Sora's body already made the most important step in adapting to the change in environmental conditions. Everything still felt surreal to him, and his head was in a cloud, running on overdrive, but he no longer felt paralyzed by the change. Now he was prepared to face it head on. Excited even. He carefully held these feelings within him so that they wouldn’t spill into those around him. 

Sora feels a certain wonder within his heart. Wonder towards this world and its magic. He feels protective of this feeling, like he might be crushed under the flood of the unfamiliar if he didn't keep this gift of Nozomi.

He smiles inwardly, gratitude warming at his chest.

The three sit at the round table that Nozomi picked out, and a stack of plates, utensils, three cups of water in wooden cups, and a modest platter of food — half a loaf of bread, what appears to be three sunnyside up eggs, but with bright purple yolks, and a bowl with a handful of round black colored berries — is placed before them.

Nozomi lays out the plates and utensils, while Mirai divvies up the eggs and bread, ripping it into three pieces.  

Nozomi’s eyes gleam at the sight of the fruit bowl, like this were a special treat. She turns to Mirai as if to ask if it was really ok, and upon receiving a nod in return, she reaches eagerly to the fruit bowl and holds it out towards Sora, “Let us share in this bountiful meal!” and awaits expectantly.

Sora eyes Mirai carefully, reaching for a berry, glancing back at Nozomi who smiles back at him, waiting for him to eat the berry. 

Without further hesitation, he pops the berry in his mouth and says, “Ooh it's just like a blue berry!”

Released from her restraints, Nozomi peers through bowl of berries as if rummaging through a treasure chest, then picks out the largest and darkest berry she could find. With a deep breath, she closes her eyes and pops it into her mouth, squeaking in delight.

Sora was a pretty fast eater, but he was sure to match the pace of Mirai as to not be rude. His usual breakfast was several times larger than the portions before him, but from the looks of it, Nozomi saw this as a special feast. It was not lost on him that Mirai had also made sure to break off a larger piece of bread for him and serve him the largest egg. 

Having not eaten the night before, the modesty of the meal disappointed Sora, but the kindness of his new friends made up for his lingering hunger.

He hoped that he’d have the chance to return the favor. “Maybe I’ll prepare a dinner,” he mulled.

Mirai felt guilty for causing Sora’a collapse the night before. She had no intention of divulging to him what happened, since he never brought it up and the truth could only endanger her and Nozomi. She still didn’t know if she made the right choice in deciding to bring him back to the inn, but she found some relief in her choice.

That said, she didn’t want to expose how precarious their circumstances were to Sora. The less he knew, the better—so she opted to order a side dish as well, that way it wouldn’t be completely obvious how strapped for cash they were—at least that’s what she hoped. Paying for an extra breakfast plate already made her heart ache, literally because of its cost, but also because that was one less meal for Nozomi.

Clearing the table, the Innkeeper notices Sora’s jeans and t-shirt. “Ah, I bet old man Le Ru would pay a pretty penny for those unusual clothes you’ve got there. You must be a foreigner.”

“Ah, yes that’s right.” Sora replies, sure to wish his meaning outward. Well it’s not wrong, he thinks. 

“Old man Le Ru?”

“Yes sir, he’s a merchant down by the town center. I often refer travelers to him. Feel free to use my name, you might get a discount! I also get a commission for successful referrals.” She winks.

“Though you’re probably best to leave the tail behind,” she says with a brief glance at Mirai. “He’s an old stubborn one,” she chuckles, walking off with their dirty dishes in tow.

Not understanding this comment, Sora tries to laugh it off politely, wondering if old man Le Ru didn’t treat women particularly well. Though, a shimmer appears in Sora’s eyes, as if finding a link in a chain, peeking at Mirai.

At her mention, Mirai sucks in her breath, and her hands fidget, clammy under the table. When Sora doesn't probe any further, she exhales.

“If it is as she says, selling my clothes might help hold me over long enough while I search for a way to support myself.” Sora thought to himself. “It would also give me a way to pay Mirai and Nozomi back for their kindness...”

He nods to himself, having come to a decision. He stands up a bit eagerly. “I’ve caused you two enough trouble, so I should be on my way!” Having now forgotten the trauma of the night before entirely. “Thank you for treating me to a delicious meal!” Turning to Nozomi, “And thank you oh wise and kind teacher Nozomi for all you’ve taught me!”

Pleased that things seemed to be coming to an end swiftly and smoothly, Mirai sighs a breath of relief, even while Nozomi puts up staunch resistance to Sora’s departure.

With unfounded determination, Sora steps out from the Inn into a new world.