«Tsk... still tired?» he thought, rubbing his neck. His body, though free of visible wounds, felt weighed down by lingering fatigue.

His gaze fell on a small table nearby: a change of clothes had been laid out carefully. «It must have been the old man... or maybe Yume,» he reflected to himself, giving the smallest of smiles.

He dressed without hurry. His jeans were plain and light-blue, and the short-sleeved white shirt had two small buttons at the collar—buttons you could fasten or leave undone. It wasn’t anything special, but after all... he didn’t need more.

After getting ready, Kaito fastened the belt holding the sheaths for his blades to his pants and left the room, closing the door behind him. From downstairs came a loud clatter.

«What’s going on so early?» he wondered, going down the stairs toward the common room.

Looking around, he noticed many people drinking and joking. —why is it so crowded today?— he thought, surprised.

Just then, a familiar voice called out. «Good morning, Kaito!» It was Mr. Hauromi, busy filling another tankard of beer, visibly occupied with the customers.

Kaito approached him. «Good morning, Hauromi... Why all the noise today?» he asked.

The man answered while sliding a tankard toward a patron: «It’s Saturday. The inn always fills up on weekends.»

Kaito nodded, taking in the full room. «I see... you’re very busy.»

«Need a hand?» he offered, watching the man still caught up with customers. Hauromi turned, clearly surprised.

«Really? That would be a huge relief,» Hauromi replied. «But you’ve already done so much for us... I don’t want to ask any more,» he added, turning serious for a moment.

Meanwhile, Kaito had already grabbed an apron from behind the counter. «I asked you,» he said as he tied it on.

Hauromi looked at the boy with visible astonishment.

«Hahah, what a character you are!» the man laughed. «Alright, but you can stop whenever you want,» he added with a smile.

«Tell me what to do,» Kaito asked. Hauromi thought for a moment.

«Let’s see... you could go to the cellar and help Yume fetch the wine. I’d do it, but I’m too old to be climbing the ladder,» he said with a slight smile.

Kaito nodded and headed for the cellar door, descending the stairs slowly. When he arrived, he found Yume reaching for a bottle of white wine on a shelf.

«Hi, Yume,» the boy said.

The girl turned quickly. «Kaito?» she replied, sounding unsure. «Why are you here?»

«Seems obvious... to help,» he answered, moving to the ladder beside the entrance.

The two of them worked in silence: Kaito climbed the ladder to take down the higher bottles, while Yume handled the ones within reach.

For a moment, the girl turned to watch him. He looked a little worn out. —What’s wrong with him?— she wondered, as Kaito kept working, breath coming short.

—I didn’t think I was this tired,— the boy thought, memories of the last few days surfacing: arriving at the inn, the clash with Shirogane, rescuing Yume.

«Kaito.» Hearing her voice, he turned.

«Are you sure you’re alright? You’re short of breath and a bit pale,» Yume asked, coming closer.

«Don’t worry. I’m just a little tired,» he replied, stepping down from the ladder. «Come on, let’s bring the bottles to the old man.»

A FEW MINUTES LATER

«Here you go, Hauromi,» Yume said, handing him the last bottle.

«Thanks so much, you two,» the man replied, still occupied with customers.

«Take these.» Hauromi handed them two trays with glasses of wine.

«Do we serve the guests?» Kaito asked, looking at Yume. «Exactly,» she answered.

«I’ve never done this before...» he added.

Yume looked at him smiling. «I’ll show you how,» she said.

She began moving gracefully between the tables, offering drinks with ease—both kind and attentive to the customers at the same time.

—And to think, until yesterday she was chained to her past— Kaito thought, watching her.

He glanced at Hauromi. —He seems different than he did not long ago... Maybe... after all, it wasn’t wrong to come to this inn.—

He took the tray and headed toward the tables.

Kaito might not have realized it yet, but for the first time since the tragedy that had struck him... he was living a truly carefree day.

The boy began to serve the customers: he was slightly stiff in his movements and not as naturally accommodating as Yume.

—I didn’t think it would be so complicated,— he noted, carrying another tray to a table where a family sat: a mother, a father, and a small child who was crying.

«Here you go, folks,» Kaito said, trying to seem as natural as possible while setting down the food and drinks.

«Thanks, son,» the father replied, trying to soothe the boy with his wife.

«Waaah!» the child wailed, crying sharply.

—It’s crazy... how can such a little kid cry so loud?— Kaito thought, covering his ears with his hands.

«Come on now... don’t cry, calm down,» the mother said softly, rocking the child gently.

«Good, he’s calming down,» the husband said, relieved.

«That smile on your face—what’s that about?» Yume’s voice made him jump: she had leaned forward, bringing her face close to his, curious.

Kaito snapped back to himself, startled by how near her voice was. He blushed slightly and quickly averted his gaze.

«N-nothing...» he stammered, scratching the back of his neck with embarrassment. «It’s just... it felt like a peaceful scene, that’s all.»

Yume watched him for a moment in silence, then smiled mischievously.

«Mmh... I see,» she said simply, adding nothing more.

Kaito felt even more awkward. —Damn... I looked like a total idiot,— he thought, trying to focus again on the tray in his hand.

Yume walked away, letting out a small chuckle she couldn’t quite hide.

Unnoticed, night had already fallen over the inn.

«Perfect, we’re done,» Yume said, stretching. Kaito, sitting on a chair with a relaxed air, gave a faint smile. «Do you do this every Saturday?»

Hauromi and Yume exchanged a look, then the old man burst into laughter. «Well, of course.»

—I really am out of it...— Kaito thought, holding back a smile.

«Good work, you two. Go rest. I’ll take care of the tables. You did well,» Hauromi said, grabbing a rag from under the counter.

«Alright, see you tomorrow,» Yume replied warmly.

«See you tomorrow,» Kaito echoed.

The two youngsters headed upstairs calmly.

«Night, Kaito,» she said as she made for her room.

«Wait,» he called, almost on instinct.

She stopped and turned, surprised. «What is it?» she asked, tilting her head slightly, a curious smile on her lips.

Kaito looked into her eyes. «I want to tell you something... I haven’t even told Hauromi, but... I’m leaving soon.»

Yume’s smile faded. «You’re leaving?» she whispered.

«Yes. I have to go to Shinkase,» Kaito added.

Her eyes widened. «Shinkase? Why?»

Kaito met her gaze. «You once asked me why I travel so much... The truth is I’m searching for revenge. I want to destroy the Mugentamashii.»

A silence fell between them. Yume lowered her eyes. «The Mugentamashii... That’s the same name Shirogane hated.»

«I know,» Kaito said. «During our fight, he told me that some of them will be at the Shinkase auction.»

He took a step closer. «I didn’t want to hide it from you.»

Yume looked at him for a long moment, then gave the faintest, trembling smile. «Thank you... Kaito. For being honest.»

They said goodbye without needing more words. Yume went into her room. She stood still for a moment, then let herself fall onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. The moon’s silver light dimly lit her room.

—Why do I care so much?— she thought, clutching the pillow to her chest.