I had told Satoshi about my intention to go to the capital today. I wanted to leave early; we were two hours away. But I still wasn’t ready. Hisa wasn’t in the bedroom — maybe she was outside waiting for me.

I looked at my closet, full of clothes I never wore, and I couldn’t decide.

What are we supposed to wear when we go out with our… our what?

I stopped that thought. What was she, exactly? A pet spirit…? That wouldn’t be very respectful.

Unable to decide, I asked Miyu to help.

Usually, I never asked her, but it was her job after all. She should know what was best for the occasion.

As she chose the clothes, I noticed an expression I had never seen before. She seemed joyful. I realized that Miyu had changed a lot recently.

Not long ago, she used to look at the floor, or appear afraid in my presence. It had always been like that.

Since when had she started looking at me in the eyes like this? When had she begun to look so happy over a single outfit?

Or… maybe I just hadn’t noticed her before…

I didn’t have time to think further; she had already found a dress for me to wear. It was dark in color, but the cut was less formal than the ones I usually wore for receptions.

It was light, pleasant to look at, and without great pretension. It suited me well.

Miyu chose a matching bag and accessories — earrings, a necklace, a bracelet.

Wasn’t it too much?

An outing… It was the first time. I had always gone out for other reasons.

I felt a little anxious. I knew how people looked at me. And I preferred staying at home.

A book, she had said. I could at least do that. I wasn’t a child anymore, and I wouldn’t stay indoors forever.

I was ready. I thanked Miyu and went to the carriage.

Hisa was… on its roof.

« Tss. Seriously, can’t you just wait normally? » I stared at her.

She quickly came down.

« Sorry, » she whispered.

Satoshi spoke. « Did you say something, Ma’am? »

Oh crap… he’s here… I thought.

I needed to be more careful when I talked to her. I didn’t want people to think I was crazy…

« Thank you for waiting, Satoshi. I’m ready. »

« Very well. Please take a seat, we’re leaving. »

Hisa sat in front of me. She looked out the window and seemed happy, like a child.

« Why are you so joyful? » I asked.

« I’m glad you came. I can’t wait for you to taste the pastries. »

« You don’t even know what they taste like. Maybe they aren’t that good. »

« Yes… »

With that answer, the smile on her lips disappeared, and her gaze drifted toward the horizon, far away.

Did I say something I shouldn’t have?

She was a spirit. Of course she couldn’t know what food tasted like.

Or was it something else? After all, I didn’t really know her. And I knew she wasn’t telling me everything.

Maybe it was difficult for her, not being able to taste things…?

I suddenly realized that my remark had been inappropriate.

« I… I’m sorry if I hurt you, » I said, without looking at her.

She grabbed my hands.

« Oh no, I’m sorry — I was just lost in thought! It’s alright, haha! »

She let go of my hands and scratched the back of her head, as if trying to hide her discomfort.

« I was just wondering what the butter tastes like here! Haha! »

“Here?” I thought.

But she quickly changed the subject. I didn’t press further, and we continued talking along the way.

The carriage stopped.

« Ma’am, we’ve arrived, » Satoshi said.

He opened the door.

« After you, » I whispered to Hisa.

I knew she could have crossed the structure if she wanted to, but I liked to treat her like a normal person. Maybe I shouldn’t ?

I stepped out of the carriage. The weather was nice, not a single cloud in the sky.

I hadn’t come here in a while, but nothing had changed.

The street where we stood was lively — the main commercial avenue of the capital.

Little by little, people began to stare at me.

I told Satoshi to park on another street and gave him the day off. I didn’t plan to leave before late afternoon.

Hisa seemed happy to be there. She talked about the nearby shops and told me the places she wanted to visit.

But as I walked, the stares became sharper. Like arrows planted in my back.

People started whispering.

Their voices were no longer just words, but venomous whispers, creeping, slithering beneath my skin.

« Hey, look! Isn’t she the cursed Mizushima child? »

« Don’t say cursed, she might hear… ugh… scary… »

« Oh no, she’s here! What bad thing will happen to us again…? »

Every word struck me like a sting.

Their eyes pierced me, judged me, condemned me.

The air grew heavier. My steps slowed. My hands trembled — barely noticeable.

I tried to take a deep breath, but the air wouldn’t enter my lungs. A wave of painful memories threatened to engulf me. All those looks — I knew them. The same disgust. The same fear. The same ignorance.

My heart was beating too fast, too loud, as if it were trying to escape my chest.

I turned around, looking for Hisa.

But she wasn’t there.

My stomach tightened. My field of vision narrowed. Everything became blurry, distorted, distant.

As if I were falling into a black, bottomless well, where the cries of the world echoed in muffled sounds.

I was alone.

Again.

And then, I heard a voice.

« Akame? Akame?! Why are you standing there? Ehoo!! Come here! Quickly! Look at this! »

Her voice cut through the chaos, like a light piercing the darkness.

I looked up.

Hisa.

She was waiting in front of a shop, smiling, joyful, waving at me.

And suddenly, only her voice existed.

Only her.

The murmurs had faded. The stares had vanished.

How could she be invisible to everyone… and yet be the one who made my world clearer?