Wrapped in his dark cloak, Kaito walked at a slow pace. His hood was pulled down, hiding most of his face and leaving only the glint of his brown eyes visible; at his waist were two sheaths—inside them lay two peculiar blades.

Ahead of him stood a crowded inn. A constant clamor of voices and laughter spilled from inside.

(An inn, huh... should be fine.)

Kaito pushed the door and went in.

The warmth of the room hit him immediately. The inn’s interior was full of people drinking, talking and laughing loudly. The hall was medium-sized, and toward the back was the bar counter.

Near it there was a flight of stairs leading to the upper floor. The smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of food, creating a heavy atmosphere.

He moved up to the bar, ignoring the curious glances of some patrons drawn to his solitary figure.

"Hello, I'd like something to drink."

His voice was flat.

The bartender, a man in his fifties with a dirty apron and strong arms, looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

"You're a bit too young for these places, kid."

"...I just want some water."

The bartender was silent for a moment, then sighed, filled a glass with water and set it down in front of him.

Kaito lowered his hood, revealing his face: slightly tousled black hair, dull brown eyes, and an expression that seemed too bleak for his age.

The bartender stared at him for a moment, noticing something.

(This boy... there's something strange about his look.)

Kaito took out two brish — the currency used in this world — and let them drop onto the counter.

"There. Thanks."

"See you, kid."

Kaito barely nodded and turned to leave. But something made him stop.

In a corner of the inn, a group of men were bothering a girl.

"Leave me alone and go away."

The girl's voice was firm, but there was tension in her eyes.

One of the men, a burly type with a scar on his cheek, sneered.

"Come on, if you dress like that you want the attention, right?"

The others laughed. One of them reached out and grabbed her by the wrist.

Kaito felt a slight irritation rise within him. A mix of annoyance and... disgust.

The bartender stepped forward, his face tense.

"Leave her alone and get out of my inn."

The thug with the scar looked at him, then grinned.

"And who do you think you are to give us orders, old man?"

His hand shot out and struck the bartender in the stomach, making him double over.

"Now come with us, pretty thing."

"Don't touch me!"

The girl tried to pull away. The man tightened his grip.

But something stopped his movement.

A hand closed around his wrist.

The man spun around.

Behind him, Kaito stared with cold, lifeless eyes.

"Let the girl go."

The murmur of the crowd died.

"And who the hell are you, kid? Looking for trouble?"

Kaito didn't answer at once. His expression did not change.

"I won't say it again."

The thug burst out laughing.

"Well, listen to this! I'll show you, runt!"

The punch came fast — but it hit only air. Kaito dropped with a fluid motion and, in a single move, leveraged the man's arm, throwing him to the ground.

The patrons watched the scene, stunned.

The thug got up with his face twisted in anger.

"Bastard... let's kill him!"

The other two men nodded and lunged at Kaito.

He moved in a flash. He used their shoulders as a spring, landed behind them, and with a few sharp strikes sent them sprawling to the floor.

The three men, hurt, struggled to their feet.

"Want to keep going?"

Kaito's voice was low, cold.

One of the men ground his teeth.

"Let's get out of here."

"I don't know who you are, but I'll remember you."

They left, limping.

Calm fell over the inn.

Kaito remained silent, then decided to go.

"Wait!"

A hand grabbed his wrist.

He spun around.

In front of him, the girl looked at him. Long black hair with bangs slightly covering her forehead and violet eyes.

"Please... don't go."

Kaito looked at her, confused.

(What does she want from me?)

"You helped us — let us repay you."

Kaito didn't seem interested, however...

"All right... I'll stay a while."

He agreed reluctantly, not even knowing why himself.

A small smile opened on the girl's face.

"Thank you."

The bartender, equally pleased, offered Kaito food and lodging for the duration of his stay, giving him one of the inn's nicer rooms.

Kaito followed the girl up the stairs. The wooden floor creaked under their steps as the din of the patrons faded.

"This will be your room while you stay here. I hope you like it."

The girl, whom the bartender had called Yume, stopped in front of a door, looking uncertain.

Kaito watched her a moment. She looked younger than he had imagined.

(She can't be older than eighteen.)

He turned the doorknob and stepped into the room.

The interior was simple but cozy: a bed, a nightstand and a small television. Nothing special, but definitely better than other places he'd slept recently.

"Do you like it? It's the best we have."

"It'll do," Kaito replied, placing his cloak on the chair beside the bed. "A less luxurious one would have been fine too."

"We wanted to show you our gratitude."

For a moment silence reigned. Then Yume stepped forward, lowering her gaze.

"And... I'd like to know your name."

She said it with a hint of embarrassment, as if unsure whether to ask.

Kaito hesitated, then answered:

"My name is Kaito."

Yume smiled slightly.

"That's a nice name."

"...Yume, right?" the boy asked to confirm.

"Yes?"

"I wanted to ask... in this town you don't have spirit-bearers, do you?"

Yume looked surprised, then shook her head.

"No. As you may have guessed, we are very poor here... Unlike other towns, we don't have enough money to improve the roads or modernize the buildings. Consequently, spirit-bearers aren't interested in living here."

Kaito noticed she said it without anger or sadness in her voice.

(She doesn't seem to care much...) he thought.

"I understand. I figured as much."

He turned toward the bed and sat down, folding his arms.

"Alright, then. Good night."

Yume looked at him for a moment, as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end she nodded.

"Good night, Kaito."

She closed the door and left.