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In an old, worn-down house, a little girl was preparing dinner.
"Yona, when will my brother Nir come back?"The girl asked as she chopped vegetables.
"He said he'd return after the festival, so don't worry."Answered an older girl sitting on a chair, fixing something. She had long, dark blue hair tied into two braids.
"…You know, I've always wanted to ask—why is my brother so interested in that Judge Holl? He seems like a bad guy to me, with that scar on his eye and… and his serious expressions."
Yona stood up and patted the little girl's head.
"Haha, I'm not a fan of him either. But as long as Nir respects him, I'll respect him too—because that's our duty as good people."
"But… aren't you both thieves???"
Yona went silent for a moment.
"…You know what? I think I'll go check on Nir. Don't forget to tell the boys to buy groceries."
She left the house.
On her way, she bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry."
"No problem."
She passed by him without even looking.
Yona arrived at the festival grounds.
"Is this where the festival was supposed to be?"
She stepped through the festival's entrance.
Why is there no one here?
Weird… shouldn't the festival be packed with people? I mean, isn't Holl an important figure?
Suddenly, a police officer stopped her.
"Excuse me, ma'am. You can't enter here—it's dangerous."
"What? What happened?"
"It seems that a group of terrorists is planning to ruin this beautiful festival. We need you to cooperate and leave immediately."
Yona left quietly, though tension lingered in her chest.
Wait… where's Nir?!
She hurried off, running left and right, checking every alley she knew.
Where did that idiot go?!
She stopped at a blacksmith's shop.
"Hey, Mr. John!"
"Oh, Yona. What do you want? Trying to sell me another one of your devices? I already told you—I won't buy them."
"N-no, I actually just wanted to ask you something. Have you seen Nir around?"
Mr. John stroked his chin, thinking.
"Hmm… yeah, I saw him. He was with some girl."
"A g-girl?! Do you know her? Can you describe her?"
"No, sorry. It was my first time seeing her. She was a short girl with short white hair, wearing a hoodie."
Yona tried to picture her.
A girl…? With Nir…?
Don't tell me… Nir lied to me.
Maybe he didn't actually go to the festival—maybe that was just an excuse to spend time with this girl.
But who is she?
Is she… his girlfriend?!
No, I can't jump to conclusions. Nir isn't that kind of person.
"Do you know where they went?"
Mr. John was about to say something but suddenly paused.
Then, with a smirk, he said:
"I'll tell you… if you give me 30 coins."
"What?! Seriously?!"
"Yep. That's my offer."
Yona sighed deeply and reached into her pocket.
She searched her pockets, moving her hands left and right.
Wait… where's my wallet?
She checked every pocket she had—no luck.
Where is it?!
Panic set in.
"W-wait! I'll be right back!!"
Yona ran everywhere she had been, asking everyone she knew.
"No… my wallet had all my money in it."
Night fell as she continued searching.
Exhausted, she slumped onto a bench, mourning the money she had lost.
For a moment, she forgot about Nir and the money.
I didn't go home… my siblings must be worried.
Nir must be home by now too.
But… I lost everything. What do I do now?
She buried her face in her hands.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
She lifted her head—it was Sunny.
"N-nothing… I'm just tired."
"Really? Do you need help?"
"No, I'm really fi—"
Grrrrr!
Her stomach growled loudly.
Embarrassment washed over Yona.
Sunny responded immediately.
"Umm… how about we go to a restaurant? My treat."
Yona, too embarrassed to refuse, accepted.
At the restaurant, Yona ate like a beast.
As she devoured her food, she vented to Sunny about all the struggles in her life—how hard it was to make money, how her siblings never appreciated her hard work.
She ate… and cried.
"It's painful, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah."
Sunny listened to her story quietly.
For some reason, Yona felt comfortable talking to him.
Then, Sunny spoke.
"Can I ask you something too? You see, I also have a little sister. Her name is Lilith. I'm looking for her—I need to know anything about her. She disappeared this morning."
Yona looked at him.
"Can you at least describe her?"
"Sure. She's a short girl with short white hair and wears a hoodie."
The spoon fell from Yona's hand.
"Wait… that's what your sister looks like?!"
"Yeah. Do you know anything about her?"
Yona hesitated.
Don't tell me… she's his sister?!
Should I really tell him?
He seems like a nice guy.
But… what's Nir's connection to them?
"Umm… s-sorry, I don't know anything."
Sunny sighed.
"Thanks anyway. I'll go pay now."
He stood up and walked to the counter.
As he took out his money…
A familiar wallet fell out of his pocket.
".....Wait.
Isn't that my wallet?!"
Yona shouted so loudly that Sunny flinched.
He panicked, threw the money at the cashier, and ran.
"GET BACK HERE, YOU THIEF!!!"
Yona immediately chased after him.
As Sunny ran, he glanced back and saw Yona crying as she followed.
"Please… give me back my money. I trusted you… don't you feel any shame?"
For a moment, his guilt ached.
He turned to her and said:
"Promise me you won't hurt me if I give it back."
"W-what?! But you stole my money and spent it!"
"Well… technically, I didn't spend anything. I bought food for you. So, technically, you're the one who spent it."
"But you… wait… technically, you're right."
"F-fine. I promise I won't hurt you. Just stop running and give me back what's left of my money!"
Sunny finally stopped and returned the wallet.
Yona sighed.
"I never expected you to do something like this. So… everything you told me was a lie? Even about your sister?"
"No. I really didn't know I had stolen from you. But I am really looking for my sister."
Sunny turned to walk away.
Yona swallowed her pride and called out:
"W-wait!!!"
Sunny stopped.
Yona took a deep breath.
"I… I think I know where your sister is."