Chapter six

|Ayano Poirot|

The sun rose over Kusin Village, its golden rays spilling into the quiet streets as the world slowly awakened. Inside a modest yet well-kept hotel room, Shin stirred beneath the warmth of his blankets, his breath slow and even. The scent of aged wood and fresh morning air drifted in through the open window, mixing with the faint aroma of breakfast cooking somewhere below.

He groggily rubbed his eyes, rolling over with a content sigh—until a voice interrupted his moment of peace.

"Good morning."

"Gah!"

Shin jolted upright with a yelp, nearly tumbling out of bed as his heart pounded against his ribs. His drowsy eyes darted around, landing on the familiar yet unexpected figure perched near the open window. Sunlight poured in through the translucent curtains, casting long beams of light that made Ayano Poirot appear almost ethereal. His dark long hair caught the glow of dawn, and his gaze, cool yet amused, remained fixed on the startled adventurer.

"How—what?" Shin sputtered, his thoughts still sluggish from sleep. He blinked rapidly, his mind scrambling to process the situation. His lips parted again, but all that came out were a few unintelligible noises.

Ayano exhaled through his nose, a small smirk forming. Without hesitation, he strode forward and flicked Shin's forehead with practiced ease.

"Come on, wake up already," he said, his voice carrying a note of exasperation. "We've got places to be. Other heroes to gather."

Shin, despite the sharp flick, barely processed the words at first. Then, like a switch being flipped, his sleep-addled brain caught up. His eyes widened in realization, excitement pushing aside fatigue.

"The other heroes?" he echoed, his voice rising with anticipation.

Ayano gave a small nod.

That was all it took for Shin to throw himself out of bed with newfound energy. His movements were frantic, lacking coordination as he scrambled for his belongings. In his rush, he nearly tripped over his boots before bolting into the washroom, the door shutting behind him with a loud thud.

Left alone in the room, Ayano let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. His gaze lingered on the washroom door before slowly shifting back to the window. The outside world was bathed in a warm glow, the distant sound of villagers stirring filling the air. The scene stirred something in him—something distant, yet familiar.

"Come on, Dumbo. Don't tell me you're still asleep? ~"

The voice rang in his mind, cheerful and full of warmth. A memory, blurred yet vivid, surfaced from the depths of his past. Laughter echoed, and in his mind's eye, he saw a familiar face grinning down at him—a friend, nudging him awake just as he had done for Shin moments ago.

Ayano's expression softened for a fleeting second before he shook the thought away.

It was the past. That was all it would ever be.

Just as he steadied himself, Shin emerged from the washroom, his face refreshed and his hair still slightly damp. He was dressed in his usual adventurer attire—a well-worn coat, sturdy boots, and gloves built for travel. On his right breast pocket, pinned neatly over his heart, was the symbol of his guild: Alteruin.

Ayano eyed the badge for a moment, his gaze unreadable.

Shin, however, was too excited to notice. "Alright! I'm ready!" he declared with a grin.

Ayano sighed but couldn't hide the faint curve of his lips. "Let's hope your enthusiasm actually lasts through the day."

With that, the two stepped out into the sunlit streets of Kusin Village, their journey—and the gathering of heroes—only just beginning.

The village of Kusin was already alive by the time Ayano and Shin stepped onto the bustling cobblestone streets. Vendors called out from wooden stalls, selling everything from ripe fruits to polished daggers. The scent of sizzling meat and fresh bread drifted through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp stone from the early morning mist. Children weaved through the crowd, laughing as they played, while farmers led their horses and carts toward the market square.

Shin stretched his arms above his head, letting out a yawn. "Man, I forgot how nice mornings are when you're actually awake to see them."

Ayano, walking slightly behind him, adjusted the strap of his bag and gave him a quick sideways glance. "You mean when someone wakes you up."

"Hey! I wake up early sometimes!" Shin huffed, puffing out his chest.

Ayano hesitated, as if considering humoring him, but his expression betrayed his doubt. "...Sure."

Shin narrowed his eyes at him but quickly got distracted when his nose caught the scent of grilled meat. His gaze snapped to a nearby food stall, where an old woman was turning skewers of glazed meat over an open flame. His stomach growled, and he pressed a hand to his gut.

Ayano noticed immediately. He let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "...We're on a schedule."

"But—!"

Before Shin could protest further, a soft clink echoed between them. A coin landed neatly on the wooden stall, sliding to a stop in front of the vendor.

Shin blinked and turned to Ayano, surprised. "Huh?"

Ayano awkwardly looked away, scratching his cheek. "Just—go get one already."

The old woman chuckled warmly, picking up the coin. "One skewer for the hungry young man?"

"Please!" Shin grinned, eagerly taking the food when it was handed to him. He took a bite and practically melted on the spot. "Mmm! This is amazing!"

Ayano stuffed his hands into his pockets, watching Shin's reaction with mild amusement. He wasn't really looking for thanks, but seeing Shin so easily pleased made the small expense seem worth it.

"Eat while walking," he mumbled. "We need to meet our informant at the guild hall."

Shin, still happily chewing, nodded, and the two continued through the market streets. As they passed a group of villagers setting up decorations, Shin tilted his head.

"Hey, what's all this for?"

One of the villagers, a young man with straw in his hair, perked up. "You must be travelers! Kusin's annual Hero's Festival is tomorrow."

Shin's eyes widened. "A festival?"

The villager nodded, gesturing toward the half-finished decorations. "Every year, we celebrate the great heroes of the past. People come from nearby villages to honor them. We tell stories, hold duels, and even have a grand feast!"

Shin turned to Ayano with hopeful eyes. "Can we stay for it?"

Ayano faltered. He hadn't expected the question.

"...No," he said after a pause, but his voice lacked the usual firmness of someone truly shutting the idea down.

Shin groaned. "Come on! It's literally a festival about heroes! You're a hero!"

"Exactly," Ayano muttered, shifting his weight slightly. "Which means if we stay, someone will recognize me, and then things get... complicated."

Shin huffed but didn't argue further. Ayano, however, found his own mind stuck on the thought.

A Hero's Festival, huh?

Did people tell stories about him? The idea felt strange. His name being spoken among the great heroes of the past—was that something he wanted? Was it something he deserved?

He frowned slightly, adjusting his collar as if trying to shake off the discomfort.

Then—

"Pfft—! Ayano, there's sauce on your face."

Ayano blinked. "What?"

Shin grinned, pointing at his cheek. "Here."

Ayano hesitantly lifted his hand and wiped at his face. "...Where?"

Shin made a serious face. "No, actually, it's—wait, no, a little to the—"

Ayano squinted at him, realization dawning. "You're messing with me, aren't you?"

Shin immediately burst into laughter. "Took you long enough!"

Ayano let out an exasperated sigh, feeling his ears heat up slightly. He turned his gaze elsewhere, pretending not to care, but Shin's laughter was contagious. A small, barely noticeable smile tugged at Ayano's lips.

Even if the past weighed on him, there was something light about moments like this.

Shin, still chuckling, took another bite of his skewer. "You know, for someone so serious, you're actually pretty easy to tease."

Ayano shifted uncomfortably, mumbling under his breath. "I'm not serious all the time."

Shin's grin widened. "Oh? You sure about that?"

"...Don't push your luck," Ayano muttered, but the awkward way he said it only made Shin laugh harder.

The two continued down the village road, the lively energy of Kusin surrounding them.