Unintended Tears

"I never thought I'd see the day—a cat-eared human! This is... quite something," Reiji thought, barely containing his laughter.

As Reiji stepped off the winding path and onto the village's weathered stone walkway, his eyes widened in astonishment. Before him lay a sight that defied all his expectations.

But the peculiar human was not the cause of Reiji's astonishment; it was the village itself.

Nestled in a lush forest, the village Reiji is looking at is a sight to behold. Its architecture is a Renaissance masterpiece, showcasing unparalleled expertise in art, science, and engineering.

Reiji's gaze roamed over the village's winding streets. The moon shone down on elegant arches and intricately decorated house exteriors. Every detail reflected the designer's meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to urban planning.

The village was a prime example of balance between form and function, a testament to the designer's exceptional skill. 

Reiji looked back the way he came. "Why'd Tatiana keep me to that side that looks so ancient? It's jarring compared to this advanced civilization."

"I have so many questions!" Reiji exclaimed in excitement.

The moment Reiji spoke aloud, the cat-eared humans vanished from sight. The village's bustling activity came to an abrupt halt.

Reiji's excited demeanor gave way to confusion. 

"What the...? They all just disappeared?"

"What's wrong with these people?" Reiji wondered.

"Hello?" Reiji called out, his voice echoing through the empty village.

"I shouldn't let my guard down in case anything crazy happens." He told himself

"I was just looking for a little girl with curly brown hair and an adorable smile," Reiji said aloud, his words hanging in the silence.

"Although she's a little sketchy of a character," Reiji commented through his mind.

The silence was broken by a low, melodic voice that seemed to come out of nowhere. "And a fairly white glow skin tone, and she's very intelligent." 

The words hung in the air.

Reiji's head swiveled, a hint of amusement danced on his lips as he said, "You have a weird habit of popping out of nowhere, don't you?" His gaze locked onto the figure behind him.

Reiji's eyes met Tatiana's disapproving gaze, and he raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look?" he asked, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone.

Tatiana's voice was laced with a mix of frustration and disappointment. "You just alarmed the entire town, Rei-eni. How can I not be disappointed?"

Reiji held up his hands in a defensive gesture and said, "Well, you didn't exactly warn me that their 'small village' was a hidden gem. And besides, I had no idea they were this... fragile."

Tatiana's expression remained unyielding, her eyes flashing with a hint of annoyance. "Tsk!" she sounded, the sharp click of her tongue a clear indication that she wasn't buying into Reiji's excuses.

Tatiana stepped forward, her calm and authoritative presence commanding attention. She walked to the center of the village and she began to apologize and placate the frightened villagers. "Please, dear friends, do not be alarmed. He did not mean you no harm. Come out now." 

Her words were soothing balm to the frazzled nerves of the cat-eared humans, and slowly, they began to emerge from their hiding places.

A hint of realization dawned on Reiji, and he whispered to himself, "So this is how important they are to this little kid." A newfound understanding sparked within him, and he felt a pang of regret for his earlier thoughtlessness.

Reiji followed Tatiana, his eyes scanning the crowd as he announced, "I apologize for my earlier outburst. I just got a little too excited with the wonders of this enchanting village you call home." 

He bowed his head deeply, his voice filled with sincerity as he asked for forgiveness. "Please, accept my humblest apologies."

As the tension dissipated, the cat-eared humans began to approach Tatiana. One by one, they asked, "Is this the friend you were so excited to tell us about?" Their voices were laced with concern and apology.

"Don't be upset, Tati," one of them said, placing a gentle hand on her arm.

"We were just a little too sensitive. But we're okay now." Another cat-eared human nodded in agreement, offering Tatiana a reassuring smile. 

"Yes, Tati, we're fine. Please don't worry about us."

Just then, an elderly cat-eared human emerged from the crowd, his kind eyes exuding warmth and authority. 

He opened his arms, and the teary-eyed little girl eagerly accepted his comforting hug. As he enveloped her in his warm embrace, he turned to Tatiana and said, "Thank you, Tati, for watching over us and keeping us safe all this time. Your kindness means the world to us."

Tatiana's emotions finally overflowed, and she burst into tears. The weight of her worry lifted, she sobbed uncontrollably, her voice shaking with relief. "I was so scared... I thought you were in danger!" she exclaimed, her words punctuated by ragged breaths. 

As she continued to cry, the villagers gathered around her, offering comforting words and gentle touches, enveloping her in a warm, supportive embrace.

Reiji remained bowed, his head still lowered in regret . However, his eyes flicked up, watching Tatiana as she cried, and his expression twisted in self-reproach. 

He bit his lip, chastising himself for his thoughtless actions. "I had no idea she cared so deeply," he thought, his mind racing with remorse. 

"I made assumptions, and I was wrong. I owe her so much more than just a simple apology."

Bobbin walked past him, and when he lifted his head, he saw Tatiana being escorted by the townsfolk.

Reiji stood there, watching, until one villager turned to him and said, "Ah, you accompanied her, so you must understand her, right? For now, let's let Elder Felimor handle her emotions."

"That's the problem, I don't…" Reiji trailed off.

He thought to himself, "I never had a little sister, but this is how I would feel if I did have one and hurt her."

Without a word, Reiji turned and walked back to his hut.