Chapter II. The World

Aito and Sorako walk through the bustling streets, surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere. Students rushed past, their laughter mingling with the chatter of children and the weary hum of workers returning home.

The setting sun cast an orange glow across the sky, its warmth enveloping the city like a comforting blanket. Sorako paused, casting her gaze toward the horizon.

"Those tall buildings really block the sunset," she observed wistfully. "I love watching it descend over the horizon back home."

She glanced around at the lively atmosphere, where shops of every kind lined the street. With every step, the air thrummed with energy. Sorako kept a few paces behind Aito, her eyes sparkling with fascination as people darted in and out of stores.

"There sure are a lot of people down here," she remarked, her voice a mix of amazement and excitement. "There is so much going on that I do not even know where to begin."

Aito looked back to Sorako, noting her wide-eyed wonder. She twirled like a child, her enthusiasm radiating.

"You're really intrigued by the surface, aren't you?" Aito commented, raising an eyebrow.

Sorako smiled sheepishly, skipping to his side as they walked. "Who would not be curious about a new world?"Aito studied her with a blend of admiration and curiosity. "So, where are we heading?" She asked, her head swiveling to take in the colorful array of shops.

"The library." Aito replied succinctly.

"Library?" She tilted her head, puzzled.

"It's where you find information."

"Oh, an archive! What are we going to find there?" Sorako quizzed, her excitement bubbling over.

As they continued, Aito felt the weight of curious glances from passersby; Sorako's presence seemed to stir a sense of confusion with everyone else - Aito being the only one who could see her. He shrank a little, unease prickling at the back of his mind. Sorako, oblivious to the gaze of the crowd, looked up toward the floating island above them with a thoughful expression.

"Something that hopefully explains what the spirits even are." Aito said, bringing them back to the task at hand.

Sorako's eyes brightened at the mention of spirits. She snapped her fingers in realization. "Oh! Ask me!"

Aito stared at her for a moment, taken aback by her ongoing enthusiasm. He nodded, encouraging her to continue. "The spirits are the original beings of the island." Sorako explained, her voice animated. "My home up above and the surface used to be connected as one!"

As she spoke, an image began to materialize in the air—a vision of the island five hundred years ago when it existed as part of a vast landscape alive with green and nature. The floating island was shown as a vibrant village populated with people.

"Two humans came upon the island while traveling and decided to make it their home." she continued, her tone shifting to one of intrigue. "Unbeknownst to the spirits who lived there."

A new image appeared: two humans in a small boat, stepping onto the island with hopeful expressions.

"So we invaded their home?" Aito asked.

Sorako shook her head firmly. "No, the two humans made a contract with the Greater Spirit Bird and Fish."

A vivid representation of the Greater Spirit Bird filled the space above them; it was colossal, a magnificent crane glowing with orange light. Beside it, the Greater Spirit Fish, resembling a koi, sequined with white luminescence, swam through the air.

"In exchange for allowing them to live on the island, one would become the source of the spirits' energy, and the other would bear a part of the Greater Spirit Bird's soul." Sorako elaborated.

An image focused on one of the humans making a pact with the Greater Spirit Fish, revealing the first Maiden, a koi shadow appearing in her left iris.

Losing her train of though, Sorako walked toward a nearby clothes shop, mesmerized by the stylishly dressed mannequins behind the glass. One mannequin wore a faded light blue sundress, which caught Sorako's attention. She pressed her hands against the glass, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

"To think there are so many different ways to dress – how fascinating!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

"What's fascinating is your reactions." Aito replied, joining her at the window.

Sorako looked at him, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and delight.

"So, the island was originally part of this land?" Aito asked, shifting back to their earlier discussion.

Sorako nodded, her expression becoming serious once again. "That is what is written in the scrolls. We were all one until an incident separated us."

Aito tilted his head, a thoughtful frown deepening on his brow. "I see... so a long time ago?"

"More like five hundred years." she corrected gently.

Aito halted abruptly, caught in contemplation. Sorako, lost in thought, bumped into him, causing both to stumble slightly. "Why did you just stop—" she began, but Aito interrupted, his eyes focused intensely on her.

"If it's only been five hundred years..." he trailed off, looking deeply into her eyes. "Why does no one talk about it?"

Sorako sighed, her brows knitting together in thought. "I would also like to know this."

"Guess our answer really does lie in the library." Aito said, determination edging his tone.

"Or so we hope, anyway." Sorako replied, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes as they resumed their journey through the illuminated streets, the sun dipping over the horizon.

Aito and Sorako continue their footsteps through the city. As they navigated through the crowd, Sorako deftly sidestepped incoming pedestrians, a playful smile dancing across her lips. A light laugh escaped her, a sound that seemed to blend with the vibrant energy around them.

"Having fun over there?" Aito asked, glancing at her with amused curiosity.

Sorako nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It is fun to feel like they would collide into me."

In a moment, she halted, her gaze fixed on the throng of people flowing past. A frown began to etch her brow as she observed the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Wasureta really are different..." she mused, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aito paused beside her, intrigued. "How so?"

Sorako's eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the crowd, her thoughtful expression deepening. "The way they move, their body language, the fact that everyone minds their own business."

She continued to watch, captivated by the snippets of interactions playing out before her. A group of girls erupted into laughter over something on their phones, their joy punctuating the din of the street. Nearby, a couple of guys exchanged playful shoulder bumps, their expressions lively.

Yet, despite the animated atmosphere, Sorako regarded them with an indifference that seemed at odds with the vibrant world surrounding her. She shook her head as if to dispel her thoughts. "Never mind. Let us get to the library."

As they resumed their journey, a silhouette slipped into the crowd, blending seamlessly within the wave of strangers. Grey hair partially obscured the figure's face, creating an air of mystery before it was swallowed up by the many colors and sounds of the street.