Chapter VI. Journey

Aito's eyes fluttered open, groggy from sleep. His head rested heavily on his right side, pressed against the cool surface of the table. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting warm light across the room.

He groaned softly, rubbing his neck with his hands as he sat up in the chair, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

With a loud yawn, Aito stretched, raising his arms high above his head. As he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze fell on the finished sketch before him.

His heart raced as he recognized the image: Sorako, surrounded by trees and ethereal spirits. He closed his eyes, allowing the memory of last night to wash over him.

Aito thudded his head against the table, opening his eyes with a smile tugged at his lips.

"Not a dream." He whispered to himself.

"Not even slightly a dream. Believe it now?" came Sorako's voice from the hallway.

Startled, Aito turned to see her standing there, hands on her hips, a playful smile on her face. She was still dressed in his clothes—his oversized shirt fitting her snugly.

He nodded, his heartbeat quickening as she inspected him from head to toe, raising an eyebrow.

"You seriously have more than one of the same set?" She teased, noting their similar attire.

Aito shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "If it fits, who cares about colors and patterns?"

Sorako sighed dramatically, a giggle escaping her lips as she took a few steps closer to him. Her gaze shifted to the A4 sketchbook lying open before him, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"Were you drawing all night?" She inquired, her interest piqued.

Aito's heart raced with panic as he followed her gaze to the drawing. His eyes widened in alarm, and he instinctively covered the artwork with his arms, leaning protectively over the book as she approached.

"This is nothing!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of urgency and embarrassment. "I was just…"

His eyes darted around the room, searching for a plausible excuse.

"I was just flicking through things I've drawn in the past." He stammered, hoping to deflect her curiosity.

Sorako placed her hands behind her back, leaning forward with an inquisitive expression. The sparkle in her eyes only heightened Aito's anxiety.

"May I have a look?" She asked, genuine excitement lacing her tone.

He stared at her, realizing there was no way to hide the drawing now. In a sudden burst of determination, Aito quickly sat up and slammed the sketchbook shut.

With a swift motion, he opened the desk drawer, tossing the book inside and shutting it firmly.

"Maybe another time." He said, trying to sound casual.

Sorako pouted, a look of disappointment crossing her face as she turned away from him.

"We have a promise." She reminded him, her back to him as she walked out of the room.

Aito watched her leave. He craned his neck and glanced out the window, the sunlight illuminating the world outside.

"A promise, huh." He murmured to himself.

Sorako stood in front of the door, meticulously tying three braids on either side of her head, securing them with a vibrant blue ribbon. The ribbon was tied neatly at the back, overlaying the knot of her ponytail, adding a playful touch to her shrine maiden outfit.

She wore a classic white kosode paired with striking red hakama, the hem of the skirt gracefully cut to create an asymmetrical look. Slipping on her sandals, she felt ready for the day ahead.

Aito's voice called out from behind her, "We good to go?"

Turning around, Sorako spotted Aito standing beside the table, where family photographs were arranged with care. He was dressed casually in a light brown shirt and cargo pants, exuding an effortless charm.

As he walked over to her, he settled onto the step, leaning down to put on his sneakers, lacing them with a focused determination.

Once finished, he stood up and met Sorako's gaze. She scrutinized his outfit with a raised eyebrow, a teasing smile forming on her lips.

"We are really going to need to teach you about fashion after this." Sorako remarked, her voice light with playful authority.

Aito responded with a sly raised brow of his own.

They then set off on their journey towards Toshi Shrine.

***

The two strode into the bustling streets, the vibrant atmosphere alive with people going about their day. Sorako weaved her way through the throngs, her eyes sparkling with fascination.

Every intriguing sight pulled her in, and she would tug Aito's wrist, dragging him along like a child leading an unsuspecting adult into a world of wonder.

Laughter bubbled from her lips, pure and unrestrained. She pointed excitedly at a statue, her expression a mix of boundless enthusiasm and wonder. Aito, who had his phone in hand, began explaining the statue's significance. Sorako nodded, her attention captivated by his words.

As they continued their exploration, Aito focused on the route displayed on his phone, glancing down as he walked. Sorako, meanwhile, strolled with her hands clasped behind her back, her head gently tilting as she observed the myriad of people and towering buildings around her.

Just then, a man walks through her from behind. Sorako's eyes widened in surprise as she stopped to watch him walk a few paces ahead, forgetting that she was but a ghost to an ordinary person.

The sudden contact seemed to drain the joy from her expression, and she turned to Aito with a dejected look clouding her features.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head as if to shake off the unexpected encounter. When she opened her eyes, she regained her composure and darted back to Aito, who cast her a sidelong glance.

Sorako turned her gaze away, hiding the lingering trace of vulnerability from his view, while Aito returned to his phone, unaware of the whirlwind of emotions she was processing just beneath her cheerful facade.

***

The narrow street stretched out like a snake, flanked by towering stone walls that loomed silently on both sides. Aito and Sorako walked side by side down the middle, their footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the morning.

Aito glanced back at Sorako, his brow furrowing slightly. "It should be at the end of this path." He said, determination lacing his tone.

Sorako, walking with her arms folded behind her back, cast her gaze upward. The sky was a vivid blue, unmarred by a single cloud. "It sure is a beautiful day to go on a nice stroll around the surface." She remarked, a hint of longing in her voice.

Aito turned his head to look at her, a wry smile playing on his lips. "This isn't a tour, you know. We're on a mission to get you home."

As he focused on the path ahead, Sorako let out a frustrated huff, clearly not content with his reminder. "I know this already," she said, her frown deepening. "I just wish I could explore this place more."

Her expression softened as she glanced at the back of Aito's head, and she came to a halt. Just then, Koi nuzzled affectionately against her cheek. Sorako closed her eyes for a moment, relishing the comfort. She gently rubbed her cheek against Koi's soft scales.

"I know, I apologize, Koi." She whispered, opening her eyes to find Aito just a short distance ahead. With her spirits lifted, she began to walk again, her gaze wandering to Aito's left.

A small, grassy path caught her eye, and her face lit up with excitement. Without hesitation, she jogged over to it.

Aito had stopped to check his phone, the GPS indicating they were close to the shrine. He looked back up just as he was about to call out to Sorako.

"Just up here…" He turns his head around. "Hey, we're he…" His voice trailed off when he realized the space behind him was empty.

"Sorako?" he called, his voice echoing down the narrow path. There was no response. Aito turned around, a wave of concern washing over him as he scanned the area. He put his phone away and retraced his steps, anxiety knotting in his stomach.

"Okay, Aito, take a deep breath," he muttered to himself. "She's probably just hiding somewhere." He inhaled deeply, feeling the crisp morning air fill his lungs. "No one else can see her, so she wouldn't have gotten kidnapped, right?"

A sudden rustle from the bushes startled him. He jumped back, his heart racing as he turned toward the source of the noise. Squiggles, his small pet, peeked out from his hair, curious.

Before he could gather his composure, a shadow leaped from the bushes. Panic surged through Aito, and he stumbled back in fear, landing hard on the ground. He instinctively shielded his face with his arms, bracing for whatever was coming.

"What are you doing down there?" Sorako's voice cut through his panic.

Aito opened his eyes, lowering his arms to meet the sight of Sorako standing before him, an amused smile gracing her lips. Koi floated beside her, his gentle aura calming Aito's racing heart.

Aito, still bewildered, sighed, a mix of annoyance and relief washing over him. "What were you doing in there? I thought something happened to you!"

Sorako's eyes sparkled with excitement, her earlier gloom forgotten. "I discovered something incredible." She declared, turning on her heels and heading further down the grassy path.

Aito tilted his head in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Sorako stopped and turned back, her enthusiasm contagious. "Come on, let me show you!" She urged, her eyes glimmering with a sense of adventure.

Aito scrambled to his feet, shaking off his surprise, and dashed after Sorako, wonder written on his face about this discovery of hers.