Chapter 4 - Eternal Gratitude!

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It was already late in the afternoon, and the day started to get darker. After walking for several hours, Rei and Mia decide to rest for a few minutes. They take advantage of the nearby local plants and trees to pick small fruits and satisfy their hunger.

— We're almost there. Do you see that tree over there? — she points to a large, old tree, which seems to have a human-like face, with thin vines hanging over it.

— My friends and I call it the old lady, even if it catches fire or something happens, it always stands tall… We use it to know the way back to the village… — she continues talking.

…

— Rei, why were you in that place? — she asks, turning her head slightly, with a doubtful expression, while furrowing her brow.

— I don't remember much, I think I lost my memory.

"I can't say I'm from another world, I'd be considered crazy… Probably." — he thinks nervously, avoiding looking at the girl.

— That place is where monsters and dangerous animals are, people from the village always say to avoid it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have survived, thank you Rei, I promise I'll help you somehow. — says Mia, her eyes shining with confidence.

— There's no need for that, just bringing me to the village is already helping me, I...

— MIA, IS THAT YOU!? — A man shouts from a distance, interrupting the boy's speech.

Upon recognizing the voice, Mia runs quickly toward where the man is.

— UNCLE! — she says, crying, while hugging him tightly.

— Do you have any idea how worried I was? Takayo came to tell me that two women had kidnapped you in the morning. — he says, worried, while hugging the girl.

— The whole village has been looking for you, some people even left the village and went to Heir Forest, even Mrs. Aster volunteered to help with the search. I looked for you everywhere and couldn't find anything. — he speaks quickly, as his hands begin to tremble.

— If something had happened to you, I don't know… What would become of me…

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After a few minutes of emotion, the man turns his gaze toward where Rei is standing.

— By the way, who is that boy, Mia? — he says, pointing to the student.

Rei, after hearing the man, simply makes a Hang loose gesture.

(The hand symbol meaning "all good" or "the situation is under control.")

…

Mia then begins to explain what had happened that morning, how she had been kidnapped by the women, and that when she woke up, she saw the monsters devouring them. How she tried to run, but they chased her.

How she found Rei, who had saved her from the creatures, and helped her reach the village. — she reports, still trembling in terror as she recalls those fateful memories.

Shocked, after hearing his niece's full story, the man, angry with himself for allowing the girl to witness all that horror, walks toward the boy.

As soon as he gets close to the student, Rei immediately notices that the man has dog ears on his head, about 1.75 meters tall, robust and muscular. He had deep blue eyes, which, when looked at closely, felt like a vast light blue ocean.

"This guy is… really handsome." — he thinks, trying to disguise his gaze.

— I don't have words to show my gratitude, I promise I will return this favor, even if I have to die for it to happen. If it weren't for you, my niece would have died. Please, call me Kazuki. — he says, bowing his head, as a sign of respect and gratitude in front of the boy.

Not knowing how to respond to that emotion, Rei, embarrassed, gently moves his hands to raise the man's head, not realizing his hasty action.

Kazuki is surprised. Because only people in close relationships or family could touch others. Even though he hesitates, he doesn't pull away from the young man.

— You don't need all that formality. I already told Mia, just by bringing me to the village and giving me some information, everything will be resolved. I'm glad to see your concern for her. In the short time we were alone, I realized she's a very charismatic and intelligent girl… I hope this incident doesn't cause any trauma or anything related to it.

Soon after saying this, Rei becomes sad, thinking about his family and how, despite all the problems he caused, he was still very loved.

"I hope they're okay…"

Upon hearing those words, Kazuki smiles at the boy and then goes to where Mia is, putting her on his back. Then, he signals for Rei to follow him, so they can enter the village.

After passing by the ghost-willow, the oldest tree near the village, which was nicknamed "old lady," they walk until they turn left, heading south toward the village.

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Upon reaching the village gates, one can notice a very simple and rustic design made of wood surrounding the walls and gates.

Near the village gate, several people, who were nearby, seeing Kazuki's arrival, rush toward him. As they get closer, they ask, concerned, where Mia had been all this time.

Kazuki says little about the case, explaining that it was already late in the night and that in the morning, he would clarify the whole situation of Mia to the village. At the same time, he signals for Rei to follow him.

The boy then greets all the people present and enters the village.

— Since you don't have a place to go, you can stay at my house for as long as you need, it's the least I can do compared to what you've done for me…

— O-ok, thank you. — he thanks, admiring the houses around him as he follows.

The design of the houses was clearly made of stones and bricks, giving the village a medieval style. Despite looking comfortable, the numerous houses nearby seemed fragile because of their structure, giving the impression they could collapse at any moment.

Kazuki's house was farther away from the other houses in the village. It was a large stone and brick house, surrounded by plants and various types of tree branches. Close to it were the local market and the cathedral.

Upon entering the house, Kazuki asks Rei to sit on the sofa near the crystal chandeliers, while he orders someone from the house to bring some food.

At this moment, Mia's uncle picks her up and takes her to the upper floor, intending to make her sleep.

…

Soon after descending the stairs, Kazuki walks toward Rei and asks him a question.

To be continued...