Chapter 68 - Please, Go Back

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Suddenly, a hesitant voice is heard by Kazuki and Rei in the middle of the road — filled with a certain surprise and a raised tone, as if the person had seen something they shouldn't have and couldn't hide their astonishment.

— What are you two doing?!

Rei then glances to the side, not believing that someone is actually there at that moment. "Maybe I'm just really unlucky," the student thinks to himself before looking at the person's face.

For a brief second, anger becomes evident on Rei's face — after all, when he finally managed to exchange some kisses and touches with his companion, the moment didn't last long, and they were unexpectedly interrupted.

Kazuki is also in a similar situation, unsure of what to do or how to hide his red face, like a tomato about to explode. He looks like a teenager caught red-handed after committing a small misdeed.

At that moment, both of them pull away from each other and start apologizing to the lady, who doesn't understand what's happening or why these two strangers are apologizing to her.

— Excuse me, but… how? Why are you apologizing exactly? Were you doing something wrong?

After hearing the question, the student shifts his gaze to the elderly woman's face, confused by the questions.

"How? Didn't you just see what we did? Maybe she's messing with us…?"

Despite the conclusion that pops into his mind, once he notices that the woman's eyes are cloudy and seem distant from reality, the only conclusion he can come to is that she's blind.

— Well, we're sorry for standing in the road, so we must've gotten in your way, ma'am.

The younger one lies, taking advantage of the situation to make up a flimsy excuse, not letting embarrassment cloud his judgment.

— Hmmm. Alright. It's okay, you're not in the way. I felt there was someone on the road and decided to ask, but I didn't expect to actually find someone.

— I swear I heard some moans… probably just my imagination, I must be getting old…

Both Rei and Kazuki get nervous as they hear her comment, not knowing what to say from that point on, and the boy just agrees with her.

— Yeah, maybe it's that.

"D-Damn… why did you have to show up right now, ma'am? Shit, this is so embarrassing."

— By the way, are you heading to the village down the road? — Rei asks, quickly changing the subject.

— Me? No, I'm not going there… not at all.

— On the contrary, I'm leaving that small village after what happened today. I don't want to stay there anymore, — she responds, with some hesitation and nervousness in her words.

— Are you two heading there?! — she asks.

— Yes.

The lady's expression changes after hearing this. She raises an eyebrow and clasps her hands together, almost in a prayer-like gesture, as if desperately pleading.

— I wouldn't recommend going there.

— What?

— Please, don't go down to that village.

— Erhh… why? — Rei asks, a bit confused, not understanding the lady's unconvincing request.

— That village is a mess right now. So I ask that you be careful with the people there, their ignorance is astonishing! I didn't expect this generation to be so arrogant and closed-minded…

Her words are filled with resentment and sadness, which the boy immediately notices.

— I know I haven't explained much about what's happening, but here's my warning. I don't feel fit to talk about the situation, but I hope you reconsider what I just said and turn back, please…

After she finishes speaking, there's a brief silence, and neither the student nor the man-wolf responds. Only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves is heard. It's then that the lady realizes they aren't turning back and lets out a small sigh, lowering her hands.

— If you keep going straight, you'll find the village after walking 25 minutes down this road. Once you cross the Nertyrem River, you'll see some houses on the other side of the area. — When she finishes explaining, she can't help but walk past Rei and Kazuki.

Despite the brief encounter, before leaving, she bids them farewell and gives a small smile.

— I'm heading to Svhistar to find my teacher, goodbye, young ones… I hope we meet again someday… maybe. — She then continues down the road opposite to Rei and Kazuki's path, marching toward the refuge.

Rei thanks the lady for the information and turns his gaze to his companion.

— What do you think?

— About what she said? — the man-wolf asks. — Well, it wouldn't make sense to doubt what she said. Especially with the way she was speaking and expressing herself, I think the situation must be pretty serious, not to mention how she kept asking us to turn back…

— Yeah, that was a bit strange… but honestly, we're already here, why would we go back? Even if something's going on in the village, it's not our concern, don't you think?

— Yeah… yeah, of course… — Kazuki responds, still unable to forget what happened between them.

— Ah… so, let's get moving again, we're not far now… — Rei says soon after, noticing the tension that lingered after the lady left.