And still… somehow, she was already paying for all of them. The food, the medicine, even the place they were staying—it was all coming from Kaya's own pocket.
She sighed heavily, staring blankly at the busy market ahead.
"…I should've just left them in that alley," she muttered under her breath.
Kaya was still sitting there, her expression complicated. Too many thoughts, too many problems. She stared blankly at the market, trying to figure out where to even begin.
Then, a soft voice broke through her thoughts.
"Excuse me?"
She turned around slowly.
It was the same boy from yesterday—the one she had protected. The same boy who had shielded the injured child with his own body.
Kaya looked at him, her eyes sharp at first, still carrying the stress she hadn't managed to shake off. But then she caught herself.
Her eyes softened slightly. She gave her head a small shake, trying to clear her mind, and said, "Yes?" Her voice came out a little gentler.
