Sunlight streamed through the window next to the bed; it was a very early hour of the morning.
Akira lay in bed, waiting for the most suitable time to leave for Raiga's house.
He hadn't been able to sleep, which was evident in his expression; but he couldn't afford to sleep. For him, every sleep meant another nightmare, more pain.
After lying there for a while longer, he stood up and began to put on his guard uniform. He didn't want to go visiting dressed like this, but frankly, he had no other clothes. He only had the uniform Makise had given him, which he'd used for four years and was stained with blood. He didn't wash it as often as he used to anymore. Just as he was about to leave his room, he decided to take his swords with him in case anything happened: First, he strapped his black sword to his belt, then his Setsuna to his back. He was ready to go now, and he left the palace with heavy steps. This time, curiously, he hadn't seen Makise; he always woke up early and drank tea or coffee in the palace garden.
After taking his horse, he rode towards Eldravon. Since it was so early, there was no one around; the streets were deserted. Because of this, he knew he wouldn't attract attention, and he could move through Eldravon without being noticed. After a short while, he left Eldravon and reached the areas where the villages were, but he still had a long way to go. On one hand, he was excited to see his friend Raiga, his wife, and his child, or so he thought, because in people's eyes, Akira was now a heartless monster.
In truth, he didn't even know what he was, but there were people he valued, and their deaths would upset him. That's why he believed he still held onto his humane feelings.
As he continued his journey on horseback, he realized he was thinking too much and began to look around: at the greenery, the mountains, and the villages. He traveled for a long time, and the journey was peaceful. He reached a small village. Akira was slightly surprised that a village was this far from the capital, and moreover, that it was still within the Velmorya Kingdom.
He tied his horse at the entrance of the village and started walking toward the center. The villagers became scared and backed away when they saw Akira. They had recognized him from his crest and his clothes, and they began to whisper among themselves:
— I-isn't that the cruel Valen?
— What is he doing here?
— We should leave immediately!
Akira continued walking toward the house in the middle of the village with an indifferent attitude.
This time, the people in the village were surprised.
— What does he want from the village elder?
— I-is he going to hurt him!?
— We must stop him!
— Yes, we owe the village elder our lives!
A small child from the crowd stood in front of Akira. The child's hands were shaking, but his face showed determination.
Akira was surprised, and the child shouted:
— What do you want from the village elder?
— I came to speak with him.
The child continued to speak, shouting:
— You can't hurt him! We will protect him, and we will stop you!
Akira put his hand on the sword at his belt and began to laugh. The child was terrified, his whole body starting to tremble. Akira slowly approached the child. Suddenly, a man appeared behind the child. The child quickly turned around and saw Raiga standing there.
Raiga gently placed his hand on the child's head and stroked it.
— Don't worry, he's my friend. You go home.
The child nodded and walked away.
Raiga turned to Akira.
— Welcome, Akira.
Akira shrugged.
— Thanks. I apologize for scaring the villagers.
— It's all right. Don't let it get to you; you're not the person they think you are.
— Thank you, Raiga, but now even I don't know what kind of person I am.
Raiga headed toward his house.
— Come inside, let me introduce you to my wife.
Akira followed.
— Okay.
Raiga opened the door of his house and stepped inside. The house was two stories high and spacious. It was definitely the largest house in the village, which was normal considering it was the village elder's home.
They slowly entered, and a large living room was immediately before them, with the dining table already set.
— Your house is nice.
— Yes, it is. Everyone in the village built this house together.
Akira asked:
— But why?
A woman with long, brown hair, about 5'7" tall, entered the living room.
Raiga answered:
— I'll tell you at the dinner table.
The woman came to Akira with a warm smile.
— Hello, welcome. I'm Luna.
— Thank you. I'm Akira, it's nice to meet you.
Luna nodded.
— I know who you are. Raiga told me a lot about you. You two were very good friends.
Akira turned to Raiga in surprise.
— I never thought he remembered me like that.
Raiga laughed, putting his hand on the back of his head.
— You must be hungry, you've traveled a long way after all.
— Yes, I'm quite hungry, I haven't eaten.
Luna headed to the kitchen.
— Okay, then let me bring the drinks too. Let's not waste any time.
Akira and Raiga sat at the table and waited for Luna. Luna came to the table with the drinks and filled the glasses.
Raiga looked around.
— Where is Nagisa?
Luna laughed.
— She hides in the back room out of shyness when we have guests, you know.
Akira spoke in a cold voice:
— You don't need to call her. She would probably be scared if she saw me.
Raiga objected.
— Don't say that. I think she'll like you.
Luna headed toward the inner rooms and entered a small room with pink walls. Four-year-old Nagisa, who was trying to hide under the bed covers, lifted her blanket slightly when she saw someone enter.
Luna sat next to Nagisa and began to stroke her head.
— Nagisa, we have a guest. Will you say hello to him?
A timid voice came from under the blanket.
— N-no.
Luna sighed.
— We've talked about this before. You should at least say hello to guests.
— B-but I don't want to.
Luna took Nagisa out from under the covers and held her in her arms, starting to walk toward the living room.
Nagisa initially tried to resist but then gave up.
When they entered the living room, Luna put Nagisa down, but Nagisa turned her back out of shyness.
Raiga laughed.
— Nagisa, come here.
Luna turned to Raiga.
— That's how she always is.
Nagisa looked at the floor as she slowly walked toward her father, Raiga.
Raiga picked Nagisa up and gently turned her head toward Akira.
Nagisa's face was flushed, but the moment she saw Akira, she began to smile. She didn't understand why, but she felt strangely happy. She got down from her father's lap and walked over to Akira.
— Welcome.
Akira smiled.
— Thank you.
Nagisa's face flushed again, and she ran back to her room.
Akira didn't understand what had happened.
Raiga and Luna were surprised.
After a moment of silence, Luna spoke.
— She never usually does that.
Raiga laughed.
— I told you she would like you.
Akira asked curiously.
— How old is she?
— Four years old, and her name is Nagisa.
Akira began to ponder.
— It's a beautiful name. Does it have a meaning?
Silence fell at the table. Raiga replied:
— I had a younger sister, but unfortunately, she died because of the war the week she was born. I had named her Nagisa, so I wanted to name my daughter Nagisa if I ever had one.
Akira looked sad.
— I didn't know that. I'm sorry.
Luna was surprised.
— You don't tell your fellow soldier anything?
Just as Raiga was about to answer, Akira interrupted:
— Raiga didn't like talking about himself.
Luna brought her hand to her chin, looking thoughtful.
— That's interesting, because as soon as I met Raiga in the village, he started telling me about his past.
Raiga finished the mouthful of food and spoke:
— When I came to this village, I wasn't thinking as childishly as before, and I needed to tell someone about what I had been through.
Luna chuckled.
— So it wasn't to sweet-talk me when you talked to me?
Raiga got angry.
— Of course not!