The sound of the wind filled the forest.
Snow moved gently between the trees.
For a while, there was nothing else.
Then—
Footsteps.
Someone approached Sasaki's unconscious body.
The footsteps slowed.
A figure stopped beside him.
The man crouched down and carefully looked him over.
"Still breathing."
He placed two fingers near Sasaki's neck.
"That's good."
He glanced at Sasaki's injuries.
"Though barely."
The man sighed.
"Come on."
He carefully lifted Sasaki and carried him toward a nearby wagon.
Sasaki slowly opened his eyes.
At first, everything was blurry.
He couldn't tell where he was.
The sound of wooden wheels moving across the ground reached his ears.
...What?
Sasaki tried to move.
Pain immediately shot through his body.
"—!"
He stopped.
His breathing became uneven.
Slowly, he looked around.
Wooden walls.
A small window.
Blankets underneath him.
A wagon.
Sasaki's hand immediately moved toward his waist.
Nothing.
His eyes widened.
My sword...
He searched again.
Nothing.
Panic briefly crossed his face.
Then he remembered.
He had lost it.
Sasaki slowly lowered his hand.
"...Damn."
A voice came from the front of the wagon.
"You're awake?"
Sasaki looked toward it.
The man who had found him was sitting near the front.
Sasaki studied him carefully.
"Who are you?"
"I'm an ally."
The man glanced back at him.
"You were pretty badly injured."
Sasaki looked down at himself.
His clothes were torn.
Bandages covered parts of his body.
He couldn't remember when they'd been put there.
"Why did you help me?"
The man shrugged.
"You were lying in the snow."
He paused.
"I wasn't going to leave a child there."
Sasaki frowned.
"I'm not a child."
The man smiled.
"Sure."
Sasaki looked away.
"...Whatever."
He tried sitting up.
The moment he moved—
Pain shot through his side.
His wounds began bleeding again.
"Ah..."
Sasaki clenched his teeth.
"Damn it."
The man immediately turned around.
"Don't move too much."
A faint light suddenly appeared beside Sasaki.
He looked toward it.
A small hand was held out toward him.
Sasaki blinked.
A little girl was sitting near the other side of the wagon.
Light surrounded her fingers.
It slowly spread across Sasaki's body.
His wounds began closing.
Sasaki stared.
"...Healing magic?"
The girl nodded.
"Yes."
The pain slowly faded.
Sasaki relaxed against the wall.
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome."
The girl smiled.
Sasaki looked at her.
She couldn't have been very old.
Maybe eight.
Nine at most.
He looked away.
She's traveling with them?
Something about that bothered him.
Before he could ask—
Sasaki's expression suddenly changed.
He heard something.
Very faint.
Almost impossible to notice.
His eyes narrowed.
He closed them.
The wind.
The wagon.
The wheels.
And then—
Something else.
Sasaki opened his eyes.
He turned his head toward the forest.
"...Down."
The girl blinked.
"Huh?"
"Get down."
THWIP!
An arrow flew through the wagon.
Sasaki raised his hand.
The arrow stopped.
Flames surrounded it.
It burned away before reaching him.
The girl stared.
"...Whoa."
Sasaki looked toward the forest.
His eyes narrowed.
They're still chasing me.
He sighed.
"Of course."
The little girl stared at him for a moment.
Then her eyes widened.
"Are you hungry?"
Sasaki looked at her.
"...What?"
"Do you want some food, Mister?"
Sasaki breaks.
His stomach answered for him.
He looked away.
"...Yes."
A small smile appeared on the girl's face.
"I'll get some!"
She stood up.
She walked toward a nearby barrel.
Sasaki watched her.
"Wait."
She stopped.
"What?"
Sasaki looked toward the forest.
"...Nothing."
He wasn't sure why.
He simply didn't want her wandering around.
The girl continued.
Then—
THWIP!
Another arrow flew through the wagon.
It struck directly toward the girl.
Sasaki's eyes widened.
"Look out!"
But the arrow stopped.
An invisible barrier surrounded her.
The arrow fell harmlessly to the ground.
The girl looked down at it.
Then back at Sasaki.
"...See?"
Sasaki stared.
An automatic protection spell.
He looked at the barrier.
Then at the girl.
"Aren't you scared?"
She tilted her head.
"Of what?"
"That."
He pointed toward the arrow.
She shrugged.
"It happens all the time."
Sasaki's expression darkened.
"...All the time?"
The girl nodded.
"They never hit me."
She smiled.
Sasaki didn't.
He looked at the arrow lying on the floor.
Then at the girl.
How can someone this young be so used to something like this?
His expression hardened.
"This world is disgusting."
The girl looked at him.
"It's okay."
She smiled.
"This happens all the time."
Sasaki stared at her.
Then something occurred to him.
"...You can read my mind."
The girl's smile grew.
"Yes."
Sasaki's eyes narrowed.
"So you heard everything?"
"Most of it."
"That's annoying."
"Sorry."
She didn't look particularly sorry.
Sasaki sighed.
He leaned back against the wagon wall.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Sasaki opened his arms.
"Come here."
The girl blinked.
"...Why?"
"Just come here."
She hesitated.
"Is this a trap?"
"No."
Sasaki smiled faintly.
"I'm not a bad person."
The girl stared at him.
"I know."
She slowly walked over.
Then climbed onto Sasaki's lap.
Sasaki froze for a second.
He hadn't expected her to actually do it.
"...You're trusting me pretty quickly."
She shrugged.
"I can read your mind."
Sasaki chuckled.
"Right."
He gently placed a hand on her head.
"What is your name?"
"Vera."
"Vera."
Sasaki repeated the name.
"How old are you?"
"I'm eight."
Sasaki's hand stopped.
He looked down at her.
Eight.
She was only eight.
Yet she spoke about being attacked like it was nothing.
Sasaki's expression became serious.
"Vera."
"Hm?"
"I'm going to help you."
Vera looked at him.
"You can't."
Sasaki frowned.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm dangerous."
Sasaki stared at her.
Then he pulled her into a gentle hug.
"Don't worry."
He rested his chin lightly against her head.
"I'm here."
Vera went quiet.
For the first time since Sasaki had met her, she didn't immediately say anything.
Then—
"...You better keep that promise."
Sasaki smiled.
"I will."
The wagon continued through the forest.
The journey took hours.
Eventually, the trees became thicker.
The road became smaller.
Sasaki spent most of the journey sitting quietly.
Vera, however, talked almost constantly.
She told him about the forest.
About the cabin.
About the animals she'd seen.
About the man driving the wagon.
She even told him about a bird she'd seen that morning.
Sasaki listened.
Sometimes he responded.
Sometimes he simply nodded.
But he listened.
Eventually, Vera fell asleep against his side.
Sasaki looked down at her.
"...She really trusts me."
He carefully adjusted the blanket around her.
The wagon continued moving.
For the first time in a long while...
Sasaki wasn't alone.
Eventually, the wagon stopped.
"We're here."
Sasaki looked outside.
A small cabin stood deep within the forest.
Smoke rose from the chimney.
There was a small garden beside it.
Nothing extravagant.
Just a quiet place hidden away from the rest of the world.
Vera woke up.
"We're home."
Sasaki looked at her.
"Home?"
Vera nodded.
"Yep."
The two climbed out of the wagon.
Sasaki looked around.
It was peaceful.
No crowds.
No soldiers.
No people chasing him.
Just trees.
Snow.
And a small cabin.
The man who had brought them there walked toward the door.
"I was informed to help her."
He gestured toward Vera.
"But you were with her, so I decided to take you too."
Sasaki raised an eyebrow.
"How convenient."
Someone tugged on his coat.
Sasaki looked down.
Vera was holding onto him.
"Come on."
She pulled him toward the cabin.
"Let's go inside."
Sasaki smiled faintly.
"...Alright."
Inside, the cabin was warm.
A fireplace crackled in the corner.
There was a small living room with a carpet covering the floor.
A table sat near the kitchen.
Vera immediately ran inside.
Sasaki watched her.
She dropped onto the carpet.
Then rolled onto her back.
Then rolled again.
Sasaki stared.
"...What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"You're just rolling around?"
"Yes."
Sasaki sighed.
"Alright."
He walked toward the kitchen.
"Hey, old man."
The man looked at him.
"What?"
"Can you make some food for the kid?"
"I'm already making it."
The man smiled.
"You want some?"
Sasaki hesitated.
"...No."
His stomach growled.
The room went quiet.
Sasaki slowly looked down.
Then back at the man.
"...Just make me some tea."
The man laughed.
"Sure."
"Thank you."
Dinner was simple.
But it was warm.
Vera sat at the table while Sasaki sat across from her.
She ate quickly.
Too quickly.
Sasaki watched her.
"Slow down."
Vera looked at him.
"I'm hungry."
"I can tell."
She slowed down.
For about three seconds.
Then started eating quickly again.
Sasaki sighed.
He quietly pushed a cup of water toward her.
"Drink."
Vera smiled.
"Okay."
After she finished eating, Sasaki noticed food on her cheek.
He reached over and wiped it away.
Vera blinked.
"You're acting like my dad."
Sasaki froze.
"...Am I?"
"Yeah."
Sasaki looked down at his tea.
"...I guess."
Vera smiled.
"That's good."
Sasaki didn't answer.
But a small smile appeared on his face.
The days passed.
Then weeks.
Sasaki stayed.
At first, he told himself it was temporary.
He would recover.
He would leave.
He would continue searching for his sister.
But every morning, Vera would knock on his door.
"Sasaki!"
He'd open one eye.
"What?"
"Wake up!"
"I'm awake."
"You don't sound awake."
"I am."
"No, you're not."
Vera would pull the blanket off him.
Sasaki would sigh.
"Why are you like this?"
"Because you're lazy."
"I'm injured."
"You've been saying that for two weeks."
"...Fair."
She'd run downstairs.
Sasaki would eventually follow.
Breakfast would already be waiting.
It was simple.
Bread.
Eggs.
Tea.
Sometimes fruit.
Nothing special.
But Sasaki began looking forward to it.
One afternoon, Sasaki sat outside the cabin.
He was sharpening a small knife.
Vera sat beside him.
"What are you doing?"
"Sharpening this."
"Why?"
"So I don't get rusty."
Vera frowned.
"You don't look rusty."
Sasaki smiled.
"Thanks."
She leaned against his shoulder.
Sasaki glanced at her.
"Comfortable?"
"Yep."
He shook his head.
But he didn't move.
The two sat there quietly.
The wind passed through the trees.
Snow fell gently.
Sasaki looked toward the horizon.
For a moment...
He forgot about everything.
The people chasing him.
The Coalescence.
His sister.
The kingdom.
All of it.
He simply sat there.
With Vera.
And strangely enough...
He was happy.
Another evening, Vera sat beside him near the fireplace.
She was reading a small book.
Sasaki was writing in his notebook.
Vera looked over.
"What are you writing?"
"Nothing."
"Let me see."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's private."
She frowned.
"That's mean."
Sasaki smiled.
"You have your own secrets."
"I don't."
"You do."
"What?"
"You're probably hiding snacks somewhere."
Vera gasped.
"I would never!"
Sasaki laughed.
Vera threw a pillow at him.
He caught it.
"Got you."
"Cheater!"
"How am I cheating?"
"You are!"
Sasaki laughed again.
Vera smiled.
For once...
There was no fear in her expression.
No concern.
No loneliness.
Just happiness.
A Month passed.
Sasaki became part of the cabin.
He helped prepare meals.
He chopped wood.
He repaired small things around the house.
He trained outside.
And whenever Vera wanted someone to play with...
He was there.
Sometimes she would fall asleep beside him while they watched the fire.
Sometimes she'd ask him questions.
About the world.
About his childhood.
About his sister.
Whenever she asked about his sister, Sasaki's smile would fade.
But he always answered.
"She's important to me."
"Do you miss her?"
"...Every day."
"Then why don't you go find her?"
Sasaki looked toward the fire.
"Because I can't."
Vera tilted her head.
"Why?"
Sasaki didn't answer immediately.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Because I still have something I need to do first."
Vera stared at him.
"Will you come back?"
Sasaki looked at her.
"Yeah."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Vera smiled.
"Okay."
One night, Vera fell asleep beside the fireplace.
Sasaki sat nearby.
He watched the flames dance.
He looked at Vera.
She was sleeping peacefully.
Sasaki smiled.
Then his smile slowly faded.
His hand moved toward his coat.
He felt the worn leather notebook inside.
His fingers rested against it.
He closed his eyes.
I can't stay.
He didn't want to think about it.
So he didn't.
He stood.
He walked outside.
The snow was falling.
Sasaki stared into the darkness.
His face was expressionless.
Then he heard footsteps behind him.
Vera stood in the doorway.
"Where are you going?"
Sasaki turned.
"...Nowhere."
"You look sad."
"I'm fine."
Vera walked closer.
"You always say that."
Sasaki smiled faintly.
"You read minds."
"Exactly."
She looked at him.
"So I know when you're lying."
Sasaki didn't answer.
Vera reached for his hand.
"Don't leave."
Sasaki looked down at her.
For a long moment...
He said nothing.
Then he crouched down.
He placed a hand on her head.
"I'm not leaving tonight."
Vera smiled.
"Good."
She hugged him.
Sasaki closed his eyes.
His hand slowly tightened.
"...Goodnight, Vera."
"Goodnight."
The next morning...
Sasaki woke before everyone else.
The cabin was silent.
Vera was still asleep.
Sasaki sat at the edge of his bed.
He stared at the floor.
For several minutes, he didn't move.
Then he reached for his notebook.
He opened it.
The pages were filled with names.
People he'd encountered.
Places he'd visited.
Things he'd done.
Sasaki turned to a blank page.
His hand trembled.
He stared at the empty paper.
Then he closed the notebook.
"...I'm sorry."
He stood.
He walked toward Vera's room.
The door opened quietly.
Vera was still asleep.
Sasaki stood in the doorway.
He watched her for a long time.
His expression slowly became empty.
He stepped inside.
Later, the cabin was silent.
The fire had gone out.
Sasaki stood alone.
He looked down.
Vera lay motionless.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
For several seconds...
He simply stared.
His hands began to tremble.
His breathing became uneven.
Memories flashed through his mind.
Vera laughing.
Vera rolling around on the carpet.
Vera sitting beside him near the fireplace.
Vera asking him to stay.
Vera calling the cabin home.
Sasaki closed his eyes.
A shaky breath escaped him.
"...I'm sorry."
He reached into his coat.
He pulled out his worn leather notebook.
He opened it to a blank page.
His hand trembled as he wrote.
Dear Vera,
He stopped.
His eyes remained fixed on the page.
Then he continued.
Sleep well.
Sasaki closed the notebook.
He stood there for another few seconds.
Then he walked toward the door.
He stopped.
He looked back.
The cabin was quiet.
The place that had once felt warm...
Now felt empty.
Sasaki's expression remained blank.
He opened the door.
And stepped outside.
The moment he left—
Flames erupted behind him.
Sasaki stopped.
He didn't turn around immediately.
He simply stood in the snow.
Then he slowly raised one hand.
"Collapse."
BOOM!
The cabin disappeared behind a massive burst of fire and smoke.
Sasaki pulled his hood over his head.
He finally looked back.
His expression was empty.
But his eyes weren't.
For a brief moment...
He looked like he wanted to turn around.
To go back.
To undo everything.
But he didn't.
"This is all to find Sister."
His voice was quiet.
"I promise."
Sasaki turned away.
"I'll find you."
He walked into the snow.
And this time...
He didn't look back.