章 10: Chapter Ten
Kaede waited near the market's entrance, arms crossed as she glanced around the bustling streets. The marketplace was alive with activity—stalls packed with goods, the shouts of merchants hawking their wares, and the occasional laughter of children darting through the crowd. She shifted uncomfortably in her uniform, the crisp fabric still feeling foreign against her skin.
"You could look a little less like you're waiting for your execution, you know," Kirara's voice rang out. Kaede turned to see her striding toward her, a grin on her face that was equal parts playful and smug. Dressed casually yet stylishly, Kirara's ensemble seemed effortlessly put together.
"I'm here, aren't I?" Kaede replied, though her tone lacked any real bite.
Kirara smirked, hooking her arm through Kaede's without asking. "Yeah, yeah. Like, you say that now, but let's see how long you last. I've got plans for today." Without giving her a chance to protest, she pulled Kaede into the crowd of people.
Their first stop was a shop overflowing with racks of clothing in every color and style imaginable. Kirara immediately dove in, flipping through fabrics with the efficiency of someone who clearly had done this many times before. Kaede, meanwhile, lingered near the door, trying hard not to steal a glance.
"Kaede," Kirara called, holding up a flowing emerald-green cloak. "What do you think? This would make you look all mysterious and cool. You know, the silent warrior type."
Kaede glanced at it, biting back a cheer. "It's… fine."
Kirara let out an exaggerated groan, hanging the cloak back up with a dramatic flair. "You have the fashion sense of a rock." She turned back to Kaede with a determined look. "Alright, time to fix that. Come here."
Reluctantly, Kaede allowed herself to be pulled deeper into the shop. Kirara rummaged through a nearby rack and pulled out a short leather jacket with subtle red accents. "Now this screams 'badass adventurer.' Try it."
Kaede hesitated but eventually slipped the jacket on. It fit surprisingly well, the material light but sturdy, the cut giving her a sleek silhouette. She turned to the mirror, tilting her head.
"See? You look awesome," Kirara said, grinning. "Now all you need is a pair of sunglasses, and you'll be unstoppable."
Kaede rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Red Is my colour. Alright, fine. I'll take it."
"That's the spirit!" Kirara beamed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Kaede let herself be dragged from shop to shop, only chiming in when Kirara pressed her for opinions.
In one shop, Kaede spotted a pair of gloves with reinforced knuckles and a sleek design. Without prompting, she picked them up, testing the fit. "These might actually be useful," she said, showing them to Kirara.
Kirara blinked, then grinned. "Ooh. They would totally go with my nails."
At a stall selling scarves, Kaede tried on a vibrant red one and made an exaggerated show of flipping it over her shoulder. "How do I look?"
"Like a dork," Kirara said with a laugh, though there was a bit of warmth in her tone.
They moved on to an accessory shop, where Kaede insisted on trying out various hats. She donned a wide-brimmed one and tilted it low, striking a pose. "Mysterious enough for you?"
Kirara burst out laughing. "Okay, I'll admit—that's pretty good. You might have some style after all."
By the time they reached a stall selling small trinkets and charms, Kaede was practically bouncing from one display to the next. She picked up a small wooden carving of a fox and turned it over in her hands, her eyes lighting up. "This is cute. Do you think it'd look good on a bag?"
Kirara leaned against the counter, smirking. "Look at you, acting like a kid in a candy store. Who are you, and what have you done with Kaede?"
Kaede shrugged, a playful grin on her face.
The rest of the day flew by in a whirlwind of laughter and exploration. They stopped at a vendor to refuel, their arms laden with bags of clothing, accessories, and a few practical items Kaede had picked out for herself.
As they sipped their drinks, Kirara leaned back in her chair, looking at Kaede with a satisfied expression. "See? Shopping isn't so bad, is it?"
Kaede smirked, taking a sip of her tea. "I guess not."
The shopkeeper approached their table, carrying a wooden slate with the tally chalked onto it. His face was lined with age and wear, but his eyes held the sharpness of someone who had been dealing with customers for decades. He placed the slate down between them with a practiced nod, his voice warm yet firm.
"That'll be four silver and eight copper for the tea and sweets," he said, his tone polite but leaving no room for negotiation.
Kaede instinctively reached for her coin pouch, patting her hip where it was usually tied. Her fingers froze mid-motion as a sinking realization hit her. She had most of her leftover coins in the suite, the ones she brought, she spent the last of at the glove stall earlier. She glanced at Kirara, who was rummaging through her own bag with exaggerated nonchalance.
Kirara pulled her hand out, holding up an empty pouch with a sheepish grin. "Uh… slight oversight on my part. Turns out someone might have gone a little overboard today."
Kaede raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable but her lips twitching as if suppressing a sigh—or a laugh.
Kirara threw up her hands in mock indignation. "Hey, you're the one who wanted that fancy jacket and those gloves! Not to mention the scarf."
The shopkeeper cleared his throat, his gaze bouncing between the two. His polite patience was beginning to wane. "Ladies, I trust you have some way to settle the account?"
Kaede stood up straight, her face calm as if the situation was entirely under control. "Of course. We'll… figure something out."
Her eyes darted around the marketplace, her quick mind working overtime. "Alright, how about this?" she whispered to Kirara, leaning in conspiratorially. "We offer to work it off. Like, wash dishes or… I don't know, carry stuff?"
Kirara gave her a flat look. "You can't be serious. Wash the dishes, as if. Like, do you see my nails? Besides why do we have to pay? We're part of the military you know. Like, important. You should be happy to serve us."
The shopkeeper crossed his arms, clearly not in the mood for any more stalling. "If you can't pay, we have a system for this sort of thing. You'll work until the debt is cleared."
Kaede nodded once, her stoicism unwavering. "Fair enough. What do you need us to do?"
Kirara bristled. "What do you mean fair?" If looks could kill, the shopkeeper would be dead three times over.
The man studied them for a moment before jerking his thumb toward the back of the shop. "You can start by helping with the stock. New crates of tea leaves and sugar just arrived, and they need sorting."
Kirara groaned cursing under her breath but didn't argue, following Kaede as the shopkeeper led them to a small storage room behind the counter. It was cramped and filled with sacks and crates, the air thick with the scent of spices and dried herbs.
"Get to it," the man said curtly before disappearing back to the front.
Kaede rolled up her sleeves without hesitation, already lifting one of the heavier crates as if it weighed nothing. "Let's just get this over with."
Kirara sighed dramatically but followed suit, albeit with far less enthusiasm. She grabbed a smaller sack and carried it to the corner, grumbling under her breath. "I swear, if not for this damn curse, that shopkeeper would be licking my feet."
Kaede frowned as she stacked another crate. "Why's that?"
Kirara shot her a mock glare but didn't answer, instead focusing on the work.
As they worked, the distant hum of the marketplace filtered in, a reminder of the world continuing outside. Kirara eventually broke the silence. "My unique skill won't work without Razen's exclusive permission. Stupid old man."
Kaede turned to Kirara. Even though she wasn't watching the girl, she would think she was crying. 'Artificia, is that possible?'
<Answer: Depending on the curse used, subject; Kirara Mizutani, can indeed be restricted from activating unique skill: Bewilder>
'I think those mages called it a locking curse.'
<Solution: Further investigation is required to understand more on <<locking curse>> >
By the time they finished, their hands were dusted with tea powder, and Kirara's muscles ached slightly from the repetitive lifting. The shopkeeper inspected their work with a critical eye before nodding in approval.
"Good enough," he said. "Your debt is cleared. Try not to overspend next time."
Kaede gave him an exaggerated salute. "Lesson learned, boss!"
As they stepped out of the shop, the cool evening air greeted them. Kaede glanced at Kirara, who was seething.
Kaede stayed silent as they walked down the market road, letting Kirara's frustration bubble to the surface. The red glow of the setting sun painted long shadows across the cobblestones, casting an almost ethereal light over the bustling crowd. The lively hum of merchants closing shop and the chatter of townsfolk filled the air, but it barely registered for Kirara.
"This is such bullshit," Kirara fumed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I could've had that guy groveling in seconds. But no, that senile bastard!"
The rest of her words died in her throat and she stiffened as she felt strong arms wrap around her from behind. "Like, what are you doing?"
"It just felt like you needed a hug." Kaede said, moving her hand to pat Kirara's head.
"What are you talking about? Like, I don't need a hug. What I need... What I need-" Kirara shook, trying to wiggle out of the hug but Kaede held firm.
"Are you scared?" Kaede whispered. "Of this place, summoned like this."
"W-who's scared?" Kirara stammered. "Look at you, asking me if I'm scared. Just a few days ago, you were terrified, and you ask if I'm scared."
"It's ok to be scared." Kaede whispered. "You've been here, for way longer than I have, almost a year. I can't imagine what you've been through."
"I'm not scared." Kirara trembled into the hug. "I'm not... I'm not... I just..." Her voice cracked.
People were watching the duo now, talking in hushed whispers about the two girls hugging in the middle of the street.
Kirara's breathing hitched, and for a moment, Kaede thought she might break entirely. But then Kirara took a deep, shaky breath, trying to recompose herself.
"This is so embarrassing," Kirara muttered, her voice muffled against Kaede's shoulder. "Like, I don't even cry, you know? This stupid place, it's just—it's so frustrating."
Kaede stayed silent, letting her vent. Sometimes words weren't necessary, and the quiet reassurance of being there was enough.
Kirara pulled back slightly, brushing her hand across her eyes and straightening her posture. Her usual confident smirk was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a softer, more vulnerable expression. "Don't think this means you're allowed to hold this over me," she said, her voice quieter than usual.
Kaede smiled faintly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Kirara rolled her eyes but didn't argue, stepping back to put some distance between them. Her gaze shifted to the crowd still lingering nearby, and her shoulders stiffened. "What are you all staring at?" she snapped, her usual sharpness returning to her voice. "Don't you people have lives?"
The onlookers quickly scattered, muttering apologies as they hurried away. Kaede couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Kirara tossed her hair over her shoulder, her confidence slowly returning. "Like I said, I wasn't scared. Just… annoyed."
Kaede didn't call her out on the obvious lie. Instead, she gestured down the road. "Come on, let's head back to the suite. I think we've had enough excitement for one day."
Kirara nodded, falling into step beside her. The two walked in companionable silence for a while, the earlier tension between them easing with each step.
"Just so you know," she said, "if you ever tell anyone about this, I'll deny it. Like, I'll completely rewrite history if I have to."
Kaede chuckled. "Your secret's safe with me."
Kirara nodded, satisfied, and pushed the door open. The warm glow of the suite's lanterns spilled out onto the street, welcoming them inside.
For the first time since they'd left the market, Kirara's smile was genuine. "Come on, Honjou. Let's see if Shogo's back so I can rub in how much better I look in this scarf than he would."
Kaede rolled her eyes and made to follow her inside, but paused, watching Kirara leave. "Hey Artificia, that should be enough contact right?... well?"
<Answer: Analysis of Subject Kirara Mizutani is complete. Displaying status>
[Status]
Name: Kirara Mizutani {Soul Brand <<Locking curse>>}
Age: 16
Species: Human
Title: None
Magic: None
---
[Unique Skills:]
Bewilder
---
"Soul brand, locking curse." Kaede murmured. "So anyone that's summoned is branded with this huh? Just cruel."
A sudden thought occurred to her and she froze. "Hang on, Artificia bring up my status."
[Status - New World Order: Lord of Fate and Destiny, Ananke]
Name: Kaede Honjou
Age: 19
Species: Human^
Title: None
Magic: Earth Magic • Ice Magic • Poison Magic •
---
[Unique Skills:]
Absolute Defense
Devour
Bug Urn Curse
---
[Extra Skills:]
Inspire
Hydra Eater
Sheep Eater
Meditation
Bomb Eater
---
[Acquired Skills:]
Throw
Magic Surge
---
[Ultimate Skills:]
New World Order: Lord of Fate and Destiny, Ananke
Artificia, Lord of Machine
Guanyin, Lord of Mercy
Abaddon, Lord of Seeping Chaos
Persephone, Lord of Abyssal Rebirth
---
[Arts:]
Psychokinesis
Cataclysmic Eruption
Zone Freeze
Crystallization
Earth Wielding
---
Kaede's eyes roamed the entirety of the text, over and over. "It's not there." Her voice trembled.
No where on her status was it written that she had been branded by the locking curse.
"Hey Artificia," she said again, her voice firmer this time. "Why am I not branded? Shouldn't I have this… locking curse like the others?"
<Answer: Subject Kaede Honjou is exempt from the <<Locking Curse>> due to the interference of [Ultimate Skill: New World Order: Lord of Fate and Destiny, Ananke]>
"Ehh?"
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