Early in the morning, a faint ray of light filtered through the window, brushing the room where Kaito was resting. Slowly, he opened his eyes, letting out a soft groan as he sat up in bed.
"Tsk… still tired?" he thought, rubbing his neck. His body, though free of visible wounds, still felt weighed down by accumulated fatigue.
His gaze fell on a nearby table: a change of clothes had been neatly laid out.
"It must've been the old man… or maybe Yume," he reflected, a faint smile forming on his lips.
He got dressed without rushing. The jeans were simple and light blue, and the white short-sleeved shirt had two small buttons at the collar, which could be left open or closed. It wasn't anything special, but really… he didn't need anything more.
After getting ready, Kaito fastened the belt with his sword sheaths to his pants and left the room, closing the door behind him. But from downstairs came a loud commotion.
"What's going on this early in the morning?" he wondered, descending the stairs toward the tavern.
Looking around, he noticed the place was packed with people drinking and laughing.
"Why's there so many people today?" he thought, surprised.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Good morning, Kaito!"
It was Mr. Hauromi, busy pouring another mug of beer, clearly swamped with customers.
Kaito approached him.
"Morning, Hauromi... What's with all the noise today?" he asked.
Still behind the counter, Hauromi replied as he slid a mug toward a customer:
"It's Saturday. On weekends, the tavern always fills up."
Kaito nodded, glancing at the crowded room.
"I see... you're really busy."
"Need a hand?" he added, noticing how busy the man still was. Hauromi turned to him, visibly surprised.
"That would be a big help," he replied. "But you've already done so much for us... I don't want to ask for more," he added, suddenly a bit more serious.
But by then, Kaito had already grabbed an apron from behind the counter.
"I offered, didn't I?" he said while tying it on. Hauromi was clearly impressed by the boy's initiative.
"Haha, what a guy you are!" the man laughed. "Alright, but you can stop whenever you want," he added with a smile.
"So, what should I do?" asked Kaito. Hauromi thought for a moment.
"Let's see... you could go down to the cellar and help Yume get the wine. I'd go myself, but I'm too old for ladders," he said with a slight smile.
Kaito nodded and made his way to the cellar door, slowly descending the stairs. When he arrived, he found Yume reaching for a bottle of white wine on a shelf.
"Hey, Yume," the boy said.
The girl turned around quickly.
"Kaito?" she said, surprised. "Why are you here?"
"Isn't it obvious… I came to help," he replied, approaching the ladder near the entrance.
The two started working in silence: Kaito climbed the ladder to grab the bottles on the higher shelves, while Yume handled the ones within her reach.
For a moment, the girl turned to look at him. He seemed slightly worn out.
(What's wrong with him?) she wondered, noticing his labored breathing.
(Didn't think I was this tired,) Kaito thought, memories of the past few days resurfacing: arriving at the tavern, fighting Shirogane, saving Yume.
"Kaito."
The boy turned at the sound of her voice.
"Are you sure you're okay? You're out of breath and look a little pale," Yume asked, stepping closer.
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired," Kaito replied, climbing down the ladder.
"Come on, let's bring the bottles to the old man."
A FEW MINUTES LATER
"Here you go, Hauromi," said Yume, handing over the last bottle.
"Thanks so much, you two," replied the man, still busy with customers.
"Take these." Hauromi handed them two trays with glasses of wine.
"We're serving the customers?" Kaito asked, looking at Yume.
"Exactly," she replied.
"I've never done this before..." the boy added.
She looked at him with a smile.
"I'll show you how it's done."
She began moving gracefully between the tables, offering drinks naturally, managing to be both kind and attentive to the customers.
(And to think that just yesterday she was chained to Shirogane,) Kaito thought, watching her.
Then he glanced at Hauromi.
(He seems different too... Maybe… coming to this tavern wasn't a mistake after all.)
He picked up the tray and headed for the tables.
Kaito probably didn't realize it yet, but for the first time in a long while, since the tragedy that had struck him… he was having a truly carefree day.
The boy began serving the customers: he was a bit stiff in his movements and not as friendly as Yume.
(Didn't think it would be this tricky,) he thought, carrying another tray to a table where a family sat: a mom, a dad, and a young child who was crying.
"Here you go," said Kaito, trying to sound as natural as possible as he set down the food and drinks.
"Thanks, young man," the father said while he and his wife tried to calm their son.
"Uwaaaah!" cried the child, loud and shrill.
(This is crazy… how can a little brat cry that loud?) Kaito thought, covering his ears.
"There, there… don't cry, calm down," said the mother gently, picking up her son and rocking him tenderly.
"Good job, honey, he's calming down," said the father, relieved.
"He was just a little tired today," the mother replied with an affectionate smile.
Meanwhile, Kaito, watching the scene, couldn't help but smile.
"What's that smile for?"
Yume's voice startled him — she had leaned in close, curious.
Kaito quickly snapped out of it, blushing slightly as he turned away.
"N-nothing..." he muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"It just… looked like a peaceful moment, that's all."
Yume watched him in silence for a moment, then smiled mischievously.
"Mmh... I see," she said simply, adding nothing more.
Kaito felt even more embarrassed.
(Damn... I must've looked like a complete idiot,) he thought, trying to refocus on the tray in his hands.
As she walked away, Yume couldn't help but giggle softly.
Without anyone noticing, evening had fallen over the tavern.
"Perfect, we're done," said Yume, stretching.
Kaito, sitting on a chair with a relaxed look, gave a slight smile.
"You guys do this every Saturday?"
Hauromi and Yume exchanged a glance, and then the old man burst out laughing.
"Well, of course."
(I'm really out of my element…) Kaito thought, holding back a smile.
"Well done, kids. Go get some rest. I'll take care of the tables. You've done great," said Hauromi, grabbing a cloth from under the counter.
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Yume said warmly.
"See you," Kaito echoed.
They climbed the stairs together.
"Night, Kaito," said Yume as she headed toward her room.
"Wait," he called, almost instinctively.
The girl stopped and turned around, surprised. "What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, a curious smile on her lips.
Kaito looked into her eyes.
"I wanted to tell you something… I haven't even told Hauromi, but… I'll be leaving soon."
Yume's smile faded.
"You're leaving?" she whispered.
"Yeah. I have to go to Shinkase," Kaito added.
Yume's eyes widened.
"Shinkase? Why?"
Kaito leaned against the wall, as if the weight of it all was too much to bear.
"Once, you asked me why I travel so much… The truth is, I'm seeking revenge. I want to destroy the Mugentamashii."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Yume lowered her gaze.
"The Mugentamashii… That's the same name Shirogane hated."
"I know," said Kaito. "During our fight, he told me that some of them will be at the auction in Shinkase."