Akito gazed into the dark green forest, his cloak wrapped around his shoulders. His face was a mix of emotions: sadness, worry, and a strange emptiness. His blue eyes scanned the area, lost, as if searching for something or someone.
"When did these nightmares start haunting me, exactly? Maybe when I was ten… or even earlier… The only good thing is they don't always come."
Akito ran his hand through the water – it was cold. Slowly, the storm in his heart began to subside. He recalled pleasant moments, and once again, he heard the hoot of an owl. Surprisingly, it soothed him, making him feel less alone in the darkness.
"So, neither of us can sleep?" he asked, looking towards the forest, trying to discern something. "Right… It was right by this river that I met Ray and Andy."
He smiled, remembering various warm moments they'd shared, from early childhood to the present. After spending the rest of the night lost in thought, Akito headed home. The grass rustled, and birds began to wake, their songs a testament to the new day. A confident smile now graced Akito's once-confused face, the corners of his lips naturally curving upward.
"Much better, but now I'll be a little tired." With these words, he opened the window and slipped into his room, washed up, and went to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mom."
"You woke up early today. Are you in a good mood? That smile hasn't left your face."
"You could say that. It's like I've shed some burden I'd been carrying for years."
"Then go eat breakfast, but be careful, the food's still hot."
Akito, still smiling, cut a piece of meat. It smelled fragrant and was juicy. Putting the piece in his mouth, he felt something explode inside, and his eyes widened.
"Hot! It's so hot!" Akito cried, while his mother sighed and began to laugh.
"I told you it was hot."
After breakfast, Akito headed to Andy's house. She just ran out of the house and crashed into Akito, knocking him to the ground.
"Oh, I didn't see you."
"Well, watch where you're going… You're always so energetic."
"Not my fault! My parents said they'd let me become a knight in the future, can you imagine!?"
"Wow, that sounds cool, but how are you going to become a knight, and how will you find a teacher?"
"First, my dad used to be an adventurer, so he must know something about wielding a sword. And second, Ray didn't have to open his mouth. He said himself he could find someone to teach me, so he'd better keep his word."
"You even remember that? Now get off me, I want to get up."
They both stood up and looked at each other.
"Andy, are you… always going to carry that sword with you now?"
"Well, since I'm a future knight, why not? My dad let me keep this sword."
"Got it, but isn't it heavy to carry around all the time?"
"I'm used to it now. Come on, let's go find Ray.
I can't wait for him to find me a mentor!"
They headed to the river. Ray was already there, gazing at the water, his face serious.
"Hey! Ray! Remember you promised to find me a mentor to teach me fencing!?" Andy ran towards Ray, a smile on her face. Ray turned, his face a mix of shock and bewilderment as he looked at Andy, his dark hair standing on end like a hedgehog's quills.
"Why are you yelling so early?" he asked as Andy grabbed his shoulders and began to shake him.
"Do you remember or not!?"
"Remember what?"
"About the mentor! A mentor for me!"
"Oh, that. Well, I have one option, but he might not quite suit you."
"I don't care, who is it!?"
"My bodyguard, he's a strong knight."
"By the way, where is he? I hardly ever see him!"
"Well, I let him go to the bar to have fun there so I can spend time with you guys normally."
"Really… Is that true?"
Ray nodded, and a breathless Akito ran up to them.
"Hi, Ray… Andy, you're like lightning!"
She laughed and patted Akito on the shoulder. "Don't relax, we need to go to the bar, right now!"
"Andy, I don't think we need to rush. Look at
Akito, and I don't want to run."
"Suit yourselves, but I still have energy!"
After these words, Andy dashed straight to the bar. Ray and Akito sighed heavily and headed towards it. Inside the building, it smelled of alcohol and pine wood. Andy was waiting for them, leaning against the wall.
"Finally, I thought you'd never come."
Ray went first, followed by Andy and Akito. They went up to the second floor, where a man with short gray hair sat at one of the tables. He was drinking another glass of wine and seemed not to notice them.