Xefer turned, his storm fading. "Come inside," he said simply.
Kiruko hesitated, then nodded. She stepped forward, her heart heavy but her spirit unbroken.
Inside the inn, the noise of the street faded. Xefer sat at a table, gesturing for her to join him. She sat cautiously, her book resting in her lap.
For a moment, silence lingered. Then Xefer spoke, his voice softer. "You didn't break. That's good. But I saw the pain in your eyes."
Kiruko's lips trembled, but she steadied herself. "They're right. I have no parents. No money. No strength. But I have this." She lifted the book slightly. "Medicine. Knowledge. If I study enough, I can save lives. Even if they laugh at me."
Xefer leaned back, his grin faint. "They laugh because they fear what they don't understand. A storm doesn't ask permission to exist. Neither does a doctor."
Kiruko blinked, her heart stirring. "You… you believe I can be one?"
Xefer's eyes locked on hers. "I don't believe. I know. You held your ground. That's what matters. Resolve is rarer than wealth."
Her breath caught, her chest tightening. For the first time, someone spoke to her not with pity, but with certainty.
Xefer chuckled softly. "Besides, I need a nurse. My women are strong, but strength alone doesn't heal wounds. You could be that nurse."
Kiruko's eyes widened. "Me? Join you?"
Xefer's grin sharpened. "Why not? You want to prove yourself. I want someone who won't break under pressure. Seems like fate."
Kiruko's hands trembled around her book. She looked down, then back up, her eyes shining faintly. "If I join… I'll give everything. I'll make sure none of you fall."
Xefer nodded. "Good. That's all I ask."
The tension eased. Kiruko's shoulders relaxed, her heart lighter. For the first time, she felt comfortable.
Xefer leaned closer, his voice teasing. "And when those flashy girls see you again, they'll choke on their laughter."
Kiruko laughed softly, the sound fragile but real. "I'd like that."
The storm outside calmed, the spin in Xefer's mind slowed. The promise of a ship remained, but now another promise stirred — the promise of a new member.
And just as Kiruko's smile grew, the inn's door opened. Footsteps echoed. The girls returned from shopping, their arms full of bags, their laughter filling the hall.
Xefer's grin widened. "Perfect timing."
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Check out my new novel No I Will Not Save Your World. I'm an Office Worker — where an ordinary salaryman gets isekai'd… and politely declines the hero job.
Hope you enjoy the chaos (and the overtime).