The marketplace had not yet cooled from morning activity when the Circle moved from stall to stall, carrying their purchases. Kaito's pouch jingled faintly with blue trinkets and glitter, catching the sunlight at every step.
"Do you ever stop buying things?" Mira asked, balancing a crate of herbs and fruit.
Kaito said nothing. He didn't need to. His next stop was the food stalls.
They spent the next hour gathering supplies. Kaito picked up roasted meats, loaves of bread, wheels of cheese, and crates of fruit. The vendor's eyes widened at the sheer volume he requested, but Kaito handed over gold without hesitation. Each purchase was measured, precise—never a single piece wasted.
Ryo nearly dropped a bag of pastries as Kaito stacked them beside the glitter and charms. "How can one person eat all this?" he groaned.
"You don't," Kaito said, voice even. "We train harder when we're fueled properly. Make sure no one skims—take only what you need."
Aria walked silently beside him, taking note of his methodical sorting, the care with which he tucked each item into the pack.
After food, Kaito guided them toward the clothing vendors. Rows of hoodies, trousers, and training tops lined the tables. His eyes scanned for shades of deep blue first, then darker navy, and finally subtle silver trim to match his charms.
He selected a hoodie with a reinforced hood and sleeves—perfect for training and for hiding the spear's glow under a cloak. Next, he picked loose training pants, a fitted sleeveless top, and a pair of boots laced in sapphire thread.
"Blue," he said simply, holding up each piece.
The merchant smiled nervously. "Blue is… very popular today."He paid in gold again, enough to raise a few eyebrows from the Circle. Mira muttered, "We really don't know how much money he even has."
Once all the clothing was packed, Kaito changed behind a screen, emerging in the hoodie, pants, and boots. The deep blue shimmered faintly in the sunlight. He adjusted the hood over his hair, letting only a few strands fall across his face.
The Circle stared, mouths half-open.
"You look… even more mysterious," Aria finally said, her voice even, betraying no emotion. But her eyes lingered on him longer than necessary.
Ryo whistled. "Not gonna lie, hoodie suits you. Like you're planning something…"
"Always," Kaito murmured, checking the weight of his pack and the straps holding the spear. Every charm, every vial of glitter, every blue wrap was carefully stowed. Nothing was left to chance.
By the time the sun dipped toward the horizon, their packs full of food, clothes, and trinkets, the Circle was exhausted, laughing lightly at their haul while Kaito walked slightly apart, hood drawn low, the spear slung on his back, tips still faintly glowing blue.
Aria's gaze followed him the entire walk home. She said nothing, but Kaito felt it—her suspicion, curiosity, and careful calculation. One day, she would ask him, he knew. But today wasn't that day.
And for Kaito, that was exactly how it should remain.