The village was alive in a way the academy never was.
Morning sunlight spilled across stone paths, and the air buzzed with voices, laughter, and the sizzle of food cooking over open flames. Kaito walked a few steps ahead of Eryo, spear resting across his shoulder, Dex trotting happily between them.
"This place never really sleeps," Kaito said, glancing back. "Even after everything… people still eat, still argue over prices, still complain when bread's too dry."
Eryo's gaze moved slowly from stall to stall. The colors caught his attention first—bright cloth canopies, hanging charms, baskets overflowing with fruit. The smells came next: roasted meat, sweet pastries, spiced broth.
"It feels…" Eryo paused, searching for the word. "Loud. But not unpleasant."
Kaito smirked. "You get used to it. Come on."
They stopped at the first food stall, steam curling into the air from a wide metal pan. The vendor barely glanced up before speaking. "Skewers or wraps?"
"Both," Kaito said without hesitation.
Eryo blinked. "Both?"
Kaito shrugged. "Trust me."
Moments later, Eryo held a skewer in one hand and a warm wrap in the other. He took a cautious bite—and froze.
Dex sat immediately, tail wagging, eyes locked on Eryo's food.
"…This is incredible," Eryo said quietly.
Kaito laughed under his breath. "Yeah. That reaction never gets old."
They moved from stall to stall after that. Sweet breads dusted with sugar. Bowls of broth so rich it fogged the air. Candied fruit that stuck to Eryo's fingers no matter how careful he tried to be.
At one stall, Eryo paused without realizing it.
Kaito noticed. "What?"
"I don't know," Eryo said slowly. "I've never been here before. I know that. But something about this place feels… remembered."
Kaito's expression softened, just for a moment. "Instinct," he said. "It sticks around longer than memory."
They sat on a low stone wall near the center of the market, food spread between them. Dex lay at their feet, happily gnawing on a treat Kaito had "accidentally" bought too many of.
Eryo watched the villagers pass by—children laughing, merchants arguing, travelers unloading packs. "You protect this place," he said. It wasn't a question.
Kaito nodded. "Someone has to."
Eryo glanced at him. "You carry it like it's familiar."
Kaito looked away, eyes following the flow of people. "Maybe it is."
For a while, they ate in silence. Not awkward—comfortable. The kind of quiet that only exists between people who don't need to explain themselves.
Eventually, Eryo spoke again. "Thank you. For showing me this."
Kaito smiled faintly. "Figured you should see more than training halls and battlefields."
As they stood to leave, Eryo cast one last look at the stalls, at the smoke and laughter and life woven together.
Something in his chest stirred—not a memory, not yet—but a certainty.
Whatever he had been before…
This world was worth protecting.
And walking beside Kaito through the crowded streets, food in hand and Dex tugging at his boot, felt right in a way he couldn't explain.