After a while, her grandmother gently changed the topic.
"Oh, my beautiful granddaughter, Mirae, would you like to go see the village? It's been a long time since you've been back, hasn't it?"
Startled out of her thoughts, Mireyna blinked and nodded.
"You're right, Obāchan. It's been so long since I walked around. I'm actually excited to see how the village is now. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something interesting."
Her grandfather chuckled warmly.
"That's the spirit, Mirae. Maybe you'll make some friends. There are plenty of kids around your age here."
After the meal, Mireyna, accompanied by her two bodyguards, stepped out of her grandparents' home and wandered around the village. As they walked through the quiet streets, she saw children laughing, running, playing traditional games. Her eyes sparkled with delight.
"Look at them!" she pointed out to her guards. "They're all wearing traditional clothes. So cute. I kind of want to try on a kimono too! What about you two? Shouldn't you wear something traditional as well?"
The two bodyguards glanced at each other, a bit unsure.
"Miss Mirae… we don't think that's necessary. We're not from around here and—"
"Oh, come on!" Mireyna cut in with a playful grin. "You rarely get to come to places like this. Why not take the opportunity? We've tried on all sorts of traditional outfits across different countries. Isn't it about time you try your own country's culture too?"
Feeling slightly guilty, the two bodyguards finally gave in.
"Alright, alright. We'll wear them."
As they walked on, Mireyna came across a small, adorable boy. She knelt slightly and asked with a bright smile, "Hey there, cutie. What's your name?"
The boy looked up.
"My name's Shion. Shion Tatsuki. Are you a tourist?"
"Tourist?" Mireyna tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Shion explained earnestly, "Most people who come to our village are tourists from abroad. Are you one of them? You speak Japanese really well, though."
"Oh, no," she laughed. "I'm not a tourist. I'm the granddaughter of the village chief. My name is Mireyna Tokushiro."
The little boy's eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Tokushiro! I didn't know!"
She gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No worries. You don't have to speak so formally. I'm not that old, you know."
Just then, a tall figure approached from behind.
"Shion! Don't run off like that. I've been chasing you," the older brother said, slightly out of breath.
Mireyna looked up and froze. The boy's older brother was strikingly handsome—tall, with strong shoulders and sharp, hunter-like eyes that seemed to pierce through the air around him. He had a calm yet firm presence, and his toned arms didn't go unnoticed.
He looked directly at her.
"You must be the chief's granddaughter, aren't you?"
Startled, Mireyna blinked.
"Huh? How do you know that? Do you know me?"
He replied smoothly, "Well, word travels fast in small villages. People often talk about the chief's son who married a foreigner. They say their child would look different, European even. And I also heard that she might return during the summer break… I just took a guess. What's your name?"
"Mireyna Tokushiro," she replied.
"I'm Isao. Isao Tatsuki," he introduced himself with a nod. "This little rascal here is my younger brother, Shion."
"Ohh, you both even share the same charm," she teased lightly before shifting the topic. "By the way, do you happen to know someone named Yumeko Yue?"
Shion piped up with a grin, "Of course! That's my brother's crush!"
Mireyna's eyes widened. "Crush?"
A strange twist pulled at her heart. So he likes girls like her… I guess I don't stand a chance.
Isao shot his little brother a glare. "What? I don't like her! Why would you say something like that, idiot?"
"She's related to us," he added firmly. "Why would I fall for someone from my own bloodline?"
Confused, Mireyna asked, "Wait… you're related?"
"Not closely," Isao clarified. "But our ancestors were siblings generations ago. So technically, yeah… distant blood connection."
Mireyna nodded slowly.
"I see… I get it now."
Just then, Isao interjected with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Look, Mio's here."
Shion and Mireyna turned around—and their eyes landed on a little girl around Shion's age. She was incredibly adorable, her presence like a burst of spring. Her hair was a striking mix of soft pink and pastel green, neatly tied into twin braids that bounced as she walked. Her kimono was fresh and vivid, clearly brand new, and she wore it with a cheerful pride.
Shion's face flushed red instantly.
Isao leaned down with a grin and teased,
"Mio, did you know? Shion told me you look extra cute today. Especially in that new kimono your mother bought you."
Shion's eyes widened in horror. "W-What?! I never said that! Liar! You're such a liar!" he yelped, face turning redder as he hit his brother lightly in embarrassment.
Mio tilted her head and replied in an adorably stern tone,
"Hmm, but Shion is a naughty boy. Mio doesn't like naughty boys. Naughty boys are mean, you know. They're bad!"
Upon hearing that, poor Shion's expression crumbled even more—and his eyes started to water.
Mireyna couldn't help but watch the interaction with amusement. She gazed at Mio, captivated by how bubbly and lively the girl was. She leaned in and asked gently,
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
Without hesitation, the little girl beamed up at her.
"Hi! My name is Mio Hashino! You must be Grandpa Genzō Tokushiro's granddaughter, right?"
Mireyna smiled warmly. What an irresistibly charming little girl, she thought to herself.
"Yes, that's me," she answered.
Mio clasped her hands together with a delighted expression.
"Wow, you're so pretty! Your face looks like a foreign princess visiting our village!"
Mireyna let out a soft laugh, touched by the innocent compliment.
"Thank you, Mio. You're adorable too."
Mio tilted her head and asked cheerfully,
"Big sister, how many siblings do you have?"
Mireyna smiled softly. "Oh, only me.How about you?"
With a burst of pride and joy, Mio clapped her hands and exclaimed,
"I have five big brothers! Miko, Miki, Mino, Mizhou, and I'm the youngest—Mio!"
Mireyna let out a laugh, clearly amused by the girl's energy.
"Wow, all of you start with Mi, huh? That's so cute! Where are your brothers now?"
Mio puffed her chest with a confident grin.
"Miko, Miki, and Mino went on an adventure! But Mizhou's still here—he's with me!"
"You really are adorable," Mireyna chuckled, reaching out to gently pinch Mio's soft cheek. The little girl giggled.
Curious, Mireyna glanced around the group and asked,
"By the way, how old is everyone here?"
Isao answered casually, "I'm eighteen. Shion and Mio are both ten."
"I'm fifteen," Mireyna added, giving them a quick smile.
A sudden thought struck her—something that had been lingering in her mind since that morning. Her gaze shifted subtly toward Isao.
"So… Yumi, that girl from earlier. How old is she?"
Isao's expression changed for a brief moment before he replied,
"She's sixteen."