Lila didn't say much after that. Just told him thanks and walked off with the bucket like she wasn't half curious. But Kazuki noticed the glance she gave him when she thought he wasn't looking. Real quick, up and down, the kind of look that said she didn't trust him but also kind of wanted to.
He walked back to the shack. Sat on a half-broken stool. There was nothing inside except a rotted basket and a bed made of hay. No food. No water. No map. Just him and this weird system thing whispering in his brain like a lazy narrator.
{Quest: Build connection with Lila}
{New Objective: Offer help again}
{Bonus: If physical touch happens first, double charm effect applies}
Kazuki stretched. "Wow. System's a perv."
The screen didn't deny it.
He went outside again, leaned against the shack, just waiting. Didn't take long. Lila came walking down the road again, holding a big woven sack, clearly too full. She struggled, didn't ask for help, looked like she was ready to drop it anyway.
He stepped in front of her path.
"Need a hand?" he said.
She gave him a long stare. "You just wait around for women to carry heavy things?"
"Only if they're cute and clearly losing the fight."
Lila sighed, shook her head, but handed him the bag. He took it with one hand and threw it over his shoulder like it weighed nothing.
"You don't talk like the people here," she said, walking next to him now.
"Good. Would be boring if I did."
She looked at him sideways. "You're full of yourself."
He smirked. "I try not to let it leak out too much."
Her lips twitched. Almost smiled.
They walked through the village. People stared. Mostly at him. One old man frowned. A few girls whispered. Lila noticed but didn't say anything.
"Where you taking this?" Kazuki asked.
"My house. It's at the edge, near the trees."
"Let me guess. Cozy little place, missing a man, and full of silence?"
She glanced at him. "You always this bold?"
Kazuki laughed. "Only when I think I'm right."
They reached her house. It was nicer than the others. Wood looked less moldy. The fence was actually standing. Flowers by the door too. She opened it and nodded toward the table.
"Put it there."
He dropped the sack onto the wooden table with a soft thud. Looked around. It smelled like herbs and something sweet. Honey maybe.
"You live here alone while your man's off hunting?"
She crossed her arms. "He comes back once a month. Sometimes less."
Kazuki nodded slowly. "So you're married, but basically single."
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were going to."
He raised his hands. "Scout's honor."
"You don't look like a scout."
"Never said I was. Just said I had honor."
She rolled her eyes. But her tone was lighter now. Less sharp.
"Want something to drink?" she asked.
"Is this how affairs start?" he said.
She gave him a blank look. "It's water."
"Water's fine," he said, smiling like a devil in disguise.
She handed him a cup. Their fingers brushed. Just a second. System beeped.
{Touch registered – Charm Bonus Activated}
{Progress with Lila: 14%}
Kazuki sipped slow. Cold. Clean. Not poisoned. Always a win.
Lila leaned against the counter. Arms still crossed.
"You're weird."
"Thank you."
"Wasn't a compliment."
"I took it like one."
She stared. "You're not afraid of much, are you?"
Kazuki looked her dead in the eye. "I don't have time to be afraid."
That shut her up for a few seconds.
He put the cup down. "I should go before your neighbors think something's happening."
She didn't stop him. But she also didn't say goodbye.
As he walked out, the system whispered again.
{Quest Updated: Lila's curiosity rising}
{Optional: Visit again tomorrow}
{Side Quest Unlocked: Meet another villager girl}
Kazuki grinned.
"Two at once?" he said. "You're trying to spoil me."
No response. Just silence.
He wandered back through the village. This world wasn't big. Not yet anyway. But it had enough pieces to play with. And he was already moving them.
Kazuki didn't go back to the shack right away. He walked through the village, real slow, like he owned the place even though he didn't even know where the outhouse was. His eyes scanned people. Faces. Expressions. The way they glanced and whispered.
He liked it.
He was the new face. Mystery guy. Probably some thought he was a thief. Others, a mercenary. Few of the girls probably just liked his jawline. He wasn't complaining.
Then he saw her.
A girl chasing a goat.
Pink skirt flying, braid bouncing. Her feet smacked the dirt as she ran after the dumb animal that had a sock in its mouth. And she was yelling.
"Get back here, you dumbass beast!"
Kazuki blinked. The goat zigzagged past him, so did the girl. She stopped when she saw him. Hands on her knees. Huffing.
"…you gonna help or just stand there like a tree?" she said between breaths.
Kazuki looked down at her. She was younger than Lila. Maybe 18? Big eyes, kinda feisty, cheeks red from running. He tilted his head.
"What's it paying?" he asked.
She squinted. "You serious?"
"Deadly."
She pointed at the goat disappearing down the road. "He's eating my laundry."
"That explains the sock."
"I'll give you bread. Real bread. With jam."
Kazuki cracked his knuckles. "Deal."
He turned around, calm as a monk, then whistled. Loud. The goat froze. Looked at him.
"Come here, buddy," Kazuki said like it was a dog.
Goat blinked. Then actually walked over.
The girl just stood there, mouth hanging open.
Kazuki grabbed the sock from its mouth and handed it back like nothing happened.
"Wasn't even chewed much," he said.
She stared at him like he just pulled a rabbit out of his pants.
"…who the hell are you?"
"Traveler. Temporary goat whisperer."
She took the sock back. "I'm Mia. And you're weird."
He held out a hand. "Kazuki. And yes. I am."
She shook his hand, then looked at him a little longer than she probably meant to. Her lips moved like she wanted to say something, but didn't. Instead, she turned around.
"Come on. I owe you bread."
"Hope it's fresh," he said, walking after her.
Inside her little hut, it was warm and messy. Clothes on chairs. Baskets stacked in corners. But the table had a jar of jam, and the bread was real. She handed him a slice and sat across.
"Why're you here?" she asked, chewing on her own piece.
"Fell out of the sky."
"Seriously."
He shrugged. "Not from around here."
"You don't talk like anyone I know."
"That's because I'm better."
Mia laughed through her bite. "Cocky much?"
"Only when I'm right."
She liked that, he could tell. Her eyes sparkled a little when he said it. He didn't even need the system to tell him she was interested.
But the system whispered anyway.
{New Target: Mia}
{Affinity: Medium}
{Quest: Earn her trust}
Kazuki leaned back, chewing slowly. Let the silence stretch just enough to get awkward, then broke it like a pro.
"You live alone too?" he asked.
"My dad's a trader. Gone two weeks now."
"You girls just leave the whole town empty of men?"
She raised a brow. "Why, you lonely?"
Kazuki smiled. "Nah. I'm just curious who I'm up against."
She looked confused. Then smirked. "You're really not normal."
"Good. Normal's boring."
He stood up, stretched, and tossed her a wink. "Thanks for the bread."
"You're leaving?"
"I don't want you falling for me too fast."
She snorted. "As if."
Kazuki walked to the door.
"I'll come steal more bread tomorrow," he said.
"Bring your own jam," she called after him.
He stepped out into the sunlight again, hands in pockets, wind blowing just enough to feel cool. Two girls. One married, one a merchant's daughter. Both curious. Both watching him now.
Kazuki grinned to himself.
This world was going to be fun.