Old man: Pinkyyyyy!!
The old man was shouting the rabbit's name in English, but he had a weird Asian accent to it. Everyone realized that they had Pinky with them, but Max was much more fixated on the sea behind him. He could see the ocean, right in front of him. And it was special because he had believed that the land stretched even further and that the ocean was supposed to be far away.
Melissa noticed Max, standing in a trance-like state and decided to pitch in, instead of Max. She raised her arms and called out to the old man in the cart.
Melissa: Umm....heyyy!!! Over here, sir!!
She hopped twice while waving her hands, to gain his attention. Max returned to reality after seeing her do this unnatural reaction. The old man too, turned his head to notice the young girl calling him.
Old man: Hmm...??
His eyes then glanced over her weird set of companions until he noticed the rabbit in Max's arms.
Old man: Pinkyy!!!
He immediately got down from the cart and started running towards the gang, arms stretched out. He had tears of joy and jumped to get to his pet. But while he ran, his backbone gave a loud crack and he fell down face first into the rocky road.
Everyone else: Old man!!!
They l went beside him and helped him stand back up. The old man had a strong scratch on his nose and he was bleeding out.
Max: Melissa!! Can you stitch him up..??
Melissa: I can try....
They placed him on the cart and Melissa used her Blessing to stitch the cut on his nose. Albert had a tiny piece of cloth with him, which he used to staunch the wound. The old man seemed to be unconscious for a minute, until he regained his consciousness.
He immediately sat back up and looked at the youngsters that saved him. He also noticed Max with Pinky.
The old man grabbed Pinky and quickly held it to his face. He closed his eyes and cried tears of joy.
Oldman: Pinkkkyyyy!!! You are safeeeee!! We can finallllyyyy goooo home!!!
He kept crying for the next few seconds, and the gang didn't know how to respond. As they sat awkwardly, the old man noticed them finally.
Oldman: Ohhh how can I thank you folks!!! Thanks for getting me my pet!!
He bowed down as a formality, on the cart, and they all heard another snapping sound from his back, and the old man screamed in agony. Everyone frantically tried helping him ease his pain.
****
Oldman: My name is Higurashi...what are your names young lads...?
They had started their journey again, following the same road with the old man and his cart. It seemed that he was out collecting vegetables to sell in the market place, when he lost sight of his rabbit. Since he was the one always pushing it, he broke his back. Now, Albert and Lin were pushing it, while the others sat on the cart, chatting away, with Chuck eating the apple that Higurashi gave them.
Lin: Why am I stuck doing this...?
Albert: Because Max asked us to...
Lin: I'm not his lapdog like you are..
Albert: Yet, you are still doing it..
Lin just ignored him, grunting in exhaustion, as he pushed the cart over the slope.
Meanwhile Max was introducing everyone.
Max: I am Max..this is Melissa...the young one there is Chuck. The ones pushing the cart is Albert and the grumpy Lin.
Higurashi: Aaahhh I see. Thanks Lin...for helping this useless old man! Hahhahaha..
As Higurashi laughed, Lin didn't know how to answer. He just kept grunting and answered.
Lin: Don't mention it....
He bowed his head down so that no one else sees his expression.
Max was very shocked with his much mature response.
Max: I didn't know you had a good side...!!
Lin: Why you..!!
Melissa: He actually can be cute sometimes...I've seen it..
Chuck: Well...he might've had a rough childhood, from what I've seen...
Chuck winked at Lin, referencing the time he had seen bits of Lin's memory during their battle with Savanta.
Lin hated the fact that both Melissa and Chuck were smiling at him. He blushed without realizing and immediately saw that Max noticed it, so bent his head down.
Max: Oh my god!! He actually blushed!! That was creepy!!!!
Max pointed at him...laughing. Lin didn't dare lift his head up.
Higurashi: Max huh....sounds oddly familiar...
The old man was lost in thought, when Albert interrupted them.
Albert: I can hear lots of noises and footsteps ahead of us. They are not aiming at us though...
Higurashi: That's cause we are here....Seaside Town...
Albert and Lin kept pushing and finally reached the end of the slope. They stood on high ground as they saw an entire bustling town, down below them. There were people in different outfits walking everywhere. It was a town next to the beach and had awesome carnival activities.
Max: Woooahh....!!!
Higurashi: If you don't mind...can you guys drop me to my house...??
Max turned to look at him with sparkly eyes.
Max: Is your house in that town, mister??
Higurashi: No!! It's in the forest to our right...I only come down for business to the town..
Chuck was confused and he still hadn't finished his apple. He raised his hand to ask a question.
Chuck: Weren't you going to the town to sell your fruits and vegetables anyway..??
Higurashi: Yeah...but I think I wanna get back to my house and let Pinky stay there first. My granddaughter will be furious if I lose her again...
Albert: Oh...you have a granddaughter...I see...
Higurashi: If it isn't too much trouble, I'd appreciate the help...
Melissa: Of course!! We would love to help you!!
Melissa smiled with Higurashi. Even Chuck was down for it. But then they turned to Max. He was sulking, with a pout on his face. It was painfully obvious that he wanted to go to the town first.
Ever since he was a kid he had adored beaches and the ocean. He had never visited it as he was from a poor household that barely had three meals, as he had five siblings! So now that he was in a dreamier destination, he refused to go.
Chuck: You know what Max....let me and Melissa go with mister Higurashi over here....you Albert and Lin can explore the town!!
Chuck said with a smile and Max quickly lit up. He was beaming with satisfaction.
Max: Chuck...you've grown up so fast...
He had tears in his eyes, and Albert and Lin were shocked.
Albert: I have no idea on who the babysitter is among them...
Soon, they all split up. Melissa and Chuck would go with Higurashi to his house and leave Pinky with his granddaughter. And Max, Lin and Albert would check out the town and but things if it was necessary for their travels. But Max was concerned for them.
Max: But will you both be okay..??
They both gave him a thumbs up.
Melissa: Do not worry..if anything happens we can give you a call from that Transponder thingy..
Chuck: And if I want to, I can easily find you guys with the Book of Fireflies.
Max nodded and waved bye at them.
Max: See you later...!!
Albert: Be safe out there...
Lin: Do not go too far..
Melissa: Same to you guys..!!
They walked their separate ways, and Max felt like they had become a family in such a short period of time.
****
Melissa and Chuck finally got Higurashi to his house. His house was technically a glorified version of Chuck's house back in his village. The house had two storeys and a chimney made of stone. It was painted in a weird way, and had a huge bunch of junk behind the house. There was scrap and metal everywhere. Chuck wanted to enquire about it.
Chuck: What are those, over there...??
Higurashi: Oh..that..? That's the residue of whatever my granddaughter works on...she is a workaholic!!
Chuck didn't know what that word meant and neither did Melissa. As they entered the house, Higurashi said something in a language that they didn't understand.
Higurashi: Tadaima!! Sachika..?? Dokoda??
As they walked with him inside they saw a box that talked. It had a screen just like the big one back in the Dome. It had people in it. These little human lookalikes had worn suits and they took out something and started shooting. The sounds were loud, scaring Chuck in the process. He ran and hugged Melissa out of fear.
Chuck: Wh- what is that...??
Higurashi turned to see a terrified Chuck. He laughed at it.
Higurashi: Do not fear it kid. It's just a television. It's something that you new-worlders don't know about!
Melissa: New Worlders..??
As she questioned the sentence they heard the door creak behind them. There was a secondary door that led into the house. Pinky, who was in the old man's arms, jumped and ran to the door. A voice came from it.
???: Ojiisan?? Are you back..??
A woman appeared inside the house. She had long black hair, with her Asian face completely filled with dust. She had tied most of her hair in a ponytail, and wore a sleeveless grey T-shirt. Her arms were completely visible, and looked strong, showing that she did a lot of manual labour. She had a green jacket that she had removed and tied at her hips. She was also sweating.
She noticed the strangers in her house and looked at her grandpa.
???: Who are they, ojiisan??
Higurashi: Oh..they are new-worlders who helped me and Pinky in your arms...
???: Oh I see....thank you soo much for helping my grandfather...my name is Sachika. Sachika Uedo Steefan...
Sachika Uedo Steefan smiled kindly at them. And both Melissa and Chuck turned to look at each other recognizing a familiar name.
Melissa and Chuck: Steefan...??