After getting directions from Mari, I headed south toward the workshop where I'd be staying for the next few days.
The farther I walked, the cleaner the streets became. Trash disappeared, replaced by tidy shops and lanterns glowing softly in the night air. After about twenty minutes, I finally spotted the place—a square workshop with a side shed used for storing wood and building larger pieces.
I knocked on the door twice. No answer.
After waiting a moment, I took out the small iron key Mari had given me and carefully turned it in the lock.
POV: Stranger
Knock. Knock.
Ugh. What time is it?
I groaned, turning over in bed, hoping the noise would stop. It didn't. Then came the sound of a door opening. My heart jumped.
Someone was breaking in.
I shot up and grabbed the nearest weapon I could find—a wooden practice sword I'd been working on earlier that day.
As I crept downstairs, the floorboards creaked beneath my feet. Then—another sound. Someone moving in the dark.
No time to think. I sprinted toward the noise and swung wildly at the shadow.
Something crashed. A voice shouted, "Wait—!"
Too late. My swing met empty air, and I stumbled forward.
"Mari gave me a key!" the voice said quickly.
A lamp flickered to life, flooding the room with warm light—and there I was, standing in my nightgown, hair a mess, sword raised like a madwoman.
My face went red.
Without thinking, I threw the wooden sword straight at the intruder and yelled, "Pervert!" before bolting back upstairs and slamming my door.
POV: Yuehan
The word "Pervert!" echoed down the hall, followed by the sharp slam of a door.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well… that went great," I muttered to myself.
With nothing else to do, I decided to look around. The workshop was cozy—tools neatly arranged on the walls, finished carvings displayed alongside half-completed projects. Each piece had its own character, its own story etched into the grain.
After making a full circle through the shop, I sat cross-legged on the floor and began to meditate, letting the faint smell of wood and dust calm my thoughts.
Three Hours Later
When I opened my eyes, it was to the creak of the front door and the unmistakable scent of alcohol. Mari walked in, humming to himself, a bottle hanging loosely from his hand.
He stopped when he saw me sitting in the lobby. "Why are you just sitting here and not in a room?" he asked, looking both surprised and amused.
"I didn't know which one to use," I said, avoiding his eyes.
Mari chuckled and shook his head. "Upstairs. Second door on the left."
"Got it," I said, standing up.
As I headed toward the stairs, I could still hear faint movement from behind the stranger's door. I hesitated, then smiled faintly to myself.
Guess I'll have to clear that misunderstanding tomorrow.