"Why did you suddenly ask me to take a stroll with you? We should be keeping a low profile," Tohru said as he and Shuu walked through the village market.
"Relax," Shuu replied with a smirk. "This place is safe. Hajee assured us that this land is off-limits to Serolfians, so there's no need to be on edge. Besides, I'm bored out of my mind at the inn. Maybe we'll find something entertaining around here."
Tohru sighed and scratched his head. Why did it have to be him? He had no interest in Shuu's kind of entertainment.
"Just don't start a fight," he muttered. "TJ gave strict orders—we're supposed to lay low. We're strangers here, remember? Newcomers. We need to blend in and build trust with the villagers."
"I know, I know. Don't worry," Shuu said, still grinning. He began whistling a tune as he strolled through the peaceful market, his eyes casually scanning the surroundings.
"They're selling all kinds of food and goods," Tohru noted, glancing at the various stalls. "We should come back sometime to shop."
"Oh, and I heard from Hajee—he found a piece of land where we can build a house. Once it's done, he said we'll either look for work or start our own business to make a living here."
"Really?" Shuu said distractedly, not taking his eyes off the crowd. "Maybe farming?"
"Farming? Isn't that too tiring?"
"Dunno." Shuu shrugged. "I don't want to think about it right now."
Tohru shrugged too, falling silent as he followed Shuu's lead through the market. Suddenly, Shuu came to an abrupt stop.
"Well, well," he murmured, a sly grin spreading across his face. "This is the kind of entertainment I was hoping for."
Tohru frowned, puzzled. He followed Shuu's gaze—and his expression darkened.
Jinny stood just ahead, surrounded by a group of thugs.
.
.
Jinny trembled in fear, surrounded by a group of thugs.
She had been walking through the village, asking for food—she had no money, nothing to offer but her voice—when one of the men bumped into her. Before she could even apologize, they turned on her, accusing her of bumping into them first and demanding compensation.
She had already told them that she had no money, but they didn't care.
The men insisted she come with them, saying she could "work it off." Their grins sent chills down her spine.
Sensing danger, Jinny tried to run—but they cornered her quickly.
"P-Please... l-let me go," she pleaded, her voice shaking, eyes wide with fear.
The men laughed.
"Haha! Missy, you gotta pay us first before we let you go," the leader said with a mocking grin.
"But I told you—I don't have anything!"
"That's why you need to come with us," another one sneered. "We know someone who'll pay a pretty sum for a girl like you. Hahaha!"
Panic surged through her. "P-Please! Someone help me!" she cried out desperately.
But no one moved. The villagers looked away. They knew this group—thugs known for being ruthless and violent. No one dared cross them.
"Haha! See? No one's coming to save you," the leader mocked. "Now come on—let's head to our place."
He grabbed her arm roughly.
"N-No! I won't go! Let go of me!" she shouted, struggling to break free.
But he was too strong. They began dragging her away as she cried out for help, her voice raw with fear.
Then, out of nowhere, someone appeared.
In a blur, a man kicked the leader square in the face. The force of the blow sent him flying across the dirt road.
The crowd gasped. The thugs froze.
Jinny's eyes widened as she stared at the man now standing protectively in front of her, his back facing her. He casually smoothed back his hair, a smug grin on his face.
"Damn," Shuu said. "That was fun."
"S-Shuu…" Jinny whispered, stunned. Relief flooded her chest—he was here. If Shuu was here, the others had to be nearby too.
Shuu glanced over his shoulder. "You look like crap. Where the hell have you been?" he said bluntly, eyeing her dirty clothes and tired face.
"I…" Jinny began, but before she could finish, the leader groaned and staggered to his feet.
"Damn it! Who the hell are you?" he spat, blood dripping from his lip.
Shuu stared at him with disdain. "Just a bored passerby looking for a little entertainment. Wanna help me out?"
The leader scowled. "You bastard! I'll tear that mouth off and break your legs! You'll pay for this!"
He gave a signal, and the rest of the thugs charged at Shuu.
Jinny backed away and hid behind a nearby stall, watching the fight from a safe distance. Her heart pounded.
Shuu grinned as the thugs surrounded him. This—this was the thrill he'd missed. Without holding back, he moved like lightning, turning the attackers into punching bags. One by one, they dropped.
Tohru, standing nearby, turned his back. He couldn't stand the sight of blood. But just as he shifted away, something caught his eye—a glint of metal.
One of the thugs had drawn a knife.
Tohru's eyes narrowed as the man slipped away from the fight, circling toward Jinny instead of Shuu. The knife gleamed under the sunlight, raised and ready.
Tohru's heart skipped. Jinny hadn't seen him—her back was turned.
Without thinking, Tohru dashed forward.
As the man lunged toward her, Tohru intercepted the blow—throwing himself in front of her just in time.
The knife plunged into his back.
Jinny gasped in horror. "T-Tohru!"
Blood seeped through his shirt, dark and spreading fast.
She reached out to touch him, but Tohru raised a shaky hand to stop her. He stood still, head bowed, staring at the blood dripping from his wound.
Shuu heard Jinny's scream and turned toward the sound. His eyes widened when he saw Tohru's condition.
"Tohru!" he called out, rushing over after finishing off the last of the thugs.
But Tohru said nothing.
"Hey... you're wounded. We have to move," Shuu said urgently.
Still, there was no response. Shuu clenched his fists. A terrible feeling twisted in his gut.
He reached out to touch him, but before he could, Tohru suddenly let out a piercing scream.
"AAARRGGHHH!!"
Blood—so much blood. Tohru's eyes were wide with terror. He stared at the red staining his body, trembling.
A flashback suddenly came to his mind. A scene from the past… violent and vivid.
He was behind the wheel, driving. His little sister sat beside him, humming a tune. Then suddenly—a truck. Speeding. Headlights too close.
It was too fast to react.
The world spun. His ears rang. Everything was muffled. The faint sound of sirens cut through the haze.
He forced his eyes open.
Beside him—his sister. Unconscious.
"J-Jin…" he whispered, shaking her shoulder. "Wake up…"
No response.
Her body was covered in blood.
Then he looked down—and froze.
Her lower body... mangled.
"N-No..." he gasped.
Terror gripped him.
She was dead.
Dead—because of him.
"NOOOOO!!!" Tohru screamed, clutching his head.
"No!!!"
"Tohru! Calm down!" Shuu grabbed him by the shoulder, but Tohru shoved him away violently.
"It's all my fault! It's all my fault!" Tohru cried, his voice raw and breaking.
The people watching nearby were confused, and murmurs could be heard among them.
"Damn it!" Shuu cursed under his breath.
Tohru was spiraling—completely out of control.
When Shuu reached for him again, Tohru punched him hard, sending him crashing to the ground.
Tohru kicked at crates, overturned barrels, throwing anything within reach. Rage. Guilt. Madness.
Jinny stood frozen, her chest aching. It hurt to watch him like this.
Even though he had always pushed her away... even though he despised her...
She still loved him. He was still her brother.
Without thinking, she ran to him—and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"C-Calm down... please... Tohru…" she whispered, her voice shaking.
Tohru froze.
"It's not your fault… Please don't blame yourself," she added gently.
Tears streamed down his face. His breath hitched.
"J-Jin…" he whispered, barely audible.
He collapsed to his knees and broke down, sobbing.
Jinny held him tighter, her own tears falling as he cried in her arms.
Shuu slowly stood and approached, exhaling deeply when he saw his brother finally calm.
Tohru clung to Jinny like a lifeline.
"It's okay now... You're okay now," she whispered, stroking his back.
"Jin… I-I'm sorry…" he murmured, eyes closed, voice hoarse.
"It's alright," she said softly.
But something shifted.
Tohru's eyes opened.
He looked at the girl hugging him—and realization hit.
It wasn't his sister.
It wasn't the real Jinny.
His expression twisted.
"You!" he shouted, shoving her away.
"Don't touch me!"
Jinny fell to the ground, stunned. "T-Tohru…"
"How dare you pretend to be her," he hissed, his voice laced with venom.
"Chill, bro," Shuu said, stepping in. "She just helped calm you down."
"I don't need her help." Tohru turned and stormed off toward the inn.
Shuu glanced back at Jinny and shrugged.
"I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" she tried to explain, her voice trembling.
"Don't mind him," Shuu said, already walking away. "Let's head back to the inn. The others are waiting."
He didn't offer his hand.
Jinny slowly picked herself up and followed, limping but silent. She didn't complain. All she wanted now... was to see her brothers again.