"Yuu! Are ya okay?!" the archer shouted, shoving aside.
The Sun's rays were blotted out by a massive presence at my side. It was the man-giant. He stood next to with eyes intently focused on my every move.
Mizuno dusted herself off and returned to her feet, her chin slick with blood.
"I'll clean ya up!" the archer affird, then retrieved a brown rucksack.
After rummaging through the bag, she freed her hand to reveal a small white cloth patch and so gauze. The archer reached forward to help, but Mizuno snatched the supplies from the her hand.
"I've got it, thanks," she eased.
While she cleaned and bandaged her wound, all other eyes were on .
My countryn, the archer, and the giant unblinkingly observed my every breath and every twitch. They watched like I was a powder keg, and they were waiting for my explosion.
None of them glared at with such vehent fury as the archer. She motioned her mouth, probably to insult, but was cut off by Mizuno.
"Drop it, Suda. It's fine."
Suda turned back in disbelief, gaping at Mizuno. "Are ya serious, Yuu?!
This guy attacked ya!" she threw a finger in my direction.
"It's. Fine. Forget about it," Mizuno ordered, plastering a bandage on her chin wound. "Worry about packing up camp; it's ti to move."
Though she nodded in agreent, Suda's open hostilities were as evident as the Sun in the sky. She fixed an angered glare to while gathering the rope of squirrels and scattered supplies.
Unsure of what to do, I followed my usual protocol on the war front. I assud we were fugitives, so my first goal was to fend off any potential trackers.
I moved to dismantle the campfire remnants but was stopped by a massive hand on my shoulder.
I looked up to the one I'd assud was "Shrug." He shook his head and held in place. I must've been under guard to ensure I caused no more incidents.
With nothing to do, I reduced myself to just being an observer. The first I laid eyes on was Agawa. As expected, she avoided eye contact with ; she must've still been repulsed by what I did in the manor. Or by what I'd just done to Mizuno.
"Hey," I turned to Shrug, "could I talk to her?" I pointed a hand toward Agawa; she was rolling up so makeshift animal skin bedrolls for transport.
He narrowed his eyes and glowered at . Then, after a mont, he shrugged and nodded, "yes." Though he let go, he followed close, waiting for the mont I might betray them again.
"Agawa?" I called out to her. "Could I have a word?" I wanted to ask her about everything that had happened so far.
But when she saw , she had the strangest reaction. First, she wore a slight smile of relief, but that soon gave way to a grimace when I approached closer. She hastily completed her chore and speedily retreated away.
'Avoiding , huh? It makes sense; it's only natural,' I sighed. I knew my bridge with her was burned, so I turned away in acceptance. 'I did what I had to do, I don't regret that,' I consoled myself.
Everyone else eyed like I was the enemy, except for Kamida and, surprisingly, the woman I'd attacked. Whenever we traded glances, she nodded respectfully. It was like she'd given a form of recognition.
After seeing her in a calm, non-hostile setting, I felt an incessant feeling of deja vu. Like I'd t her sowhere prior to now, more specifically, her cloak.
My attempts to unravel the mystery were halted when Kamida approached .
"Sir, may I have a few words? I'd like to bring you up to speed on what you've missed." In spite of the high-tension situation that happened just monts before, Kamida seed steadied and calm.
I, however, was still filled with regret and sha for my actions. I pensively closed my eyes and perford a slight bow. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you earlier. I-"
Kamida started chuckling and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Look, it's alright, Sir. In the end, nobody was hurt too badly, and everything worked out. There's no need to dwell on what's behind us; let's focus on what's ahead."
'Yeah, he's right. Now's not the ti for sha.' Resolving to focus on our survival, I breathed deeply and bowed again. "You're right; please tell what I missed."
"Of course, Sir!" Kamida smiled.
Before he started, I asked him about Agawa. After what she saw in the manor, I was concerned about her ntal state. Though she seed to loathe , I couldn't help but worry for her health.
"You know," Kamida replied, "out of everyone, she was the most worried for your health, Sir. When you were healed, she was the most joyous."
'What? She was worried for ?' I stood there, staring quizzically at Kamida. The reaction she just gave was one of aversion, not worry.
Kamida seemingly read my thoughts through my expression. "Mr. Sato, I'm not sure what happened between you two, but the manor was unpleasant for everyone, traumatic even. I'm sure she's just working through her feelings," he tapped my shoulder and smiled. "Give her ti."
After that, he continued with his briefing.
From Kamida, I learned how they rescued from death and how Takagi smashed my assailant's skull. I learned of a doctor who'd helped save my life, then had his taken by a mutant bear.
I learned of a child and his father that ran a clinic together within the town. A gray knight with the strength to blow humans apart with a massive sword, and I was finally filled in on the three I attacked.
"Shit..." I rested my head wearily in my hands. "I...I can't believe I attacked them... Police officers, no less."
Forget the Rules of Engagent; I could be considered a full-on traitor with what I'd done...
'So the fighting style wasn't coincidental,' I again made eye contact with Mizuno. My expression beca apologetic, which she ignored and returned to work.
Before we left, I also introduced myself to the three new faces who'd been in the manor with us.
The two sisters, Aya and Hikari, were both uneasy at my approach, though Hikari seed the most afraid. She hid behind Aya's back, only uttering the phrase "hello" before retreating from sight entirely.
I t the one nad Takahashi. He didn't strike as much. He was ek, easily frightened, and odd, to say the least. As we left, I saw him coating his hands in ash residue from what used to be the campfire.
When I asked him why he said it was because he was germophobic and learned in a class that ash could make a suitable replacent for soap.
I questioned Kamida about it, and he was just as surprised. He told he hadn't seen Takahashi talk about having any phobias or much of anything, in fact.
I shrugged it off as the camp was finally packed. Then we began a journey through the wilds.
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