Dante sat cross-legged in front of a bento box, his chopsticks moving at lightning speed. One bite after another disappeared as if by magic.
Anitta watched, eyes wide in disbelief. "How… how are you eating that fast without choking!?"
Yamato didn't even look up from his own meal. "You've seen nothing yet," he said flatly.
Before Anitta could process his words, Dante finished the entire box in less than ten seconds, slammed it down, and shouted, "More!"
Anitta jumped back. "So fast!" She looked down at her bag with a troubled expression. "That was… all the food I brought for myself today."
Dante paused mid-motion, then shrugged cheerfully. "Oh, well! Let's go get more! We have to celebrate, it's our first day as Adventurers!" He stood up with renewed energy.
Yamato stretched his arms behind his head. "I wouldn't mind some sake either."
Anitta quickly stood too. "Then allow me to give you two a tour of the town!"
Yamato waved his hand dismissively. "The town isn't that big. We'll be fine alone."
But before he could take another step, Dante interrupted, "No way, we'd love if you gave us a tour!"
Anitta grinned, clearly pleased. "Great! Follow me then!"
Yamato sighed deeply. Having an energetic brother was bad enough… now they were joined by another loud one.
Anitta started walking with a spring in her step, Dante hurried excitedly behind her, and Yamato trailed reluctantly at the back.
As they reached the edge of the clearing, the forest opened up revealing the view of a vibrant coastal town surrounded by lush greenery and shining blue waters.
Anitta turned around, smiling proudly. "Welcome to Little Swan Island!"
Dante's eyes sparkled. "This is the first island I've been to aside from Yoima Village!"
Yamato stood beside him, pretending not to care, though a faint smile crept across his face.
"Come on," Anitta said, waving them forward. "I'll introduce you to some cool people and give you a proper tour!"
They stepped into the lively streets of Little Swan Island. The town buzzed with chatter, merchants advertising their goods, children running, sailors laughing, and the smell of fresh bread and grilled meat drifting through the air.
As they walked, townsfolk greeted Anitta warmly. "Hey, Anitta!" "Good to see you!" "How's your father's shop doing?"
Even older folks and kids called out to her, showing just how well-known she was here.
Then, a girl their age rushed up. "Anitta! You're back! Oh" She turned to Dante and gasped. "Oh my god, he's so handsome! What's your name?"
Dante grinned and gave his signature introduction. "My name is Dante! I'm the man who will surpass Eustass and become an SS-Rank Adventurer!"
The girl practically squealed. "An Adventurer!? Oh my god, that's so hot!"
Dante laughed cheerfully.
Anitta blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't noticed before, maybe because she'd been too busy trying to stab him but now, looking at him properly… Dante was quite handsome. Her face turned slightly red, and she quickly looked away.
Yamato stepped forward, tone calm. "Alright. Shouldn't we keep moving, Anitta?"
The girl turned to him and smiled slyly. "You know, you'd look good too if you smiled more. Girls don't go for the cool, quiet types anymore."
Yamato sighed. "…Noted."
Anitta quickly clapped her hands. "Let's continue the tour!"
She guided them through the market, introducing them to several sellers. The group exchanged brief conversations as they passed stalls of fruit, fish, fabrics, and shiny trinkets.
Next, Anitta stopped in front of a well-kept wooden shop with a large sign above the door. "This is my father's store. The Everything Shop!"
Yamato raised an eyebrow. "Is that name… literal?"
Anitta chuckled. "Not exactly. We don't have everything, but we have most things!"
At that exact moment, Dante's stomach growled loudly again.
He slumped forward dramatically. "Ughh… Anitta, how much further till the bar…?"
Anitta blinked in disbelief. "How much can you eat, Dante!?" She sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "I wanted to show you more, but fine. Let's get you fed."
They walked a while longer before stopping in front of two floating wooden doors swinging gently in the breeze.
Anitta spread her arms proudly. "Welcome to Drink and Eat! The place with the best food and drinks on the island."
Yamato stared at the sign. "Are all store names this literal?"
Dante didn't even wait for an answer. "Who cares! I can smell meat!" His mouth was already watering.
Anitta chuckled softly. "Well then," she said, pushing open the door, "let's go in."
And with that, the three stepped inside
---
The moment Dante, Yamato, and Anitta stepped through the swinging wooden doors, the bar's energy hit them instantly. Laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses filled the air. The warm glow of lanterns bounced off the walls, illuminating smiling faces and busy bartenders.
"Wow!" Dante exclaimed, a wide grin stretching across his face. "It's so lively in here!"
Anitta's eyes sparkled as she scanned the room. "It's the most fun part of the city. There's always conversation, and everyone just feels connected to each other."
Yamato stood stiffly, arms crossed, expression unchanged. "There's too many people."
Anitta puffed out her cheeks and scowled at him. "Yamato, you just hate everything. You haven't complimented a single thing I've shown you so far!"
Yamato shrugged casually. "What can I say? You can't force me to be impressed."
Anitta pointed toward a cozy sitting area close to the bar. "We can sit there. I know the owner, and I'll make sure you're taken care of."
The three of them walked over and took their seats at the bartending table.
A sultry-looking woman behind the counter turned toward them with a warm smile and a slightly teasing tone. "Anitta! And who are these two handsome boys with you?"
Anitta smiled and introduced them. "Sis Carolina, this is Dante and Yamato. They're adventurers."
Carolina's eyes sparkled. "Adventurers, huh? That explains the manly aura they give off." She bit her lip slightly, then leaned closer to the counter. "What can I get for them?"
Dante didn't hesitate. "Meat! A lot of it!"
Carolina laughed, a soft melodic sound. "Typical of a growing young man. You should eat a lot, being an adventurer isn't an easy job. You'll need the strength."
Anitta added proudly, "Dante is really strong. I couldn't even land a single blow on him during our spar."
Carolina whistled softly. "Wow, that's incredible. In Little Swan, you're definitely one of the stronger fighters already."
Yamato leaned back slightly and spoke calmly, "I'll have some sake, please."
Carolina's eyes sparkled mischievously. "A manly choice for a drink. I'll get it right away." She turned and disappeared toward the back of the bar.
Just then, an old man emerged from behind a corner, his face lit with the widest smile. "Is that little Anitta I see here?"
Anitta rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Uncle Roy, I'm not Little Anitta anymore! When will you stop calling me that?"
Roy laughed heartily. "I call you Little Anitta because it suits you!"
He then turned his gaze toward Dante and Yamato, his eyes crinkling with curiosity. "And who might these boys be? I haven't seen them around here before."
Anitta answered confidently, "This is Dante and Yamato. They're adventurers."
Roy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Adventurers!? To see such young adventurers coming from the North… what a refreshing sight! And tell me, boys, why do you adventure?"
He first turned his attention to Yamato.
Yamato sighed, a calm but resolute expression on his face. "I just want to fight strong opponents and get stronger, so I can protect those close to me."
Roy's face softened, but his tone remained serious. "A goal like that usually stems from loss. Did you lose someone close to you?"
Yamato nodded quietly.
"I see," Roy said, his eyes thoughtful. "The pursuit of strength to protect those you care about… it can also become a poison. Once you realize that, even if you grow stronger, you still might fail to protect them, it could cloud your judgment and lead to decisions you might regret."
Yamato's eyes hardened. "I'll protect those close to me. I won't fail."
Roy smiled warmly. "If that's the case, I believe you."
He then turned to Dante, his eyes glinting with interest. "And you, young man. Why do you want to be an adventurer?"
Dante's chest puffed out proudly. "I want to surpass Eustass and become the greatest adventurer of all time!"
Roy's eyes widened slightly. "That's a tough road ahead of you, young man."
Dante's laughter rang through the bar. "That's the fun part!"
Roy's expression softened, a faraway look in his eyes. "I met Eustass decades ago when I first set out on my own adventure. I was just a kid back then, but the eyes you show now… they're the same eyes I saw in Eustass. I have no doubt you'll accomplish great things."
At that exact moment, Carolina returned carrying platters of steaming meat and glasses of sake. Dante's eyes lit up, practically shining.
"Meat!" he shouted in anticipation.
Roy chuckled heartily, shaking his head as he began to walk back into the bar.
Dante's grin stretched from ear to ear as the smell of sizzling food filled the air.