My family knows where and whom I help. Sometimes they even slip a few coins into my hiding place themselves. They know exactly where I spend my money — and they support me silently. After all, in such matters, one must stay quiet and not attract attention. They'd gladly help themselves, but they don't have the strength that I do, and they're always busy. Still, that's just how we are — they help in their own way.
Kiki even splurged once and gave away her toy. That was a real feat on her part. He he. Kittan sometimes tosses me a couple of mons, too. Though he's very careful with money, he only parts with what he doesn't mind losing. And I'll really have to pay him back for those two silver coins. Well, once I become a shinigami, I'll make sure to repay him. Otherwise, he'll remember it for centuries.
Climbing onto the roof, I head toward the right house.
Jump!
I leap from roof to roof, trying to stay as quiet as possible. I can't afford to draw attention — it's better if no one notices me at all. Fortunately, I'm barefoot, and my steps make almost no sound.
I reach the place and slip into the pharmacy.
Old Grandpa Komaji is about to close up. His shop reeks of herbs and all kinds of infusions. He makes all those medicines himself — that's how he earns his living. And his granddaughters gather all the ingredients in the forest, and sometimes he trades with the Marked Ones, since they cultivate certain rare plants. So he'll help.
I quickly strike a deal and buy the infusion I need. Then I rush home, grab some food, and run toward the secret exit from the district.
But that's where the problems start. Two guys are drinking near the exit — and they've caught Tetsu.
"Come on, tell us who you are and what you're doing here!" The big one shoves him against the wall, pressing a knife close to his face. The boy trembles with fear.
"You'd better talk nicely, kid, or we might get offended," the second man laughs.
"I–I–I–I–I… just… got lost… I was walking home and…" he stammers, his teeth chattering. Good boy. He knows not to give up his friends.
"Don't lie to me!" the big guy growled. He stank of sake. He was drunk — that was bad. His words were slurring more and more.
"I… I'm honest… Aaaah!" Tetsu screamed as the brute punched him in the face. Then the man threw him aside.
The boy cried out in pain.
"Don't you dare… ugh!… lie to me," the drunk muttered, taking another swig of sake. His friend just laughed. He staggered toward Tetsu, ready to continue.
I pulled my hood over my head, grabbed the nearest stone, and jumped toward the first one. You always start with the weakest when dealing with scum — and that's the one who laughs and drinks. I crept up and struck him on the head.
"OM!" He let out a short cry, clutching his head. One more blow — and he passed out.
The big guy turned away from Tetsu and spun toward me.
He dodged the stone I threw at his face.
"YOU BASTARD!" he snarled and lunged at me.
My legs trembled with fear. But fear gives you wings.
I didn't even realize how I rushed at him. Sliding between his legs, I sprang to my feet and kicked him in the groin with all my strength.
Then I snatched up another rock and brought it down on his head.
Looks like he's done, too.
No time to think.
I grabbed Tetsu and ran for the hole.
We slipped out of the district and dashed into the forest.
We quickly reached the trees and lost ourselves among them.
"What were you doing here?" I asked the boy. "I told you to go back."
"They… sniff… were there for a long time… sniff… I tried to go around them, but they caught me…" he sobbed. "I was so scared…"
"Oh," I sighed. "It's okay, calm down." I hugged him gently.
"Uh-huh… they… they tore my glove," he said sadly. Indeed, there was a hole in it. That glove was all he had left of his father — the one who'd been devoured by a Hollows.
"It's okay, we'll fix it," I reassured him. "Let's go."
We without rushing walked toward the village. It was already dark, and every step was uncertain. Even though the path wasn't difficult, we still had to be careful. I didn't want to trip over something or fall — and I was still barefoot.
We were met at the edge of the forest. I handed Tetsu the medicine and then went with the others to see Hotaru.
Hotaru was sick — pale and thin, with no hair on his head or anywhere else. Poor nutrition, coupled with difficulties in obtaining food and poor health, greatly spoil his life.
Yes, logically speaking, Hotaru was a burden to everyone. He knew that himself. But no one wanted him to die. He was one of the few still alive here, and no one wanted to mourn the dead again.
There used to be far more people in this village — until the Hollow came. Somehow, one had slipped past the Shinigami. The villagers had been herbalists; many worked at the sawmill. Only four families lived here: Honoka-san with her children, father, and husband; old man Bogi with his children and grandchildren; Andy-san, who had recently settled here and married a beautiful woman — they had been expecting a child; and Hotaru, who lived with his brothers and sisters. But the Hollow came and destroyed everything. They all suffered from it. They were all wounded.
The Shinigami came. They killed the Hollow and treated the wounded, but even that couldn't save the survivors. The people branded them as the Marked Ones — forbidden from entering the city, from being helped, even from being spoken to. That's what the people decided. A despicable decree born of superstition and cowardice. But no one could do anything about it.
There was no way to work, to get food, or even to trade. Andy-san had lost his leg, and hunting was no longer possible for him.Unfortunately, it was not possible to restore the leg. The Shinigami were also unable to help. Some residual effect of the Hollow, they said. Honoka-san was weak; she simply couldn't hunt. Nor could the children or the elderly. And Hotaru was constantly sick.
I help as much as I can. I set traps for game, help chase off wild animals so the plants can be gathered. I carry herbs into the city and sell them to trusted people, and buy food and medicine with what I earn. I also help in any way I can.
Such is the cruel world. That's the harsh reality. Nothing can be changed, nothing can be undone.
But I still want to help them. I know it'll be hard for them while I'm studying. Who else but me will help them? No one. Sigh.
Hotaru took his medicine. All that's left now is to wait.
I hope everything returns to normal for him. That everything will be all right.
I really hope so.
I gave them the food and headed home.
I walked quietly, carefully. I didn't want to run into those men again. So I moved through the alleys, double-checking every turn. I'd have to find another way next time — this one was already discovered.
But no one was waiting for me, and those two seemed to have left. Good. It was dark here, and they'd been drunk — they were unlikely to recognize me. And I'd worn a hood. Still, just in case, I should change my clothes.
I slipped quietly into the house. A late dinner was waiting for me there, alone, because everyone was asleep.
Oh well.
I ate, and then went to bed…
***
"So, some kid beat you up?" the boss asked gravely. "You got drunk, did damn knows what, and now you come back looking like a beaten dog?"
"I'm sorry, Boss," the big guy muttered, lowering his head. He'd just had a few drinks — and when he was drunk, he often got angry and beats his wife. But this time he picked on some kid. He didn't remember much of what happened after that. His friend had gotten it worse and was now undergoing treatment — lucky to still be alive.
"Where did they go?" the boss asked calmly.
"I don't know."
"Boss," Nezu spoke up, stepping forward. He was a small, skinny weasel of a man — looked more like a rat than a human. " I found a passageway there, in the wall. It leads out of the district."
"And where does it lead?"
"To the forest. Seems like the Marked Ones live there," he said with a smirk.
"The Marked Ones?" The boss paused, thinking for a moment, then began to issue orders. "Interesting. Find out everything — but quietly. Don't attract attention, especially from the Marked Ones themselves. If that's true, then we're in luck."
"Yes, Boss!"