The group moved deeper through the forest, following old dirt roads and dried rivers in search of the stolen book.
Every night, they camped.
Every night, they grew closer.
Haruto & Lira Bonding
As they walked, Lira stuck close to Haruto, her hand brushing against his every few minutes — not holding it, just testing the waters.
Whenever he stumbled, she caught him.
Whenever she stumbled, he caught her back.
Ren teased them relentlessly.
"One day, you two are gonna melt into one person," Ren said while eating stolen bread.
Lira blushed but didn't deny it.
Haruto turned red from the ears to the neck.
Sataro smirked quietly, listening while pretending not to.
Sataro Becoming a Leader
He taught them to move quietly:
where to step
how to breathe
how to stay alert
Haruto practiced with his wooden sword.
Lira practiced knife-throwing.
Ren practiced… napping in trees.
"I'm conserving energy," Ren argued.
"You're lazy," Sataro replied.
"Same thing," Ren said proudly.
Despite the chaos, they all were bonding — for the first time, Sataro felt like he wasn't alone.
Signs of the Book Thief
They stopped at a stream to drink.
Sataro noticed:
footprints in the mud
a broken tree branch
faint scorch marks along the rocks
"Someone with magic passed through here," Sataro said.
Haruto tensed.
"Is it the person who stole the book?"
Lira pulled him closer, protective.
Ren crouched and touched the prints.
"Small feet. Light. Fast.
Whoever it is — they're not far."
Sataro nodded.
We're close.
The Flute in the Forest
As evening fell, the group heard a sound drifting through the trees.
Soft.
Melodic.
Seductive.
A flute.
Haruto shivered.
"That's… kinda creepy."
Lira held his arm.
Ren sat on the ground.
"Nah, that sounds like someone cute."
Sataro signaled for silence and followed the music.
They moved through the trees until they reached a fallen log…
and saw her.
Nova's Entrance
She sat on the edge of the log, legs crossed, playing a carved black flute.
Long black hair flowed down her back.
Brown eyes glowed like warm firelight.
Her cloak was open at the shoulders, revealing smooth skin and scars that told stories.
She looked older than them — early twenties — confident and calm.
She stopped playing and smirked without turning around.
"Took you long enough to find me."
Haruto gasped.
"She heard us?"
"Of course I did," she said, sliding off the log.
"I heard you stepping on every leaf in a ten-mile radius."
Haruto pointed at Ren.
"THAT WAS HIM."
Ren shrugged.
Nova stepped closer to Sataro first — not Haruto, not Ren… Sataro.
Her gaze traveled slowly up and down his body.
"Well… aren't you handsome," she said softly.
Lira immediately stepped in front of Haruto, glaring.
Sataro blinked, thrown off for once.
"…Do we know you?" he asked calmly.
She leaned in closer.
Way too close.
"No," she whispered.
"But I was hoping we would."
Haruto whispered to Lira, "Is she… flirting with my brother?"
Lira whispered back, "Yes. A lot."
The Book Revealed
Nova reached into her cloak and pulled out a thick old book with a dark leather cover.
Haruto froze.
"That's… the book from the tavern!"
Nova twirled it in her hands.
"The King's favorite toy," she said. "And he wants it back very badly."
Sataro's eyes sharpened.
"Why did you steal it?"
Nova smiled — soft, dangerous, seductive.
"Because the king lied to me," she whispered.
"He lied about everything. Like he did with you."
Sataro stiffened.
"How do you know about us?"
She stepped even closer — close enough that Sataro could feel her breath on his neck.
"I make it a point to learn about handsome fugitives."
Sataro stepped back.
Ren whispered, "Bro she's gonna eat him alive."
Haruto whispered, "Sataro's in danger."
Lira whispered, "REAL danger."
Nova's Conditions
Nova tossed the book toward Sataro.
He caught it effortlessly.
"You can have it," she said.
"But I want something in return."
"What?" Sataro asked.
"A place in your group."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"You wanna join us?"
Nova winked at Sataro.
"I wanna join him."
Sataro's face warmed — the first time anyone had ever seen him flustered.
Lira's eyes narrowed in jealousy.
Haruto looked confused.
"Why? He's just my brother."
Nova smirked at him.
"Your brother is dangerous.
Loyal.
Strong.
And angry at the king.
Exactly the kind of man I like."
Haruto choked.
Lira looked betrayed.
Ren was laughing like a demon.
Nova Joins the Group
Sataro finally answered.
"You can come with us," he said slowly.
"But behave. No tricks."
Nova moved close again, brushing his arm with her fingers.
"I only trick people I'm not interested in."
Lira grabbed Haruto's hand.
"I don't trust her."
Haruto whispered, "Me neither… but she's strong."
Nova smirked at them.
"Relax, little ones.
I'm not here for him…"
She pointed at Haruto.
"…or him…"
She pointed at Ren.
"…or even you."
She pointed at Lira.
Her gaze returned to Sataro.
"I'm here for him."
Sataro swallowed.
This woman was trouble.
But trouble they needed.