As Tuziku slowly regained consciousness, he opened his heavy eyelids to the blurred image of a boy around his age being scolded by someone.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to like that, you pipsqueak?!"
"Huhhh!!"
"Who are you calling a pipsqueak, fatty?!" said the boy.
"Arghhh! I'm gonna kick your—"
"Guys! He's awake!" a young girl shouted.
"Ohhh—finally… I was beginning to think you were dead, pal!" the boy added.
Where—am I…?
Tuziku attempted to stand, but intense pain shot through his torso.
"Ahhhh!"
"Hey, hey! Take it easy, kiddo. Your wound hasn't fully healed yet," said the man who had saved him.
Tuziku glanced down at his torso, wrapped in bandages.
"Who—who are you?" he asked softly.
"The name's Sailou… Sailou Tunberg. And this little knucklehead who woke you up with his performance is Kutcher," the man said.
Kutcher grunted.
"Don't worry—these guys are all my crew members. You can trust them just as much as me," Sailou added.
There was a brief silence.
"…Thank you for saving me, Tunberg," Tuziku murmured.
"Please, call me Sailou. No need to thank me—I just happened to run into you at the right time," he said with a lighthearted grin.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Tuziku asked.
"Hmm… about three and a half days," Sailou replied.
"I see…"
"What happened out there, kiddo?" Sailou asked.
"I—I don't really know…" Tuziku admitted.
"That's okay. I'm sure a lot has happened to you. Just rest for now until you feel better…"
Grrr…
Tuziku's stomach growled loudly.
Sailou laughed. "Seems you're hungry! Don't worry—my friend Mika went to get some meat. When she returns, she'll make us some pot roast."
"How's that sound?"
"That sounds good," Tuziku replied.
"Good, then I'll start the fire!"
"Sailou! Where am I exactly?" Tuziku asked.
"Oh—that's right! This is all still new to you. Well, if you mean the general location, we're in a forest in the Land of Hinkon, near the sea," Sailou explained.
"I see…" Tuziku said, his expression tinged with sadness.
"Hey, once you finish eating, I'd like to show you something," Sailou added with a grin.
"O—okay…" Tuziku replied.
"Hey guys… I'm back!"
"Just in time, Mika," Sailou called out.
"Hmmm? So you've finally woken up…" Mika said, placing the meat on a table. "You must be hungry—I'm making some pot roast."
"I'm Mika, by the way."
A young girl entered behind her.
Mika sighed. "What took you so long, Priora?"
"I'm sorry. It took a while to find the herbs you wanted, big sis Mika," the girl replied.
As Tuziku stared at the strange yet peaceful faces around him, a thought struck him:
Who are these people?
"Kutcher! Go start the fire!" Sailou demanded.
"Why don't you rest up until the food is ready, Tuziku." Mika stated.
"M—hmm"
Tuziku felt a strong sense of comfort and security from the strangers that took him in.
—FUGITIVE ARC END—