Emi Tanaka looked at the two of them for a moment before speaking her voice calm but firm.
"If you are planning to search for your master " she said, "then it is already too late for today. You have been walking for days without rest. You should stop here for the night."
She crossed her arms lightly glancing toward the dark forest beyond.
This place is not safe after sunset. Most people here are not very friendly toward humans because of what humans have done in the past. Walking around alone at night would only put you in danger.
She paused briefly, then added,
"Come stay at our place. It is not far from here. The house is large. There are plenty of empty rooms. You can rest safely. Tomorrow I will help you search for your master."
Haruto remained silent for a moment then glanced at Miyuki. She looked tired her body still not fully recovered from everything.
"She is right " Haruto said quietly. "We will not find anything in the dark anyway. It is better to move in the morning when it's light outside and we can see where we are going."
Miyuki hesitated for a second then gave a nod.
"Alright " she said.
With that they followed Emi Tanaka.
After a walk they arrived at a large wooden house built on higher ground. It stood out from the surrounding forest its structure sturdy with two floors and faint light glowing from the windows.
Inside the house was even bigger than it appeared from outside.
Emi Tanaka led them upstairs into a hall the wooden floor polished and clean.
"There are two rooms here " she said, pointing down the corridor. "You can use them. My room is on this side. My brother's room is downstairs."
She turned slightly toward them.
"Freshen up. Come down for dinner. It should be ready soon."
Miyuki looked a little uneasy. Spoke softly
"But we do not have any money to pay you for your help."
Emi Tanaka shook her head without hesitation.
"You are guests " she said. "We do not take money from guests. Just. Do not worry about it."
With that she walked away toward her room.
Haruto and Miyuki stood quietly in the hallway for a moment.
Then Haruto spoke in a voice
"If you want to say anything you can talk to me through telepathy, okay, Miyuki."
Miyuki glanced at Haruto briefly. Said nothing. Instead she quietly entered the room.
Haruto followed her.
After some time they came downstairs.
The atmosphere had changed.
Several people had gathered in the dining area. The mood was lively. Food was laid out across the table voices filled the room and laughter echoed through the house. Some were drinking others talking freely as if there were no dangers in the world outside.
For a moment it almost felt peaceful.
Haruto remained alert his eyes quietly observing everyone in the room.
Miyuki stayed close to Haruto.
They ate in silence.
As the night grew deeper the noise slowly faded. One, by one people returned to their rooms.
Eventually Haruto and Miyuki also went upstairs.
Haruto and Miyuki went back to their rooms. The forest was quiet. The air was calm. It felt peaceful. Nothing seemed to disturb it.
That peace didn't last long.
After midnight a loud explosion happened. It broke the silence.
A big blast echoed across the mountains. It shook the ground. The sound was so loud that it woke Haruto up away. His eyes. His heart started beating fast.
"What was that?" he whispered.
He quickly went to the window. Looked outside. A house on top of the mountain was on fire. Flames went up into the night sky. Thick smoke filled the air. The fire was very strong.
Harutos face looked worried. "That's on the mountain " he whispered.
He ran out of his room and outside into the cold night air. The loud noise had already brought others out. People gathered around. They looked scared and confused. They all looked at the fire.
Miyuki was already there. Emi and others were with her. They stared at the burning house.
Haruto walked to Miyuki. He still looked at the flames. "What happened?" he asked quietly.
Miyuki didn't answer away. She looked at the mountain. Her face looked tense.
People started talking to each other. "I heard someone lived there " one man said.
"Yeah, that cat demi-human " another man said. "She lived alone."
"They say she used magic " someone else said. "She even taught others before she disappeared."
Miyukis body became stiff. Haruto saw it away. When people mentioned the cat demi-human Miyukis face froze. She looked shocked.
"A cat demi-human?" she whispered.
Something, about it bothered her. Haruto looked at her. He knew this wasn't news.
Whatever happened on that mountain...
It wasn't another fire.