The rest of the day slipped by faster than Kenta expected. Hamone City had a rhythm to it, one that didn't slow down just because the sun climbed higher or the crowds thickened. Vendors shouted over each other, carts rattled across stone streets, and the smell of food drifted from every direction imaginable.
Kenta wandered without much purpose. That was how he liked it. No destination. No schedule. Just moving wherever his feet felt like taking him, and more often than not, those feet led him toward food.
A fair amount of his newly acquired coins didn't last long. First, it was a skewer of grilled meat from a street vendor who claimed it was "the best in the whole city." Kenta didn't argue. He just ate it, nodded once, and moved on.
Then came a small bowl of noodles, steaming and rich with broth. He finished it quickly, barely pausing between bites before setting the empty bowl aside with a satisfied breath.
"Not bad," he muttered.
A while later, he found himself with a small cup of cheap booze in hand, leaning against a stall as he took a slow sip. It burned going down, but not unpleasantly. Time blurred after that.
Food, drink, walking. A simple cycle.
By the time the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the streets, Kenta had circled through more of the city than he'd realized.
And eventually, he stopped. Across the street, a wooden sign hung above a modest but well-kept building. The Jade Boar. Kenta tilted his head slightly as he looked it over.
"Doesn't look too bad," he muttered.
The exterior was clean. The structure was sturdy. Nothing overly fancy, but not run-down either. The kind of place that looked like it actually cared about staying in business. Kenta shifted his weight slightly. Then glanced down at the ground.
"Definitely better than dirt. Not sleeping outside again, that's for sure."
He let out a small breath. Kenta then crossed the street and pushed the door open. The inside was calm. Not empty, but far from crowded. A handful of patrons sat scattered around, some eating, others nursing drinks. Low conversation filled the air, mixed with the occasional clink of utensils or glass.
It was… peaceful. Kenta stepped inside, letting the door close behind him as his eyes adjusted briefly to the warmer lighting. For a moment, no one paid him much attention. Then he heard a familiar voice.
"Mr. Kenta."
He looked up. Marie stood near one of the tables, a cloth in hand as she finished wiping it down. She gave him a small wave, already moving toward him.
"Suppose I took up your offer rather quickly," Kenta said casually.
Marie smiled lightly.
"I had a feeling I'd be seeing you sooner or later," she replied.
She stopped a few steps in front of him, looking him over briefly.
"You stood out."
Kenta raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Marie nodded.
"It's not hard to tell you're not from around here."
Kenta crossed his arms slightly.
"And what gave it away?"
Marie didn't hesitate.
"No one from this city would've stepped in like you did," she said simply. "Not without hesitation. Not without fear. At the bare minimum."
Her tone was nothing but honest. Kenta stared at her for a second. Then shrugged.
"Guess that makes sense."
Marie tilted her head slightly.
"So," she continued, "are you looking for a room?"
Kenta nodded.
"Room and a warm meal," he said. "That's the plan, at least."
Marie smiled.
"I can take care of that."
She turned slightly, already heading toward the back.
"I'll talk to the manager and get everything sorted."
Kenta blinked.
"Wait," he called after her. "What's it gonna cost me?"
Marie stopped. Then raised a hand without turning around.
"This one's on me," she said. "Call it a thank you."
Before Kenta could say anything else, she was already gone.
"Huh."
He scratched the side of his head.
"Didn't even get a chance to argue."
Still, he didn't complain. Kenta found himself a seat in the corner, away from most of the other patrons, and leaned back slightly as he waited. Time passed quietly. Marie returned not long after, placing a key in front of him.
"Room's ready," she said. "Second floor."
Kenta picked it up, turning it once between his fingers.
"Appreciate it."
She nodded.
"I'll get your food started too. What are you in the mood for?"
Kenta thought about it for all of half a second.
"Chicken and rice."
She nodded and disappeared again. Not long after, the meal arrived. Simple. Warm. Filling. Kenta didn't rush it. He ate slowly, leaning back slightly in his chair as he took his time with each bite. The tension from the day faded bit by bit, replaced by something far more comfortable.
Marie checked in on him now and then, asking if he needed anything else. Kenta usually just shook his head.
"Nope. This is good."
The quiet stretched on. For a while, it felt like nothing could interrupt it. Kenta finished the last of his meal, setting the bowl aside with a small breath.
"Yeah," he muttered.
He leaned back, stretching slightly.
"A bed sounds real nice right about now."
He started to push himself up. Then—
The door slammed open. The sound cut through the room instantly. Conversation died. Movement slowed. Every head turned toward the entrance.
Seven men stepped inside. Heavy boots. Light armor. Hard expressions. And behind them was the one who had run. The thief from the alley. He stayed close to the group, eyes darting nervously around the room. Kenta watched from his seat, expression flattening slightly.
The resemblance was obvious. Same type of armor. Same attitude. Same air of arrogance. The Haven Syndicate. At the front of the group stood a man who clearly carried himself differently.
Short blue hair. Clean-shaven. A thin but noticeable scar ran across his chin. His build wasn't as bulky as the others, but there was something sharper about him. More controlled.
His gaze swept across the room slowly. Taking everything in. The inn had gone completely quiet. Even the staff had stilled, unsure of what to do. Then, his eyes landed on Kenta.
They didn't move. For a moment, neither did he. Then the man stepped forward as the rest of his group stayed near the entrance, spreading out just enough to block the exit.
Kenta sighed as he rubbed his temple lightly, watching the man approach.
"I just wanted to get some sleep."
He leaned back in his chair, watching him come closer.
"Is that too much to ask?"