And still... sohow, she was already paying for all of them. The food, the dicine, even the place they were staying—it was all coming from Kaya’s own pocket.
She sighed heavily, staring blankly at the busy market ahead.
"...I should’ve just left them in that alley," she muttered under her breath.
Kaya was still sitting there, her expression complicated. Too many thoughts, too many problems. She stared blankly at the market, trying to figure out where to even begin.
Then, a soft voice broke through her thoughts.
"Excuse ?"
She turned around slowly.
It was the sa boy from yesterday—the one she had protected. The sa boy who had shielded the injured child with his own body.
Kaya looked at him, her eyes sharp at first, still carrying the stress she hadn’t managed to shake off. But then she caught herself.
Her eyes softened slightly. She gave her head a small shake, trying to clear her mind, and said, "Yes?" Her voice ca out a little gentler.
The boy looked nervous but determined. He lowered his head slightly and said, "Thank you... for saving yesterday."
Kaya blinked.
She didn’t know what to say. So she just shook her head and muttered, "No... it’s okay."
She wanted to say sothing like "it was my duty" or "don’t ntion it," but she couldn’t. Because honestly... it wasn’t her duty. She didn’t even know why she had done it.
Just thinking about everything made her feel overwheld again.
Kaya, what were you even thinking? Twelve people? Seriously?
She felt like screaming.
But instead, she just gave a tired sigh and forced a small nod.
The boy smiled, just a little, and stood there quietly—still respectful, still unsure if he should say more.
Kaya stayed quiet, rubbing her forehead, still lost in thought.
But the boy didn’t leave.
After a short pause, he spoke again, voice still soft but clearer this ti.
"If... if there’s anything I can do to help, please tell ."
Kaya looked up at him, surprised. He wasn’t just being polite—his eyes were serious, honest.
She blinked. For a second, she didn’t know what to say.
He continued, a little nervous now, but still holding her gaze. "I know we’re a burden. All of us. But I want to work. I don’t want to just take and sit around."
Kaya stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line.
He looked so young, maybe even younger than her, and yet here he was—offering help when she was the one who had saved him.
Her chest felt heavy again, but in a different way.
"...What’s your na?" she asked quietly.
"Rin-ah," he said.
She nodded slowly.
"Alright, Rin-ah," Kaya said, voice still low."can you tell what you can do?"
Kaya looked at him directly and asked bluntly, "What can you do?"
She didn’t an to sound harsh—it just ca out that way. Maybe she didn’t have the energy to be polite right now. She was too tired, too broke, and way too stressed to dance around words.
The man paused for a mont, then straightened his back and answered with a firm voice.
"I can hunt. And... I know a bit of dicine too."
Kaya raised an eyebrow, then gave a small nod. "Nice."
She pointed at the others starting to gather behind him. "And what about them?"
Slowly, one by one, the others stepped forward from behind him. Most kept their heads slightly lowered, nervous but not shy. One of them spoke up.
"We can hunt too."
Another added, "I know herbs. I can help with wounds."
Soone else chid in, "I’m not good at hunting, but I can collect wood or carry stuff."
In a few minutes, Kaya had a rough idea of what they could all do. So were skilled in tracking, so had basic knowledge of healing, and others were willing to help with labor—gathering water, firewood, anything needed.
Useful. That was the word that ca to her mind.
For the first ti since waking up this morning, Kaya felt a little lighter. Not exactly happy—but less like the world was crashing on her head.
At least now, she knew she wasn’t feeding a bunch of freeloaders.
Good, she thought, folding her arms. Maybe I won’t go completely broke after all.
After a mont of silence, Kaya looked at the man again.
"Rin-ah," she said, repeating his na flatly. Then she waved her hand vaguely. "Or whatever. Rin."
He straightened up, looking at her attentively.
"Listen," she continued, her tone all business. "You and the others—make a list of what you need. I’ll see how much we can manage."
Without waiting for a response, Kaya turned around and walked off.
Rin still nodded, even though she didn’t see it.
---
About twenty minutes later, Kaya and Rin were walking through the busy market together.
There were no pens, no paper. Most people here didn’t even know how to write, so the list was all in Rin’s mory. They had simply told him what they needed, and he’d rembered.
No one had made a fuss. No one demanded anything fancy.
Just basic things.
Food. Clothes. So tools. A few dicines. Things to survive and work.
Kaya didn’t say much, but she was quietly taking ntal notes—checking prices, comparing, calculating what she could afford and what she’d have to push aside for now.
Kaya and Rin moved from one stall to another.
The market was loud and full of people, but they kept their focus. Rin walked a little behind her, carrying the things they bought. Kaya didn’t talk much—she pointed, checked prices, bargained a bit when needed, and moved on.
First, they bought so dried herbs and bandages—basic things for dicine. Then so simple cloth pieces, the kind that could be stitched into clothes if needed. Not great quality, but enough to cover the body.
At another stall,
Kaya picked up so rice and dry grains next. At first, Kaya was even a little shocked when Rin looked at the rice and grains she had picked.
They weren’t good quality—just enough to fill the stomach—and still, they were expensive. So she didn’t buy much.
User Comments
0 comments from readers