“The Silence That Pretends Nothing Happened”
As if nothing had happened.
As if the previous night didn’t exist.
—Erza.
She paused for a moment.
But she didn’t turn around.
—Are you awake yet, kid?
Her voice was… too normal.
That bothered me.
—We need to talk.
Silence.
She stopped what she was doing.
She turned slowly.
Her eyes looked different.
Tougher.
—About what?
—About yesterday.
Her eyes narrowed.
—I already told you to mind your own business.
—And I already told you I want to understand,” Daichi replied firmly.
The two stared at each other.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Erza sighed, irritated.
She ran her hand through her hair.
—“Before that,” she said, “I’m the one who wants to know something.”
Daichi furrowed his brow.
—What?
She crossed her arms.
—Who are you?
Silence.
—Where are you from?
Daichi hesitated.
For a moment.
But he answered.
—I… don’t know.
Erza didn't move.
She just stared at him.
—You don’t know?
—I woke up in the middle of nowhere—he continued—I don’t remember anything about my past.
She looked away for a second.
—Not even who I was.
—Just… my name.
Silence fell again.
Erza studied him.
As if trying to decide if it was a lie.
Or the truth.
—Hm…
She turned her face away.
—Strange.
Daichi didn’t answer.
—Either you’re a terrible liar… — she continued — or you’re telling the truth.
She picked up a piece of firewood next to the counter.
She twirled it in her hand.
—And what about that sword?
She pointed to the weapon at his waist.
—Do you know how to use that?
Daichi looked at the sword.
—…No.
Erza smiled wryly.
—I figured as much.
She took a few steps forward.
She tossed another piece of firewood on the ground, near him.
—Take it.
Daichi looked confused.
—What for?
—Let's see what you can do.
—I already told you I don’t know—
—Then learn.
Her voice cut through the air.
No room for refusal.
Daichi took the sword.
A little unsure.
Erza advanced.
Without warning.
—Huh—?!
The first strike came fast.
Daichi barely had time to react.
—Agh!
The log hit his arm.
The log almost fell.
—"Open guard," she said, coldly.
Another blow.
This time on the back.
—Ugh!
—Slow.
She wouldn’t stop.
Simple movements.
Straightforward.
Precise.
Daichi tried to counterattack.
He missed.
Completely.
—Horrible.
Another blow.
Dry.
In the back.
The pain shot up instantly.
—Damn…!
He stepped back, panting.
Erza didn’t even look tired.
—Is that all?
She taunted him.
Daichi went all out.
Desperate.
Erza dodged it easily.
A step to the side.
And then—
*THWACK.*
The blow struck his back with force.
Daichi fell to his knees.
The firewood slipped from his hand.
The air was knocked out of his lungs.
—Tsk…
Erza rested the firewood on her shoulder.
—You wouldn’t survive out there for even an hour, kid.
Daichi was breathing with difficulty.
His body ached.
But something inside him…
Stirred.
He clenched his teeth.
He tried to get up.
Erza watched.
And then…
She smiled.
—Hm.
—At least he didn’t stay on the floor.
He turned around.
—Get up.
Her voice was firm.
—If you want answers…
He looked over his shoulder.
—You’ll have to be strong enough to handle them.
Erza was silent for a few seconds.
Watching Daichi, still on his knees.
Panting.
In pain.
But trying to get up.
She looked away for a moment.
As if she were thinking.
Then she sighed.
—…Listen.
Daichi lifted his face.
Erza was looking at him less harshly now.
But she was still serious.
—I promise I’ll answer your questions.
She paused.
—Just… not right now.
A silence fell between them.
—I need more time.
Daichi frowned slightly.
But he didn’t interrupt.
Erza crossed her arms.
—This place… isn’t as simple as you think.
Her gaze grew heavy for a moment.
But she soon returned to normal.
—And you’re not ready to understand everything yet.
Daichi clenched his fists slightly.
—So when will I be?
Erza gave a small, wry smile.
—When you stop getting beaten up so easily.
He let out a soft sigh, sounding a little annoyed.
Erza then walked over to the sword at his waist.
She gave the scabbard a light tap.
—But I’ll give you something.
Daichi watched her.
—A chance.
She looked him straight in the eye.
—I like you, kid.
The words came out simply.
But sincere.
—You’re weak…
She paused.
—But you don’t run away.
Daichi’s eyes locked onto hers.
—And that’s already more than most.
Erza took his sword.
She pulled the blade out a little.
She looked at it.
—I'll teach you how to use this.
He pushed the sword back.
—Because, sooner or later…
Her voice grew quieter.
More serious.
—You’re going to need it.
Silent.
Heavy.
Daichi didn’t answer.
But, for the first time…
He felt that he wasn’t completely alone in that world.
Daichi walked through the streets of Miura.
The sun was already high in the sky.
The town looked… just like yesterday.
People chatting.
Children running.
Smiles.
As if nothing had happened.
As if that night…
Had never existed.
He slowed his pace.
Watching.
Searching.
But no one talked about it.
No one said anything.
No one even showed it.
