"I had something to eat a few hours ago, so don't worry about me. Dororo, go ahead and finish your meal. It's getting dark, and it's time to rest," Mio's words hung in the air, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere in the humble dwelling. It was Dororo who broke the silence first, pushing away from the rough "bed" with a discontented expression, seemingly annoyed by something.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that... I'm just concerned about him," Mio's apology came with a touch of weariness as she gathered the empty bowls from their impromptu meal, carefully placing them aside. This left Naruto and Dororo facing each other, the room filled with an unspoken tension.
"I get it..." Naruto's response came slowly, his gaze shifting momentarily to Dororo, who still seemed to be awake. Then, he looked back at Mio, noticing the signs of fatigue etched on her features. The audible grumbling of her stomach emphasized the hardship she faced. A pang of empathy hit Naruto, reminding him of his own hunger. "You said earlier you ate..."
"It's more important for my little brother to have enough to eat... I've gone without food for a few days before. But tomorrow, I'll find a way to earn some money... even though you scared off two potential customers earlier," Mio's final statement puzzled Naruto momentarily. The bitter smile on her face offered him a clue.
"Your job is..."
"You don't need to finish that sentence," Mio gently interrupted, cutting off Naruto's inquiry with a soft smile.
Regretful for pushing the subject, Naruto tried to change the subject. However, Mio shook her head, her smile persisting, and her expression softening.
"I work as an escort... or some would call it a prostitute. It's not something I take pride in, but I'll do whatever it takes to support my little brother. These are the things we do, even when we don't like it," Mio's fingers brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, a subtle gesture that carried the weight of her story.
Naruto lapsed into silence, absorbing the reality of the situations people like Mio found themselves in. An admiration for her blossomed within him, seeing her willingness to shoulder tasks that most would shy away from, all in the name of providing for and feeding her family. It was a perspective he had previously overlooked.
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Amid the quiet, Naruto stayed silent, watching as Mio's little brother squirmed on his makeshift bed. Mio noticed her brother's discomfort and went over to him, her fingers gently ruffling his hair. She started singing softly, the sound like a gentle breeze: "A white flower that bloomed in red sand~". Her singing seemed to calm the boy, who gradually settled into slumber again. Mio continued singing, her voice flowing like a gentle stream.
Her melodic song brought comfort and peace, guiding her brother back to sleep. She wore a warm smile as she moved away from him, her song filling the air as she walked around the house. The last strains of the song settled into a peaceful silence.
However, the calm didn't last long as a surprised voice broke the stillness. The pre-teen couldn't hold back his amazement at what he had heard. "Wow..."
Mio blushed at the unexpected praise, her smile growing wider as she replied, "Thank you..." She briefly met Naruto's eyes before he looked away, a hint of shyness in his demeanor. This only made Mio smile more, and she approached Naruto again. "My mom used to sing during the long rides we took in our wagon..."
"You're so good, you could sing for everyone. You might even become famous," Naruto's honest words made Mio chuckle softly.
"I'm not sure... I feel like my true calling is in this," she motioned to Dororo's shirt, tilting her head slightly. "I've always liked sewing and making clothes... it's been in our family for generations." She yawned, clearly tired. Her smile faded a bit as she got up.
"You can sleep near Dororo... I'll sleep in the other room," Mio said sleepily. She began moving towards the nearby room, but stopped at the doorway. Looking back at Naruto, she made a sincere offer, her expression welcoming. "If you don't have anywhere else to go... you're welcome to stay with us." With that kind gesture and a final smile, Mio disappeared into the room to get her much-needed rest.
Naruto sat in silence, observing the peaceful slumber of the girl. As the minutes ticked by, her soft breathing became a soothing lullaby. Quietly rising, Naruto approached Dororo, gently tapping his forehead to rouse him. With a determined look, Naruto motioned for Dororo to accompany him, and they slipped out the window together.
...
It was nearing midnight, and a steady stream of people were converging on a tunnel within the heart of the bustling city. Each person entered the tunnel, descending through a rocky passage that led to an underground chamber. The chamber was domed, its center occupied by a square-shaped ring.
As the attendees arrived, they took their seats around the perimeter of the fighting arena. A stout man of short stature, elegantly dressed and resembling a nobleman, walked to the center of the ring. With a spherical gold-handled cane and dark glasses, he commanded attention. He introduced himself as Wao, the proprietor and founder of the event.
Beside the ring stood an old man with a long white beard and unruly hair, clad in a worn gray robe. He carried a weathered wooden box, which he gently placed at Wao's feet.
"With my best fighters, the prize for surviving the four rounds is nothing less than ten thousand gold coins!" Wao's proclamation was met with a chorus of cheers from the crowd. He silenced them by tapping his cane against the ground.
"Now... who will be the first?" Wao's question hung in the air, creating an anticipatory hush that was soon broken by the sound of approaching footsteps.