Kay was unconscious, but his mind could not find rest. In the void of his unconsciousness, a fragment of the past emerged like a distant but incredibly vivid echo.
He was just a child back then.
“Shall we go back, Kay?” Mira asked, her voice trembling as she looked around nervously. The growing silence of the forest seemed suffocating, each shadow cast by the trees taking on frightening contours.
“He must be around here... I can feel it!” Kay replied, her eyes shining with excitement. Her breathing was irregular, almost frantic, as if she were facing a great discovery.
Mira frowned, fear brimming in her voice.
“What are you hunting?!”
Kay didn’t answer. Suddenly, he stopped abruptly, and Mira, distracted, collided with his back.
“Shh!” He covered her mouth with one hand, turning her face to face her. His eyes were serious, almost fierce, as if they were begging for absolute silence.
Mira's heart raced. She nodded, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Kay slowly released her mouth and placed a finger over her own lips, reinforcing the request for silence.
He drew the small bow he carried and nocked an arrow. Kay's expression changed; the playful boy gave way to someone focused, methodical. He advanced carefully, each step as silent as possible, while Mira watched, paralyzed between curiosity and fear.
She looked around, trying to see what he saw, but all she could see were bushes and trees.
"What is he hunting?" she thought, feeling cold sweat run down her forehead.
Kay knelt down, holding her breath. He drew the bowstring, his eyes fixed on a bush that was moving gently. Time seemed to stop. Then, he released the arrow.
The sharp crack of gunfire cut through the air, followed by a muffled crack in the bush. The movement stopped.
“I got it!” Kay shouted, smiling triumphantly. Before Mira could stop him, he ran toward the bush, moving the leaves in a hurry.
“Kay, wait!” Mira called hesitantly, but he was already out of range.
Kay dove into the bush, rummaging with his hands until he pulled out his “kill.” He stood up, holding a downed rabbit by the ears, a wide grin plastered across his face.
“Mira, let’s eat together!” Kay exclaimed, holding the animal up like a trophy.
Mira recoiled in horror. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head frantically.
“Idiot! I’m going to tell my mother!” she shouted, turning and running away.
“What?! You don’t want it?” Kay shouted back, confused.
— No! — she shouted, her voice echoing through the forest as she disappeared into the trees.
Kay scratched his head, looking at the rabbit in his hands.
“Then I’ll eat alone... I better run away before mom shows up!” he said to himself. Wasting no time, he threw the rabbit over his shoulder and ran away, disappearing into the forest.
Mira ran through the door of the house, sobbing so hard. The sound of her hurried footsteps caught everyone’s immediate attention.
“What has my son done this time?!” Kay’s mother exclaimed.
“Auntie, Kay... He... He killed a rabbit! And... And now he wants to eat it!” Mira said between sobs, her face flushed and tears streaming down her face.
Kay’s mother sighed, putting her hands on her hips, while shaking her head slowly.
“This boy is hopeless!” she muttered, rolling her eyes.
From the kitchen, Rem listened to the scene and couldn’t help but laugh amusedly.
— Leave him alone, Mira. Come and have lunch, my dear. — Rem said, stirring a pot, the aroma of food spreading through the house.
— But... But he... — Mira tried to protest, still in tears, her indignation evident.
Kay's mother bent down to the girl's eye level and gently wiped the tears from her face with a dish towel.
— Mira, my dear, he's going to end up with a terrible stomachache and he's going to spend the whole day in the bathroom! — she said, with a comforting tone and a small smile on her lips. — We'll go get him in a little while, okay? Now, how about we eat the wonderful food your mommy prepared?
Mira sniffed hesitantly, but the tenderness in Kay's mother's voice and the welcoming aroma of the meal helped to calm her down.
— Okay... — Mira replied, finally giving in, as Kay's mother guided her to the table.
In the forest, the fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over Kay’s pale face. He was slumped beside the fire, the makeshift branch he had used as a skewer still in his hand. The meat, completely cooked, had been bitten into, but now it lay on the ground beside him.
A bloody stain stained the earth near Kay’s mouth. He had vomited before he passed out, and his face was covered in sweat, his body motionless.
Meanwhile, at Rem’s house, Mira was fidgeting at the table.
“He’s not back yet!” Mira said anxiously, her face worried as she drummed her fingers on the tabletop.
Kay’s mother took a deep breath, trying to hide her irritation.
“That boy… he’s nothing but trouble!” she said, setting the cutlery aside. “Thanks for the food, Rem, but I’ll go get him.”
Rem laughed softly, resting her hands on her hips.
“I’ll go with you. Maybe he’ll come up with something else this time.”
Kay's mother shook her head firmly.
— No need. The smell of the fire he made is very clear to me. I know exactly where to find him.
Rem sighed, crossing her arms.
— How jealous of your sharp sense! If it were up to me, I would end up getting lost before I found him.
Kay's mother smiled, looking at Mira, who was sitting with her head down, hugging her knees.
— Don't worry, little Mira. I'll bring my idiot son back.
— Okay... — Mira replied
With a last wave to Rem, Kay's mother left with determined steps. The night breeze caressed her face, and in the distance, the glow of the fire stood out among the trees.
— What's that bad smell? — Kay's mother exclaimed, approaching the fire with her nose wrinkled.
Kay, who was crouched down, stirring the ashes, looked at her awkwardly.
— The meat was rotten... — he said, burying the game with an expression of disgust.
— Was it? Or did you not clean it properly before roasting it? — his mother replied, crossing her arms.
Kay looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
— I thought I had cleaned it properly... — he muttered, embarrassed, as he put out the rest of the fire.
His mother sighed, shaking her head.
— Kay, when you go hunting, don't take Mira. You know she can't stand the sight of dead animals.
— I'm sorry... — he replied, his voice full of regret.
— And I told you we were invited to lunch at their house today. Why didn't you leave it for later?
Kay shrugged, even more embarrassed.
— It smelled so strong... I thought it would taste amazing!
His mother let out a light laugh, despite the lecture.
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— Let's go back home. It's late.
— Okay... — Kay replied, picking up the bow and arrows.
As they walked back, his mother glanced at him sideways.
— And another thing, no hunting near mealtimes. Got it?
— Okay... — Kay repeated, resigned.
Back at Rem's house, Kay knelt at the entrance, his forehead resting on the floor.
— I'm so sorry! — he exclaimed, bowing with an exaggerated bow.
Rem and Kay's mother exchanged knowing looks, holding back laughter. Mira, on the other hand, was blushing with embarrassment.
— I forgive you... now, please get up! You're embarrassing me! — Mira said, looking around as if she wanted to disappear.
Kay raised his head, relieved.
— Thank you! — he said, jumping to his feet.
Rem, who was watching from the kitchen, shook his head with a smile.
— Now go eat, Kay. You're as white as a sheet!
"Thank you, auntie!" he said, already heading towards the table.
"Go wash your hands first!" his mother ordered, pointing to the bathroom.
"Okay!" Kay replied, hurrying off.
While he was gone, Rem turned to Mira, who was standing there, thoughtful.
— We’re going to watch something. Can you make us some coffee and popcorn?
“I don’t like making coffee…” Mira grumbled, crossing her arms.
Rem raised an eyebrow.
“Your coffee is great, so stop complaining. We’ve already made lunch. The least you can do is make coffee!”
Mira snorted.
“That’s blackmail!” she protested, marching into the kitchen.
Rem stifled a laugh, but didn’t let it go.
“Look at the way you talk to your mother!”
Kay’s mother, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, commented:
“I think I know where she’s learning these things…” “It must be Kay. But… come to think of it, he’s not smart enough to use big words.”
At that moment, Kay walked down the hall, wiping her hands.
“Even I know what blackmail is!” he said confidently, puffing out his chest.
The two women stopped and looked at him curiously.
“Oh, really?” So what is blackmail, genius? — asked his mother, challenging him with a smirk.
Kay raised her chin triumphantly.
— It's when a person lives in Uberlândia, but works as a taxi driver!
The silence lasted only a second before Rem and Kay's mother doubled over laughing, covering their mouths to keep from bursting out in louder laughter.
— That's not blackmail, Kay. That's hypocrisy! — corrected Rem, still trying to catch her breath.
— You're wrong! — protested Kay, her face red as she hurriedly left.
— You've embarrassed yourself again, Kay! You have to study more! — teased Mira, without taking her eyes off the coffee she was preparing.
Kay snorted, pulling up a chair and sitting at the table.
— I already study enough! I just got the words mixed up! — he replied, as he began to fill his plate.
Mira let out a short laugh, not hiding her tone of superiority.
— If you want, I can give you some lessons. — she offered, boasting.
Kay just let out a sarcastic laugh and turned her attention back to lunch, ignoring the provocation.
— "This kid drives me crazy!" — Mira thought, gripping the coffee maker handle harder than necessary.
— No fighting, you two! — Rem intervened, watching them from the door, next to Kay's mother.
— We're not fighting! — Kay said, chewing with her mouth full.
— Don't distract me! Go sit over there, you two! — Mira ordered, pointing to the living room.
Rem raised her hands in surrender, pulling Kay's mother with her.
— Okay, you're the boss, chef! — she joked, leaving with a smile.
Back in the living room, Kay's mother whispered to Rem:
— It looks like a wife cooking for her husband.
— I agree! — Rem murmured, laughing.
Mira, who heard the comment, blushed immediately.
“Don’t even think about weird things!” she said, turning to face Kay.
But he seemed oblivious, devouring his plate as if the world depended on it.
“Why is he eating so fast? And why does he look so... listless?” Mira thought, turning her attention back to her coffee.
Suddenly, Kay picked up the empty plate.
— I'm done! — he exclaimed excitedly.
— Don't yell, idiot! — Mira complained, startled by the sudden noise.
— I want some candy! — he said, picking up the plates and going to the sink.
Mira rolled her eyes, muttering to herself:
— You want candy... you've been in the forest until now and you still want candy...
Kay approached and looked at her expectantly.
— You don't have any? — she asked, bringing her face closer.
— Don't scare me like that, you idiot! — Mira shouted, slapping his arm.
— No fighting! — Rem shouted from the living room.
Mira snorted and crossed her arms.
— If you want candy, there are some in my room. But just take one, understand?
Kay smiled.
— Thanks! — she said, leaving in a hurry.
As he left, Mira muttered in her mind:
— "He didn't even complain about the slap... whatever, he deserved it."
In Mira's room.
Kay opened the drawer and found the sweets she had mentioned. He took them and ate them one after the other.
"Why doesn't anything taste good? This is weird..." he said, staring at the candy wrapper in his hands.
Sighing, he lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
"My tongue must be numb... that's it, isn't it? It should be back to normal tomorrow..." he muttered to himself before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
In the living room, while they watched, Kay's mother commented:
"I wish Mira could make coffee every day. Hers is so delicious!"
"Yeah, but she hates going into the kitchen. I think she got it from her father in that regard," Rem replied, laughing.
"Speaking of him, any news?" Kay's mother asked, leaning over curiously.
Rem sighed.
"The same old thing: ghouls attacking, them killing the ghouls and saving whoever has time. I think we'll only see him during the holidays." — Having a husband who works in the army must be hard. — Kay's mother commented, with a friendly smile.
— Your husband was also in the army, you were in the same situation! — Rem said.
Kay's mother laughed embarrassedly.
— That's true, it's been so long since I forgot!
— And speaking of him, how are things going between you two? — Rem exclaimed.
— He's been working too much and is almost always exhausted. — Kay's mother said.
— We all have our problems. — Rem said, with a sigh.
— True... — Kay's mother said, with a sigh.
At that moment, Mira appeared at the kitchen door, holding a tray with popcorn.
— It's ready.
— Bring it to mom and auntie! — Rem said, giving a cheeky smile.
Mira rolled her eyes, muttering as she walked away:
— I already made it, and now I still have to take it... it's getting old, for sure.
— I heard that! — Rem replied, irritated.
— Okay, I'm going now! — Mira replied.
Suddenly, Kay appeared in the kitchen.
— I'll help you.
Mira looked at him suspiciously.
— Why?
Kay didn't answer, she just picked up the bottle and the cups.
— Four cups? You don't even like coffee!
“I just felt like it,” he replied, leaving calmly.
Mira sighed, still irritated, but ended up taking the popcorn to the living room.
“Thank you!” the two women said, as she placed the tray on the table.
“You're welcome, auntie,” Mira replied.
Kay poured coffee for the women and, surprising Mira, for herself as well.
“You want something, don't you?” Mira asked, narrowing her eyes.
“I don't,” Kay replied, taking her own cup.
Kay's mother looked at him suspiciously.
“Since when do you like coffee?”
Kay shrugged.
“It seemed more fragrant than usual... I was curious.”
Rem and Kay's mother laughed.
“I know…” his mother said, still suspicious.
Kay took a sip.
“Idiot! It's hot!” Mira complained, her face wrinkled with concern.
Kay remained silent. The three women stared at him, confused, waiting for a reaction. Without hesitation, he took another sip of coffee, completely ignoring the heat. Then, suddenly, he emptied the cup in one go.
“It’s delicious!” he said, with a genuine and radiant smile.
Rem, watching the scene, couldn’t resist and teased Mira:
“That’s great, isn’t it, daughter?”
“I don’t care!” Mira replied, looking away, but in an awkward movement, she took a sip of her own coffee and burned her tongue. “It’s hot!” she exclaimed, making a face.
Kay laughed softly.
“Thank you, Mira!” he thanked her sincerely.
— I didn't make it for you! — Mira replied, trying to hide the blush that was taking over her face.
— Since it's so good, do you want some more? — Rem asked, holding the bottle with an amused smile.
— Yes, thank you! — Kay replied, extending the cup excitedly.
SCENE: THE PRESENT
— Mom! — Kay shouted, waking up abruptly from her sleep.
— Don't scare me like that! — Mira exclaimed, startled by the sudden scream.
Kay looked around, confused, and then noticed something that left him even more disconcerted.
— Why am I... naked?! — he asked, with an urgent tone.
— You're in your underwear, so don't say you're naked, you idiot! — Mira replied, crossing her arms.
— Were you taking care of me? — he asked, more confused than before.
— You were sweating so much that I had to clean you. Don't get me wrong! — Mira said, turning her face away, clearly embarrassed.
Kay scratched his head, still disoriented.
“How long have I been asleep?” he asked, slowly getting up from the bed.
“You idiot!” Mira shouted, turning her back. “Get something on!”
“I’m already getting dressed, calm down!” he said, trying to calm her down. “Two days? Since training? I remember finishing and coming back, but after that... nothing.”
“You fainted after taking a few steps. You left everyone worried!” Mira explained, with an expression of concern mixed with irritation.
Kay sighed and sat on the bed, a little thoughtful.
“I was remembering the day I had breakfast with our mothers…” he commented, with a melancholic tone.
“You dream about it all the time.” Mira rolled her eyes, but kept her tone affectionate.
“It was that same night that... my parents were killed. The village was attacked. But for some reason, after coffee, my memory is a blur. — Kay's voice trailed off, filled with sadness.
“There are things we'd rather forget, even if we try to remember. I always tell you that, don't I?” Mira said, sitting down next to him.
Kay looked at her and, for the first time, smiled slightly.
“That's true. Thank you for taking care of me all these years, Mira.”
She crossed her arms, trying to look indifferent, but her face was slightly red.
“That should be said to my mother, not to me! And... try to fix 'that' down there!” she said, pointing at Kay, clearly embarrassed.
Kay looked down, realized the problem and quickly bent down, equally embarrassed.
“Now I can’t get married anymore…” he lamented dramatically.
“Stop being so soft!” Mira said, trying to hide her smile. She then took something out of her pocket and showed him a small ring. “Speaking of which, I found this in your room. It was what you were going to give me in the courtyard, wasn’t it?”
Kay looked at her hand and noticed that the ring was on Mira’s finger. He arched an eyebrow.
“I see... You couldn’t wait to put it on your finger, huh?” he teased.
Mira blushed completely.
“Do it on your wedding day, you idiot!” he retorted, looking away.
The mood was interrupted when a voice came from the door.
“What a mood, huh!” Fernanda said, appearing without warning.
“Since when have you been here?!” Kay shouted, completely surprised.
“Since I heard the boy’s voice in the hallway. I just came in.” Why are you down there? — she asked, with a mischievous smile.
“It’s nothing!” — he said quickly, standing up.
Fernanda shrugged.
“Anyway, congratulations on your recovery. Now get back to work!”
Kay grimaced.
“How cruel! I just recovered!”
“She’s right, Kay. The king and queen are going to visit Mineford tomorrow. We have to keep them safe!” — Mira added.
“Tomorrow?! There are so many soldiers here... Can I refuse?” — he asked, already anticipating the answer.
“Absolutely not! All the soldiers who recovered Mineford have to be present, especially the soldier who helped the most in the cause!” — Fernanda replied firmly.
Kay sighed heavily, but was interrupted by the sound of his own stomach growling.
“I’d better take a shower first and then eat something…” — he said, resigned.
Mira laughed discreetly, but soon added:
“Mira, thank you for everything.” She blushed again, but replied with a slight smile:
"No need to thank me. I'm your girlfriend, after all!"
Kay was surprised, but before he could respond, Mira hurriedly turned around:
"Go take a shower, and then call Emilia. She's worried about you!"
Kay sighed again, but a slight smile escaped as he headed to the bathroom.
The scene shifted to Kay in the bedroom, after taking a shower. He looked at his cell phone.
"That's a lot of calls... It seems I've worried her a lot," Kay thought.
With a sigh, he called back as he left the room.