The marketplace was alive with color and sound. Mira’s steps slowed as she took in the lively scene around her—vendors calling out, families laughing, children weaving in and out of the crowd with shrieks of joy. It was all so much larger, busier, and more vibrant than her small village, and Mira found herself mesmerized by every sight and sound.

She followed closely behind Lia and Riley, her gaze flitting from one stall to another, absorbing the energy of the town with wide-eyed curiosity. As they moved through the throng, a commotion drew their attention. Near the edge of the market, a small group of boys stood in a tight circle, jeering and shoving at two smaller figures caught in the center. Lia’s face darkened as she realized what was happening, and with no hesitation, she set off toward the group, her jaw tight with determination. Mira and Riley were right behind her.

“Hey!” Lia’s voice cut through the noise. “Leave them alone!”

The boys turned, their sneers fading as they took in Mira, Lia, and Riley standing firm. But Mira’s attention had already shifted to the two figures who had been at the center of their bullying. Her eyes widened, a strange mix of confusion and awe rising in her chest.

One of the boys had an appearance unlike anything Mira had ever seen. He was tall and slender, with strikingly long, pointed ears that seemed almost too graceful to belong to a human. His fine features and large, expressive green eyes gave him an otherworldly beauty that left Mira momentarily speechless. Beside him stood another boy, smaller and round-faced, with soft, floppy ears that drooped from the sides of his head, unmistakably rabbit-like. His wide eyes and small, twitching nose gave him a gentle, almost timid look.

Mira blinked, her heart twisting with a blend of fascination and uncertainty. She had never seen anyone who looked like this—certainly not in her quiet, familiar village. It was as though she’d stumbled upon a scene from one of the old tales her mother used to tell.

Seeing Mira’s confusion, Lia leaned close and smirked. “First time seeing an elf and a beastman, huh?”

Mira looked at her, still trying to process what she’d just heard. “E-elf? Beastman? What do you mean?”

Lia chuckled, clearly amused by Mira’s reaction. “The tall one with the long, pointy ears? He’s an elf. And the one with the animal ears? He’s a beastman—a rabbit beastman, by the look of it.”

The words felt surreal to Mira, as if they belonged in a story rather than in front of her. “I… I didn’t know people like them existed.”

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“Well, you wouldn’t, coming from such a small village,” Lia said, her voice softening. “They don’t usually spend time around humans. My father said that only about twenty years ago, our kingdom even started recognizing them as equals. Before that… well, they weren’t treated kindly.”

Mira looked back at the boys, feeling a pang in her chest as she saw the residual fear in their eyes. It was as if the world had just expanded in ways she had never imagined. Not just humans—but elves and beastmen, living alongside them, yet always at a distance.

Before Mira could fully process this new reality, Riley stepped forward with a gentle smile, looking at the two boys. “Are you both all right?”

The elf boy gave a small nod, his green eyes flicking between them, cautious yet filled with a quiet gratitude. The rabbit-eared boy, on the other hand, glanced up with wide, nervous eyes before managing a small, shy smile. “Th-thank you…”

Mira’s heart softened. She sensed the boys’ unease and wanted to reassure them. “I’m Mira,” she said gently. “And these are my friends, Lia and Riley.”

The elf boy hesitated, his gaze lingering on each of them before he nodded. “I’m Kael,” he said softly, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of reserve. He gestured to his companion, who was half-hiding behind him. “And this is Miko.”

“Nice to meet you both!” Lia said with a cheerful smile. “And don’t worry—those bullies won’t bother you again. We’ll make sure of it.”

Kael and Miko exchanged uncertain glances, but Mira caught a flicker of relief in their eyes. She could see that Kael remained cautious, as if still uncertain about their intentions, while Miko seemed to cling to him, his brown eyes darting between them and the ground.

To ease the tension, Lia suggested they play a game together. At first, Kael and Miko seemed hesitant, glancing at each other with doubt. But as Mira and Riley joined in, laughing and running, the two began to relax. Bit by bit, their reserve melted, and soon shy smiles blossomed on their faces.

They spent the afternoon laughing and playing, racing through the meadows outside the town. Miko was the swiftest, darting across the grass with remarkable agility, his rabbit-like ears flapping as he ran. Kael moved with a graceful speed that seemed almost otherworldly, his elven poise and lightness giving him an edge in their games. Mira was enthralled by the sight, her own fascination growing with each moment she spent with her new friends.

Between rounds, they shared small stories about their lives. Kael spoke of his family with a quiet dignity, explaining how they had come to live near town after years of residing in the forests. He chose his words carefully, revealing just enough for Mira and her friends to understand, while keeping certain details guarded, as though protecting something deeply cherished. Miko, on the other hand, described how his family had moved to the town after a life of wandering, his soft voice filled with traces of wonder and shyness.

The sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the field. The laughter in the air began to settle, leaving behind a comfortable silence as they lay on the grass, catching their breath.

Mira looked over at Kael and Miko, her heart swelling with gratitude for the day’s unexpected encounters. She had always thought the world beyond her village to be limited, a place where people like her were all that existed. Today had shown her something different—that there were lives and stories far beyond her own, people who carried secrets and struggles she could hardly begin to imagine. And that was thrilling, in its own quiet way.

Kael caught her gaze and gave a small, hesitant smile, the wariness in his eyes now replaced by a quiet warmth. “Thank you,” he said softly, his words sincere. “For everything.”

Mira smiled back, feeling an unexpected sense of pride swell in her chest. “That’s what friends are for,” she replied. “Friends look out for each other.”

As they stood to make their way back to town, Mira glanced up at the darkening sky, feeling the world around her grow a little bit wider, a little bit richer. She knew she’d remember

this day—and these friends—for a long time to come.