Alain wanted to go outside and get air to clear his head. Had his current situation sunken in yet? A trip twelve years in the making could still turn out to be nothing more than dream.

He stopped at the top of the stairs.

"Daddy!" Ai jumped into a man's arms. "Okaeri!"

Alain laughed behind his hand. That was adorable.

"Tadaima, Ai-chan."

Alain could go out sometime later. He didn't want to ruin their family moment.

"No need to hide," Ai's dad called out.

Flames pooled in his cheeks as he came down the stairs.

Ai looked into his eyes and smiled. "We would have waited if we cared about people watching us."

I guess they would have...

"Did you want something?" she asked.

"Not really... I just wanted to get air."

Her dad smiled. "Do you mind if I join you?"

Why was he asking that? He could do whatever he wanted. This was his house after all.

Hiro and Alain went into the garden. It was like being in a forest compared to the rest of town. There was so much shrubby and flowers and other greenery. How much work did it take for them to maintain it? It was almost like Alain was home.

He offered his hand. "Hiroto. Hiro."

The young man took his hand. "Alain."

"Are you traveling with anyone?"

"I just started traveling with Natalie and Marshall."

He smiled. "How do you like it so far?"

"I don't really know yet. It's too soon to tell." He looked at Hiroto. "What was it like when you were young?"

"It was very different." He looked up at the sun. "Natalie and Marshall have each other. The same goes for Ai-chan and Duke. I don't know that's usually the case anymore."

Alain furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Back then, people could choose to travel by themselves if they really wanted to. The family dynamics that usually happened could take their course as they pleased." Hiroto had this look like someone had poked him with a sharp needle or something. "Now, joining a group is pretty much required to get by."

"Really?" The boy's gaze wandered. "It seemed like those four had a choice."

He fixed his shirt. "I'm glad that it was. Some pretty amazing bonds can come from traveling together."

"Like what?"

"My best friend and I were from neighboring towns. We might not have gotten so much time together if hadn't traveled. Blessed Alita. He might not have married the girl he did otherwise." Hioto turned to look at Alain. "It was a gift from Alita for them to be together."

It was like he was staring at Alain right now. Was he getting lost in his own thoughts? In memories of a time long past?

"Sorry." His cheeks reddened. "I must look so rude."

"You're fine." Alain put his hands in his pockets. "I wasn't thinking that at all."

His gaze drifted skyward. "It's just— You remind me of someone I used to know, but I can't quite place who." He blinked. "Because of your eyes, I think..."

That sounded frustrating. Could Alain have ever met him? If he did, it had to be while he was at the palace. It was the only time the boy could remember being in this world before now.

Wouldn't he remember if they met, though? He didn't come across people like his dad every day.

"Enjoy the fresh air."

Hiroto then went inside.

***

Talking to Hiroto raised even more questions. Who was his best friend? Would it have been too forward of Alain as a strange kid to ask him that? Hiroto seemed sad when he talked about them. Something must have happened to them.

Alain's eyes widened. Watching his face, it was like Kaze got talking about her mama, Cece, at times. Did that mean his best friend had gone back to Kayleigh, too?

Kaze! What could Alain do for her and Eni? He was closer to them than he had ever been. Even if he couldn't get into the palace yet, there had to be something he could do for them.

Noelle walked out from behind a hedge. "Is something the matter?"

"W-where did you come from?" Alain asked, backing away from her.

"I was here for a while. You seemed pensive, so I decided not to speak up. Now, what's bothering you, child?"

The grey-eyed boy averted his gaze. "Odd to hear that from someone who looks twelve."

She sighed. "It's still a reason I'm here."

Alain looked to the sun. "I'm closer to Eni and Kaze than I've ever been. I should be able to do more for them."

She leaned against his arm. "Honey, you're already doing what you can for right now. I'm sure they'd be happy to know you're here." Her voice was soft. "You won't be able to help yourself if you let the stress get to you. Never mind being able to help them."

"That's just talk!"

"But you know it's true."

Alain groaned. He hated to admit it, but she was right. He did have to take care of himself. But what if something happened to Kaze and Eni?

Noelle patted his arm. "Relax. Don't let your worry get to you."

The young man sighed. It was easy for her to say that. He'd been consumed with worry for the friends he came to see as family for years. The two of them were the only friends he had in life, and they were taken away from him at a young age.

A blurry image popped into the black-haired young man's head, but it quickly faded before he could make it out. Come to think of it, there might've been someone else who he called a friend. But who?

Alain shook his head. That didn't matter now. He had to focus on saving the two he knew of.

Noelle sighed. "I can see why your mom said that you can be hard to convince out of something once your mind is on it."

He gasped. "My mama? How do you know Mama?"

Noelle bit her lip and turned around. "I spoke too much," she whispered before vanishing.

"Hey! Kayleigh, Noelle! Wait!" Alain yelled at empty space.

How did Noelle and his mama know each other?

***

Thoughts? Theories? Predictions?

~Shino out!