The Outside

Maxwell and the others stood in the back of the shop, the tension palpable.

"And... that's it," Maxwell finished explaining.

Hito growled, "God damn it... I knew something strange was about to happen."

Akuro shook his head. "This can't be a coincidence. Was she part of the Feathers?"

Maxwell sighed. "I don't know, but the strange quote was definitely unsettling."

Hito grunted. "We have to be cautious. Who knows what type of people might attack..."

Maxwell looked at Akuro and Hito. "By the way, where were you guys?"

Akuro glanced at Hito before answering. "We went to see an interesting person who might have some information for us."

Hito sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "Those, however, were a little vague."

Maxwell frowned. "Vague? Like how?"

Akuro explained, "The information we got was about the Feathers, but it wasn't very specific. Just more hints and theories."

Hito nodded. "Yeah, it seems we're dealing with something a lot bigger and more secretive than we thought."

Maxwell looked down at his hands, recalling the woman's touch and her cryptic words. "So, what's our next move?"

Hito straightened up. "We keep our eyes open, stay alert, and gather more information. We can't afford to be caught off guard."

Akuro added, "And Maxwell, be extra careful. Whoever that woman was, she clearly knows more than she let on."

Maxwell nodded, determination setting in. "Got it. I'll be on my guard."

...

...

...

There was a silence in the room.

"So, uh... what now?" Maxwell asked.

Akuro chuckled. "You can enjoy your day here."

Maxwell looked at them. "What about you guys?"

Hito sighed. "I guess we'll do the same... today was rough."

Maxwell nodded, feeling the weight of the day's events. "Yeah, a break sounds good."

Akuro stretched. "Let's take it easy for now. We'll need our energy for whatever comes next."

Hito grunted in agreement. "Agreed. Let's just hope things stay quiet for a while."

Maxwell glanced around the shop, feeling a sense of unease but also relief. "Alright then, let's make the most of it."

--

We see the gang as they went back into the shop, seeing Glade with a customer.

Glade sighed. "I told you, Jarvis, the next volume will be coming next month..."

Jarvis, a grey anthropomorphic wolf with yellow eyes, a tubby build, wearing a black hoodie with blue pants, sighed. "I could have sworn it was today..."

He walked back, looking at the shelves, trying to find something else.

Maxwell walked up to Glade. "What's up?"

Glade rolled his eyes. "This kid is killing me... Besides being my best customer, he's a pain in the ass..."

The grey wolf rolled his eyes. "I heard that..." He looked at him and then suddenly looked at Maxwell with surprise.

"Wow... Glade, is that a human?!"

Maxwell smiled sheepishly. "Uh, kind of. It's a long story."

Jarvis approached Maxwell, inspecting him curiously. "That's wild! You don't see many humans around here. What's your deal?"

Maxwell shrugged. "It's complicated. Let's just say I'm not exactly human anymore."

Jarvis raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Well, welcome to Aisiki Town, I guess." He turned back to Glade. "So, about that next volume—"

Glade sighed again. "Like I said, next month. In the meantime, maybe check out something else?"

Jarvis grumbled but nodded, heading back to browse the shelves. Maxwell leaned against the counter, glancing at his friends.

Hito gave him a reassuring nod. "Seems like you'll fit in just fine here, Maxwell."

Akuro chuckled. "Yeah, just another day in Aisiki Town."

Maxwell couldn't help but smile. Despite the strange encounters and mysteries, he felt a growing sense of belonging in this peculiar hidden world.

Maxwell was eager to explore this new world. "Guys...can I go outside?" he asked.

Hito exchanged a cautious glance with Akuro, who replied, "Well... judging by the look on Hito's face, it's a bit of a no."

Maxwell frowned. "But why?"

Akuro sighed, crossing his arms. "It's not that we don't trust you, Maxwell. It's just... things can get complicated out there. Especially with the Plumes and other unknown threats."

Hito nodded. "We just want to make sure you're safe. There are a lot of things about this world that you don't know yet."

Maxwell insisted, "I get that, but I can't stay cooped up in here forever. I need to learn about this place, too. I want to help."

Akuro looked at Hito, who shrugged. "He has a point," Hito admitted reluctantly. "We can't protect him from everything."

After a moment of consideration, Akuro nodded. "Alright, Maxwell. But if you're going out, you're not going alone."

Maxwell's excitement was evident. "Who is going with me?"

Glade chimed in, "Oh, I know who..."

He turned to Jarvis, who was still browsing the books. "Jarvis, can you show our little visitor the town?"

Jarvis looked surprised. "Uh...why me?"

"Because those two guys are quite busy, and you, however, don't seem like it," Glade explained.

Jarvis rolled his eyes. "Okay, but...what do I get from this?" he smirked.

Glade grunted, "20% off the next volume."

"50%."

"What?! No way!"

"No 50...no walking."

Glade sighed heavily. "Fine. 50%."

Jarvis grinned. "Deal. Come on, Maxwell. Let's show you the town."

Maxwell couldn't help but smile as he followed Jarvis, ready to explore the world beyond the shop.

Hito and Akuro watched Maxwell leave with Jarvis.

Hito sighed. "I have a really shitty feeling about this..."

Akuro nodded. "Me too, but he needs to get a bit of knowledge about this place."

Hito nodded reluctantly. "I guess so...what should we do?"

"For now, we need to try to get more info," Akuro said, a grin spreading across his face. "And maybe buy some delicious food!"

Hito rolled his eyes. "No way on the second part."