The Condition

Meral Town, located in the northwest of the Meral Kingdom, is a bustling metropolis known as one of the largest cities on the Human Continent. Its thriving adventuring guild attracts visitors from far and wide, thanks to its strategic location and top-notch facilities. The town boasts a high concentration of adventurers, comprising nearly half of the local population. This unique demographic results in locals enjoying higher-than-average incomes compared to other areas.

The town's busy streets are packed with carriages and people going about their business, and the array of shops caters to all needs, ranging from luxury boutiques to everyday convenience stores.

The lively atmosphere in the early morning along with the smell of local dishes sold by the vendors nearby will put anyone in the mood.

It appears that Izz and Dahlia have finally arrived at the bustling Meral Town. Dahlia looked excited to explore the town after a long journey to get here.

"Do you want to go look around the town?"

Dahlia's face lit up with excitement and she jumped up and down. "Yes, I want to!" she can't stop smiling.

***

The market is full of local delicacies. Dahlia walked alone with her hands full carrying bags of food, it was clear that had taken her time in the market.

"I hope Izz would like to eat all this food together with me," she giggled to herself.

As she ventured deeper into the market, the tantalizing smells and sights of new and exciting foods made it impossible for her to resist temptation. "Wah, that looks so good," she exclaimed, drooling over some of the enticing new discoveries. "This one also smells delicious."

But soon, Dahlia realized how much money she had already spent on food. "Eh, it can't be! I barely have any money left," she chided herself. Determined to be more mindful of Izz's money, she decided to limit her spending. "I can't spend anymore, this is enough," she told herself.

However, every corner of the market seemed to reveal yet another irresistible food stall, and the deeper she went, the stronger the temptation grew. Ultimately, Dahlia ended up spending all the money on food in the hope to enjoy the delicious local delicacies to her heart's content together with Izz.

***

As Dahlia made her way back, she suddenly felt uncomfortable. The atmosphere around her seemed to have changed, and she realized that everyone was looking at her with disgust on their faces. She couldn't understand why, and a feeling of unease crept up on her. Dahlia's face fell, and a sense of sadness and shame. Her biggest fear struck her yet again.

Feeling distraught, Immediately after she runs back to Izz, dropping the food to the ground. Concerned about her sudden change in mood, Izz took her to the place they were staying for the night.

Once in the room, Dahlia sat down on the bed, still feeling sad and ashamed

Izz looked more confused than worried as he walked closer to her. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, noticing the tears streaming down her face

Dahlia looked down, avoiding eye contact. "It's nothing, I'm alright," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then why are you crying?"

Dahlia wiped away her tears, realizing that she had been crying. "Look, I'm not crying," she said, forcing a smile.

Izz could see that something was wrong, and he slowly reached out to touch Dahlia's head, pulling her gently towards him and placing her head against his chest. He held her close, offering comfort and reassurance. "It's alright, you don't have to hold it in anymore," he whispered.

Dahlia was speechless as she realized that there was someone she could trust and confide in. In Izz's arms, she began to cry and pour out her feelings. "I'm sorry for making you worried. I was scared. Everyone was looking down on me and giving me weird looks."

Izz gently rubbed her head and replied, "It's alright. You are safe with me. It doesn't matter who or where we are, as long as I'm here, you are safe."

***

The view of Meral Town under the moonlight is astonishing. Izz and Dahlia were together in the crowded night market when suddenly Izz grabbed Dahlia on her wrist and took her away from the crowd.

"A-ah, where we're going..?"

He ignored the question and keeps on walking as he tightly gripped her arm.

As they were away from the crowd, standing on a quiet street illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Dahlia looked at Izz in confusion.

"Are you hungry?" Izz asked

"U-uh, not really."

His eyes looked colourless with a serious face, he asked, "Do you want to go back home?"

She looked weirded out by the question. "Ye-yeah, of course, I want to go back to my home. To Kemono village."

Izz revealed something that shocked Dahlia.

His expression changed, he looked sorrowful, "Before I can accompany you back to Kemono Village…I have a condition."

Surprised, she asked. "Condition..? What is the condition?"

"When we arrived at Kemono village, we were both going to forget the entire journey together."

Nervously laughing. "He-he, what do you mean by that?"

With a serious look on his face, he says. "What I meant is, when our journey finally meets its end we are both going to forget that we ever met each other."

Shocked, she looked him in the face and she was sure, she couldn't see the slightest thing on his face saying he was joking. Disbelieving that the first person that gave her comfort gave her such a condition. With no other choice, she keeps her tears flooding.

She understand that this is the only chance she got to return to her hometown. with a smile on her face.

"If that is the condition then I have to accept it."

He was surprised by her answer. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring; pulling her left hand closer and he puts on the ring on her ring finger as a sign that she accepted his condition.

Surprised by the gift, her face turned bright red, "Why are you giving me this?"

"I believe this is called a 'ring' and humans give it to each other to express their feeling, so I gave it to you as a sign that you accepted my condition."

She was touched as it was the first gift she receives in the last decade. Dahlia looked over the moon while holding it in her hand.

She smiled widely, "Thank you! I'll cherish this!"

Smiling looking at her happy, he asked. "Are you hungry?"

Her face brightens up, excitedly holds the ring. "Yes! Yes, I'm hungry."

***