The Girl They Trust

Tem took a casual stroll through the homeless neighborhood. Kou was with her at the time. Both of them were being observed by people in the streets. Both didn't feel particularly at ease around them since there were hateful hints visible.

It didn't really help that they stood out from the rest. People were able to distinguish between their lives and those of others living on the streets without homes with simplicity. They both moved over to one of the men who was sitting in the center, who was grubby like everyone else and wearing ragged clothing that hadn't been washed in weeks, months.

Tem made an effort to repudiate their affiliation with the "Sun Soldiers," as many people perceived them as antagonists. However, it took them a time to find someone who was open to meeting with them.

She asked him to help her. That man remained silent for a while. He merely complained and sat forlorn. His eyelids were groggy and barely open. His physique was skinny from lack of food, the bones visible behind the rough skin.

"Um, mister. Excuse us. We're newcomers to this area, and we'd like to ask what happened here. Has there been some misunderstanding between the residence of castle and this area here?"

"If it's possible, and if you are willing to talk, we'd love to hear your explanation. We'd like to help you any way we could, but we would just like to ask for a few clues that could turn us in the right direction."

Man raised his chin gradually to stare up into Tem's eyes. The man saw her lack of street's wisdom despite knowing they were all undernourished.

His voice was rusty as he spoke to her. He directed his finger at the flag that the crowd was waving and rocking back and forth. The flag once again featured the "Sun Soldiers" insignia. The man's explanation was concise, and he struggled to speak clearly due to his poor health. He was worn out and had little opportunity to rest.

The streets were both too light and too boisterous.

"All of us didn't do anything. We've been like this for months now. Our lives have been ruined, there's nothing you can do to help us."

"Ever since Muro came to rule Castlemania, our people were forced to live outside. He took the castle for himself, then gathered the "Sun Soldiers" into betraying us. They were our only defenders, only to succumb to evil."

"Their reasons might sound ideal, but it's all for nothing. The people who live in riches have no wisdom over what's really happening to our island. Soon, Muro will take over the remainder of our island, and put strays like us into prison."

"People believe into this "Sun's Order", and make them seem like some sort of heroes. But, all they did was transform this island to a mess. If you think people like you can fix this, I'd be damned. You're messing with the wrong person, girl."

Kou was unable to understand the essence of "Sun's Order." He didn't say anything, instead letting Tem talk to the man alone. She too lacked knowledge.

The two spotted the man chuckle a little before catching him dozing off. His motionless body was at repose. Unaware, a young boy watched from behind the wall of the home. He carefully squinted and fixed his gaze on Tem's hip.

It had a bag attached to it, and the bag contained meat. Fresh food's delicious scent wafted down the street and came within nose-shot of the child. He made sure to smell it before waiting for the suitable moment.

He tightened his eyes. He ran up behind Tem and pounded the bag with his hands. He turned around after ripping it off the belt. She raised her arm, glimpsed behind it, and noticed the young child running away from her.

Normally, she would be infuriated if her food was taken away from her. This time, she was unable to and turned around instead. She moved in step with the youngster. She called out to him at first, then saw him dash around the edge, prompting her to bounce to her feet. Together with Kou, she pursued him.

He led them into a narrow alleyway with just one exit. Kou made an attempt to shout out to him, but the youngster disregarded them and kept leading them on. Depending on the boy's running motion, they made a lot of turns.

More and more people began to fill the streets as they pursued him. They gave them a skeptical glance but ignored them as they passed. When they entered a street that was open, they somehow lost sight of the kid.

The child yelled out to everyone nearby once he had exited the alley. He shouted for help while pretending as though he was being attacked.

"Please, somebody, help me! They are trying to take me to the "Sun Order's" castle!"

The two trespassers became the focus of the homeless men and women's attention. The boy's eyes were teary, and he plowed at a woman who appeared to be his mother right away.

Both were shocked by the boy's lies, and as a result, they found themselves surrounded by strangers. The majority of them were holding objects of some kind, like pipes, twigs, boulders, and bricks that they had been able to salvage from the wreckage of their street.

The two turned to face the surroundings. They became convinced that there was no way to get away from them and that the locals were ready to protect the little child from the fictitious attack.

The statements made by the boy were rejected by both.

"Wait, stop. We're not here to harm anyone, I swear. We just want to help you and these poor children."

"We're not from the "Sun's Order." We only entered your street, because we followed that boy. He stole this girl's foot of the belt, so..."

"Please. Everyone, calm down."

No word was believed by the populace. They gave them an angry and annoyed look. Tem was struck off guard by Kid's lies, which disrupted the mood they were in.

As they steadily drew nearer, she started to notice both men and women banging their pipes against their hands. They protested, and then one of them attacked without pausing.

Kou's eyes widened in fear. He was astounded by the hatred he heard in everybody's eyes. It was clear that not a single word would get past their enraged thoughts, which let them in combat.

The attacker attacked Tem. He moved forward and swiped the pipe diagonally downward. She recoiled, sidestepped, swerved, and then retreated. The woman ran at her from behind when the man missed her.

She smashed her pipe towards the ground while holding it in both hands. Tem stumbled when her gaze focused on the woman. She made the woman miss her with the pipe by swinging her left arm in the air, over it, and then she withdrew further.

As the townspeople appeared to give Kou no attention, they were mostly concentrated on Tem. Due to his age, and behavior, it made sense. Even after he tried to calm them down, they continued to ignore him.

"Please, listen to me, guys! My friend's not dangerous! She's just trying to help!"

"She would never try to humiliate poor people such as yourselves! She came here and decided to help you! Why won't you believe us?"

Tem stayed silent. She could see that both the man and the woman who attacked her were hesitant to strike. As soon as she detected hesitancy in other people's gaze, realization ramped up in her head.

She let out a sigh and then erect her body. She would undoubtedly fight back, but these were the people she couldn't dare hurting. She was able to discern the people's covert dread. She took a moment to relax and then patiently waited. She maintained her somber expression.

"Why are you guys attacking me? Do you really see me as an enemy?"

"I don't want to hurt you. It's a duty I don't want to do. I'm here for one purpose, and one purpose only. I've promised Yumiko to save this island from the frenzy. I'm here to stop Muro and retrieve the peace you've once had."

"Even if you continue attacking, I won't fight back or throw a single punch."

A few people were able to calm down at the mention of Yumiko's name. The most of them didn't agree with what she said, but a few were wary out of caution.

Some people moved forward, ready to attack Tem. Even one of the women appeared frantic to try and put an end to the idiocy their people were attempting to exhibit.

People's skepticism was constantly being pushed into Tem's solemn posture. She was mindful of and trusted everything people said. However, there was no other option except to live in order to save each of them.

"What if she's telling the truth?" The woman claimed.

"No. That's not possible! Don't believe them so easily!" A man shouted.

"But, she mentioned Yumiko's name."

Many others thought it was absurd, so they launched an onslaught right away. A large number of men. A large group of men started to move. Each man carried a pipe, and a few other men held branches.

Tem, prepared. She was convinced that the only way to be safe was to dodge their attacks. The first man lunged forward with his pipe, slanting it toward Tem's head. The pipe's body flew across her dazzling hair as she crouched down.

He whirled around to confront her once more. He used the pipe as a golf club, swinging it from beneath his waist. Tem moved away by placing her left foot behind. He attempted to hit her again when his pipe hit nothing but air. He hacked it with a sword-like diagonal stroke.

Tem raised the man's arm by banging her wrist against his. She instantly disarmed him, after which she quickly took a few steps back.

She was greeted by a man who descended the pipe from above his head. He wanted to catch her off guard so he could strike her with a lethal blow, but Tem's eyes flared with a blue tinge. She hurriedly stepped away after circling her left foot to the side. The pipe whizzed by her frontal body and instead impacted the hard ground.

She was quickly pinned in the middle of the three men, who were ready to strike. She gave all three of them a close look. Two were in opposite corners of the ground in front of her, and the third was directly behind her.

She kept her stance straight and gave each of them a glimpse. She was ready to defend or evade with her arms and legs prepared. The three men began to cautiously advance. Fear appeared on their faces. All of them were scared to attack.

Up until then...

"Everyone!!"

Kou, Tem, and People all fixed their gaze on a woman in the distance. She appeared to be running through the street while gazing at them.

Tem recognized them right away. A new friend she had made. Yumiko soared into a frontal flip through the air. She prepared her feet for landing.

Together with Ralphie.

He started to rub his foot on the ground and clamped his suit togethe. Yumiko, her blades fastened to her belt, landed in the center of the crowd.

Tem's smile expanded, and so did that of the nearby men and women. Tem called to her while raising her arm.

"Hey, Yumiko! It's good to see you!"

Yumiko's visage at first appeared to be as grave as possible. Tem was frequently perceived as an enemy, but suddenly Yumiko's face lit up with excitement and a welcoming smile.

When their eyes met, she greeted Tem. The residents in the neighborhood were able to relax just by looking at her. They let go of their damaged pipes and succeeded in releasing Tem from the fight.

People's trust rose...

To be continued...