Blood Of Platinum
Chapter 24. A Quiet Day Bag. 1

The situation in the room suddenly turned silent. The two brothers were silent, staring at Kaito's face which still did not show any expression. After a few seconds later, the silence broke as Ryou started to get out of bed and approach her.

“Kaito, try saying once again to me”

“It looks like my search in ‘both worlds’ is still not over. I'm not sure but seeing myself still standing here, just that explanation makes the most sense”

“You're not seriously saying it, are you?”

“I myself do not understand either. Before, I would go straight to another location once that piece of memory entered my body. If I'm still here it means there's still another piece of my memory”

Hearing that, Ryou immediately shouted while scratching his head.

“Then, what were all the dramas we did!!!. Cuddle up and say goodbye words so!!. Return all the shame and embarrassment I've put out!!”

“……”

Kaito just silently stared. It's a complicated situation. Who would have thought something like this would happen. After a long journey, Kaito still had to get stuck in that place. Of course it wasn't his wish. Still have to fight life in ‘world night’ again is a nightmare. But in fact, it was not hatred that appeared in his heart but rather a feeling of relief. He was relieved that he did not have to part with the two teenagers.

Kino who was silent suddenly laughed.

“Ahahaha..who would have thought it would end like this”.

“Don't laugh, Kino! It's not funny at all! Though I have set my heart to be gentle with him and deliver his departure with a sense of haru. If it's like this, I feel betrayed” Ryou filed a protest

While pointing at Kaito's face with his index finger, Ryou said to Kaito “you must take responsibility!”

“Au–”

Kino approached the two and smiled at them.

“That means the three of us will still be together. Isn't that a good thing? Kaito-san also thinks so, right?”

Kaito could not hide his happy feelings and returned the smile.

“That means I still have the opportunity to pay all my debts to you and the interest”

“And the flower was one punch and one fist that I told you before” Ryou clenched his hand with a scary expression

“Please her help once more, Kaito-san” Kino reached out her right hand to shake Kaito's hand

The shortest farewell ever in his third life. It was not until one minute that they did a heartwarming drama and now the drama ends happily without any conflict at all. It was such a colorful morning for the three of them, that the sound of knocking on the door slightly ruined the atmosphere. Kino opened the door and saw the shop owner's wife asking with a trembling body.

“Is there something?”

“Force us. There was only a little problem but it was done. Thank you so much for lending us this room and giving us breakfast. My sister is awake and now we will excuse”

“Oh...so”

The shopkeeper's wife looked towards Kaito who was ready with a sword at his waist and immediately left with a pale face. Ryou only looked at Kaito with a shitty expression.

“I thought you had a talent for crime. After the noise this morning that you told me about and the farewell drama, I wouldn't be surprised if a sociopath like you did anything. See what the shop owner looks like too, right?”

“Can I make you faint again to keep you quiet, Ryou? You're so much sweeter when you're quiet. Besides, I wouldn't have heard a stray cat's hiss in my mind if you had been quiet. I'm seriously”

“It looks like you are so happy to look for trouble!!”

The casual conversation between the two of them was finally stopped by Kino who asked them to clean up their room and belongings and went down to say goodbye to the downstairs bakery owner. The amazing thing they got this morning besides a good breakfast was a large bag of warm bread that the shop owner gave them free of charge when they came out of the bakery, along with compliments and thanks.

“Thanks to the incident this morning, a lot of people came and were curious to stop by so they also bought bread in our store”

“Our bread instantly sold out in no time. It's all thanks to you. This take as thank you”

That's what the bakery owner and his wife said. The fortune was not wasted by the three of them although Kino still felt ashamed to accept and carry the warm bread bag with them. After saying goodbye, the three of them walked out of the bakery.

******

Along the big streets, the scenery did not change like yesterday. The stalls and traders do their activities. The town is also very lively and cheerful. No one really thought that last night the city turned into a forest surrounded by vines and big roots and big trees there. Despite seeing this twice, the two sisters remained unfamiliar

“I remember I was kicked hard and felt my hand break. Now even his scar is in no way”

“Not you, Kino. I also felt what it was like to be kicked by a goat. Looks like I will take revenge by eating a menu made of mutton if here there” Ryou looks upset considering the events that happened last night

Kaito just listened to them and walked around looking. Then he stopped in front of a shop.

“Two of you, will the cloth bag containing the bidder still be saved?”

“Indeed why with this?” Ryou picked up the cloth bag containing the bidder bound in his sword-binding belt

“If not needed, we can sell it to this place” Kaito points to the store where they stopped

This shop was a medicinal herb shop named [Magasins d'herbes et de poisons]. Kaito explained that the place was similar to the drug store he visited some time ago but provided services for buying and selling raw or finished materials related to the elements of drugs and toxins.

“If you guys don't mind, I want to sell all the antidotes we have to exchange for money. What do you think?”

Kino and Ryou look at each other and agree with his suggestion. Eventually after it was decided, they gave Kaito two bags of poison-filled cloth and he entered the shop alone. The two brothers decided to wait at the cafe opposite the store.

After entering and sitting at the table by the window, somehow the two became a little calm. Ryou who would usually take out a word or two, whatever it was, did not take the initiative to say anything to Kino. The atmosphere around them felt very awkward. Kino tried to melt the atmosphere by trying to start the conversation.

“Ryou, are you still hungry? Want to eat the bread?

“.....” Ryou just fell silent

“Did Ryou get angry because of my plan when we were in the big tree back then? I still remember that Ryou wanted to scold me after succeeding. I'm ready to listen to all your emotions”

“……”

“Ryou? But we were okay before. Are you that angry with me that you won't answer me?”

Ryou looked at the face of the older brother who looked sad. It's not like he's really going to scold her. Merely, Ryou's current gaze expressed his disappointment to himself.

“If I had protected you better then, you wouldn't have suffered such horrible and grave injuries, even to the point of causing you to have broken bones and serious injuries…. I can't believe I let you get hurt twice after I said so confidently that I could protect you”

“It's not true. Ryou already protected me with..”.

“It's not enough!” Ryou cut Kino's conversation and spoke in a high tone

Some visitors look to their place. Kino smiled shyly while apologizing for making a fuss. After the whole uproar was over, Kino let out a long sigh and began to look into his sister's eyes.

“Listen to me, Ryou. Everything you say is not right for me. Ryou protected me well and I know that. I was trying to protect you too and I knew Ryou would say that I did my best. Ryou and I have already done the best thing for each other, so don't say Ryou caused me to get hurt”

“Tapi–”

“In addition, nee...when Ryou fell asleep earlier, Kaito-san told him all the great things Ryou did to protect me. You're amazing!. I was really moved to hear all that Kaito-san said, about Ryou fighting against that satyric creature and protecting me while fighting. I'm really very happy to hear that story”. Kino showed her cheerful smiling face and praised the younger sister

Ryou looked surprised to hear that. He recalled Kaito's sentence which was originally thought to be a joke.

[I just praise you, Ryou. Kino will be surprised when I tell your heroic story later. Believe]

‘He really said it to Kino. Really don't know shame’

Although Ryou muttered like that in his heart, but his face blushed because he remembered Kaito's words and heard the brother's praise for him. In the end their tense atmosphere ended. Kino takes the pocket watch she keeps and gives it to Ryou.

“Don't Ryou want to keep this thing? I always kept it all this time. This is Ryou who first found it, right? It's best now that Ryou brought this”

“No need. My curiosity has caught us in such a complicated situation. If I were to bring that pocket watch, it would only add more trouble for me. Kino can keep it. After all, you're better suited to carrying it than I am. I just brought this sword to protect myself”

“So. I understand”

Kino took the pocket watch back and looked at the time indicated on the clock. It had been 07:43, only thirteen minutes had passed since they had exited the bakery earlier. Kino looks at the cafe and Ryou sits down. He thought everything he had touched this morning and yesterday would reappear when ‘world malam’ came and it gave him a strange feeling.

After a few minutes, Kaito walked out of the store and waved his hand at the two brothers who were looking from the window at the cafe opposite. Both of them came out of the cafe and approached Kaito.

“It's done, Kaito-san?”

“Already. All have been sold and the price given by them is quite good because the quality of the bidder is very high”

“Of course high. You got it by tricking the drugstore clerk yesterday! Even I still remember what you did to get it. Basic villain!” Ryou spoke in a soft tone

“And you also used the thing I got by deceiving it to save yourself. Aren't you a criminal like me now, Ryou?”

“Ukh….Don't equate me with you!”

“Please calm down, Ryou. Kaito-san also don't answer to him”

Kaito just smiled and let it all go. They walked down a large street in the city for about ten or fifteen minutes. The large road entered a turn with a wide alley. On the right and left side there are no shopping buildings but changed with the view of the houses of residents with various sizes. The city was wider than both brothers thought.

“Kaito, that's not the way to the store. We are going down a different path. Where are we going now?” Ryou watched the streets and surroundings

“We are on a different path than yesterday. I feel like I have to do something. That is why we will not stay at the place before”

“Today I didn't know there was a place like this. Even I didn't think I'd go to this area while at ‘world malam’. Has Kaito-san been to this place too often?”

Kino began to look amazed by the area he was passing through so as not to stop looking at houses and buildings on the right and left sides.

“I hardly ever go to this area, but I once went to one of the places here once while touring the city before meeting you guys. I didn't think of coming here before because I didn't think it mattered so much where I was. In the end when ‘world malam’ arrives, all this will be a building without anything in it”

“I think we need to find lodging around here. That's why we walk to this area now”

The place is like a populated area. Houses with a small garden and a small staircase are there. The children played along the street without worrying about the dense population.

After a few minutes, they reached a place called [Hergement Clarks]. It was an inn with three floors. The shape is not different from the previous [Ciel’s Cafe] tavern, the difference is, this place is really just an inn without a restaurant to eat.

As they opened the door, the three were greeted by two lodging employees at the reception desk. Kaito's taken care of all his administration since he's gotten used to it. But, I don't know why he's been there so long. Kino looked at his pocket watch and the time already showed at 08:10.

After everything was done, they were given the keys and went up the stairs to the top floor. There are only two doors on each side. Ryou started to think that the place really did not live up to his name.

“Isn't this lodging? Why do they only have four rooms on each floor? Are you sure you didn't choose wrong, Kaito? I personally prefer the place yesterday compared to this place” Ryou issued all his opinions

“There's a reason why I chose this place. Besides, I've asked all the facilities that are on the employees below. At least, we can rest in this place”

Kaito stood in front of the door on the left side of the stairs. He put the key in and opened the door. When stepping foot in and entering, the first sight they saw was quite shocking.

The room was so spacious, there was even a small kitchen with a sink as well as a bathroom and toilet on the left. There are two beds, one large like the size of a king size that contains two people and another small enough to fit one person. There are four chairs with a table for eating and a large wooden cabinet that when opened has four small towels and two spare blankets. Now that place really made the two brothers shocked.

“Is this really lodging?! This is similar to a 1DK apartment in Japan or a simple rental house. I didn't expect to see a place like this here” Ryou looks so happy

Kaito closed and locked the door while looking around the place. Kino placed a large bag of bread on the table and walked to the left side of the room. He also looked happy like he had not seen the kitchen and bathroom for a long time.

“They have stoves too. It seems like I haven't seen the stove in a long time. I feel like just yesterday made dinner for the two of us, Ryou”

Ryou catches up with his older brother who is in the kitchen and has a look at his kitchen and bathroom.

“You're right. When we first came to this place, we just finished dinner, didn't we? Though less than two days, but I feel we've been a long time away from home”

“It's amazing. How could Kaito-san choose this place?”

“I'm surprised you can find a place like this, Kaito. You're a genius!”

“I don't know the details of this place. I asked the clerk below and they gave me a picture of this room, so I agreed. It's just that because the price is quite expensive, they ask for payment first”

Kino and Ryou walked out of the kitchen and sat down on the wooden chair.

“So your goal was to sell the antidote for this? Isn't it useless to spend a lot of money with our current situation, Kaito?”

“As I said before, there is a reason why I chose this place”

“Reason?”

“To be honest, it's been a long time since I've wanted to take a shower. Although after ‘world noon’ came all the stains and the scent of blood and sweat disappeared, I still feel so disgusted by the purple viscous liquid from the goblin body and the giant orc that hit all my clothes last night”

Kaito puts pressure on the word ‘jijik’ as if he did say it from the bottom of his heart. The robe he wore all this time was one of his favorite things besides the sword he carried. Therefore, remembering the incident when his clothes were showered with goblin blood and giant orc made his eyes look cynical as he remembered it.

“In retrospect, Kino and I were also hit by that strange blood. After hearing you, now I also want to shower” Ryou so also feel disgusted when I see his own clothes

“I want to get rid of all that disgust with a shower. Therefore, I was looking for a place that provides a bathroom or the like, considering that the previous place does not provide a bathroom”

“You're right, Kaito. I agree” Ryou justifies Kaito's words

“……”

Kino was just speechless listening to the two of them express the feelings of those who wanted to take a bath. Now, Kino was in confusion in her heart.

‘If I think about it again, somehow since coming to this place I feel like I don't want to go to the toilet or really feel hungry even though I eat. But, Ryou and I can still feel tired and sleepy. Isn't that weird?. Is it because we are in ‘other world’ or is there anything else?’

All of this made him so curious. There's nothing strange about that thought because it's all true. A normal human would feel hungry, go to the toilet, feel tired and sleepy. But in their case now, the normal conditions that humans feel are not fully felt by them and that is quite strange. Kino wanted to ask Kaito about it, but he kept it. All their situations were already quite strange, he should have been able to accept another strangeness on him. Finally, that thought was what he made in response and undoed his intention to ask.

Kaito looked at his pocket watch and the time showed it at 08:10. It had been quite a long time since Kaito came out of the concoction and medicine shop on the big streets of the city until he found this place.

“Kino, Ryou, I'll be gone for a while. If you're tired, you can sleep for a while. But if you want to take a shower, please wait a while until I get back. I'll only go about thirty minutes to an hour”

“Kaito-san doesn't want to rest for a while?”

“Where are you going, Kaito?”

“Go find something. It won't be long. If you can, please wait a minute if you want to take a shower. Is that a problem?”

The two brothers looked at each other and nodded their sign that they were waiting for him. Kaito left the keys to his room on the table and left. Now there were only the two brothers in the room.

******

Kaito came out of the room and went down the stairs. He got out of that place and went to the place behind the inn. The street was not as crowded as the main street but it was very lively. There were many simple fruit and flower stalls along the way. About ten minutes Kaito kept walking straight until he finally reached a large and crowded clothing store called [Vetements et boutique].

“A long time ago I did not see this store. Unlike that time, I guess I'll buy something this time”

Kaito opened the shop door and went inside. There are a lot of customers who are mostly women. They are served by several officers. This is only natural because the place is very large and provides a variety of clothes with the best quality and cheap. It wasn't long until Kaito was approached by a young girl who was one of the store clerks.

“Welcome, sir. Is there anything I can help you with

“I want to buy some clothes. Can I get a clothing recommendation that is easy to wear and comfortable to move around. Also can be used for all size”

“Good. We have some clothes like that. For yourself or others?”

“For me and also teenage boys”

“Good. Please pass by here, mister” the waiter smiled and showed her some of the best clothes

As she said, Kaito had already been to that clothing store before meeting the two of them. The repetition that continues to happen to him makes Kaito have learned almost all the intricacies of the city, Kaito,

including some shops in the area. She even recalled something that made her face look strange while choosing clothes.

‘When I was here, I never wanted to stop by because I was quite afraid of the line of women in this place. Therefore, I canceled here and decided to never come here again if I could. I still remember very clearly, when I just opened the door of this store and saw the women throwing their things at each other just for a piece of clothing at a very cheap price. Thankfully, when I ventured myself to enter now, the customers in this place were not so wild’

Looks like Kaito has some special trauma to something. Another interesting fact from someone who could kill a flock of monstrous monsters quickly but avoid the ranks of women who chase discounts.

******

The Yuki brothers were inside that inn room. Ryou was still happy to look around every corner of the inn room while Kino was sitting on a wooden chair with a face expression like he was thinking.

“It feels like in Japan another world version. I still can't believe we could be in a room similar to 1DK's apartment like this”

“Umm..you were right, Ryou”

“Kino?”

Ryou looked at the slightly moody Kino and thought of something. Of course, all those things he thought about were definitely something that had something to do with their situation.

“You why, Kino? Is something bothering you?”

“I just thought, after all our long struggle to get Kaito-san gem turns out there are still others in this ‘second world’. Isn't that really hard for Kaito-san?. It meant that he still had to face that monstrous creature again. Though all this time he has faced enough danger”

“But that doesn't mean he'll face it alone. We're not still with him. Besides, you also said that we will be very safe with him”

“Ryou true, but–”

“Listen, Kaito is a great and reliable person. Just so you know, he is the second person to be included in my role model list after you, so it can definitely be trusted”

“Although Ryou always talks spicy to her?”

“It...it's proof that we're close!!. I know Kaito won't take my speech seriously either. Don't talk about it anymore!” Ryou suddenly felt panicked and rolled onto the big size bed

Kino smiled to see her sister acting so embarrassed. He got up from his chair and went to the big bed and laid down his body.

“Nee...Ryou..”.

“Hmm, what else?”

“I want to know what kind of memory Kaito-san got from that gem. According to Ryou, is it polite for us to ask him that? Kaito-san also said that she had three other memories before, but she only told us about the two memories she had obtained. To be honest it makes me a little curious”

“We'd better not ask if he didn't say it. I think memories that are not said by him are probably the most important memories or the most painful memories. I did ask him not to hide anything from us, but I wouldn't be that bad until I made him say the thing that to him was so secret”

“Ryou correct. Besides, I was also still thinking about what happened to Kaito-san when she suddenly talked to herself that time. Actually I feel so guilty for having to lie to her”

“But, if we say the real thing about him talking private stuff without him noticing, I feel like our relationship with him will change. I'm sure you don't want the trust we've built in each other to be ruined because of it, do you, Kino? Let's just say we're protecting Kaito's feelings. Besides..”

“Besides?”

“I don't want a slap in my face!. You know why he finally wants to say things that he didn't tell us, right? I don't want him to repay me, just won't! So, we better forget what we are talking about this and assume all is well”

“I think Ryou is right, I'm sorry. I guess I'll just shut up and stop thinking about it. I'm getting tired. We better sleep”

“Hmm. Being in ‘world night’ and fighting with troublesome creatures all night was draining energy. Besides, I'm sure Kaito will also take a break. Good night, Kino”

“Goodnight, Ryou”

Both of them closed their eyes and fell asleep. In the morning, a calm was felt by those who would still struggle to face another night that would not be easy to pass.

******