The next morning, Aili wakes up in her new room which Gem and Melissa gave her. But she remained laying down, thinking about what happened last night before getting sleep.

Flashback

As Shirou finished telling his story as Aili remained quiet. She wasn't sure what to think, but before she realized, tears started to fall from her eyes. Shirou notices it too.

"Are you alright?"

"My... my father told me about these things that had happened with humans a long time ago. People starting to kill each other inside the city and worse case..." she had to clear her throat to speak. "I just never thought how it would be with beastman city. But I guess my parents knew how bad it would be, so..."

Shirou wasn't sure should he be offended, by what she said, but then again, knowing her parents they have taught her history. And if he remembers correctly, he too has studied a bit of that. There have been times when even humans have went rampage and killed even their own kind.

"I don't know if they knew what was going to happen. They left a month before that." Shirou cleared.

"Were you mad at them?"

"For leaving the city. I'm not sure. I guess they could have sensed something was coming but didn't tell us what it was. Probably, they didn't want us to be worried or think they are crazy. Many kids adored them because they treated them like they were their own. I was among them."

"Didn't you have parents then?"

"Did. But back then, my father had passed away and my mom had weak health. However, your parents helped us a lot. Even after my mom passed away."

Aili couldn't help but smile. That's so like them. Then she feels a finger to clear her tears. She looks up till her eyes met his. For some reason, it felt like they were staring at each other for hours, although it lasted a few minutes before Shirou let it be and heads to the door.

"You should get some rest. We will go meet mayor for further discussion," he said before leaves the room.

End of Flashback

'What was that back then?' Aili thought as she went for a shower. The way he moved his finger on her face, the look on his eyes... why it felt like she would have sunk into those eyes or touch his face instead or maybe...

Wait? Is this what she thinks it is? She has asked her mom how it is to be with dad and... she has read many romantic books... is this...?

"Shirou! If you are in the shower hurry up!" Michiru yelled which brought Aili back to reality.

"What are you yelling at here?" Shirou's voice heard.

"Wait, if you're here then...?"

"I'll be ready soon," Aili answered.

Michiru stays silent.

"Idiot..." Shirou heard saying.

"I'm so sorry! I forgot you were here." Michiru apologize.

"It's okay. At least you didn't come in just like that. My little brother does that."

"You have a brother?" Michiru surprised hearing.

"Little brother. He is a few years younger than me." Aili explained. "He is okay, spending days with nature, but... he can be annoyed sometimes when it's about mom's bakings."

"Are they that good?"

"The best in the world"

As they were talking, something passed by and landed on Michiru's head. It was a black crow.

"Good morning, Kuro," Michiru said to it.

"Who is this handsome fellow?"

"Aili, this Kuro. He is Shirou's partner. Well, besides me of course."

"Oh..." Aili said before she scratches a bit Kuro. Kuro enjoyed the scratching before Shirou called him back. Once Kuro landed on his shoulder he looks at them, but Aili looks away, blushing. Michiru wondered why, but as soon Melissa called for breakfast, she let it be for now.

Soon they arrived at the city hall to meet mayor Barbara Rose. Like was discussed last night, it's best to contact Animapolis. But like Aili told them, the only way to do is the old fashion way, by a bird mail.

"Wouldn't bird beastman do?" Michiru asked.

"And turn them into easy targets? Sorry, but even if it's not World War II, most of the humans are still devious enough to shot and torture to get the truth of the location." Aili explained.

"I understand," Mayor said. "I'm not sure if we have any ordinary birds for the job. Kuro seems a possible option, but since we don't know the exact location, it would be too much for Kuro."

"I understand." Aili answers.

"However, while we are looking, I thought that meantime, you would prepare the letter to your parents," Mayor suggested.

"Fine," Aili said sounding bit pouty. Still feeling uneasy to tell parents. Mayor chuckled a bit on that.

"By the way, I'm still preparing some papers for you, miss Darens. Since you're the first beastman from another city and staying it takes time to handle these."

"Oh, it's okay. I kinda did came here unofficially."

"May I ask who is in charge of Animapolis?"

"That would be Sir Andrew Dante. He is like a grandfather type to young ones. But you can even send it to my parents. They're like ambassadors in undercover."

"I see. I'll write them as well." mayor said. "Meantime since you don't have any money..."

"No no no, please! You don't need to..."

"I was suggesting if Miss Kagemori and Ogami would help you get at least necessary things." mayor finished.

"Oh, sorry... I normally asked my parents for help."

"So, you don't have a job." Michiru mumbles.

"I help them with their works. I was supposed to help to paint a new house and learn to make opera cake."

"But you bake mostly," Shirou said.

"Why not. It's something you could share with others."

Shirou was surprised to hear that coming from her. Her mother used to say that back then.

"Why you want to bake? You have servants to prepare the meal."

"That's because I like baking. It's something you could share with others. I enjoy seeing smiles when they taste my bakings."

"And then they ask for more."

"Honey!"

Without realizing Shirou showed a gentle smile. It actually surprised Michiru, but she decided to stay quiet about it. Mayor Rose noticed it too. She smiled a bit noticing him smiling. Ever since she met Shirou she rarely saw him smile like that. It must be about her parents. Last night, she did hear a bit that he knew them back in Nirvasyl. But that smile proves that they had a big meaning to him back then.

"So, were you close?" mayor Rose asked from Shirou a few minutes after. Michiru had already taken Aili to town for shopping with Kuro. Shirou remained.

"What?"

"With them." she cleared. "The way you smiled, tells me that you were close."

"Even if in Nirvasyl we had good ways with humans, that didn't mean they all were good. And life wasn't easy either." Shirou explained.

"But they were good."

"We thought they were sent by gods," Shirou explained. "At first, they look like a normal married couple, but when there was commotion they were the first ones to go help. If someone tried to go against them, all they did was give a stare to make even the strongest beastman or human to hesitate. If not... well, they learned it the hard way."

"So, they helped you back then?" mayor Rose guessed.

"I was twelve when my mother passed away. They took me in. They had a spacious house, with some servants. They didn't buy them or anything. They were some beastman who didn't have a job. They simply allowed them to live if they helped with homework. The house felt like safe-haven for us, who were alone. There were five of us young ones. And they treated us like we were one big family."

"Until...?" mayor asked.

"Month before syndrome, I was already living on my own just like the other three of us, but I always came for a visit. Back then there has already come more beastman. There were now six young ones living in the house and the youngest of us was sixteen. They told us they planned on moving out. When we asked why, they said it felt the best choice, considering the situation. They didn't tell where they will go, but it felt obvious that they wouldn't come back. They told us, that they are willing to take us if we wanted to come along. But only three went along with them."

"Did you ever wished you would have gone with them?"

"Did. But after I became Ginrou... and killed so many... I had a feeling I let them down. I didn't even know where they were. And by the time I thought they have already passed away."

"That then leaves one question, how did they manage to stay alive after all these years?"

"Whatever it is, it didn't involve the blood of thousands." Shirou cleared. "I wonder if she knows..."

"Aili? You think they have told her?"

"I'm not sure... but somehow I feel she has lived longer as well..." Shirou said as he looks out through the window.