Third person POV

"Hey, Ryu, are you familiar with the town?" Akuma lightly hummed and took in the surroundings around her.

The trees were tall and flourishing in bright colors, the sun was subtle, the wind was pleasant, and the color palette of the scene was refreshing and calming. It was a different vibe and experience that would engrave this day into Akuma's memory.

"Mm. I go out every so often to run errands." Ryu answered and adjusted the satchel across his chest

"Just for errands?" Akuma cocked her head and tapped onto her chin.

'Is it not that fascinating then?' Akuma scratched the scalp of the wig.

"Mm. Just for errands." Ryu restated. "Is the wig uncomfortable?"

"Argh, kind of." Akuma let out a sigh and looked up ahead. "Ah! Is that it?!" Akuma shot her hand up and pointed at the entrance of the town.

"Yeah, this is the-"

"Let us pick up our pace!" Akuma exclaimed and grabbed Ryu's hand by surprise.

"Oh!" Ryu blurted out with wide eyes as Akuma hastily hurried them into the town.

"Holy sh-..." Akuma covered her mouth and blinked her eyes. She turned her head to Ryu and let out a short chuckle. "Restraining it, haha."

"Hmph..." Ryu let out a small smile in amusement and shook his head. "Is there anywhere you want to look at?"

"Hah, um..." Akuma placed a finger to her chin and furrowed her brows. "I... I don't really know what to expect here..."

'Ah, she mentioned that... She never had the opportunity to experience something simple like this.' Ryu's eyebrows creased, and he began to look around.

"The bakery is nearby. The bread you like is there too." Ryu pointed down a path and to the distant sign.

"Really? Lead the way then!" Akuma brightened up and squeezed his hand in excitement.

"Y-yeah..." Ryu nodded his head and bashfully turned his head to guide them past through the townspeople.

'So this is what a town looks like...' Akuma followed behind Ryu's steps as she took in every bit of detail. The open markets, the interesting stores, and the happy smiles of the people.

Ryu opened the bakery door and looked back to Akuma. He held the door open and closed it behind her.

"Here it is." He walked up to a shelf and picked up a sweet bread with a pair of tongs.

"How interesting... I didn't think there would be that much more variety in bread..." Akuma stared at Ryu as he packed a few buns of sweet bread into a basket.

"There is much more. This bakery just is some of it." Ryu informed.

"More than this? Ugh, I suppose that is plausible with other cultures and preferences..." Akuma nodded her head. "Ryu, what are these dots on this bread?"

"Those are black sesame seeds. Do you want to try it?"

"Could I?"

"Mm, you can." Ryu placed one into the basket, and after a short conversation, Ryu paid for the bread.

"Here. The bread is fresh since we are early." Ryu opened the paper bag and handed her a sweet bread, which she excitedly took and bite into.

"Hah~, I could never get over this!" Akuma smiled and stared into the bread.

"Don't worry, there's plenty more." Ryu softly smiled and began walking with her down the street. He explained how the sweet bread was made and gave her the black sesame seed bread. This type of bread was new and well-liked in Clarines, and Akuma loved the interesting factors and taste of it.

They went to a stationery store, where Ryu bought more ink for work, and where they both bought matching feather pens. A red one for Ryu and an aqua-green one for Akuma. They went to many food stalls: cotton candy, cheese, fruits, and meat skewers. Akuma's favorite were the cotton candy because it was an delicacy that was out of the world and unknown to her.

"Ryu! These food stall merchants could become chefs!" Akuma passionately exclaimed and bit into another stick of cotton candy she had just bought.

"Is that so?" Ryu looked at her and couldn't help but feel pleased by her excitement.

"Yeah! To think I've been missing out on so much good food!" Akuma happily sighed and began walking ahead. Ryu trotted over to her side.

"Hey, Ryu, could we check in here really quickly?" Akuma pointed to a shop.

"A blacksmith?" Ryu raised a brow.

"Yes! I want to see what a blacksmith is like here!" Akuma exclaimed.

Ryu nodded his head and followed her into the blacksmith. His eyes ventured around the shop and gulped when he, a small and meek boy, was inside such a store.

"Huh? Children shouldn't be in here." The merchant chuckled and looked down at the two.

'Ch-children...' Ryu sweatdropped.

"Hah? Who the hell do you think you're talking to, you punk." Akuma scoffed, and her right eye twitched at the statement.

'Akuma?!' Ryu's eyes shot out and nervously stared at her and back to the merchant.

"How dare you- Oh, you own a sword? A kid?" He placed his hand onto his hip and the other onto his bearded chin.

"Call me or him a kid again and I will beat your a-"

"A-Akuma..." Ryu paled and stopped her from finishing her feisty retort.

"Bwahaha! What a kid!" The man roared in laughter.

"Hah!" Akuma's right eye much more violently twitched. "Perhaps the best swordsman in the world." Akuma confidently, but quite arrogantly, grinned and brushed her hair back.

"Hahaha! I doubt it, but I do like your spirit!"

"I wasn't kidding old man." Akuma scowled.

"It isn't really an exaggeration..." Ryu muttered under his breath.

"Sure, sure. So what brings two young folks into a blacksmith?"

"A dagger. A long steeled one perfect for casual carriage and for defending. Ah, perhaps a quillon dagger."

"Oh, you are knowledgable. It has a great grip and the length component to its strong end. Is this for you?"

"No. For him!" Akuma nonchalantly pointed back at Ryu.

"M-me?" Ryu blinked and pointed at himself in surprise.

"Yeah, you." Akuma confirmed. "Please take out and show us all of your best-crafted quillon daggers."

"I'll be back shortly." The merchant cheerfully left to the back room.

"Why are you buying me a dagger?" Ryu pulled at the ends of his sleeves.

"Self defense." Akuma crossed her arms and let out a small laugh. "Don't worry~. You had some basic training with me before at the very least." She nonchalantly waved her hand.

"But I'm no good..." Ryu sweatdropped.

"You just don't have much strength." Akuma bluntly said.

"Sigh..."

"But you're cautious and smart." Akuma smirked and patted his shoulder.

"I'm back." The merchant grinned and placed down a few wooden boxes. "Take a look!"

Akuma walked over to the counter and analyzed the daggers as he opened up the boxes. She turned to Ryu and felt around his arm for his muscles, which not only surprised him but made him feel bashful. She then checked each dagger and eliminated a couple of daggers. To further analyze them, she had Ryu hold them and test the comfortability.

"... T-this one is more comfortable." Ryu held up a dagger with an obsidian colored hilt with a flat silver ball at the end. Its blade glistened a bright light and reflected over his eyes.

"Is there a sheath that comes with this?" Akuma turned to the merchant, who then took out a maroon-colored sheath with a silver locket and chape. The string attached was a sturdy, brown strip of leather.

"The dagger and sheath are well made. On par to a high-end's..." Akuma hummed and nodded her head.

"I take pride in my work." The merchant coolly laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'll purchase the dagger now." Akuma pulled out a pouch of gold coins and placed it onto the counter.

"Th-this much?"

"Consider it in means that I will return as an interested patron." Akuma grinned and took the box containing the dagger and the sheath.

"Thank you, young lady...! Little lad, you have a killer girl." The merchant leaned over the counter and whispered to Ryu.

"..!" Ryu's cheeks gleamed a light shade of red.

The merchant and the two said their farewells. When Ryu and Akuma were outside and away from the blacksmith, they came to a stop.

"Th-thank you..." Ryu shyly said and carefully held onto the box. Akuma closed her eyes and softly nodded her head. She looked back up with a small smile.

"... Ryu, there!" Akuma grinned and trotted ahead to the end of the street. She threw her arms up and greeted a gentle breeze.

Ryu trotted up behind her and stood beside her. He looked out to the ocean and then back to Akuma.

"I've never seen the ocean in such a beautiful light..." Akuma closed her eyes and relaxed her muscles. "When we get the chance, could we revisit and perhaps go towards the port and shore?"

"... Yeah." Ryu stared at Akuma and let out a soft and unknowingly endearing smile.

"You're a man of little words..." Akuma laughed. "But you don't judge with scornful eyes..." Akuma opened her eyes and reached her hand towards the sun that set down into the ocean's horizon. Akuma was fascinated by such a mesmerizing scene.

Ryu could only appreciate the warm silence between them. Still, the silence was accompanied by his fast and beating heart. He was relieved that Akuma wasn't looking at his red like face.

"Akuma, wait here for me." Ryu suddenly said and placed down the box.

"Hm? Ah, sure?" Akuma turned her head and watched as he quickly jogged away.

'Where could he possibly be wanting to run off to right now when the view is this interesting?' Akuma hummed, a bit disappointed. She shook it off and picked up the box into her arms. It felt like she wanted to keep it safer in her arms.

"Ah, the sun is almost devoured by the horizon..." Akuma muttered under her breath.

Akuma looked down at the lower level streets below the terrace she stood on. She rested her chin onto her palm and stared with thoughtful yet analytical eyes.

'Happy people and satisfied citizens. At least from this view... How admirable and pretty.' Akuma tapped her nails onto the box and soaked in the sight of the disappearing sun, the ocean, the people, and the unknown feeling she is developing from this. Though, she didn't dislike it despite the discomfort of unfamiliarity. Perhaps it would be a feeling that would turn into a pleasant and beautiful one like the love she could now experience. 

"Hah... Hah... Sorry for suddenly leaving." Ryu came to a stop in his run and lowered his head as he panted to catch his breath.

"We could have gone together then silly." Akuma raised a brow with an indifferent face and used a free hand to make him lift his head.

"Uh...!" Ryu was staggered at the action and blushed when he met her eyes. "S-sorry..." He breathed.

"I won't eat you." Akuma hummed and let go. "You should breathe with your head up. In through your nose and out your mouth." Akuma stuttered out a small chuckled.

"T-thanks."

"Hm... Come here." Akuma said and opened the box containing the dagger. "I'll tie it on for you so you know how." Akuma gently smiled and leaned down.

"Huh? Ah, sure..." Ryu muttered and moved his arms.

"And..." Akuma looped the strings and let go. "There!"

"It doesn't feel heavy at all..." Ryu stated in amazement.

"Awesome, right?"

'I feel more relieved now that he has this...' Akuma's slightly pursed her lips. She replaced her expression of serious thought with a subtle smile.

"Ryu, thank you for gifting me with yet another beautiful experience..." Akuma closed her eyes and placed her forehead onto his shoulder.

Ryu was unsure of how to treat his next action in response. His bashful feelings did not help him process either. He could only hesitantly hug her in return. They stayed like that for a few minutes in silence.

"Should we head back?" Ryu broke the silence.

"It's a pity, but we should before it gets too dark." Akuma lifted her head with a short sigh. "Could I have one of the sweet bread left as we walk?"

"Yes, you can."

-----

"Well, this is where we part." Akuma stopped walking when they were about to approach the castle gates. "Walk safely to the dormitory and use the dagger if you need to." Akuma chuckled and turned her heels.

"W-wait a moment!" Ryu exclaimed, which Akuma questionably turned around to.

"Yes?"

"Here..." Ryu handed her a small white box garnished with a red ribbon. "Please open it when you get to your room." Ryu requested.

"... Sure." Akuma dumbfoundedly nodded her head.

"Good night, Akuma."

"Night..." Akuma said as Ryu turned away.

'The heck... He wore such a cool expression.'

"Pft... Thank you." Akuma softly smiled and placed a hand onto her warm cheeks in the midst of the cool night.

"To think he could be this bit of romantic..." Akuma chuckled and passed through the gates with a short passing chat with the two familiar guards.

'Doesn't he know that gifting me something at the end of the day would only leave me lingering in the warm thought of it?' Akuma's smile deepened as she brought the small box closer to her chest in anticipation.

6/20/2020