Departure

After reading the missive, Natsuo decided to leave for the capital city Blossomhyl, looking for a chance to increase Rockstar Isekai’s popularity and, perhaps, finding new members.

"Tomorrow we leave for the capital. It’s time to get new fans" he said.

Olive smiled sadly. She didn’t want to ruin Natsuo’s excitement, but her parents would never let her go.

"I’m sorry, Natsuo, I can’t leave Wisteria Town" she said.

Natsuo frowned. "Why?"

She lowered her gaze. "I have to take care of the inn… Also, my parents would not agree."

"Olive, look at me" Natsuo said.

The girl looked up and met his eyes. His expression was staid; it was the first time she saw him like that.

"Do you really want to stay here?" he asked.

"No" she replied. "I would like to go with you, but—"

Natsuo put a finger on her lips to stop her.

"There are no buts: if you want to come it’s only your choice. It’s your life and you have the right to decide how to live it."

Olive didn’t know what to say. She never had any say in her own life: her father didn’t let her study to become a doctor and she was forced to work at the inn. As the only female daughter, her duty was to take care of the family and she had to renounce her marriage because her father didn’t like the boy she liked.

But she always thought it was fine. If she wanted to be a good daughter, she had to obey. But with Natsuo it was different: he didn’t tell her what to do or not to do, what was wrong or right… He let her choose.

My life… He’s right, this is my life and my choice! She thought.

She stared into Natsuo’s dark brown eyes and felt reassured. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I want to leave with you" she said.

"And you will do it. I won’t leave a member of the band behind" Natsuo replied.

Olive nodded with determination. This time she wouldn’t let anyone else decide in her place.

***

After lunch, Natsuo and Olive prepared for the departure. Thanks to Natsuo’s help, Olive confronted her father and, in the end, he gave up and agreed that she could leave.

A lot of people gave them gifts for the trip and Olive’s family lent them a cart with a horse. The travel would take some days, so they needed enough supplies. They brought only basic ingredients, because Olive, with her Alchemy System, could make complete meals out of it.

The next morning, everything was set to leave. Natsuo and Olive were ready for the departure. The people of Wisteria Town reunited at the town’s exit to greet them.

Olive’s parents reluctantly watched as their daughter got on the cart. Her father approached Natsuo.

"Take care of my daughter" he said.

"Sure" Natsuo replied. "When she is back, she will be the most successful girl in Roselond, I promise."

He smirked and got on the cart, then spurred the horse. Olive waved her hand to the people on the street as long as she could see them. When Wisteria Town was too far away to see them, she turned her head to Natsuo.

"Do you already miss your home?" he asked to tease her.

"Not at all, I can’t wait to see what’s next!" she replied excitedly.

Natsuo chuckled. "It’s good, then."

During the first day of travel everything went well and Natsuo hoped that things would keep going like this. Before the departure, a lot of people had warned them about the brigands. Apparently, there was an active gang of criminals near that area and travelers were frequently robbed by them. For this reason, Natsuo and Olive took turns guarding the cart during the night.

Olive handed Natsuo a bowl with cabbage soup.

"Enjoy your meal!" she said, then started eating too.

Natsuo ate the soup with pleasure: Olive was an extraordinary cook, her dishes were always delicious.

"Thank you, it was delicious" he said.

The girl smiled, flattered. If she was proud of something, it was her cooking skills.

"You’re welcome, I’m glad you liked it."

After dinner, Natsuo took out his electric guitar to practice a little. Olive sat in front of him, eager to listen.

She stared at his beautiful hands while he was playing a guitar solo and only at that moment did she notice that Natsuo had something tattooed on his fingers. She waited for him to finish, then asked:

"What do you have tattooed on your fingers?"

Natsuo looked at his hand tattoos: he had a letter in every finger, except for the thumbs, to form the word rockstar. He slightly smiled.

"The word rockstar" he replied.

Olive chuckled. "Wow, you really want to become one!"

"Yeah, I just hope that this time everything will work."

He didn’t want everything to end like with his previous band. This time, he had to make it, no matter what.

Olive felt the melancholy in his tone, but she didn’t ask anything to not bother him.

"Tonight I’ll start the shift, you can go to sleep" she said.

"Okay, wake me up when you’re tired."

Natsuo put his guitar on the case and spread out the sleeping bag near the bonfire. Even if it was spring, during the night was still cold. He lay down and soon fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, his sleep was interrupted by strange noises. He heard the sound of something falling on the ground, then Olive’s muffled voice.

"Stop moving, little bitch!" a male’s voice asserted.

Natsuo immediately sat up and turned to her direction. He glimpsed a huge man holding Olive with his muscular arms. She was wriggling, trying to get away from him.

"Natsuo!" She screamed.

Natsuo’s eyes widened. What was that man trying to do? He was about to get up, but something hit him on the back of the neck.

"Olive—"

His vision went blurry, until he didn’t feel anything at all. He had fainted.