-The Beginning- Part I

...I hear a sound. 
I hear a creaking, rusty sound as the door opens. Then, I hear footsteps starting to get closer, and closer. Once again, I hear another creaking, rusty sound.

"ーーーngh."

I could feel the cold morning breeze blows on my cheeks. I guess someone opened up the window. My mind starts to wake up due to the air cold sensation.

"Hey, are you awake?" 

I felt a soft bump on my bed.

"...Ngh. Yeah, good morning Fara."
I stretch myself while replying her greeting.
"Morning sleepyhead."
Fara smiles smugly while sitting on the side of my bed like it's her own house.

"I know It's not that late but the sun is already up and your breakfast will be cold, you know?"
"Ah...that's right. Thanks for waking me up."
"Well, this kind of thing is actually rare since you're always up early, so... I don't really hate it if you need me to help for once in a while..."
"...What?"

Does that mean...she doesn't have a problem with that? Well she doesn't seem upset, so... I guess it really is fine then.

"ーYeah. I actually prefer you to wakes me up in the morning. If I have to choose between you and Rafa, of course I would rather choose you than him."
Well, she's actually pretty annoying from times to times, but...it really is my honest opinion.

Every time Rafa comes in the morning, the house feels like a battlefield. Filled with the sound of guns and cannons. 

But still... being too dependent on her would become a really bad habit. I'm sure she wouldn't like to be burdened either. That's why I can't let that happen.

"I'm really sorry for the trouble. I'll make sure to wake up earlier from tomorrow on. But, I really appreciate your help for today. Thanks Fara."
"R-Really? Then...should I come by every morning...? Y-you know, to help you with stuffs or s-something."

She starts to talk with a very small voice. I couldn't hear her clearly.

"Huh? What did you say?"
"N-No! I-It's nothing! It's nothing!"

This girl in front of me is Fara. She has been a friend of mine for a long time now. Because of that, she usually comes to my house just to finish the daily chores. Whether it's about cooking, cleaning, and every other stuff that has some kind of relation to housework, she take care of it every single morning. 

It's quite impressive for her to actually keep this kind of habit for three years and a half. Not to mention, my house is located on the far edge of the village on top of the hill. To reach my house from the nearest village, it takes at least a half hour to reach it by foot.

That's why...

"ーーWait, didn't I tell you to stop coming here every single day?"
Hearing my response, she looked at me with an irritated face.
"And why shouldn't I?"
"Listen here youー This is for your own goodness"
"You mean those bandits? You know I'm stronger than that."
"ーUgh."

She's actually has a point. Little you know, she's actually recognized as one of the strongest hunters around the town recently. And personally, I know that her title is more than some mere words because of a certain incident. This incident also had some connection with her recent title.

It actually happened around two weeks ago. Around that time, the forest was terrorized by a pack of beasts. Of course they are not actually that strong. But they always hunt in groups and this is the actual problem. Even bigger beasts have fallen as their prey. The beast has an extraordinary hunger and wouldn't stop hunting from day and night, eating both monster and human alike.

But, long story short, she was really pissed by their existence and decided to exterminate them. She said she was furious because she couldn't go to my house for weeks.

To be honest, it was really frightening. Just imagine. A long time has passed since you saw your best friend and suddenly, she came out of nowhere, looking down with blank eyes while holding some severed heads of wounded beasts by their hair. Not to mention her bloodstained figure on her face, robe, and skirt that made her much more fitting to be the predator that should be hunted, scared me as well. 

When I opened the door, she lifted her head. Our eyes met each other. Her face changed 180 degrees. From a complete murderer into a bright smiling child. But, when I asked her about what happened, she just casually said:  "I'm pissed, so I burned them all in the same hole all at once."

Of course, some doubts surface upon hearing those words from her, but I don't really care about it that time. What important is: She's safe. And that is enough.

But when the next day when I went shopping to the town.  I knew that she spoke the truth. When I got in to the forest, I saw an unfamiliar scenery. No grass, no trees, no animals or whatsoever. All were burned down to ash. 
"In the same hole, she said..."
It's not a hole, It's the goddamn forest.

And now, here she is, sitting down in front of me, enjoying her self-prepared breakfast like nothing happened. Still, seeing this girl is actually kinda strange. Occasionally, she looks... strangely dignified. just like the way she eats right now. 

But...to be honest, watching her acting like this is...actually quite enjoyable. 

It felt like some of my worries about her were gone for a second.

"---hm? What's wrong Jaya? you want some?"
She asked me while pointing a spoonful chunk of potato from her bowl.

"Huh?
"Well you were staring at my direction for sometimes now...is the dish is not your taste?"
"---Ah, no. Don't sweat it."
I dip my toasted bread into the mushroom cream soup.
When I pull it out, the bread is covered with light brown cream. The smell of freshly baked toast and the mushroom soup tickles my nostrils.

Right...to be perfectly honest...
It really is enjoyable.

I shove the bread into my mouth gently and bite it into half. The flavour and the texture of the cream, the  combination of the crunchy textured bread with a soft and creamy soup that spread within your mouth when you bite it, everything about it is so simple. Yet it really is...

"...Delicious."
"ーーーー"

Fara stares me with her jaw opened. Did she saw something strange while I'm eating my meal?  Don't tell me there is something on my face. But before I could ask her about it, she smiles.

"I'm glad you like it. Jaya."

Then, we're back to finish our respective meals. When we're done, I insisted that I should be the one who wash the dishes since I didn't help with breakfast preparation.

In the end, she agreed and I went back to collect the remaining plates on the table. But then I realized...

There is a single set of breakfast on the corner of the table. Completely untouched.
...Did she forgot about this?

Right before I ask her, Fara stands behind me with a troubled face.
"I-I'm sorry. I-I kinda forgot it earlier. I-l'll bring it to heー"
"Fara."
"ーーー!"
She stood in silence.

"It's okay. It's my fault to bother you in the morning, so let me take the responsibility. Don't push yourself."
Hearing my words seriously, she only nods silently while looking down to the floor. I really can't fathom this girl. She could be so mature then transform into a child in an instant.

I put the dishes on the tray and lift it up. Then I move away from the dining room while Fara is back to the kitchen. Then, I climb the stair and reach the end of the staircase. In front of me, stands an plain old door without any decoration. 

I knock twice.
"ーーExcuse me"
Not long after that, a voice could be heard from the other side of the door.
"Ahー Please come in."

Hearing that, I put my hand on the rusty doorknob and turn it to the right.
Click!
A creaking voice could be heard as I push the door wider.

When I got in, I saw a women with a closed eye, sitting beside the window and basks within the morning light. In case you're wondering if there something wrong with her eyes, then the answer is: yes, you're right. Something is wrong with her eyes. To be perfectly blunt, she's blind.

And that blind woman is none other than myーーー
"I'm coming in, mother."