The sunlight bathed the streets from early morning, gently filtering through the windows of Aiko's home. The atmosphere was calm, almost cozy. At one of the tables, Jotaro and Kira were having bread for breakfast, while Aiko took small sips from her glass of water, watching them quietly.
"So, how did you sleep?" Aiko asked, breaking the silence.
Jotaro looked up and answered without thinking too much.
"Fine… though Kira moves around a lot when she sleeps."
"That's because there wasn't much space on the bed," Kira replied, glancing at him sideways.
After saying that, she let out a wide yawn, covering her mouth with one hand. Aiko tilted her head slightly, curious.
"Are you still sleepy, Kira?"
"Yeah. I'm used to waking up a bit later."
"I see…" Aiko took another sip of her water and then seemed to remember something. "Ah, right, I almost forgot. What do you think about going to do some guild errands after we finish eating?"
"Errands?" Jotaro repeated.
He stayed thoughtful for a few seconds before finally nodding.
"Alright."
"I agree, but let it be a difficult mission. I want to test my strength," Kira added with a confident smile.
"Well then, it'll be a difficult mission," Aiko replied.
"Yes!" Kira exclaimed, clearly excited.
After breakfast, the three of them headed to the adventurers' guild. The place was filled with voices, footsteps, and the unmistakable murmur of adventurers checking requests. In front of the board, Aiko carefully examined two missions, hesitating over which one to choose.
"Which one would be better…?" she wondered quietly.
From the back of the guild, Kira, sitting on a wooden chair, raised her voice.
"Is something wrong, Aiko?!"
"No, don't worry," she replied.
In the end, Aiko took the request she was holding in her right hand and returned the other to the board. Then she approached Jotaro and Kira.
Jotaro, who was sitting next to Kira, asked:
"What kind of request do you think Aiko chose?"
"I hope it's a difficult one. That way I can test my strength," Kira replied without hesitation.
"But you already know how strong you are," Jotaro insisted. "Why do you want to keep testing yourself?"
Before Kira could answer, Aiko interrupted the conversation.
"Hey, guys, this is the request we'll be taking," she said, showing them the paper.
"Let me see! I want to see it!" Kira exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Me too," Jotaro added.
Jotaro took the request and began to read it. As he went on, his expression completely changed. Kira also read it, and a gleam of excitement appeared in her eyes as she smiled.
"Hey, Aiko…" Jotaro said, clearly nervous. "Are you sure this request is meant for Rank A adventurers?"
"Yes. Why?" she replied casually.
"Because this looks like something only a Rank S could handle," Jotaro added, showing her the paper.
The request was about stealing a snow dragon's egg.
"Do you really think so?" Aiko asked.
"Yes," Jotaro replied.
Aiko looked at Kira.
"And what do you think?"
"Of course we can do it. Besides, this way I'll be able to use all my strength," Kira said confidently.
"That's the spirit, Kira," Aiko said with a smile.
"Let's steal that egg from that dragon!" Kira exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes," Aiko nodded.
Jotaro watched the two of them with a nervous smile.
After accepting the mission, they began their journey in search of the snow dragon. They walked through the forest for hours, until fatigue started to set in.
"I'm hungry… how much longer until we get there?" Kira complained.
"I don't know. If it's a snow dragon, it must live in cold areas. We'll have to head to the snowy mountains," Jotaro explained.
"Are we really going to walk all the way there?" Kira asked.
"Yes."
"But it's really far… and I'm hungry."
"We could hunt a rabbit and cook it," Aiko suggested.
"Seriously?!" Kira smiled immediately.
"Yes."
"Then let's rest for a bit and keep going afterward," Jotaro added.
"Yes!" Kira replied.
"Alright, I'll go hunt some rabbits. I won't take long," Jotaro said.
"Okay, don't get lost," Aiko warned.
"Don't worry."
"If you can, bring me forty rabbits!" Kira shouted, using her hands like a megaphone.
"Yes!" Jotaro answered from the distance.
As he ventured into the forest, Jotaro murmured to himself:
"Alright… rabbits, rabbits… where do you hide?"
Suddenly, one ran out from the bushes. Without hesitation, Jotaro drew his sword and pierced it with a single motion.
"Well, that's a good start," he said, picking up the body. "Now I just need a few more."
All of a sudden, the bushes moved again. Jotaro turned his head just in time to see several rabbits bursting out at once, knocking him to the ground.
"That hurt…" he groaned as he got up.
Seeing the large number of rabbits, he smiled.
"What luck. Alright… here I go."
Meanwhile, Kira's stomach began to growl.
"Aiko… when is Jotaro coming back?" she asked, lying on the ground.
"He probably found a lot of rabbits, that's why he's taking so long," Aiko replied with a smile.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Oh… then I'll wait eagerly."
At that moment, a voice was heard in the distance.
"Hey!"
Both of them turned around and saw Jotaro hunched over, carrying an enormous number of dead rabbits on his back, some of them about to fall.
"Could you help me carry them?" he asked with a tired smile.
"Yes," Aiko replied.
"Yes! He brought me my forty rabbits, and it looks like I won't have to wait long," Kira added excitedly.
Aiko stepped forward to help him.
"Alright, hand me some."
Jotaro crouched down and let the bodies fall to the ground.
"There are still more. I'll bring them right away. In the meantime, could you take these and cook them?"
"Of course," Aiko replied.
Then she looked at Kira.
"Can you help me?"
"Alright."
While they carried the rabbits, Aiko gathered some branches, stretched out her hands, and said:
"Fireball."
A small flame lit the campfire.
"Amazing…" Kira said. "Can you make it that small?"
"Yes. It's not that difficult."
"You should teach me!"
"With pleasure."
"That's great!" Kira jumped. "I'll bring the rest of the rabbits."
At that moment, Jotaro returned with another load just as large.
"I'm back! And I brought more!"
"Leave them here, Jotaro," Aiko said with a smile.
"Alright…"
He dropped them with a sigh.
"Finally got that weight off. The bad posture was already starting to hurt my back."
"You must be tired. You should rest," Aiko said.
"Maybe… but the day's just starting. Resting now would make me look lazy."
"Then help me make another campfire."
"Sure."
As Jotaro gathered branches, Kira watched them in silence… with an expression that was clearly jealous.