Chapter 73: Pakura's First Day at Work 2
The hall's floor was carved with the distinctive geometric patterns of Sunagakure, forming ancient symbols whose meanings were known to only a few.
Today, the place was much busier. Several workers were bustling about, carrying large puppets on their shoulders.
Some older children were busy mopping, wiping down equipment, or cleaning the theater curtains. The sounds mingled: shouts of instructions, the scraping of wood, and the sighs of tired breaths.
Then, from the middle of the crowd, someone approached.
A young woman with jet-black hair tied back. Her face appeared calm, her eyes sharp yet not intimidating. The woman was Tsukimi.
"You've arrived, Souta." Tsukimi stopped in front of them, then turned to Pakura. "And... you must be Pakura? The one who passed the cleaning test yesterday?"
Tsukimi's tone was calm but full of judgment. Her eyes scanned Pakura from head to toe—not to judge, but like an artist examining a new canvas to be shaped.
"Yes, my name is Pakura, nice to meet you." Pakura's voice was soft yet firm, her eyes glinting with a hint of nervousness but full of enthusiasm.
Pakura nodded politely, slightly bowing in a gesture of sincere respect, as if hoping this first impression would pave the way for friendship.
"Then, let's go." Tsukimi smiled faintly, her smile like a refreshing cool breeze, full of mystery and tranquility.
Tsukimi's shaded eyes looked straight ahead, giving the impression of someone who always knows the way, even when the sandy corridors they passed through felt long and silent.
Souta and Pakura followed Tsukimi down a long corridor with walls made of solid sand. Each step produced a soft dusty sound, fine sand dust swirling gently in the soft breeze that entered through small gaps in the roof.
The aroma of dry earth and a hint of salt from afar created a dry and barren desert atmosphere, yet this building stood strong, defying time.
The Mimic Performance Room stretched out before them, a space filled with a magical aura and bustling activity. A small stage was displayed in the center, illuminated by dim yellow lights that cast the shadows of wooden puppets dancing on the walls.
The sounds of tools and the soft whispers of the workers created a faint symphony, a sign that this place was alive despite being hidden.
Souta observed the workers with vigilant and determined eyes, busy cleaning and organizing with swift movements.
Pakura felt the adrenaline rising and falling in her chest, a mix of nervousness and great curiosity.
"Well, Pakura, you can start working with Souta," Tsukimi's voice was soft yet firm, her tone remaining calm but authoritative.
"Souta, please take Pakura to Ayaka. Tell Ayaka to teach you all that you need to know. Sorry, I'm in a hurry. The others are busy too, as the Mimic Performance Room will be in use again in a few hours. So, Pakura, you can introduce yourself to the others later."
Pakura nodded firmly, her heart beating a little faster. She held her breath for a moment and said, "I understand. I will do that."
Souta nodded with a small encouraging smile, "I understand, Sister Tsukimi."
Tsukimi responded with a brief nod and then turned, stepping quickly out of the room, the sound of her footsteps fading into a moment of silence.
Souta led Pakura closer to Ayaka. The girl stood with a straight posture, her piercing gaze sharp, yet there was a cold and somewhat indifferent air that made the atmosphere instantly heavy. Ayaka's jet-black hair fell straight, reflecting the dim light from the room.
"Hmm?" Ayaka frowned and tilted her head, her eyes scanning and assessing Pakura quickly, full of scrutiny but showing no emotion.
...
Chapter 74: Pakura's First Day at Work 3
"Hi Ayaka, this is my friend Pakura," Souta said with a warm and confident voice, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Well, Pakura, this is Ayaka, a senior here."
Pakura bowed her head slightly in respect, her soft voice almost a whisper, "Hello, Ayaka Senpai."
"Hello," Ayaka replied briefly, her tone flat with no sign of friendliness, yet her eyes briefly hinted at firmness and vigilance.
"Sister Tsukimi said that Pakura and I should learn under your guidance," Souta said, his voice clear and respectful. "Please teach us everything we need to know."
Ayaka nodded slowly. As she turned and began to walk, the sound of her light boots echoed on the sandy floor, inviting them to follow her lead. Souta and Pakura followed, their hearts vibrating between excitement and a bit of tension.
Although Souta had started to get to know this job since yesterday, he realized that just one day's experience was not enough to understand the intricacies of this secretive work behind the scenes.
Souta's eyes kept observing, his ears catching every word from Ayaka, trying to absorb every detail.
Ayaka assigned a task to Souta in a calm yet commanding voice: to pick up the scattered pieces of the Wooden Doll's body in the corner of the room.
The fragile little parts glimmered faintly under the light, like puzzle pieces waiting to be put back together.
Meanwhile, Pakura stood close to Ayaka, listening to every instruction with an attentive gaze.
Even though there was something strange about Ayaka's demeanor—cold, mysterious, almost like a shadow that was always alert—Pakura decided to focus and not let that feeling disturb her. She was confident that Ayaka was the right person to guide her.
Souta, observing their interaction, then refocused on gathering the wooden fragments, his hands moving nimbly yet carefully, afraid of damaging the delicate pieces.
Before long, Okabe appeared from the corner of the room, a middle-aged man with a humble face and warm yet sharp eyes. Seeing Okabe, Souta nodded his head in greeting.
"Hey kid, is that your friend?" Okabe asked, glancing at Pakura with a friendly smile.
"Yes," Souta replied briefly but firmly.
Okabe nodded and returned a small, meaningful smile, then they resumed their work with relaxed yet efficient movements.
They continued their tasks, the sound of scraping wood and footsteps creating an intense yet focused rhythm. The air was slightly warm, the aroma of carved wood and fine dust clinging to their skin, adding to the harsh reality of this work.
Pakura, despite feeling Ayaka's cold aura that was somewhat unsettling, tried to remain calm. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and diligently absorbed every command. For Pakura, this was a valuable opportunity that she needed to hold onto tightly.
...
...
...
Time passed quickly. The dim light of the hanging lamp signaled that break time had arrived. Souta met Okabe again, this time bringing some warm food packages for their dinner.
On their way to the Puppet Arts Performance Theater with Pakura, Souta stopped at a small kiosk to buy some snacks.
Pakura, both curious and intrigued, asked a light question. Souta answered enthusiastically, explaining the types of food he had bought—tempting Pakura to buy some for herself as well.
In the dim and quiet corner of the theater, Pakura saw Souta sitting next to an adult man whom she did not recognize.
The overhead light cast faint shadows on their faces, but the warmth from their conversation felt real and familiar, like two old friends sharing stories. Pakura stepped closer—her steps light.
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