Still at Rohim's house. Now they were all inside Rohim's house. Behind Rohim's house was a small field next to a large, shady tree. Shion stood alone, leaning against a waist-high stone wall. Just then, Ikhas came up to Shion and said:
"You're not supposed to be inside, yet here you are, sitting here."
Shion:"It's better to sit here than to gather in the kitchen. (looking at Ikhas standing beside him) Where's Kharim?"
Ikhas:"He's taking a shower."
Visible behind the makeshift bathroom. The sound of water flowing so heavily. And inside, Kharim was just standing there, letting his body get soaked by the water from the hose above him. Meanwhile, behind the house, Rafaela, Isyar, and Rohim's mother finally brought three large basins filled with the meat from their hunted animals. The meat was so large, while Rohim carried a grill, skewers, and thick pieces of wood.
Rohim:"(looking at Shion and Ikhas) Don't just stare, help out!"
Shion:"Damn it."
Finally, the wood was placed underneath. After Shion and Ihas tidied it up, Rohim placed the iron support on top of it to put the grill on. The wick was powder. And finally, the wood there burned faster. Then, one by one, the meat was placed on the grill. The crackling sound and the fragrant aroma made Shion and Ikhas so hungry.
Finally, six pieces of meat on a plate with toppings were prepared with the help of Rohim's mother. After Rohim's mother served it, Rohim's mother said:
"(smiling sweetly and cheerfully) nah, please enjoy!"
*When Rohim, Ikhas, Isyar, and Rafaela were just picking up their plates, Shion had already taken his and was eating heartily.*
Shion:"YUMMY!! (continues eating)"
Rafaela:"How rude. (seeing Rohim's mother just laughing) Aunty, aren't you eating?"
Rohim's mother:"You guys eat, this is the result of your hunt, isn't it?"
Isyar:"(so happy he can barely chew) Aunty is so kind!"
Rohim's mother just smiled as she watched them eat happily. After they had eaten more than three mouthfuls, Rohim's mother invited them to talk.
Rohim's mother:"Soon you'll be entering Magical Steel School, right?"
Isyar:"(Smiling) That's right, Mrs, hahaha. But we need to prepare for entering that school. Besides, we still have plenty of time before we enter."
Rohim:"It's still a long way off for us to enter Magical Steel. Besides, it's not necessarily that easy to get into Magical Steel."
Ikhas:"That's right. We still have plenty of time to enter Magical Steel. Besides, we can only use KAITEN, but Rohim is too quick to use HUOOZAI."
Rohim's mother:"But children like you who can already use that magic are quite good. It will definitely be easier for you to get into Magical Steel."
Rafaela:"Getting in there isn't just about ability, but also finances."
Rohim's mother:"(laughing briefly while looking at Rafaela) Oh my goodness, you're something else, Rafaela."
As they chatted casually, Rohim's mother glanced behind her, towards the entrance. She then looked back at Shion and his friends and asked them a question.
Rohim's mother:"That child who is bathing, who is that child? I have never seen him before. And he looks rather poor too."
Isyar:"Oh, his name is Kharim. We found him in a dark alley. He looked hungry, so we brought him with us."
Mrs Rohim:"Oh, I see..."
As soon as they finished talking, Shion suddenly finished his meal very quickly. Meanwhile, his other friends had not yet finished their meals. Rohim's mother was quite surprised to see this.
Shion:"(burping for a long time) GGREEEEEAKK.... 'AAaahhh!!, that's so good!"
Rohi's mother:"Wow... You finished it so quickly."
Shion:"(grinning while scratching his head) Hehehehe...., Shion was just really hungry. (handing the plate to Rohi's mother) Can Shion have some more, Mrs?"
Rafaela:"(approaching and playfully pulling Shion's ear) Stop it, Shion! You really have no shame!"
Shion:"(looking at Rafaela and in pain) Ouch... Huh? What are you doing?! I'm hungry!"
Rafaela:"This isn't your house, don't be greedy!"
Rohi's mother:"Enough, enough, let me get it for you."
*Rohim's mother takes Shion's plate. She puts new meat on it and gives it back to Shion.*
Rohim's mother:"Is that enough?"
Shion:"Hihihi... More than enough. Thank you, Mrs..! (continues eating heartily)"
Rafaela:"(sighs while letting go of Shion's ear). You're such a bother."
Ikhas and Rafaela were shocked to hear Shion's words because they both looked embarrassed. Rohim seemed indifferent, while Isyar and Rohim's mother could only smile.
After that, Kharim emerged from Rohim's house. At first, none of them noticed Kharim's arrival. It was only when Kharim walked closer that they all saw him. Spontaneously, they were all shocked when they saw Kharim. Isyar and Rafaela even blushed when they saw Kharim for the first time.
Rafaela:"Kh-Kharim, is that you?! (rubbing her eyes). (staring in amazement, blushing) It can't be! This is a lie, right?!"
Isyar:"(blushing too, thinking to herself) He's so handsome! He's even more handsome than before!"
*Meanwhile, Rohim, Ikhas, and Shion stare at Kharim with innocent and silly expressions*
Shion:"Who is he?"
Ikhas:"Idiot! He's Kharim!"
Rohim:"I never expected his real appearance to be so different from before."
Shion:"(shocked and shouting foolishly) EAAAAAHH...!! IS HE REALLY KHARIM?!"
Kharim's hair was a bright yellow colour, and it was long enough to cover his ears. His eyes were as green as emeralds, his eyelashes were long and curled, and he was slightly taller than Shion's peers.
Rohim's mother:"Oh my god. This boy is so handsome!"
*After that, Kharim's stomach growled loudly, and he even held his stomach. Shion shook his head so as not to continue teasing Kharim*
Shion:"Hey, hey... how many days have you gone without eating?"
*But Kharim did not answer Shion's question. Until Rohim spoke up*
Rohim:"Come here. You're hungry, aren't you?"
At first he looked hesitant. But then Kharim slowly walked towards them. Then, when Rohim gave him the sixth plate, Kharim slowly took it and sat down among them. After one bite, Kharim was stunned by the food. Then he continued eating voraciously. They finally smiled when they saw Kharim.
Shion:"(laughing heartily) Chahahah...!! You're a strange person. There's no need to rush to finish it, no one will take your food, don't worry."
Kharim looked at Shion without speaking. Then Kharim looked back at his food and stopped eating for a moment. After that, he continued eating, but more slowly.
After everyone had finished eating, they were seen chatting and joking around, laughing together. Amidst their banter, Kharim remained silent in his seat. For a moment, Isyar just watched Kharim. Then Isyar approached Kharim and invited him to talk.
Isyar:"(still blushing) Hey, Kharim."
*Kharim looks at Isyar sitting next to him*
Isyar:"(looking shy and covering her face with both hands) Aahhaa...! Don't look at me! You're so handsome, I can't take it!"
*Kharim stood there in confusion, staring at Isyar, then Kharim looked ahead again. Meanwhile, Isyar was lost in his own thoughts.*
Isyar:"(breathing heavily) Hhhaahh... Hhhaahh... Hhhaahh... Wait... hold on a second. What's wrong with talking to Kharim? Why am I so paranoid about this? Fhhuuhh... alright, I'll try... (slightly opening his face) (immediately closing it again)... aaahahaha... no, no, I'm not confident at all!!"
*After Isyar's heart had completely calmed down, he peeked at Kharim a little. Immediately, his eyes widened in shock when he saw that Kharim was ignoring him*
Isyar:"(in her heart) He really isn't paying attention to me..!"
As Isyar continued to peek at Kharim, she remained silent, staring at him seriously. After that, she uncovered her face, and it seemed she could talk to Kharim.
Isyar:"Kharim. (Kharim looks at him)"
Isyar:"You haven't said much. At least nod your head if you really are mute."
*Kharim shakes his head no*
Isyar:"So that means you can talk?"
*Kharim nods yes*
Isyar:"Then I want to ask you something. Where are you from? Where do you live? And where are your parents?'
Kharim:"(hesitates for a moment) I... I don't know. In this world, all I know is KISAR.'
Isyar:"Kisar? So you're from Kisar?!"
Kharim:"I don't know."
Isyar:"(looking confused). Explain it again, I still don't understand."
Kharim:"(looking up at the sky) I don't know what a place is. I wasn't raised anywhere else but Kisar with the people I love so much. Before all that, I only saw the shadows of books shining on me, the shadows of people with golden skin, and the shadows of a sky darker than just night. But I also saw clouds so close to me. Then, for some reason, I found myself far away from all that."
*After Kharim's lengthy explanation, Isyar still did not understand what Kharim meant, and Isyar became even more confused by Kharim's words*
Isyar:"Eeeehhh... It just makes me more confused. Hhhaahhh, I don't know, Kharim, you're making me even more confused.
(smiling again as he looks ahead) But never mind. Only you know how you lived before we found you. If you lived in hardship. Try looking at them. When you feel sad, you can laugh with them. You can join us, laugh and play together."
Kharim:"Pla..y and lau..gh? Can I really join you like that?"
Isyar:"(looking at Kharim) Hahahah... of course. (looking ahead again) Laughter is free. No matter who you laugh with, just laugh. We often do."
*Isyar said this as Kharim stared at him blankly. Isyar, who had been acting normal, was now surprised and his face turned red again*
Isyar:"(immediately turning his face away and covering it) Eaaah... Why are you staring at me like that?! This strange feeling is coming back!"
After that, Kharim looked ahead. He saw all of Shion's friends laughing and talking together, even Rohim's mother joining in the laughter. But what stood out most to Kharim was Shion.
To cut a long story short, evening was approaching. After chatting and talking for a while at Rohim's house, they decided to return to their respective homes.
*Shion, Ikhas, Rafaela, and Isyar are seen in front of Rohim's house*
Ikhas:"Thank you for the food, Rohim, Auntie."
Shion:"(still smiling) Yes, thank you. That was delicious!"
Rohim's mother:"Ahahah... You're welcome. Come again if you want to eat your hunted game."
Shio:"Of course!"
*As they were about to leave, Rafaela realised that Kharim was not with them.*
Rafaela:"Guys, have you seen Kharim? He's not here.
Suddenly, they all realised that Kharim was not among them. Without thinking twice, Shion decided to search around Rohim's house. After a few steps, Kharim suddenly emerged from the bushes. He was right in front of Shion, who was about to search the bushes next to the house. Kharim looked confused when he saw Shion.
Shion:"(Sighing). What are you doing, Kharim? You're making us worry."
Kharim:"I-I... I was just drinking behind these bushes. There's fresh water flowing into the river and it's cool, so I was drinking there. I'm sorry for making...you worry."
*For Shion, Ikhas, Roim, Rafaela, and Rohim's mother. They were all so surprised to hear Kharim's voice speaking boldly*
*Simultaneously:"HE CAN SPEAK...!!"
Rohim:"He finally spoke!"
Ikhas:"Hey, he can speak too!"
Rohim's mother:"Is that true?!"
Shion:"Kharim can talk? That's cool..!"
Rafaela:"(looking at Isyar) Hey Isyar, you said Kharim was mute. Why can he talk now?!"
Iysar:"I... I didn't know at first either! I was also surprised that he could talk."
Rafaela:"(even more surprised) So you heard his voice first?!"
Isyar just laughed, while Rafaela fell silent and felt silly for not hearing Kharim's voice earlier. Meanwhile, Rohim's mother approached Kharim. Kharim looked surprised to see Rohim's mother approaching him.
Rohim"Mom, what are you doing?"
Rohim's Mother: (in awe) "Say it again!"
Kharim: "I-I'm sorry..."
*Rohim's mother feels delighted hearing Kharim's voice*
Rohim's Mother:"Aaauuhh... Kharim's voice is so cute."
Isyar:"Hahaha... Poor aunt, it's the first time she's heard Kharim's voice."
*Shion seems amused by the scene, while Rohim gives Kharim a warm smile*
Rohim:"(smiling at Kharim)Thank goodness. You almost made us worry, Kharim."
Ikhas "Alright, guys. Since everything's settled, let's go home!"
*All together:"Yeees...!"*
Ikhas:"(looking at Kharim) Oh right. Kharim, where do you live? If you don't have a home, you can stay at mine."
*Kharim was startled by the offer, and immediately refused Ikhas's suggestion. Meanwhile, Isyar seemed to understand Kharim's intention*
Ikhas:"Oh, so you do have a home. That's a relief, I thought you didn't."
Shion:"(looking at Kharim) "But seriously, you really do have a home, right?"
Kharim was once again taken aback and looked flustered. He nodded hesitantly, even though he wasn't entirely sure. Seeing this, Shion smiled and said:
Shion:"(grinning)Hihih! That's good to hear."
After that, the five of them bowed respectfully to Rohim's mother, not forgetting to thank her. Then, they went their separate ways back to their own homes. Coincidentally, Ikhas, Shion, and Kharim walked to the left from Rohim's house, while Isyar and Rafaela headed to the right.