“Whoa…” I muttered under my breath as we stepped through the village gates and into the bustling streets beyond.

  The difference was immediate, this place was massive compared to the small village I had first arrived in. The streets were wider, the buildings taller, and the sheer number of people moving around was almost overwhelming. Unlike the quiet, almost sleepy atmosphere of Catherine’s village, this place was brimming with life. Merchants called out from their stalls, trying to attract customers with promises of the finest goods, while adventurers and townsfolk weaved through the crowds, going about their day.

  The architecture had a distinct medieval charm to it, a mix of sturdy stone and timber-framed buildings lining the cobblestone roads. Some structures had brightly colored banners hanging from their balconies, possibly denoting guilds or shops. The streets smelled of fresh bread, sizzling meat, and something vaguely sweet that made my stomach grumble in anticipation.

  Yuzu, completely unfazed, walked ahead with an easy stride, her black cloak flowing behind her. She didn’t seem the least bit affected by the crowd, as if she had walked through places like this a hundred times before. Meanwhile, I had to stop myself from gawking at every little thing.

  My eyes darted from one site to another, a blacksmith hammering away at a glowing piece of metal, a group of children chasing each other through the narrow alleys, an elderly woman carefully arranging herbs at her stall. Everything felt real, like I had stepped straight into a fantasy RPG.

  “Bery Mashiro, keep up,” Yuzu called back, glancing over her shoulder with a small smile. “Or bery gonna get lost.”

  The afternoon sun hung lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the village streets. The long shadows stretched across the cobblestone path as Yuzu walked ahead, her gaze fixed on a particular building with a wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze. The sign bore a simple engraving of a bed and a steaming bowl, an inn and tavern.

  Without a word, Yuzu reached back and grabbed my hand, leading me inside. The moment we stepped through the wooden doors, the warm scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread filled the air. The inn’s interior was spacious, with long wooden tables scattered throughout, occupied by various patrons, adventurers, travelers, and townsfolk alike. Laughter and chatter filled the air as mugs clanked together in a celebratory manner, and the crackling fire from the stone hearth added to the cozy atmosphere.

  Ignoring the noisy crowd, Yuzu made her way straight to the counter, where a young girl with short brown hair stood behind the wooden desk. She looked to be in her early teens, her bright eyes and cheerful demeanor giving off a welcoming aura.

  “We want to rent a room for the night,” Yuzu said, her voice calm and composed, as if this was nothing more than routine.

  The inn’s receptionist, a young girl with chestnut-brown hair tied into a neat ponytail, tilted her head slightly before clasping her hands together in a polite but apologetic manner. “I’m sorry, but we only have one room left,” she said with an innocent smile.

  I hesitated, my grip tightening slightly on the edge of my cloak. Only one room? That meant we’d have to share. I cast a quick glance at Yuzu, expecting some sort of reaction, maybe a frown, maybe a moment of consideration but she remained as unfazed as ever.

  “That’s fine,” Yuzu answered without missing a beat, pulling a small pouch from her inventory and placing it onto the counter with a quiet jingle of coins.

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  I blinked. Wait… that’s fine?! Just like that? No hesitation at all?

  The receptionist nodded, seemingly satisfied, and reached under the counter to retrieve a small brass key. “Alright! Here’s your key,” she said cheerfully, placing it onto the wooden surface. “The room is on the second floor, first door on the right.”

  I was still processing the situation, my mind caught between the fact that Yuzu had just so casually decided we’d share a room and the realization that I probably had no say in it anymore. I mean, sure, it wasn’t like I hadn’t shared a room with someone before… but back on Earth, that was different. That was with family, or maybe sleepovers with friends.

  “Come, Mashiro,” Yuzu’s voice cut through my thoughts as she picked up the key and turned towards the stairs, her tail swaying ever so slightly behind her.

  I sighed, resigning myself to my fate. Well, at least I wouldn’t have to sleep outside.

  The young girl reached under the counter, rummaging through a small wooden box before pulling out a brass key. With a bright smile, she placed it gently in Yuzu’s outstretched hand.

  “Okay, here’s your key to the room!” she chirped, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

  Yuzu took the key without hesitation, nodding in acknowledgment. I, on the other hand, found myself staring at it, my brain finally catching up to the reality of the situation.

  “One room…” I muttered under my breath, shifting awkwardly. “Uh, Yuzu, are we seriously sharing?”

  Yuzu glanced at me, her black eyes calm as ever. “Bery not problem, Mashiro,” she said simply. “Room bery have bed.”

  “…One bed?”

  “Maybe.”

  I sighed. That didn’t exactly reassure me. But before I could protest, the little girl behind the counter giggled, tilting her head curiously.

  “You two must be close friends!” she said, her brown eyes sparkling.

  Yuzu led the way as we climbed up the wooden stairs, the old planks creaking softly under our steps. The hallway was dimly lit by a few lanterns hanging on the walls, casting a warm glow over the worn-out wooden floor. Eventually, we stopped in front of a simple wooden door, and Yuzu wasted no time unlocking it.

  The room was small but cozy, there was a single bed with a thick wool blanket, a wooden table with two chairs, and a window that overlooked the bustling street below. The scent of aged wood mixed with the faint aroma of food drifting up from the inn’s kitchen. My stomach twisted in response, grumbling loudly in protest.

  “Ugh… I’m starving,” I groaned, clutching my stomach dramatically as I flopped onto the bed. “Yuzu, we need food. Like, right now.”

  Yuzu turned to me with a blank stare before slowly tilting her head. “Mashiro bery dramatic,” she muttered.

  I sat up, pouting. “No, Mashiro bery hungry.”

  Yuzu chuckled softly, then reached into her inventory, pulling out a small wrapped bundle. She handed it to me, and I eagerly unwrapped it, revealing a few pieces of dried meat and a small loaf of bread.

  I blinked. “…This is it?”

  “Bery food,” Yuzu nodded, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Mashiro eat.”

  I stared at the food in my hands, then at Yuzu’s calm expression. Letting out a defeated sigh, I took a bite of the bread. It was a bit dry, but at this point, anything tasted good.

  I chewed slowly, the dry bread making it hard to swallow. “We’re not gonna go downstairs to order food?” I mumbled, the words coming out slightly muffled with the bread still in my mouth.

  Yuzu, sitting cross-legged on the bed, shook her head without hesitation. “Nyo.”

  I blinked. “Why?”

  She glanced toward the door, her ears twitching slightly under her hood. Her expression remained unreadable, but there was a certain sharpness in her gaze. “Bery humans,” she muttered.

  That… was not the answer I was expecting. I swallowed the bite of bread, brushing the crumbs off my hands as I frowned. “You mean… there are a lot of humans?”

  Yuzu simply nodded. “Bery lot.”