Miracles aren't for free.

Wishing for good to happen,

Will enable dreadful things to occur as well.

Either it effects you, me or

Everyone.

✫　✧ ˚ . 　* 　✷ ˚ ✫

"Thanks for having us Kita-san!"

The twins both spoke simultaneously, bowing respectfully to their upperclassman whilst Aran had only given an appreciative nod to his same-aged friend, shortly turning his gaze towards (Y/N) who had been standing at a distance from the entrance door, an assuring smile gracing his lips, directed to the girl.

Only a pair of emotionless eyes were seen staring back, showing that she had acknowledged him, before the girl's expression hardened once she had noticed a pair of eyes that were focused on her, which had belonged to a certain gray-haired twin, making her twitch uncomfortably in her place.

It didn't help that the other twin was also looking weirdly at her, making it seemed like she was a rare creature.

She knew she was different compared to them, but they don't have to act so obvious about that.

A shadow fell upon her face, as (Y/N) noticed a figure had stood in front of her, the person's back facing her, instantly blocking the twins' creepy stares that had began to feel unbearable to her as she let out a soft huff of breath at the action from the person, finally feeling her body ease a little from the tension.

A few exchanges were heard coming from the boys, something about Kita demanding the twins to stop scaring (Y/N) so much with their stares and for the duo to not do any detours on their way back home, reprimanding his same-aged friend the same thing as well.

"Well, go home already, both of you."

Kita had said authoritatively to the twins, making no room for disobedience nor protest for them to make upon his words, the stern gaze in the eyes of their volleyball captain was so intense, they had cowered in their spots respectively, both pouting in dismay.

"Make sure to see that they don't stray from their path home, Aran."

Kita said to his fellow friend, doing a once over at the twins before looking at Aran with trust, giving a knowingly look to the latter.

"Alright! Let's get home already, shall we? Thanks for having us, Shinsuke."

Aran who had quickly caught on Kita's cue, immediately spoke, grasping the twins' shoulders before pushing them outside the entrance door, efficiently shutting any protests that were heard in his vicinity by gripping them more harshly if they even were to do that, sounds of yelps and banterings from the trio, mostly the twins, were still heard even though they were outside the house by now.

Their loud voices had started to disappear with each step that took them further from Shinsuke's house as silence began to engulf the two people that were left in the house.

A soft creak from the wooden floor beneath was heard, emitting from the steps Shinsuke had taken, the male exiting the house to lock the gates outside, albeit concerned with how late his grandma is coming back home before heading back inside only to see (Y/N) was still standing at her spot from where his guests were before.

Shutting the door behind him, Shinsuke glanced at the female, arranging his shoes at the genkan before stepping up onto the flooring inside. He looked at the female again who was still rooted at her spot, perhaps awaiting him to say something.

Just as he was about to ask what's bothering her, the female beat him to it.

"Why did you put me at such spot earlier?"

The female had said to Shinsuke in a small voice, prompting the male to look at her in confusion, both eyebrows knitted together at her question and tone, ignoring the mild hostility heard in her voice.

"What do you mean?"

He asked, looking at her intently as he tried to recall the events that they had gone through together today. There wasn't much to remember, so instantly he recollected his thoughts of todays' occurrence that involved (Y/N) and him.

Looking back, Shinsuke only remembered of telling her to tell his friends what had happened before and where she had originated from, obviously explaining to them the same way she had told him before telling them what she had experienced when she had staggered into his arms earlier.

That was all that he could recall of.

Shinsuke looked at the female in front of him in wonder, not knowing what had made the female to ask him such question.

Has he done something that had offended her, that was beyond the boundaries she had set up?

Or was it wrong of him by wanting a few of his friends to help him out with the matter concerning the girl in front of him?

Kita knew it was quite sudden of him, albeit out of character of him to invite a few of his friends over to hear (Y/N)'s story, to actually be affiliated with his own personal matters, but he was left with little to no choice left, as he was nearing a dead end regarding the research and informations he had looked up about the girl in his own spare time.

There was nearly nothing he could find of, even with the informations given by the girl and he was growing frustrated at such lack of info he's getting, so he had to do something in order to help the female.

And by the means of that, he thought it was in his best interest for him to seek his friends out, ask for their aid regarding the predicament that he was currently involved in.

Sure, he wanted to tell his close group of friends about the girl at a better time and in a better situation, with the female's consent of course and obviously not as early as today, but what is done, has been done.

They've seen her condition and the cat's out of the bag now, there's no more turning back at this point.

He knew his teammates while the twins in particular are a tad bit mischievous at times, but when it's needed for them to be more serious, he is sure they can hold up each of their own roles, just like when they're in a volleyball match.

Though they do sometimes had loose mouths, he was sure they wouldn't tell another soul regarding what happened today. Even if they were to tell anyone, who would be dumb enough to believe such tale so outrageous?

Even he knew that the trio hadn't fully believed in his story but he can worry about that later.

His eyes searched for hers, trying to decipher or at least see a glimpse of her thoughts before a sudden notion occured unexpectedly at him.

He looked more intently at her expressions once that particular thought had passed, a soft look in his eyes as he gazed at the female silently.

A soft sigh had emit from the female, breaking him away from his thoughts as he gazed his eyes at the girl's face.

"I understand telling them of my origins because you wanted me to but you don't think they'll think you're crazy for telling such an outrageous tale to them?"

(Y/N) asked Shinsuke, eyes meeting the male's piercing and honest gaze on her, awaiting of what reaction the latter would give to her upon hearing that question.

(Y/N)'s lips pursed.

She definitely doesn't want anyone else to know about her well-being mainly because first, - she isn't from anywhere here, thus there is no need for more people to know about her than the two person who had nurtured her, Kita Shinsuke and Obaa-san.

Second - she has had enough interaction in her own world to know someone who is regarded as foreign, someone who isn't accepted in one's community, someone who is deemed different than others, someone like her, is ever welcomed with open arms by anyone.

Does Kita Shinsuke wants to be seen as an outcast to his friends or what?

Telling them a bizarre story, hoping they'll believe him from the get-go is such a foolish thing to do even if they did witness her state from earlier because people aren't that kind.

If you're not normal, if you're not like others, you'll be ostracised.

Just like how she is in her village.

What's the point of getting more people involved in her matters, when there are no benefits for both them and her?

What's in it for them, other than having the fleeting satisfaction of the moment of when their curious questions were answered by her?

What could they possibly use her worthless information for?

Those friends of Shinsuke also didn't even introduce themselves to her, making the female feel even perplexed with only her informations known by them, but not vice-versa.

Isn't this a two way interaction? She should have her bargain of information as well, shouldn't she?

The only thing she felt was vulnerability and she didn't like that.
...

Silence ensued between the two of them for awhile, before a soft grunt was heard from (Y/N).

"I'll head back to my room if you're just gonna be silent."

The female uttered, enough to be heard by Shinsuke, her hands coming to the side of the shirt Obaa-chan has given to her, clutching it's fabric tightly, anger and contempt for herself flooding her whole being.

Was she being too sensitive?

She gnawed the inside of her mouth softly, eyebrows furrowing together, secretly wishing she could take her words back, but no, she just had to run her words freely, and thus resulting her in this situation.

Turning around, (Y/N) was ready to go bury herself in the comforts of the soft sheets in the room she shared with Obaa-chan but Shinsuke's voice stopped her.

"They're my buddies and I believe them."

(Y/N) stopped her tracks upon hearing Kita's voice, prompting the male to continue his words.

"Even though this predicament we're in defies my own logic, I believe they could help you and me find the solution to your situation."

Soft steps were headed towards (Y/N) as Kita stood in front of her, head inclining to the side, upon seeing the female turning her face away with a dejected smile.

"And if they don't believe you? Even worse if the ostracised you? You'll still call them your friends?"

Shinsuke bit back a smile that was forming as realization kicks in.

Ah, so she was worried if I'll be an outcast?

He thought to himself before chuckling under his breath making the female look at him.

So she actually has a kind heart despite her gruff exterior.

Shinsuke smiled at her,

"I believe in my choices and I trust my friends. They won't turn their backs easily on someone."

He could see a frown donning the girl's face at his words, as he smiled wistfully, staring at the girl amusingly.

"Trusting each other is the very essence of a friendship."

✫　✧ ˚ . 　* 　✷ ˚ ✫

A few days has passed by since Kita has last brought his teammates home.

It has also been awhile since he had last spoken with the female who was currently residing in the house where he and his grandmother were living.

It was easy to say that there was something that had made the female to resort on avoiding to be in his presence, to be anywhere near him, almost like he himself is the plague, the soft scurrying steps of the girl were heard so often whenever he was within her vicinity even without him doing anything nor speaking to her.

It has somehow unnerved him a bit, as he was both confused and perturbed by why the female was actively steering away from him.

He was certain that his words from before was the trigger and start for whatever stunt the female is currently doing, though he wasn't quite sure why is she acting in such way towards his simple words.

Did his offer of friendship somehow hurt her?

If so, then he's eager to apologize and make amends with her but it was hard with how frequent the girl has been following his grandmother to her outside activities and with how late they've been coming back home.

He'd barely even seen them being around the house anymore, though he had noticed how the garden in the front yard is always tended somehow by someone, always watered and in some way the flowers and plants seemed to be sparkling, growing healthily, some flowers that weren't supposed to be in season were also blooming somehow.

Dinners and breakfasts were already prepared by the time he had woken up at dawn and even when he had returned from school. His favourite snacks were also prepared at times when he needed a break from studying somehow. There were even dishes he haven't yet seen or tasted ever before, prepared and served for him.

He had found this act somehow dumbfounding at first but as time went on and how recurring it is starting to get, he began to grow a little curious with questions filling his mind.

Who is doing this?

Why?

Regardless, he was thankful for such acts even though how puzzling the thing was for him.

It somehow felt nice to be cared of.

He wasn't in a rush of finding out the culprit behind these things since he knew, only Obaa-chan and (Y/N) were the ones that could possibly be doing this.

He just had an inkling that those two were the only ones who were able to do this since they were the only ones who basically knew his whole routine.

To add more prove to it, the door and windows were always shut and locked. Only Obaa-chan and he, himself have the keys to their residence and since (Y/N) has been spending more time with his grandmother, he didn't rule her out entirely.

He was sure that--

Clink!

Kita inclined his head towards the entrace door of his house, upon hearing the familiar rings of keys clinking together, abruptly breaking him away from the thoughts going through his mind.

He swiftly got up and left the living room, heading towards the entrance door of his house, expecting to see both his grandmother and (Y/N) at the genkan, finally getting the answers to his pending questions at last.

From the small but straight hallway, Kita could see a silhouette crouching, perhaps arranging the shoes at the genkan, his steps hastening once he could figure out who it was.

"Let me do it, Obaa-chan."

Kita said softly to his elderly grandmother, bending his taller form towards the ground to rearrange the shoes after ushering the elderly to sit on the upper wooden floor in consideration for her weak and frail body before noticing that (Y/N) wasn't there with her but he made no comments about it.

After making sure things were neat and organised enough to his likings, Kita immediately crouched down towards his grandmother's figure, his hands gently grasping the elderly's foot to help massage and soothe any sores or fatigue she's having.

There was a brief silence that ensued between the grandmother and the grandson, a comforting and calm silence where neither words or actions were needed to be uttered.

A calloused hand was gently set atop of Kita's head, carressing his locks affectionately in such a loving manner as one would do to their beloved whilst the pair quietly basked in each other's presence.

"Shin-chan," hearing the endearment that was given to him, Kita raised his head and looked at his grandmother, stopping the action he was currently doing, in order to focus at his elder.

Knowing that she had his full attention, Yumie smiled softly towards her only grandson, her hand still stroking his locks with such care.

"You've been wanting to know why (Y/N)'s been coming with me to work right?"

Yumie Kita said softly, seeing her grandson's expression waver slightly before it stiffened with the latter deciding to continue massage his grandmother's feet, his silence giving an indication for his elderly to continue.

"She's been wanting to know about the people here and about you more, but was afraid you'd hate her after your last conversation."

Yumie Kita laughed, reminiscing the expression on (Y/N)'s sweet face in both delight and amusement, recalling how the female's cold expression turned a shade darker when she had also giggled at her endearing worry.

She glanced at her grandson, who's expression was one of confused, perhaps dumbfounded to why (Y/N) would thought he'd hate her.

"I reassured her that you weren't that kind of person, someone who'd hate so blindly because you're my sweet grandson afterall aren't you?"

Yumie Kita had said, assuring her grandson when she had saw the perplexed face the boy was making.

She continued upon seeing Shinsuke relaxing at her words, "She was truly keen on knowing more about the unfamiliar world around her, once I brought her out to work with me," a tender look was seen on Yumie Kita's face, after she'd remembered how childlike (Y/N)'s curiousity was at the normal things they'd call in their world, which were unusual in the young female's world despite how gruff the female tried to act.

"She was mostly quiet and also stoic and I was sure she was afraid with her surroundings almost all the time I've spent with her, but her eyes tells a different story."

Yumie Kita stopped her hand that was caressing Shinsuke's head, settling it upon his head, her sad eyes was such a contrast with her smile.

Shinsuke lifted his head and saw the forlorn look casted on his grandmother's face but made no attempt to acknowledge it, instead, he reached out his hand towards the elderly's free hand, grasping it into his, softly.

"She seemed so content but she hasn't smiled since she came here. So I asked her why,"

Yumie Kita inhaled a deep breath, her hand that was in Shinsuke's grasp, held his tightly, her wrinkled hand shaking ever so slightly.

"Everything here is so beautiful Obaa-san."

"But—"

"I'm afraid this happiness and freedom that I'm feeling won't last long for me."

Yumie Kita quoted the same words (Y/N) had said to her recently to Shinsuke, the words leaving a deep conflicting impression inside the elderly's heart towards the girl when she recalled the ice cold expression (Y/N) had given to her since arriving when the young female had finished uttering such melancholy words.

"I couldn't say anything when I heard those words, Shin-chan," Yumie Kita exhaled a deep breath, continuing, "Her words were accompanied with such sorrowful feelings, I wondered what had she experienced in her own world to utter such things."

The duo sat in a deep silence for awhile, before Yumie Kita broke the silence with her next words.

"She was the one that made your favorite snacks and was the one that prepared all your dinners and breakfasts all this while."

Shinsuke sighed.

He knew it was one of the two who made him his snacks and food, but it still shocked him when hearing that (Y/N) was the one who made those daily nourishments of his.

"I barely helped her after the first time teaching her the recipe for your favourite foods. She even made my favourite eateries while making yours, each and everytime."

A small laughter emitted from Yumie Kita as a smile was seen on her face.

"It wasn't necessary, but I didn't have the heart to stop her. It was endearing to see her like that."

A small sad smile suddenly appeared on Yumie Kita's face as she looked at her grandson.

"She said she wants to leave because she thinks she's harming us."

✫　✧ ˚ . 　* 　✷ ˚ ✫

Kita quietly climbed the steps towards the local shrine in the area, eyes silently scanning the area to search for someone in particular. A female he'd known, to be precise.

Passing the torii gates, Kita can't help but notice the last gate towards the entrance was white in color but paid