Ch. 1: Intelligent Eyes
A vast rural landscape, tranquil, and stretching as far as the eye could see…
As I traveled along, I saw something sparkle as the sun reflected off of it.
OO: "Ah, oh no…!"
A group of crows were pecking at what I'd seen. I rushed over, and the crows flew up into the air.
But…-.
From a distance it looked like they were watching me. Is that even possible?
I looked around, and identified the glittering object as a ring.
This is…!
I hurriedly clasped my hands together in prayer, and the ring emitted a strong light…
??: "Nn…ah….damn, my head!"
What appeared was a tall, slender young man, his face twisted in a scowl as he muttered.
He wore a hat that looked as if it were made of straw, which I was staring at when…
He suddenly jumped to his feet, seething with anger.
??: "Those bastards…you're lucky I couldn't move…! You're not getting away with that!"
He shouted at the crows, and they seemed to be laughing at him as they cawed. Then he promptly took out a mysterious book.
W-what's that…?
He tore the book open to a page. His finger suddenly stopped on a particular passage and he started to mumble something.
It felt ominous, and at the moment he raised his voice …-.
??: "Get outta here!!"
OO: "…!!"
He shouted, and a strong wind like a tornado erupted from the pages of the book.
The crows were caught up in the strange wind that had suddenly appeared, and blown away.
??: "…man, I let my guard down… Hey, who're you?"
He let out a sigh of relief, his anger going with it, then snapped the book shut and finally looked towards me.
Those eyes, seeing me for the first time, were beautiful and seemed to sparkle with intelligence.
OO: "Ah, I'm…-"
He looked dubious, and I explained who I was.
??: "Hmm…"
His golden eyes looked at me with great interest.
??: "I get it. Well then, I'll thank you."
He pulled the straw hat further down, then abruptly turned away from me.
??: "…it's nothin'."
OO: "Eh…?"
??: "You're welcome in my territory, since you saved me."
Paying me no heed as I stood there puzzled, he quickly walked away.
OO: "Wait!"
??: "What?"
He turned only his head back to me as he spoke, a sour look on his face.
OO: "What's your name…?"
??: "…"
He coughed as if clearing his throat, then turned to face me.
Leeya: "Right…it's Leeya."
It almost looked like his face had turned slightly red as he spoke.