A few hours passed, and Kiru was now resting.
The room was now quiet.
Airi stepped out and looked at Noah and Nyx.
"Are you two returning to the ship, or do you want to spend the night here?" Airi asked.
"We'll stay the night," Nyx replied. "Plus, Noah and I will have a look around the town."
Noah blinked. "We will.."
Nyx elbowed him.
"Oh...yeah. Yes, we will," Noah said quickly.
Airi nodded. "Alright. The bathroom is the third door on the left. You two can stay in my room, it's the first one on the right."
Noah looked at her. "Where will you sleep?" he asked.
"I'm going to stay with my cousin and make sure everything is okay," Airi replied.
"How is he, by the way?" Noah asked.
Airi's expression softened. "The wound on his foot wasn't the main problem… it's the internal injury," she said. "But with the medicine I gave him, he'll be healthy in no time."
Nyx suddenly hugged her.
"You're so strong and positive for a little cat," Nyx said.
Airi puffed up. "I'm not little and I'm not a cat. I'm a young lady," she replied, clearly upset.
Noah laughed.
Airi crossed her arms. "You two are so annoying."
"I can you blushing," Nyx replied
"Anyways, let's go sightseeing," Nyx said, grabbing Noah's hand and pulling him outside.
"Wait...slow down..!" Noah said as he stumbled slightly.
He looked back and waved at Airi.
"Remember not to start any fights," Airi said.
"No promises," Nyx replied.
"Nyx..." Noah said.
"I'm kidding," Nyx said. "…maybe."
The town looked different at night.
The forges still burned, casting orange light across the streets.
Shadows stretched along the walk way.
The sound of metal forging echoed.
"Even at night…" Noah said.
"They don't stop," Nyx replied.
They walked for a bit before Nyx suddenly stopped.
"There," she said, pointing.
An all you can eat restaurant.
Noah raised a brow. "That's your idea of sightseeing?"
Nyx smiled. "Absolutely."
They ordered their food and sat down.
Noah leaned back slightly.
"So… what did he tell you?"
Nyx glanced at him.
[Inside Noah's Mind]
"Let's talk in here instead," Nyx said telepathically.
Noah blinked. "Still creepy," he replied.
"Get used to it."
"Fine. So tell me."
"Well… it seems Kiru and our young Airi are direct descendants of one of the founders of Kurogane," Nyx said.
"And?" Noah asked.
"And… that ancestor is originally from Wano," Nyx replied.
Noah frowned. "I have no idea where or what Wano is."
"Let's skip the Wano part for now," Nyx said. "All that matters is this, he possesses a tool that once helped forge one of the four Ancient Weapons."
Noah's expression got serious slightly.
"…Okay. That explains why people want him."
"Exactly," Nyx replied.
The waiter slowly placed trays of food on the table.
Plates stacked on each other until it almost touched the ceiling.
Nyx's eyes lit up.
"Now this is important," she said.
Noah stared. "You switched priorities fast."
"Delicious food first. Ancient weapons later," Nyx replied.
She grabbed a piece of meat and started eating immediately.
Noah shake his head and picked up his food.
"You act like you haven't eaten in days," Noah said.
"I haven't eaten this good in days," Nyx replied.
Noah took a bite… then paused.
"…Okay, yeah. This is good."
Nyx smirked. "Told you."
She reached over and took some food from off of his plate.
Noah stopped mid-bite. "…Did you just take my food?"
"Sharing builds trust," Nyx replied.
"You didn't ask."
"I didn't need to."
Noah sighed. "You're unbelievable."
Nyx grinned. "And yet you keep me around."
Noah looked at her for a second.
"…Yeah."
Nyx paused for just a moment…
Then continued eating like nothing happened.
After they finished, they stepped back outside.
The streets were quieter now and the air felt cooler.
They walked side by side in silence for a while.
Noah glanced at her. "So… you're happy you came?"
Nyx looked ahead.
"…Yeah."
She paused for a minute.
"I've been alone for a long time," she said. "Doing whatever I was told. Going wherever i was ordered to."
She glanced at him.
"But this… is different."
Noah stayed quiet, listening.
Nyx smiled softly.
"I like it."
Noah looked at her. "Even with all the chaos?"
"Especially the chaos," she replied.
Noah laughed.
"Of course."
Nyx slowed her steps slightly.
"…I'm glad you let me join your crew."
Her voice was much softer now.
Noah stopped walking.
Nyx turned to him.
For once, she didn't have a joke ready.
Noah smiled.
"I'm glad you joined"
The wind moved gently between them.
Nyx looked at him for a moment.
"…Good."
Then she turned and started walking again.
"Come on, Captain. Don't fall behind."
Noah shake his head, smiling, and followed her.
"…Yeah. I'm coming."
They walked back toward Airi's house.