Yuna walked slowly and happily through the forest, holding a basket full of herbs in her hand. She was just visiting Mr. Hiroshi that morning and now on her way home to Horo. Yuna thought about him a lot in the last few days. She really would have liked to know who he was exactly. But unfortunately he still didn't want to tell her anything, except his name, which probably wasn't right either. She sighed. Why did she trust him so? What is that feeling inside of you? Maybe ... she shook her head. No, it can't be, she thought. Or maybe ... No! No! No! During the conflict with her feelings, she did not even notice that she had already arrived. She quickly tried to "shake off" her thoughts and stepped into the house. She went into the kitchen and made healing tea with her fresh herbs. When she was done, she went into the room where Horo was sleeping on the bed. She put the tea down and stepped closer to the bed. She looked at his black mask and blue hair.Which face was hidden behind the piece of iron? Suddenly she felt her heart beat faster. She looked away and wanted to leave when Horo woke up.
She turned around again and said: "Good morning, Horo. You look very well rested."
"Tomorrow."
There was silence between them for a while and neither of them knew what to say except "Good morning". Then the flower girl began to speak again.
"I made you a herbal tea that I got from the mayor. It helps with all injuries. In a few days you will surely be fit again. It is a" miracle tea ", so to speak.
Horo seemed surprised.
"But it's too cold to grow the Kenta herbs. Where did you get them from?"
Yuna was surprised. How did he know that they are called Kenta herbs and that they only grow in warm conditions? As far as she knew, only the villagers knew the real names of the herbs. Despite the great amazement, she didn't think about it any further."I got them from Mr. Hiroshi. He dried and stored the Kenta herbs from last year. There aren't many, but they are enough to nurse you back to health."
On her last sentence, Horo's gaze stayed on her face. Yuna couldn't tell with what kind of look he was looking at her. But her face turned slightly red.
"Why do you care about me so much?"
Yuna winced at his question. Why is he asking me that? She couldn't tell him that she ...
"Uh ... so ... that's because ..."
What should she answer him? Horo almost penetrated her with his eyes. Yuna's heart beat faster and louder again.
But then she said, "Because I would help anyone who is hurt."
You couldn't tell Horo's reaction to her answer as he wore his mask on his face the whole time. He looked away from her and drank the herbal tea. Yuna was relieved that he wasn't looking at her anymore. Horo finished the tea and gave the mug to Yuna, which she brought into the kitchen.After she came back into the room, she saw Horo, who had got up and wanted to go out.
"Where are you going, Horo?" She asked him.
"I have something important to do. Thanks for looking after me over the past few days."
Yuna couldn't believe her ears.
"But you can't just go. You are not completely healthy yet!"
"I finally have to rid the world of this criminal Hao. He killed way too many people!"
Hao? He wanted to destroy Hao just like her village? She tried to persuade him further.
"Yes, you are right. But you can wait until your injuries have completely healed. There is no point in fighting him now!"
Horo went on resolutely.
"He killed my parents, that bastard! I have to kill him! But you can't understand that."
Yuna felt a pang in her heart. His parents were killed by Hao ...?
"Yes, I can understand you very well!" She shouted. "My parents ...", her head bowed and her hands deformed into a fist, "were killed by Hao too!"Horo stopped short. He thought he had misheard. Still gripped by her words, he slowly turned around and saw Yuna, whose head was bowed the whole time. He noticed tears running down her cheeks. And suddenly he got a stab in his heart. He didn't know why, but he couldn't bear to see her cry. She was crying because of him. It's all your fault, he thought. Horo didn't know what to say. He was afraid to hurt her again. While he was considering how he could comfort her, Yuna began to speak in a shaky voice.
"Myself and my parents lived in Chiyo. At that time I thought that happiness was a given in the world and I wasn't worried about anything ... until I turned eight. Word got around everywhere that a strong shaman wanted to usurp the rule. Ours Dorf decided to do something about it and fought against Hao and his followers, but he was too powerful for us and everyone was seriously injured.And Hao took the chance to attack and destroy the village because it got in the way of his plans. One night, Chiyo was suddenly attacked. We couldn't defend ourselves and were exposed to Hao's attacks without any protection. But my parents, the only ones who weren't so badly injured, gave everything to protect the village. They use their most powerful fighting technique, the "death hurricane". They could defeat all shamans, but lost a lot of Furioku in the process. We thought we won, but ... But then Hao saw me and threatened my parents with killing me if they kept fighting. Immediately my parents dropped their guns to protect me. Suddenly two of his followers attacked my parents from ambush and ... ", Yuna paused for a short time," and I had to watch them die. Hao and his shamans disappeared because they no longer felt it necessary to kill us on the spot. He wanted to play with us, just as he did with human life.I couldn't believe my parents were dead. They were lying on the floor and didn't answer me. I called them, but they just lay there quietly. It was my fault. My parents died because of me ... "
Yuna's eyes were wet with tears and she couldn't stop them. The pain filled her whole heart. She thought she had long since got over the death of her parents. But the sadness and loneliness spread inside her again. Horo just listened the whole time and was very upset about her past. He felt the same pain as Yuna. He suffered with her. He wanted to stop her tears, but he didn't know how.
The only thing he could get out was, "I'm sorry."
Yuna kept crying anyway. Then he stepped closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
"I'm really sorry. I can understand how you ..."
Horo didn't continue because Yuna finally looked up. Her eyes were completely moist and red.Her tears were still running. Then she put her head on his shoulder. His heart was beating faster. Her body was right next to his. Carefully he put his hands on her back and hugged her. That was the only thing he could do now. Many minutes passed and the two stopped like that. Yuna cried, releasing all of her grief. However, she felt in Horo's arms that the loneliness in her disappeared. She felt safe and secure. Yuna got the feeling that she would never have to be lonely again. He was very warm. For the second time she felt his warmth. Despite her pain, a little happiness rose in her. She was happy to get so close to him. Yuna had known it for a long time, but she just didn't admit it. But now she was sure: she loved him. Your tears have stopped flowing. Slowly she broke away from him. She wiped the tears away with her sleeve. Now they were both standing directly in front of each other and there was silence.
"I'm much better now."Horo was relieved.
"That's nice. I wanted to apologize. It was my fault that you ..."
"No, it wasn't your fault. I thought I was strong and could forget the past, but I was wrong. It's good to let it all out."
Yuna smiled again. Horo was overjoyed to see her smile again. How much he had missed it.
"I will stay," he said suddenly. "You are right. I should wait for my injuries to heal completely."
Yuna was happy that he wanted to stay. Not only was she worried about him, but also because she didn't want him to leave. She thought of how he comforted her when he hugged her. She really liked him. Should she tell him how she felt about him? Did he love her too, or did he just hug her because he felt sorry for her? Yuna was unsure. But then she gathered up all her courage.
"Horo, I ... I ..."
Horo looked at her.
"Yes?"
Yuna just couldn't get it out of her mouth."So I ...", she hesitated again, "Can you take your mask off?"
Yuna didn't know why she was asking that stupid question instead of telling him that she loved him. It was just too difficult for her. Horo was amazed at her question.
When he didn't say anything, she quickly added, "No, forget it. It was a stupid question for me. Just ignore it."
She turned around and was about to leave when he suddenly said: "Yuna."
He had called her by her name for the first time. Yuna turned back to him. Her heart beat faster when she saw him slowly pull his mask off his face. Little by little his face revealed itself until he had completely taken off his mask. Now she looked into his face and her heart wanted to pop out. So this is what he looks like, said her thoughts. Both just stood there and looked at each other. Yuna looked deep into his eyes again. But this time she saw his full face. Yes, I really love him very much, she thought.