After what felt like an eternity, the train finally began to slow, pulling into the station with a loud screech of brakes. Rei's eyes snapped open, the long ride finally coming to an end. He hadn't realized how tightly he had been gripping the armrest until his fingers relaxed, sore from the journey.
Kajala, as energetic as ever, immediately shot up from his seat, his tail practically wagging in excitement. "We're here!" He grinned, looking out the window at the bustling station ahead. "You ready?"
Rei blinked slowly, trying to shake off the exhaustion. "Yeah... I guess." He stood up, his legs stiff from sitting for so long, and grabbed his bag.
The doors slid open with a hiss, and the two of them stepped off the train, taking in the new surroundings. The station was much larger than Rei expected. There were people coming and going, carrying bags and talking in groups. The scent of fresh food wafted through the air, and colorful signs of shops lit up the streets.
Kajala led the way, his excitement practically bouncing off him. "The food here is amazing. You're gonna love it!" He grabbed Rei's arm and began to pull him through the crowd, easily navigating the busy station.
They walked down the cobblestone streets, and as they passed by, Rei noticed a small market with food stalls and shops lining the path. The smell of roasting meat and sizzling vegetables made his stomach growl, reminding him just how hungry he was after the long trip.
Kajala stopped in front of a small shop with a sign that read "Maya's Kitchen" in bold letters. "Here! This place has the best meat buns in town. You're gonna thank me for this."
Rei wasn't sure about meat buns, but his stomach was screaming at him, so he didn't protest. He followed Kajala inside, the warmth from the shop immediately hitting his face.
The shop was cozy, with wooden tables and the scent of freshly baked bread filling the air. Kajala walked straight up to the counter, grinning at the woman behind it. "Maya! My usual, please!"
The woman smiled warmly, her hands moving quickly as she prepared a large order of meat buns. "Of course, Kajala. And who's your friend?" She glanced at Rei, who felt suddenly self-conscious under her gaze.
"This is Rei, my new roommate and training buddy. He's gonna love your buns!" Kajala said, practically bouncing in place.
Rei gave a small wave, trying not to look too awkward. "Uh, yeah. Thanks for the food."
Maya laughed softly, handing over the steaming meat buns. "No problem, sweetheart. You boys have a good time."
Kajala turned to Rei, holding up a bag full of buns. "You're welcome! And hey, this one's on me! My treat. We've gotta stick together, right? Consider it an initiation into the academy life!"
Rei blinked. "You're paying for this?"
"Of course! It's only fair since I'm showing you around. You just wait, there's tons more stuff to try here." Kajala grinned and started walking toward one of the tables, clearly pleased with himself.
Rei followed him, still processing the fact that Kajala had just paid for everything. He didn't know how to feel about it—on one hand, it was nice, but on the other hand, it made him feel a little uncomfortable.
They sat down, and Kajala immediately tore into a meat bun, stuffing it into his mouth. "See? I told you they're the best!"
Rei picked up one of the buns, unsure, but took a small bite. To his surprise, it was actually pretty good. The meat was juicy, the dough soft and warm.
"You're right," Rei admitted, biting into the bun again. "This is good."
Kajala beamed. "Told ya! I know all the best spots around here." He grinned widely, clearly proud of himself.
Rei, for a moment, let himself relax. The food was warm, and the atmosphere of the little shop felt comforting. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad here. Maybe, with time, he could get used to this.
For now, though, he just focused on the meal in front of him, listening to Kajala's endless chatter about the academy and everything he had to look forward to.
The food didn't last long. Kajala inhaled his meat buns as if they were the best thing he'd ever tasted, while Rei took his time, savoring each bite. By the time the last bun was finished, Kajala was already looking around the shop, bouncing in his seat, full of energy once again.
"So, what do you think?" Kajala asked, wiping his mouth. "Pretty good, right? Wait 'til you try the fried dumplings next time. Those are even better."
Rei nodded, his stomach finally satisfied. "Yeah, it was really good." He sat back in his chair for a moment, feeling the weight of the journey settle on him. "Thanks for the food... I didn't expect that."
Kajala waved it off, his tail swishing behind him. "Ah, no big deal! We're in this together now, right? Gotta make sure you're well-fed if we're gonna be training side by side." He stood up and stretched, his ears flicking. "Alright! Time to head out. The academy's not far from here."
Rei stood slowly, his body still adjusting to the long hours on the train. As they made their way out of the shop, Kajala led the way, walking with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where they were going. The streets were still busy, with people hustling and bustling around them, but the air had a different feel now—more energized, more alive.
Kajala seemed to take it all in with a sort of quiet satisfaction, occasionally waving to people who passed by or greeting shop owners. "This place is the best," he said, his grin widening. "The academy's close by, and we're gonna have so much fun there. You'll see."
Rei followed, not entirely convinced yet, but something about Kajala's infectious energy made it hard to resist. The journey from the shop to the academy was short, and before long, they were standing at the gates of a large, imposing stone building. The academy loomed ahead, its tall spires casting long shadows across the cobblestone courtyard.
Rei's heart thudded in his chest. This was it. This was where he'd be training for who knows how long. The building seemed so much bigger up close, and the distant sounds of sparring and shouting echoed from within, making Rei feel small and uncertain.
Kajala seemed unfazed. "Welcome to the academy! It's not much on the outside, but once you get inside, it's gonna be a whole different story. We'll be training there, fighting, learning... all sorts of crazy stuff." He turned to Rei with a grin. "Don't worry! It's gonna be awesome. You'll fit right in."
Rei looked up at the academy gates, swallowing the lump in his throat. The feeling of uncertainty was still there, but Kajala's words, though loud and reckless, had a comforting edge to them.
"Thanks... I guess," Rei muttered.
Kajala clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him off balance. "No problem! Now, let's get inside. We've got a lot of work to do, and you're gonna need all the rest you can get before tomorrow. Trust me, tomorrow's gonna be a crazy day!"
Rei didn't know what to expect, but as they walked through the gates, he couldn't help but feel that the weight of the journey was finally starting to lift off his shoulders, even if just a little. He wasn't sure what the future held here, but with Kajala by his side—annoying, energetic, and all—maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.