TWCT 02

Episode 2

 Encounter in the Forest

The trees of the forest swayed in the night wind, and the rustling of leaves echoed without pause.
Bathed in the orange glow of the campfire, the tamed wolf lay quietly by my side.

Takamiya Yuto: “…This isn’t a dream, right?”

That voice still echoed in my head—“Command confirmed. Subordination initiated.”
Just remembering it made my spine tremble. Yet the beast sleeping faithfully beside me left no room to doubt reality.

By the time the sky began to pale with dawn, I had started walking deeper into the forest.
Without food or water, I’d eventually starve. I had to find something—anything—to survive.

Then—

“…Hah… someone… please…”

A faint voice reached my ears.
I strained to listen and ran toward the sound.

Between the trees, I found a girl collapsed on the ground, her white dress stained with mud.
Golden hair shimmered faintly in the moonlight, and a bloodied wound on her arm looked painfully raw.

Takamiya Yuto: “…A person?”

No answer—just the shallow rhythm of her breathing.

At that moment, several fang boars burst from the thicket, baring their tusks and charging straight for the fallen girl.

“…Tch!”

Before I could even move, the wolf leapt forward and stood between us.

“GRAAAH!”

With a ferocious snarl, it lunged at the lead boar and sank its fangs deep into its neck.
Blood sprayed into the air, and the remaining beasts turned tail and fled back into the forest.

I laid the girl down against the roots of a nearby tree and tore a strip of cloth to treat her wounds.
When I gave her a bit of cold water, she slowly opened her eyes.

“…You… saved me…?”

Takamiya Yuto: “No… it was this guy.”

When I pointed to the wolf sitting loyally beside me, she gave a faint smile.

“…Thank you…”

Those words were directed at me, yet they sank deep into my heart all the same.

Before long, the girl drifted back into a shallow sleep.
I leaned against a tree beside the fire, watching the red flames flicker.

(…There’s no way I could just abandon her here.)

The dawn breeze brushed against my cheek.
I lifted her gently onto my back and stood.
I had no idea then that this encounter would change my fate forever.

The campfire’s glow dimmed as sunlight began to filter through the trees.
On my back, the girl stirred faintly—

“…Nn…”

She opened her eyes, her pale golden irises reflecting the first light of morning.

“…Where am I…?”

Takamiya Yuto: “In the forest. …I’m glad you’re awake.”

When I answered, she tried to sit up, but pain twisted her face and she fell back down.
The wound on her arm was still bad.

“Was it… you who saved me?”

I hesitated for a moment, then pointed again to the wolf.

Takamiya Yuto: “He’s the one who saved you.”

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, and then she smiled.

“…I see. Still… thank you.”

Hearing those words spoken so sincerely, I found myself catching my breath.

After a moment of silence, she spoke softly.

“My name is Rine.”

It was a name I’d never heard before.
She hesitated briefly but smiled again.

“I’d like to say I’m just an ordinary village girl… but I had some circumstances, and that’s why I ended up here alone.”

There was a shadow in her tone.
When I tried to ask more, Rine shook her head quickly.

“I’m sorry… not yet. But… I want to thank you properly someday.”

The wolf gave a low growl, as if to break the silence.
Rine looked at me intently, her eyes filled with quiet resolve.

“I have a favor to ask… Please, take me with you.”

Takamiya Yuto: “…Are you sure you want to go with someone like me?”

“Yes. If it’s you… then I’ll be fine.”

There was no hesitation in her words.
After a brief pause, I exhaled softly.

“Alright. But I don’t even know where I’m going yet.”

Her face lit up instantly.

“That’s perfectly fine!”

And so, Rine, the wolf, and I set out together.
That small first step would one day set great wheels of fate into motion—
and this was where it all began.

Afterword

Thank you so much for reading!
In this episode, the girl introduced herself as Rine and decided to accompany Yuto on his journey.

In the next chapter, they will arrive at a village, where the true nature of Yuto’s mysterious skill—“the power to bind all beings”—will finally begin to reveal itself.
Please look forward to it!