Chapter 50
Flaming June.
The waves, accompanied by the sea breeze, brought the salty scent of seawater and the refreshing aroma of coconuts. Fish leaped out of the water, drawing arcs in the air. Their silvery scales reflected the sun's rays, making them dazzlingly bright.
The fish would leap and then submerge again, repeating the cycle like a circus hidden beneath the sea, with dedicated acrobats tirelessly performing their tricks for an underwater audience.
Seagulls let out long cries. A girl stood on the beach, holding her shoes, her face full of wonder as she watched the waves wash over her feet.
Just as she had never seen the sea before, the surrounding people had never seen a human with such mysterious white eyes.
"To the Land of Waves," a voice pulled the old boatman's gaze away from the girl. He looked at the boy who had appeared before him, his eyes wrapped in several layers of black cloth.
"Is he blind?" The old boatman was curious but held back his question when he saw the long sword on the boy's back. Instead, he said, "30 ryo per person."
Half the price of a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen.
The boy nodded and handed the old boatman, 60 ryo.