The blonde girl in the rain buried her head in her knees, her disheveled hair and blood-soaked wounds making her look pitiful.
Of course, that was a thought only someone unfamiliar with a girl’s means would have. In reality, she probably didn’t need help—she was likely just finding a corner to quietly cry alone after a breakup.
“If you’re okay, I’ll be going now.”
Tina wasn’t keen on getting involved with such a strange person; someone so volatile was never a good thing.
But just as she turned, the girl suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly, refusing to let go.
“Hey? That hurts, let go!”
The girl’s grip was really strong. Years of sword practice had calloused Tina’s palms, making them rough to the touch.
Perhaps Tina’s reaction made the girl realize she’d hurt her unintentionally, because she finally released her hand, opening her mouth slightly as if unsure what to say.
“I’m telling you, if you have something to say, just say it—constantly grabbing me like this isn’t right.”
“Mm.”
Tina rubbed her forehead. Finally, she heard the girl’s first words.
“So? Do you have a problem with me? Or are you afraid I’ll leak your secret and want to silence me?”
“No, no, it’s not that, I…”
Maybe it had been too many years without talking, because now the girl stammered like an early human taming her mouth, pausing after every few words.
“Can I… go back with you?”
“Huh?” Tina’s mind was filled with question marks. “Do I know you? We just got out of simulation, we’re complete strangers.”
“I… don’t know, maybe… instinct.”
It was hard to describe what kind of feeling this was. Like a fish longing for the sea or a bird yearning for the sky, the girl’s body, her soul, naturally longed for this stranger before her.
But, after all, she wasn’t sure if she had met her before or not, because—
“Why are you wearing an eye patch? Can you see the road clearly like that?”
Tina reached out her hand but was immediately blocked by the girl in a reflexive motion.
“Ah, sorry, that’s… also instinct.”
Tina pondered.
Strange, too strange.
What exactly was hidden beneath that eye patch that the girl instinctively needed to guard as a secret?
Damn it, the more she was kept in the dark, the more curious she became.
Was this some kind of psychological game?
Fine, you win.
“Let me say this upfront: since you’re in such a sorry state and haven’t laid a hand on me, I’ll help you find a place to stay, though it’s not mine. But freeloading is out of the question. What can you do for me? For that family? You’ll have to pay a price.”
Tina couldn’t just bring a stranger home for no reason, especially not someone looking to mooch.
Even as a mere enforcer, the girl needed to have value.
“I… I don’t think I can do anything.”
“I thought your swordsmanship was pretty good? Why all of a sudden so modest?” Tina was increasingly puzzled by the girl’s thoughts.
“That’s… also instinct. When I see them wanting to hurt you, I just…”
“Sigh, all this ‘instinct’ back and forth, shouldn’t taking care of yourself be instinct too?”
The girl lowered her head, troubled. “Taking care of myself? How do I do that?”
Tina fell silent, feeling a bit embarrassed to keep scolding.
This was no longer naive innocence. At this age—at least twenty-three or twenty-four—how could someone live like a child?
So, just now when she was being beaten, it wasn’t some kind of masochism, but simply a lack of awareness to resist?
“Alright, alright. I happen to need a helper. You can work for me. I’ll negotiate with that family, and if extra payment is required, I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you.”
That was probably the most fluent sentence the girl had ever spoken, despite it being only two words.
“What’s your name?”
“Irene.”
“Okay, Irene, you can call me Tina from now on.”
They exchanged names.
Then, Tina opened her umbrella and helped Irene to her feet, leading her back to the residence.
As they stepped into the courtyard, a handmaiden approached to greet them, while the noble inside looked apprehensive.
“Miss, who is this?”
“I brought a helper. She’s skilled and will be important for tomorrow’s search for Vanessa.”
“Very well, since she’s also a guest, I’ll have my staff properly attend to her.”
After hearing who she was, the man chose to trust Tina for the time being.
Though the girl looked more like a beggar, she did carry a sword, so it wasn’t likely a deception.
A handmaiden stepped forward. “This new lady, I’ll take you to wash up.”
“No, no…” Irene recoiled, clutching Tina’s arm tightly.
“Uh, she’s shy around strangers. I’ll handle it.”
Tina hadn’t expected Irene to let her guard down only with her, remaining wary of others.
“Alright, the bath is upstairs, I’ll lead the way.”
The handmaiden led the two damp girls up to the third floor. By now, the hot water was ready in the bath.
“I’ll leave now. If you need anything, just tell me.”
After the handmaiden left, Tina and Irene looked at each other.
“You can wash yourself, right?” Tina asked, knowing it was a futile hope but still holding onto a shred of optimism.
“No, I can’t.”
“I should have expected that.”
With no other choice, Tina took charge. It was her first time helping someone bathe—especially a girl.
But this wasn’t flirtation; it felt more like taking care of a child.
“I really can’t imagine how long it’s been since you last washed.”
As she spoke, she peeled off Irene’s soaked, filthy clothes, revealing pale skin underneath.
…Quite striking.
This must be impossible to cover with just one hand now.
“Cough, cough. Go soak in the tub. I’ll help you scrub.”
Irene obediently did as told, lying quietly in the steaming water, waiting for Tina.
“Lift your hands… good, put them down. Stretch your feet, now your head, lean over…”
After a harrowing battle—
“All done. Finally clean.”
Tina helped wipe the girl’s long hair, her mind still lingering over the softness she’d felt.
Oh, she only meant the girl’s soft skin, not anything specific.
“By the way, I have to ask: if you don’t bathe normally, do you even eat?”
“There are kind people who feed me.” Irene sat on a stool, quietly enjoying the scalp massage.
“What if you don’t find a kind person?”
“I pick through scraps myself to eat.”
Her expression didn’t change at all, as if she’d long been used to this.
“Ah—well, forget it. Stay with me from now on; you won’t go hungry.”
Tina’s last trace of anger toward the girl gradually turned into sympathy.
“No one ever taught you how to survive?”
“I… don’t remember.”
“You lost your memory? How come you don’t remember anything?”
“I think so… from what I recall, I’ve been wandering ever since.”
Hearing this, Tina couldn’t help but sigh.
What a tragic girl.
How could someone lose all the skills they once learned after amnesia?
What kind of despair must it take to end up like this?
If someone caused Irene’s amnesia on purpose, that person was truly ruthless.