TPMITWON Chapter 59: Souta Arrives with Pakura

Pakura immediately shook her head, quickly and firmly. "No. I don't want to know."

"Huh? Why?" Souta frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "If you want to know, I can tell you right now."

Pakura smiled—not a wide smile, but enough to make her face look softer than usual. "Because I want to graduate on my own abilities. I want to know how far I can go… without shortcuts."

Souta fell silent for a moment, taken aback by that answer. Their eyes met in a brief silence that felt somewhat heavy, then slowly Souta nodded, this time deeper, more sincerely.

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That afternoon, the sunlight began to slant, forming golden lines along the warm and tranquil sandy streets of Sunagakure. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the savory aroma from food vendors in the distance mixed with the distinctive scent of dry earth.

In the softly yellowing dusk, three figures walked side by side—Souta in front, his steps light yet purposeful; Pakura walking on Souta's left, slightly lagging with her hands clenched anxiously; and Makima on Souta's right, cheerfully humming a little tune of some song.

Although the three of them were heading in the same direction, in reality, only Makima was truly going home. Souta and Pakura had another destination—a place that, while not unfamiliar, still held a mysterious aura: the Puppet Arts Performance Theater.

The building stood tall at the end of the street like an ancient palace emerging from the desert. Its walls were made of compacted sand, gleaming golden in the afternoon light. The roof was shaped like a large dome, surrounded by wooden puppet statues that seemed to gaze down at visitors with secret smiles.

"It looks like we've arrived," Souta murmured as he looked up. His eyes reflected the orange sky falling on the dome's roof. Souta's face appeared calm, but there was a hidden flash of pride in his tone.

Makima stopped, turning around with a wide smile. "Alright! Then I'm going home! See you tomorrow, Souta! Pakura-chan!" Makima's voice rang lightly, her wave reflecting the fading afternoon spirit.

As Makima skipped away, her hair swayed like gentle waves in the desert wind.

After Makima's figure disappeared around the corner, Souta glanced at Pakura, who was now staring at the theater building with wide eyes.

"Come on, let's go in," Souta said briefly, but there was warmth in his tone.

Pakura swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah… let's go." Her voice was slightly shaky, but still steady. Pakura's fingers pressed against the edge of her clothing, an old habit of hers when nervous.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed drastically. The bright and warm outside world was replaced by a cool, dim, and... luxurious interior. The front hallway was covered in an old red carpet with patterns of clouds and stars.

On the sandy walls, there were paintings and reliefs of puppets in various poses: dancing, fighting, even crying. Authentic wooden puppets were displayed in long glass cases, each with expressions so realistic that they sent shivers down Pakura's spine.

Pakura's eyes caught sight of a small female puppet, wearing a red kimono and a pale porcelain face with glossy black eyes that seemed to follow anyone passing by. Pakura couldn't help but stare at it longer until Souta turned back and gave her a small nod, prompting Pakura to hurry after him.

After passing through what seemed like an endless hallway, they arrived at the main hall. The high ceiling was supported by large wooden beams coated in golden sand. Here, the atmosphere was bustling.

Dozens of people were moving about: some carrying documents, others carrying large puppet parts—heads, arms, torsos, all looking half-finished. The scent of freshly cut wood mixed with a light oil smell and the aroma of burning incense.