The moon hung low in the evening sky, casting its silver light over the cobbled path that wound through the quiet village. Kiyori trudged along, her arms precariously laden with an assortment of scrolls, ink bottles, and a particularly stubborn book that kept slipping from the top of the pile.

Her golden robes billowed around her as she stumbled on a loose stone, sending her fox-like ears twitching in frustration.

"Just… stay still," she muttered, pausing to wedge the rebellious book back into place with her chin. A gentle breeze teased at the edges of her papers, threatening to scatter her burden. Kiyori shifted her grip, but the sudden movement sent an ink bottle tumbling to the ground with a soft clink.

She let out an exasperated sigh, crouching awkwardly to retrieve it, only for one of her tails to accidentally swat the scrolls from her grasp.

A soft chuckle broke through her growing frustration. "Need a hand?"

Kiyori glanced up, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Standing a few paces away was a figure cloaked in shadow, their face framed by the warm glow of a lantern. They stepped closer, revealing kind eyes and a faint smile. Without waiting for an answer, they bent down to gather the fallen scrolls, their movements fluid and efficient.

Kiyori straightened, brushing a strand of hair from her glasses. "I, um, had it under control," she offered weakly, though her fumbling fingers betrayed her.

The stranger raised an eyebrow but said nothing, holding out the gathered items.

Their presence was steady, unhurried, and Kiyori couldn’t help but sigh in reluctant gratitude. "Thanks," she mumbled, gripping the scrolls tightly.

"Careful now," they said lightly. "Wouldn’t want to lose that book again."