The years that had passed since the last reaches of peace touched the town had turned into double digits. And so they had adjusted. Now, even laughter was guarded.
Much of their outside efforts, besides those necessary to survive, had been geared towards supporting their army, or what was still remaining of it. Even they knew they were fighting a losing battle. They just couldn't keep up with their victorious comrades, but that was a fact everyone tried to overlook.
To say that they should be able to survive with the help of those allied armies was a bit of a far stretch. After all, there was not much use in keeping others well if your own force was falling apart at the same time.
Outside the shop, Ai watched as some teenagers ran past the corner, grinning and crying out something about the army recruitment. She simply shook her head and turned to the person sitting before her.
"They're getting desperate, aren't they? They just keep getting younger and younger," she mumbled, taking a sip of her tea.
