Kaguya learned very quickly that the easiest way to disappear inside Basa was not to hide.
It was to belong.
The first lesson came from Mrs. Elena Santos on a Tuesday morning when the elderly woman caught her standing awkwardly near the community market holding a bag of vegetables she had no intention of eating.
"You peel potatoes like someone who has never seen a potato before."
Kaguya looked down at the knife in her hand.
The potato looked as though it had survived an artillery barrage.
Mrs. Santos sighed the way only grandmothers could sigh.
The kind of sigh that carried disappointment, pity, and determination all at once.
"Come here."
Kaguya obeyed.
The older woman took the knife, demonstrated the proper technique, then returned it to her.
"Again."
Kaguya repeated the motion.
Better.
Not good.
Better.
Mrs. Santos nodded approvingly.
"See? Human civilization survives another day."
Kaguya blinked.
"Human civilization was apparently depending on potatoes."
