The morning air in the mountains was clean—too clean, in Raito's opinion.
He adjusted the strap of Emi's carrier across his chest, feeling her tiny weight shift as she leaned into him, half-asleep and sucking lazily on a pacifier. The group had barely left the hotel grounds, and already the wide trail ahead wound upward through pine trees and golden patches of sun slicing through the branches.
"Alright, everyone!" chirped one of the teachers, a woman far too cheerful for this hour, "Stay with your buddies, don't stray off the trail, and remember—we're here to bond with nature and each other!"
Raito didn't even glance back. He'd already started walking. Fast.
Emi bounced slightly with each step, content to nap against his chest as he moved like a man on a deadline. He ignored the chatter of students, the excited squeals about squirrels, and even the faint snapping of camera shutters. His only focus was staying ahead of everyone else.
"RAITO!" came Raika's voice from somewhere behind him. "SLOW DOWN, YOU LITERAL DEMON!"
Yumi chuckled under her breath and jogged forward, catching up little by little. "You're going to lose the group if you keep moving like that."
"They'll catch up," Raito said without slowing.
"You're carrying a baby," she pointed out. "At least pretend to be out of breath."
"I'm not."
"That's the problem."
Despite herself, Yumi smiled as she matched his stride. Her boots crunched along the packed dirt trail beside his, and though she was breathing harder than him, she managed to keep up. A part of her—deep down—enjoyed the challenge.
Behind them, Raika had all but given up on catching up and had resorted to complaining loudly to the students near her.
"Why does he walk like he's trying to escape his past?" she whined. "Like calm down, mountain goat man, the hike just started!"
"Maybe he's just trying to be cool in front of Yumi," one girl whispered.
Raika glared. "He's not! He's just… like that! It's his thing! Trust me, he's been like this forever!"
Back at the front, Raito kept a quiet, measured pace. Each step was calculated. Not too fast to be suspicious, but fast enough to get ahead. He knew what was out here. Somewhere in the vast stretches of trees and rocks lay the hidden seal—the tomb—where Kurai's sister slept.
Not yet, though. It wasn't the right moment.
For now, he'd keep his eyes sharp.
"You're not really into group bonding, huh?" Yumi asked, a bit winded.
"Does it look like I am?"
She laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was hoping I'd get to see your fun side. Maybe you'd make a pinecone craft or something."
"I'd rather be struck by lightning."
A silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by birdsong and the wind rustling through the pines.
Yumi glanced sideways at him. "You really came for Raika's sake, huh?"
Raito didn't answer immediately.
"Something like that."
"…She's lucky to have you. Even if you're weird about it."
He looked at her.
Yumi turned her head away, flustered. "I just mean—well—you're like… dependable. You know?"
He didn't respond, and Yumi mentally cursed herself.
Behind them, Raika finally dragged herself to where they were and hunched over, hands on her knees, panting dramatically. "You two… are freaks," she wheezed. "Do you know that?"
Raito handed her a small water bottle without looking. "Hydrate."
Raika took it and scowled. "You're the worst."
He didn't disagree.
Emi stirred slightly and let out a soft burble. Raito looked down, adjusted the carrier so her head rested more comfortably, and then continued walking. Raika groaned and fell in step with them while Yumi offered her a sympathetic pat on the back.
The hike wound on—through narrow paths, over low stone bridges, and past ancient trees covered in moss. Students laughed and snapped pictures, teachers offered fun facts, and birds darted across the trail.
But Raito stayed sharp. His senses constantly swept the area—not for squirrels or birds—but for shifts in power, subtle pulls of mana, or the slightest indication that the seal was weakening.
He felt nothing yet.
But he would.
At the very back of the group, the overly cheerful teacher shouted, "Look at that teamwork up front! That's the kind of bonding spirit we love!"
Raito didn't react.
Yumi rubbed her face, red. "Please let the earth swallow me."
Raika whispered to her, "You should see how bad it is at home. He's like this all the time."
Yumi gave a weak laugh. "You live with him. I'm sorry."
Raika gave her a long look. "You're not gonna try to move in, are you?"
"What?! No! Why would you even—"
"Just checking," Raika said, then immediately sped up.
Yumi stood frozen in embarrassment for a beat before stomping after her. "You're the worst, you know that?"
From ahead, Raito just kept walking.
And Emi, blissfully unaware, let out a happy coo.