The two boys dragged Usami along through the forest.
One of them said,"If we deliver him to the boss, he'll be happy… but it'll waste our time. I think we should capture both Elsiya and Usami."The second boy shook his head.
"Hey, he was alone, that's why we caught him. That girl, though… too many people around. We'll need time to capture her—when she's alone. Now move. If she sees us, we're dead."
They disappeared into the shadows.
Scene Shift — Hiyori & Yuki
Hiyori knelt beside Yuki.Sit here. I found some herbs—I'll make medicine for you. Oh, I forgot to tell elsiya to bring some herbs too."Yuki shook her head weakly."Don't worry… I feel better."Hiyori frowned.Hmm… but you need proper rest."Her eyes wandered to the waterfall.Wait… I think I don't need to go far. I see some herbs nearby. Stay here."Yuki called after her,"where are you going?"Yuki thought to herself: How can someone hate them so much…?Hiyori walked quickly to the herbs, crouched, and froze.
"What is this…?"She stepped closer and gasped.
"Ahhh!"Yuki jumped instantly, rushing around her.Are you okay?!"Hiyori waved her over."Yuki! Come fast!"Yuki ran.
"Oh… it's a cave!"Hiyori nodded.
"Yes. We'll make it our hideout. We can't stay out in the open. This is perfect."
Yuki coughed lightly."I'll stay here."
They stepped inside the cave.
Hiyori examined the space.
"I've made it look good, but there's still too much dust and leaves."Yuki frowned.How will you clean all this?"
Hiyori smirked.I have experience."
"Experience?" Yuki asked, curious.
"Leave it," Hiyori said.
"Tell me what I can do to help "yuki said"
"No, you're sick. Don't move. After I clean, I'll make your medicine."
Yuki nodded obediently.
Scene Shift — Daiki & Elsiya
Daiki groaned.
"I'm bored with you. You're too annoying."
Elsiya rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you think I'm having fun with you?"
Daiki waved at the supplies.
"How are we supposed to carry all this food? We don't have any bowls or baskets."
Elsiya smirked.
"I have an idea."
Daiki raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Give me your shirt. I'll put the food in it and tie it up."
Daiki blinked.
"What?!"
"You want to sleep without eating she said.
He said
"No."
"Okay, fine… as you wish. I said I don't have anything to carry the food, anyway."
Daiki sighed.
"Okay, okay… but don't tear it. I don't have another shirt!"
"I won't," Elsiya promised.
Suddenly, a rustling noise echoed.
Daiki froze.
"Did you hear that? Like… someone's here."
Elsiya shook her head.
"Yes… but ignore it. Don't scare me."
Evening — Gathering at the Waterfall
Elsiya and Daiki carried the food, while Raihtasu balanced wood on his shoulder.
"Daiki, what a coincidence," Raihtasu said.
"We arrived at the same time."
"Right," Daiki replied.
"But where are Hiyori and Yuki?"
They called loudly.
"Hiyori! Yuki!"
No answer came. Their tension grew.
Hiyori whispered to Yuki.
"Do you hear any voices?"
"No," Yuki replied.
Hiyori moved toward the vine-covered edge of the cave, pushing the vines aside.
"Raihtasu! I'm here!"
"Where's that voice coming from?" Raihtasu asked.
Elsiya pointed.
"Look… Hiyori! She's on the side of the waterfall! How did she get there?"
Raihtasu didn't hesitate.
"Let's go!"
They rushed over.
"Hiyori, what are you doing here?" Raihtasu called.
"A huge cave…" Elsya murmured.
"Yes," Hiyori said proudly.
"I found it. Daiki, you clean it all. Make it look good
Hiyori smiled.
Raihtasu stepped inside.
"Yuki, how do you feel?"
"Much better than before. Hiyori has taken care of me," Yuki replied.Raihtasu nodded thoughtfully.
"I see… they're already thinking about survival."
Evening fell. They sat close to the small fire.
Suddenly—a massive shadow streaked across the sky.
A huge bird swooped down and snatched Elsiya.
"Ahhh! Help me!" she screamed.
Everyone froze in shock.
"What happened? Where is it taking her?!"
Daiki bolted after it.
"Elsiya! Be brave! We'll come to save you—don't worry!"
Hiyori panicked."Elsiya!"Raihtasu's
"Let's go. We have to save her—now!"Yuki grabbed her arm.
"Wait! I know where they're taking her… but we can't go yet. They set traps at night. If we move now, we'll all be captured. We wait until sunrise."Hiyori's in panicked but elsiya I can't wait for sunrise raihtasu hiyori we need to wait until sunrise we need a plan yuki explained us then we go wait till sunrise hiyori said
"Then we wait… but as soon as the sun rises, we move!"
The night grew darker around them, and the chapter ended.