Morning light filtered quietly into the old hideout.
Ren sat cross-legged on the floor, bored out of his mind.
Praying was… fine.
But praying for hours? Absolute torture.
He poked at the floor with a stick. "How long is this supposed to take?"
Mei didn't look up from tightening her bag. "Until you learn patience."
Ren groaned. "I'm going to die before that happens."
Before Mei could reply, the old man stepped into the room, a book tucked under his arm. His expression was calm—but his eyes were sharp.
"There is movement," he said.
Both Ren and Mei straightened.
"A Soul Eater has been detected," the old man continued. "Near Mount Utoku."
Mei nodded immediately. "I'll prepare."
Ren's eyes lit up. "A mission?"
"Yes."
Ren jumped to his feet. "I'm coming too."
The old man looked at him. "You will stay back and observe."
Ren crossed his arms. "That sounds boring."
Mei shot him a look. "Ren."
"I mean—I'll observe," he corrected quickly. "From… a slightly closer distance."
Silence.
Then the old man sighed. "Very well. But listen carefully."
Ren leaned in.
"No reckless actions. No curiosity-driven decisions. And no mysterious behavior."
Ren saluted. "Crystal clear."
Mei raised an eyebrow. "That didn't sound convincing."
As they prepared to leave, Ren paused.
"Wait."
Both of them looked at him.
"You just sent us on a mission," Ren said, pointing at the old man, "but you never told me your name."
Mei sighed. "You're only realizing that now?"
Ren scratched his head. "I've been calling him 'Old Man' in my head. That feels rude."
The old man stared at him for a moment.
"Tsuchishiro," he said calmly. "That is my name."
Ren blinked. "That's it?"
"Yes."
Ren nodded seriously. "Master Tsuchishiro. Sounds cool."
"Names are unimportant," Tsuchishiro replied, already turning back to his books. "Only responsibility matters."
Ren grinned. "Still. Good to know who's scolding me."
Mei hid a small smile.
⸻
They left on foot.
The road to Mount Utoku was long, winding through fields and narrow forest paths. Ren walked ahead, humming loudly.
"This is way better than praying."
"Quiet," Mei said. "You'll scare everything away."
"That's the point," Ren replied. "I scare danger."
As if on cue—
A loud bark echoed behind them.
Ren turned just in time to see a large village dog charging straight at them.
"…That's a big dog."
"RUN," Mei shouted.
They bolted.
Ren screamed. "WHY IS IT SO FAST?"
"I told you to be quiet!"
The dog snapped at Ren's heel. He tripped, rolled, and barely got back up.
"REN, LEFT!"
They jumped over a fence, crashed through bushes, and finally slammed the gate of a roadside inn shut behind them.
Silence.
Heavy breathing.
Ren collapsed on the floor. "I hate missions."
Mei leaned against the wall, panting. "You're unbelievable."
Later, inside a small room, Mei knelt in front of Ren.
"You're bleeding."
"It's nothing," Ren said quickly.
She grabbed his leg anyway and applied medicine carefully.
Ren went very still.
"…Why is it cold?"
"Because it's medicine."
"Oh."
His face burned.
Mei noticed and smirked slightly. "You're red."
"I am not."
"You are."
They sat quietly for a moment.
Outside, night settled in.
Tomorrow, Mount Utoku awaited.
And something there was already watching.