"I'm not going to Kurohana City," Hikaru said flatly.
"What?" I frowned. "But I don't know the way to Kurohana City."
"There are people from the Destroyer Group nearby. Head east—you'll find my subordinate."
"…Alright. If you say so."
I turned east and began walking, though unease crept into my chest.
How far is 'east'?
No distance. No landmark. Just faith.
Nearly thirty minutes passed before I noticed something unnatural ahead—a temporary camp standing alone in the open land. Its structure was weak, the fabric dull and torn, as if it had been abandoned in a hurry.
I slowed my steps and approached carefully.
"Hello?" I called out.
"Is anyone here?"
No response.
The silence felt heavy, almost oppressive. I called again—louder this time—but the camp remained still. My instincts screamed danger.
Slowly, I reached out and pulled the fabric flap aside.
"What… what the hell?"
My breath caught.
Bodies.
Cold, lifeless bodies lay scattered inside the camp. Dried blood stained the ground. The air itself felt wrong, thick with death.
Fear snapped my mind awake.
I turned to run.
"Ahh—!"
A sudden, sharp pain ripped through my stomach.
"It hurts—ahh!!"
"You lowered your guard."
The voice came from behind me.
Before I could even turn around, my legs gave way. I collapsed, my vision shaking violently. Blood spilled onto the ground as I looked up.
Only one figure stood there.
Dark. Silent. Watching.
"Ahh—!"
"Hey. Are you okay?"
That voice.
Hikaru?
The pain vanished. The ground beneath me felt… unreal.
Did I die?
Did I come back to the past?
I forced myself to breathe.
I still trying to understand what just happened, "you're looking for people from the Destroyer Group… right?"
"Yes," Hikaru replied, narrowing his eyes. "How do you know that?"
"Don't ask questions," I said quickly. "We have to move. There's no time."
"…Where are we going?"
"Your subordinate is in danger."
Hikaru stiffened.
"The Destroyers are planning an ambush on your group."
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"You said we don't have time?"
"Yes."
"Then hold my hand."
I blinked. "Hey, I'm not into that kind of thing."
"I'm going to fly," he said calmly. "If you don't hold my hand, you won't fly."
"…Oh. Okay."
The moment our hands connected, the world dropped beneath us.
Wind screamed past my ears as we shot into the sky. Within minutes, the destination came into view.
We landed.
"Hikaru?!"
"Why are you back? Did something happen?"
"Are you all okay?" Hikaru asked.
"Yes—but who is he?"
"He's my friend."
"Oh my god… it really is you."
"Hikaru Aoyama… right?"
A voice echoed from behind us.
I turned instinctively—but the figure moved faster than my eyes could follow.
He attacked.
Hikaru dodged effortlessly, his expression calm yet sharp.
"Oh…" Hikaru said, a faint smile forming.
"It's you."
He looked straight at the man.
"Long time no see, Shinkage Yami."