Ren burst through the surface of the ice cold river, gasping for air as he held Kyouka in a princess carry. Water cascaded off them in sheets, and Kyouka coughed violently, her lungs burning from the sudden intake of cold night air. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized Ren was effortlessly lifting her despite the chaos.
"Ren... you... how are you even carrying me like this?" Kyouka sputtered between coughs, her voice shaky and breathless. She clutched at his soaked shirt, her body trembling from the shock and the freezing water.
Ren didn't respond immediately. He waded through the shallow edge of the river, his muscles straining but determined. "Save your breath, Kyouka. We've got bigger problems," he muttered, gently setting her down on the muddy riverbank. The earth felt solid under his feet, a stark contrast to the swirling current they'd just escaped.
