Chapter 42 : The Night In The Moun tain
Shinoki was talking to Emily, her cheeks slowly turning pink. Yuzurei watched her with a deadpan expression.
Yuzurei: "You're blushing again."
He said it with brutal honesty.
Shinoki's blush deepened even more, her cheeks now bright red.
Shinoki: "I—I'm not blushing!"
She insisted while clearly blushing harder.
Yuzurei: "You're a terrible liar."
Musukoni: "Yuzurei, stop it. You're making her blush even more."
Jin Yuan sat quietly in the corner, calmly wiping his massive katana without reacting.
Emily: "It's okay, Shinoki. He's always like that. Don't mind him."
Yuzurei simply looked away in mild annoyance.
Shioinkin: "Alright! You all had training today!"
He announced energetically.
Yuzurei: "What is it, old man?"
He asked with an annoyed look, sighing loudly.
Musukoni: "Yuzurei! He's our Sensei. Call him Sensei, not old man!"
Yuzurei: "Huh??? He is an old man. It's true."
Shioinkin: "I've set up notes and pictures across the mountain. Tonight, you will enter the mountain in the dark and find the one meant for you. This will improve your escape and tracking skills!"
---
Nightfall
The mountain was pitch black as the team split into groups.
Emily & Jin Yuan went one way.
Musukoni went alone.
Yuzurei & Shinoki were paired on the opposite side.
Shinoki walked beside Yuzurei, her steps quiet.
Yuzurei: "Why did you pair up with me?"
He asked, walking ahead without looking at her.
Shinoki: "Huh?! It wasn't me! Sensei said to pair with you!"
Her face turned red again as she spoke.
Yuzurei: "That old man…"
He muttered under his breath and kept walking.
---
Emily & Jin Yuan
Emily looked around at the thick darkness covering the mountain.
Emily: "This place is so dark…"
She said calmly with a soft smile.
Jin Yuan: "…"
He nodded silently, offering no other response.
---
Musukoni
Musukoni searched efficiently and quickly found his picture before anyone else.
Musukoni: "Heh. Easy."
He grinned and started walking back down the mountain.
---
Back to Yuzurei & Shinoki
Yuzurei was getting irritated, kicking a rock aside as he looked around.
Yuzurei: "Ugh!!! This is damn annoying!"
Shinoki stayed close, trying to calm him down.
Shinoki: "We'll find it. We just need to be patient, Yuzurei."