Chapter : 40 The Portal
Yuzurei had a band strapped tightly beneath his white, blood-stained hoodie to keep his broken ribs from moving too much. His left eye was closed, a scar marking where he'd lost it in the last battle.
On the other side, Musukoni had fresh bandages on his cheek and hands, while Jin Yuan's arm was wrapped and his forehead and both cheeks were covered in white gauze.
Musukoni: Well… maybe we should find a way to get back to our world.
Yuzurei: I wonder how long we've even been here.
He said it lazily, glancing toward Musukoni.
Jin Yuan: We've been stuck here for… so many days. Maybe Sensei—and…
He paused, Emily's smile and shy expressions flashing in his mind before he quickly masked his face again.
Jin Yuan (quietly): Maybe Sensei's worried for us.
Musukoni tapped his chin thoughtfully.
Musukoni: I think… time doesn't work here.
Yuzurei: Huh? What kind of weird answer is that!? Explain properly!
He snapped in irritation.
Jin Yuan: Yeah, what do you mean?
Musukoni's tone stayed calm and analytical.
Musukoni: By my count, we've been here about eleven days. But our nails haven't grown, our wounds haven't worsened, and even our hair hasn't changed. That means… time isn't flowing here like it does on Earth. My guess? When we return, we'll go back to the same day we left.
Yuzurei: Ohh, so I'll still be young there too! Maybe I'll even get a girlfriend—here or there!
He grinned playfully. Jin Yuan sighed and smacked him lightly on the head.
Jin Yuan: Girls won't fall for you, Yuzurei. Especially with that creepy grin.
Musukoni snickered quietly.
Yuzurei: Hey! You're just jealous of me!
He swatted Jin Yuan's finger away from his face.
Musukoni: Alright, alright. Yuzurei, you're handsome, we admit it.
Yuzurei (smirking): Good. You both should learn how to flirt better.
He tapped his chin proudly.
Jin Yuan: We need to find a way out soon. We can't just keep fighting here—we don't even have proper medical supplies.
Musukoni nodded in agreement.
Musukoni: Then let's look for anything unusual in this realm. Something different might lead us out.
The three stood up and walked out of the silent hospital. The blue mist swirled around them as they made their way deeper into the realm—until they saw it.
A small black-hole-like portal pulsing faintly on the ground, glowing with a strange light.
Yuzurei (pointing): Yo… what's that!?
Musukoni: Let's check it out.
He tossed a small rock into the portal—it passed through harmlessly.
Jin Yuan: Seems safe enough.
The three of them exchanged looks, then started walking toward the portal.