The campfire burned low, embers crackling as laughter echoed through the night.
Plates were passed around, mugs clinked together, and someone—Hugurou, maybe—was dancing far too confidently for how much he'd had to drink. Stories overlapped, voices rising and falling, the kind of noise that only existed when people felt safe enough to forget tomorrow.
Arin sat among them, eating quietly, a small smile fixed on his face.
Leiofa watched him for a moment before speaking.
"Hey," he said casually, nudging the fire with a stick. "What was your family like?"
The question landed softly—but it still landed.
Arin didn't stop eating.
"I don't remember," he said. "I just know… there was a family."
No names. No faces. Just the shape of something missing.
Neblaheim spoke before the silence could stretch too long.
"He lost his memories after learning a new ability," he said. "He calls it Shireyukoka."
Arin nodded along, smiling as if they were talking about someone else.
Neblaheim's voice lowered. "It would be better to keep that to ourselves."
Leiofa immediately understood. He gave a short nod and shifted the mood without missing a beat.
"Alright then," he said, grinning. "Different question. Arin—how strong was your Sensei?"
Arin opened his mouth—
—and immediately got tackled.
Askiro, very drunk and very unbalanced, collapsed against him with a groan.
"Why are you talking so much?" she mumbled into his shoulder. "Just… have fun."
Leiofa laughed. "Yeah. Let's not ruin the mood."
The fire burned brighter. Someone started singing. Someone else fell over.
The night stretched on until the moon sank and the sky burned gold.
Arin woke up late.
The camp was quiet now, the fire reduced to ash. Askiro sat nearby, rubbing her head.
"Good morning," she said.
Arin sat up—and froze.
His sword was gone.
He stood so fast the world spun. "Leiofa. Have you seen my sword?"
Leiofa blinked. "Hanase too—"
Neblaheim shot him a sharp look.
Leiofa coughed. "Never mind. No. Haven't seen it."
Arin narrowed his eyes. "Are you lying?"
Leiofa opened his mouth—
"Askiro beat him to it.
"Hanase took it."
The morning suddenly felt a lot less peaceful.