The river flowed steadily.
The water wheel turned.
And for the first time in a while…
No one was fighting.
Aikari lowered her hand slowly as the current stabilized.
"…That should hold," she said.
The villagers nearby clapped softly, relieved.
The young girl from before beamed.
"Thank you!"
Aikari smiled warmly.
"You're welcome."
Daiki stretched, cracking his neck.
"…Alright, yeah. That was actually kinda cool."
Shin adjusted his glasses.
"Functional. Efficient."
"…You say that about everything," Daiki shot back.
Kuroha stood quietly off to the side, watching the water move.
"…You're stronger than before," she said.
Aikari blinked slightly.
"…You think so?"
Kuroha nodded once.
"…You didn't hesitate."
That stuck.
Aikari looked down at the water for a moment.
"…I can't afford to anymore."
Silence settled briefly.
Then—
Daiki clapped his hands.
"Alright, enough serious talk. I heard something earlier…"
Shin sighed already.
"…This is going to be stupid."
Daiki grinned.
"…There's a hot spring nearby."
Aikari blinked.
"…A hot spring?"
"…Please tell me you're not about to suggest what I think you are," Shin said flatly.
Daiki pointed a thumb behind him.
"I'm suggesting we relax like normal people for once."
Kuroha turned slightly.
"…It's not a bad idea."
Shin looked at her.
"…You too?"
She shrugged faintly.
"…Recovery comes in different forms."
Aikari let out a small laugh.
"…I wouldn't mind…"
All eyes shifted to Ren.
He hadn't moved.
"…Do whatever you want," he said.
Daiki smirked.
"Yeah, that means he's coming."
"…That's not what that means."
Hot Springs – Later
Steam rose gently into the evening air.
The sound of water echoed softly between the rocks.
"…Okay," Daiki sighed, sinking into the water, "this is what I'm talking about."
Shin sat across from him, arms resting calmly.
"…Don't get used to it."
"…You're literally enjoying it right now."
"…I didn't say I wasn't."
Ren sat slightly apart from them.
Quiet.
Still.
The steam curled around him.
But his expression didn't change.
Daiki glanced over.
"…You ever relax?"
"…This is relaxing."
"…You look like you're about to fight the water."
Ren didn't respond.
On the other side—
Aikari stepped slowly into the spring, wincing slightly as the warmth hit her.
"…Ah…"
Kuroha was already seated, calm as ever.
"…Careful," she said. "Your body's still healing."
Aikari nodded, easing herself down.
"…It feels… nice though."
Steam drifted through her hair—those soft, water-blue strands catching the light.
For a moment…
She just sat there.
Eyes closed.
"…You pushed yourself too hard," Kuroha said quietly.
Aikari opened her eyes slightly.
"…I know."
"…You could've died."
That hit differently.
Aikari looked down at the water.
"…I thought I was going to."
Silence.
"…But I wasn't scared," she added softly.
Kuroha glanced at her.
"…Why?"
Aikari hesitated.
Then smiled faintly.
"…Because I knew he'd come."
Across the springs—
Ren's eyes shifted slightly.
Just for a second.
Then back to stillness.
Kuroha studied Aikari quietly.
"…That kind of trust can be dangerous."
Aikari shook her head gently.
"…Maybe."
"…But I don't think it is."
Later That Night
The village had gone quiet again.
Lanterns dim.
Wind soft.
The team gathered outside their temporary home.
Daiki leaned back against the wall.
"…We should get moments like this more often."
Shin crossed his arms.
"…Unlikely."
"…Yeah, I figured."
Aikari sat on the steps, looking up at the sky.
"…It's peaceful here."
Kuroha stood nearby.
"…Too peaceful."
That shifted the mood.
Just slightly.
Ren stood apart from them.
As usual.
Silent.
Watching.
Then—
He frowned.
"…Ren?" Aikari called softly.
He didn't answer.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Something's wrong."
The air changed.
It wasn't sudden.
Not like before.
This was slower.
Heavier.
Like something was pressing down on the world itself.
Daiki straightened.
"…You feel that?"
Shin's expression hardened.
"…Yeah…"
Kuroha's shadows shifted around her feet.
"…That's not normal."
Aikari stood slowly.
Her chest tightening.
"…It's… stronger than before…"
Ren stepped forward.
The wind stopped.
"…This one's different," he said quietly.
In the distance—
Far beyond the trees—
Something moved.
Not fast.
Not loud.
But powerful.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ren's gaze locked onto the darkness.
"…Get ready."
Aikari swallowed slightly.
"…Another demon…?"
Ren didn't look back.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
Then—
"…And this one…"
The air trembled.
"…is going to be a problem."