"What do you mean she's gone?! How can she just disappear like that? Where did she even go?!"
Kaen paced restlessly, throwing question after question at Shion, who sat motionless on the bed, blankly swinging a broom like a broken pendulum. Meanwhile, Ryoma stood nearby, leaning against the wall, fingers pressing into his temples as if warding off an impending headache.
"This isn't good. Her going off alone like this… especially when her spiritual power is basically useless. If she runs into any kind of danger with that trouble some personality of hers ….just thinking about it gives me a headache."
Shion stood abruptly, still gripping the broom. "Astra's the type When trouble knocks she will knock back to trouble the trouble."
Kaen's brows furrowed deeper. "Exactly my worry. If she left without a word to any of us, she's definitely into something. But what?"
Ryoma paused, narrowed his eyes, then turned sharply toward Shion. "I told you to keep an eye on her last night. What the hell were you doing?"
Shion awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, refusing to meet Ryoma's gaze. "Umm… after dinner I went back to my room… and then Astra showed up with some new limited edition alcohol. She just… threw it at me and left." "And then?" Ryoma pressed.
Shion's voice dropped to a mumble. "I might've… drunk it all and passed out." Ryoma's stare darkened, "As expected of you… useless!" That final word hit like a sword slash, making Shion wince and shut his eyes.
"Alright, enough," Kaen cut in. "Standing here wasting time won't help. We need to find her. Let's start with Miss Kaneko. She might know something or at least knows where Astra went."
Both nodded without a word, and they immediately made their way toward the Kaneko mansion. As they approached, they noticed a group of guards rushing out of the estate in a panic. Loud voices echoed down the street, growing clearer with every step.
"What were these useless guards even doing all night?! MY PRECIOUS DAUGHTER IS NOT AT HOME!! SHE IS MISSING!"
"I told you we should've fired those lazy guards who sleep like their lives depend on it! But nooo, you never listen! Now look our daughter is missing! What if a demon caught her!"
"Don't talk like that….. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT!!"
The three of them paused on the spot and turn back quckily,
Kaen quietly said, "Umm… maybe now's not the best time to ask anything." Shion gave a small nod. "Seeing Miss Naneko missing it looks like the two of them planned it together…"
Ryoma rubbed his temples., "I just don't get why she had to sneak out in the middle of the night. All of this could've been avoided… if someone hadn't passed out being drunk." He gave Shion a pointed look and Shion looked away saying,
"It's not entirely my fault! I thought she gave me that drink as a thank-you for, you know, letting her to go out to get some honey." He crossed his arms, muttering, "Which, by the way, they didn't even manage to get in the end! How was I supposed to know it was a trap drink? She even winked when throwing it over.....That's it!" Shion suddenly exclaimed, snapping his fingers like a man who'd just solved a thousand-year-old riddle. "I know where they went! Ryoma, Kaen honey! they went to get that honey!"
Both turned to him at once.
"They were so disappointed when they couldn't get any at the shop, It was sold out, we told you remember? So maybe… they made a plan to sneak out at night and get it directly from the source!"
Kaen leaned forward, "Uta, do you know where this place is?"Shion nodded fast. "Yeah, I heard Miss Naname talk about it. It's near the flower field… by the forest border!"
Kaen said, "Oh…" Ryoma said. "Forest border…" Then both yelled "Forest what!?"
_______________
The sun was high in the sky, its rays slipping through the gaps in the trees, landing right on Astra's face. She groaned, turning her head away and rubbing her eyes with a grumble.
"Who left the curtains open?!" she yelled instinctively.
A few birds, startled by her voice, fluttered away from the branches above, At that Astra slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the blurry sight of leaves and a bright blue sky. But before she could fully make sense of it-
A shadow leaned in, and someone waved a hand right in front of her face.
"Hi…—wait, what?!"
She jolted up, crawling back in a panic. Her vision cleared and she saw a man sitting right beside her, looking just as confused. Her eyes darted around only to see herself surrounded by tall trees, Her panic only grew.
"What am I doing here?! Why am I here?! And—" she pointed at the man, eyes wide, "who are you?!"
The man tilted his head, still silent, just staring at her. She backed up even more, suspicious and slightly freaked out.
"Don't just stare at me like that! I asked a question! Why am I here! I should be—"
She suddenly paused mid-rant. Her expression shifted.
Memories from last night started flooding back—The honey plan, the bees, the mist, the hot spring, The splash, The man. Who was sitting right next to her. Slowly remembering everything her jaw dropped slightly as her brain connected the dots.
"You are—"
Just as she was about to speak, a sharp sting flared on her neck. She winced and hissed, clutching the spot in pain. The man beside her leaned in slightly, concern flashing across his face. He extended his hand toward her instinctively, but quickly retracted it.
"That big bee ugh! Just wait till I catch you!" Astra growled, glaring at the air. "I'll eat every drop of your honey, even the stash you've been saving all year! Let's see how you like that!" The man let out a quiet chuckle, clearly amused.
"Hey!" she snapped, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's so funny, huh? It hurts, you know!"He didn't say a word just smiled and gave a slight nod. She blinked at him, confused. "Now why are you smiling like that? Whatever, forget it." She waved a hand. "Anyway… what's your name, by the way?"
He opened his mouth to reply but paused for a moment, then said hesitating a bit,
"Kriya…..You can call me Kriya."