As the group continued their trek toward Sendai, the atmosphere felt strangely tense. It wasn't the kind of tension that came from the constant threat of zombies and Aberrants, though those dangers loomed ever present—it was something else. Kazuichi had been unusually quiet.
Jurou, ever perceptive, glanced sideways at him as they walked. "Oi, Kazuichi," he called, raising an eyebrow. "You've been more silent than usual today. What's up?"
The rest of the group turned to look at him too, sensing something was off. Kazuichi's usually steady and confident demeanor seemed clouded. He shook his head quickly, a forced grin playing on his lips. "I'm fine," he replied, trying to brush it off.
But Ayaka wasn't convinced. "Doesn't look like you're fine," she said, frowning. "You've been acting like your head's somewhere else since we left Kazuichi Stronghold. What's going on?"
