Tomoki and Kimir were in a tough spot, blindfolded and unable to remember the path they had taken. "Keep moving," the girl ordered, her tone sharp.
"Don't push me, Ponytail," Tomoki mocked, clearly trying to get under her skin.
The girl's reaction was immediate—she angrily pointed her gun at his head. "Want to end up with a roasted brain?" she shot back. It was less of a warning and more of a genuine threat, and Tomoki could tell she was furious, acting out of pure anger.
"Alright, alright! I'm just kidding, Ponytail," Tomoki said, grinning as he continued to push her buttons.
The girl's frustration reached a boiling point. "YOU'RE A DAMN CAPTIVE, AND I DON'T MIND TURNING YOUR DICKHEAD INTO ROASTED BRAINS!" she snapped, her voice laced with fury. This time, Tomoki wisely decided to keep quiet, sensing that he'd pushed her far enough. Meanwhile, Kimir was quietly laughing to himself, amused by the exchange.
The young man, no older than 20 or 21, spoke up, his tone strong and commanding as he addressed Kimir. It was phrased as a request, but there was an unmistakable edge to it, making it feel more like a threat. "What's your name?"
Tomoki, never one to miss an opportunity to be cheeky, chimed in, "Hey, White Hair, it's not polite to ask for an introduction without giving yours first, right?"
The white-haired man narrowed his eyes at Tomoki's comment but didn't let it throw him off. "The name's Kaito," he said, his voice calm but carrying a weight of authority. "And I wasn't asking out of courtesy. What's your name?" His gaze shifted back to Kimir, waiting for an answer.
Kimir straightened up, sensing that Kaito wasn't someone to be messed with. "Kimir," he replied evenly. "And this joker here," he added with a nod toward Tomoki, "is Tomoki."
Tomoki gave a mock salute. "Nice to meet you, White Hair. Or should I call you Kaito?" he teased, still grinning. Then he turned to the girl, who was glaring at him with pure irritation. "And what about you, Ponytail? Got a name, or should I just keep calling you that?"
The girl's blue eyes flashed with anger, but she restrained herself from pointing the gun at him again. "My name's Rika," she said through gritted teeth. "And if you keep calling me Ponytail, I might just make good on my earlier threat."
Tomoki smirked, clearly enjoying how riled up she was. "Oh, come on, Rika. I think Ponytail suits you. It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
Rika took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure, but her frustration was evident. "You're really pushing your luck, Tomoki."
Kimir, noticing the tension escalating, decided to step in. "Alright, that's enough," he said, giving Tomoki a warning glance. "We don't need any more trouble. We're all stuck in this situation, so let's just get through it without anyone getting shot, okay?"
Kaito, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and annoyance, finally spoke up. "Rika, keep an eye on them, but don't waste energy on threats. We need to get to our base without any distractions."
Rika nodded, still shooting daggers at Tomoki with her eyes but lowering her weapon. "Fine," she muttered, "but if he keeps it up, I'm not making any promises."
Tomoki grinned but wisely kept his mouth shut this time. Kaito turned and started leading the way again, the group moving through the dense forest with the sound of the river fading behind them.
As they walked, Tomoki couldn't resist leaning over to Kimir and whispering, "I think I'm starting to grow on Ponytail."
Kimir chuckled softly. "More like you're growing on her nerves."
Tomoki just shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Same thing, right?"
Rika, overhearing their whispers, shot a look back at Tomoki. "I can still hear you, you know."
Tomoki winked. "Just making sure, Rika."
She huffed in response, but Kaito cut in, his voice firm. "Focus. We're not out of danger yet."
That sobered everyone up, and they continued in tense silence, the weight of their precarious situation hanging over them.
They remove their blindfolds with the permission of Kaito.
After a long walk...
As the group descended into the ravine, the air grew cooler, the sound of the river reverberating off the rocky walls. The path they followed was narrow and winding, the ground uneven underfoot, forcing them to move carefully. After a while, Kaito signaled for everyone to stop.
"Blindfolds back on," Kaito ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Tomoki and Kimir exchanged uneasy glances but complied, slipping the rough fabric over their eyes once more. The world plunged into darkness, the sense of vulnerability intensifying as they were stripped of their sight. They could hear the rustling of leaves, the crunch of boots on gravel, and the distant rush of the river, but the path ahead was now a mystery.
"Stay close, and don't trip," Rika muttered as she took hold of Tomoki's arm, guiding him along. Kimir felt a firm grip on his shoulder—Kaito, no doubt, ensuring they didn't stray.
The journey seemed to stretch on forever, each step taken with cautious uncertainty. The sounds of nature gradually faded, replaced by the muffled echoes of voices, distant but growing closer. The atmosphere changed subtly, the air heavier, tinged with the faint scent of burning wood and metal. They were getting close to something—something large and active.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they came to a halt. "Alright," Kaito said, "You can take them off."
Tomoki and Kimir quickly pulled off their blindfolds, blinking as their eyes adjusted to the dim light. They stood at the entrance to a large underground base, hidden deep within the ravine's walls. The base was a hive of activity, with people moving purposefully between makeshift tents and larger structures built into the rock. Flickering lights illuminated the area, casting long shadows and highlighting the rough, utilitarian design of the base.
The ravine's walls had been reinforced with metal beams and stone, creating a fortified space that was both secure and nearly invisible from above. Along one side of the base, the river flowed through a narrow channel, its water diverted into a system of pipes and reservoirs. Several guards stood at various posts, their weapons at the ready, their eyes sharp as they watched the newcomers with suspicion.
Tomoki took in the sight with wide eyes, trying to process the scale of the operation. "Whoa... this is... something," he muttered, momentarily at a loss for words.