Makoto's daily life was a series of unpredictable mishaps, each day blending into the next as one challenge or accident followed another. Yet, through it all, he remained optimistic, comforted by the constant support of his friends. Riku, Daichi, Tenma, and Ichiro were his anchors—the family he had chosen, and who had chosen him. Still, even the strongest bonds needed moments of respite from the relentless march of their everyday struggles.
It was Tenma who first suggested the idea. They had been lounging in their usual spot, a grassy hillside just outside of town, their backpacks strewn around them. The warm breeze carried the scents of summer, and the sky was a clear, endless blue. Makoto had been recounting yet another incident from his disastrous week—a series of spilled drinks, lost notebooks, and an awkward encounter with a teacher. His friends had laughed, but there was a sense of fatigue in the air. They had faced so many ups and downs together that even the laughter had started to feel a little forced.
"What we need," Tenma said suddenly, sitting up with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "is an escape. A proper getaway. No school, no responsibilities—just us."
Makoto looked up from where he was lying on the grass, the suggestion catching his attention. "An escape?" he repeated, tilting his head as if he couldn't quite understand the concept.
"A trip!" Tenma said, gesturing wildly. "Let's go somewhere far from here. Somewhere we can forget about everything for a while."
Riku's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yeah! A trip to the mountains would be perfect. We could hike, camp out under the stars, and just relax without worrying about school or anything else." Riku, ever the adventurer, had always wanted to explore the mountains nearby, and this seemed like the perfect excuse.
Daichi, who had been quietly reading, looked up from his book with a small smile. "It would be nice to take a break. The fresh air might be good for us, especially Makoto," he added with a teasing wink, earning a playful nudge from Makoto.
Ichiro, the most practical of the group, adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "If we're going to do this, we should plan it properly. We don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere without supplies. I can make a list of what we'll need."
And just like that, the idea became a plan. It was as if a new energy had infused their little group—an excitement that hadn't been there in weeks. They started gathering details, each of them taking on a part of the planning. Makoto, although uncertain at first, became just as enthusiastic as the others. It had been so long since he'd felt truly carefree, and the thought of being away from the city—away from the usual chaos—filled him with a strange sense of hope.
Over the next few days, they met after school to map out their route and gather supplies. Riku took charge of the gear, borrowing a tent and sleeping bags from his older brother, who had once been an avid camper. Daichi, true to his quiet nature, focused on finding the best trails and researching the wildlife they might encounter. He even borrowed a guidebook from the library, filled with colorful illustrations of local flora and fauna. Tenma, always the prankster, was in charge of snacks and entertainment, promising to bring enough treats to last them through any unexpected detours. Ichiro, as planned, meticulously prepared a checklist of essentials—food, first-aid, maps, and emergency supplies—ensuring they wouldn't forget anything important.
Makoto, feeling a bit out of place among such organized preparations, volunteered to handle the little things—collecting firewood, gathering simple camping utensils, and finding a sturdy flashlight that wouldn't fail them in the dark. He knew that even the smallest tasks mattered, and he wanted to prove to himself, and to his friends, that he wouldn't mess this up. He could be useful; he just had to try harder.
The week of preparation passed in a blur, and finally, the day of the trip arrived. They met early in the morning at the train station, the rising sun painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink. Each of them carried a backpack stuffed with gear, excitement barely contained as they greeted each other with wide smiles. Riku, as always, was brimming with enthusiasm, while Tenma bounced on his toes, cracking jokes to lighten the early morning drowsiness.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Makoto said, his voice a mix of anticipation and disbelief, as he looked down at the train ticket in his hand. It was real; they were really leaving the city for a few days.
"Believe it," Riku replied, slinging an arm around Makoto's shoulder. "This is going to be the best trip ever. We'll leave all the bad luck behind, just you wait."
The train ride to the mountains was full of laughter and light-hearted teasing. They played card games, with Tenma losing repeatedly to Daichi's calm strategy, and shared snacks they'd saved for the journey. The tension that had hung over them for the past few months seemed to melt away as the cityscape gave way to rolling hills and dense forests. Makoto sat by the window, watching the scenery blur past, feeling the excitement bubble inside him. For once, things seemed to be going well, and he dared to hope that this trip might truly be a fresh start.
As the train climbed higher into the mountains, the air grew cooler, and the scent of pine filtered in through the open windows. They disembarked at a small station nestled in a valley surrounded by towering peaks. From there, they began the hike to their chosen campsite, the ground soft under their feet, a carpet of leaves and moss that muffled their footsteps. Makoto's heart was light as he walked with his friends, Riku leading the way with a confident stride, while Tenma and Daichi bantered back and forth. Ichiro, ever the watchful one, kept a careful eye on the map, making sure they didn't stray off the marked path.
The first day was everything they had hoped for. They reached a small clearing by a crystal-clear stream, where they set up their camp. The forest around them was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. They worked together to pitch the tent, laughing when Tenma tried to scare them with stories of mountain spirits, and settled in for a simple meal cooked over a crackling campfire. The stars were brighter than any of them had ever seen, scattered like glittering jewels across the deep indigo sky.
As they sat around the fire that night, huddled in blankets against the mountain chill, Makoto felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For once, he wasn't worried about his bad luck, or the next mishap waiting around the corner. Here, in this quiet place far from the city's noise, he was simply Makoto—one of five friends, sharing stories and warmth under the night sky.
They spent the next day exploring the trails around the campsite, hiking up rocky paths that offered breathtaking views of the valleys below. Daichi pointed out the different plants they had read about, while Riku took charge of navigating through the denser parts of the forest. Tenma, always full of energy, raced ahead, only to double back and challenge them to short races. Ichiro stayed close to Makoto, who was surprisingly sure-footed on the uneven terrain, even when the path got slippery or steep.
In those moments, surrounded by his friends, Makoto almost forgot about his usual bad luck. It felt like they were in their own world—a place where nothing could go wrong as long as they were together.
But as the sun dipped below the horizon on the second day, painting the sky in hues of purple and gold, they stumbled upon something strange—a faint, otherworldly glow emanating from the depths of the forest. It was Tenma who noticed it first, pointing it out with wide eyes. They followed the light, curiosity pulling them forward until they found themselves standing before a mysterious, swirling portal that shimmered like liquid silver.
None of them spoke at first, awe-struck by the sight. Then, a voice—deep and echoing—came from nowhere, startling them all.
"This is the Portal of Sacrifices," it said, and their carefree adventure in the mountains took a turn they could never have anticipated.