The journey ends in the middle of the wilderness, among dense trees.
"Breakfast first."
"All right. Let's do that."
Rose starts preparing a few slices of bread, canned food, and a bottle.
Still wearing that disgusted expression, I ask, "Is it really that disappointing, hm?"
Rose lets out a very heavy sigh.
"Huft. I won't set my expectations too high again after this."
Her silliness clings to her, almost making me smile for the first time in a long while.
"Eat the bread, the food, and drink the milk. You're the one driving after this," Rose says as she hands them to me.
I lift my head to the darkened morning sky and close my eyes.
"I have a bad feeling, Rose," I say quietly.
Rose looks at me.
"Hmm? What is it? Do you sense something, Hiro?"
I shake my head.
"No," I say, rubbing my neck. "Just a feeling..." I let out a heavy breath. "Huff, don't worry about it. Let's finish breakfast first."
Rose smiles faintly and nods.
"All right. Let's."
---
The journey begins again, after we finish breakfast together.
"It's already spread everywhere, Hiro," Rose says suddenly, breaking the silence that has followed us since the journey started.
Hm?" I murmur.
She slides a newspaper toward me, one that is all too familiar. "The paper. You're a wanted man now—just like your father, Hiro."
I make a strange face and stare at her for a moment.
"You bought this and kept it?" I ask.
"Hehe." Rose grins.
I take the newspaper and look at the face printed on it—mine.
"Does this make you uncomfortable or pressured, Hiro?" Rose asks.
I shake my head.
"No." I hand the paper back, and Rose takes it.
She slips the newspaper into her bag, then turns to me.
"So, the journey is heading to Solcendria, right?" Rose asks.
"I don't know," I answer, letting out a slow breath. "All I know is that the journey keeps going until word from Olivia reaches us."
Rose starts looking around. Many of the forests are dead, the sky buried under thick clouds, light still struggling to break through.
"With scenery like this," she says, scratching her head. "I'm really curious about the long story behind what happened in the land of Nimurelle."
I glance at her.
"So am I."
"So, this is the one who still survives while rumors liken the conflict to the old days—the crazy fighter?!" From between the trees, a voice emerges out of nowhere.
Huh?" I murmur.
From a direction I almost recognize, he drops to the ground from the opposite side.
"Another obstacle," he says. "Again and again, they come, right?!"
He lands cleanly, straightens up, and walks toward me—and Rose.
"Hahah, I never expected you to make it this far. Someone's helping you from the inside, huh?!"
I close my eyes. Rose reaches for her bow, but I touch her hand, stopping her.
He steps closer, glancing toward the carriage of a different color—the VVIP one he means. A crooked smile on his face.
"Who is it?!"