When I feel sad, I find a place to be alone.
Usually, I stay there for an hour or several. When I don't want to be found, no one can find me. That time is enough for me to comfort myself.
Then I let those who want to find me, find me.
I crouched on the beach where I first arrived. Unconsciously, a month had already passed—I had been here for a month.
I remembered being slashed down by a Kairagi, struggling on the ground.
As for Kettle, I bandaged her paw simply and dropped her off at the house on my way. She clearly didn't want to stay but went in anyway. Seeing Kettle should reassure Tamura Kaito—that kid was sensitive and might overthink if I didn't return.
I buried my face in my arms, letting my thoughts drift.
The beach at night was quiet in a way—just the rhythm of waves and the clicking of crabs. The moon remained pale. I touched the sea surface, releasing Cryo energy as naturally as exhaling.
Ice spread rapidly across the water.
I could only release it briefly before withdrawing it. Freezing too large an area would attract attention from nearby fishermen or patrolling Tenryou Commission guards.
There was a rustling sound behind me. Someone called my name.
——
The one who opened the door at Miya Ryuguu's house was Sayu.
Seeing Aether and Thoma, she put a finger to her lips, her face clearly displeased. She was still upset about being called a tanuki by Tamura Kaito.
"But if Miss Miya isn't home, where could she be?" Paimon frowned worriedly. "It's so late. Could she be in danger?"
Thoma stepped inside, glancing around. His eyes fell on Tamura Kaito, forced into sleep on the bed, and the still-lit lamp on the table. "Miya hasn't been back."
Just as everyone was puzzled, a large black dog with glossy fur and golden eyes trotted in. It hung its head low, even its curly tail drooping. Its front paw was bandaged—it was Kettle.
Kettle entered, saw the familiar faces, and let out a whimper.
"Kettle?" Thoma called its name. The dog wasn't enthusiastic but still rubbed against his leg. Thoma crouched. "How did you get hurt? Where's Miya? Did something happen?"
"Can Kettle understand?" Paimon wondered.
"Probably a ninja hound like Tarojiro," Aether guessed. Sayu and Thoma nodded in agreement.
"Kettle was indeed trained by the Shuumatsuban, but she didn't qualify… Her tail lacks natural strength to wield weapons. She's better suited as a hunting dog than a fighter." Thoma checked the dog's paw. "—Just a split nail. It's bandaged."
"Miya must have sent her back."
If she didn't even bring Kettle, where would she go?
"Paimon and I will look around. Miss Miya might not have gone far," Aether said, heading out quickly with the floating companion.
Thoma couldn't guess where she might be. He felt helpless and frustrated—a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long time. Perhaps he didn't know Miya Ryuguu as well as he thought.
The market, Kujou Village, restaurants, the wild forests—no clues.
No one could find her because she didn't want to be found.
——
"When I don't want to be found, I won't be found. Yes, I said that. But the condition is—"
"—The one looking for me has to be the right person."
I stared in disbelief at the tall oni who'd called my name. Even he looked surprised as he emerged from the bushes, twigs stuck in his hair.
"Arataki Itto, what are you doing here?!"
The crimson oni glanced around, confirming I was alone, and ignored my grim expression as he walked over. He carried a small grass basket. "I—I'm just training for the ultimate beetle sumo victory."
I stared at him.
Arataki Itto plopped onto the sand beside me. He probably meant to crouch, but even then, he'd still be towering over me. So he sat down, handed me the basket, and gestured for me to look.
"See? The Supreme Celestial you gave me! I'm letting it rest and train before its big victory!"
I made a face. "That's quite a name."
He completely missed my sarcasm and thumped his chest. "Of course! My literary skills are unmatched!"
Then he launched into a detailed lecture on what made a perfect Onikabuto, how they fought, where to find them—even starting from his first beetle's name, how long he'd kept it, and how many matches it had lost. His earnest enthusiasm left me too exhausted to interrupt.
It made me want to find an Onikabuto predator just to shut him up.
Too bad I didn't know what that was.
The Supreme Celestial in the basket slowly shifted its legs. I picked it up, stroking its smooth shell and the seam along its back. It felt my touch but only swayed slightly before settling again. How could such a placid creature be turned into a fighter by Arataki Itto?
［Arataki Itto Favorability: 40］
My hand twitched.
I looked up and found the oni staring intently at the beetle in my hand. He'd stopped talking at some point, leaning forward until his red horns were uncomfortably close.
After a moment, he straightened and looked at me.
"What?" I felt uneasy under his gaze. Remembering the 40 favorability, I grew wary—this fool's favorability was too easy to earn.
"Miya, do you like beetle sumo too?" Arataki Itto studied me seriously, but I swore half my organs knew there was no seriousness in his head.
I was touched but refused. "No, I don't. Absolutely not."
"But you clearly like the Supreme Celestial! Doesn't that mean you like beetle sumo?" He continued scrutinizing me, making my hands itch to hit him. "I'm a master! I'll make you unbeatable!"
"You need to understand—" I explained weakly. "Some people just enjoy watching. I'm one of them."
The oni nodded understandingly and slapped my back with his large hand, nearly knocking me over.
He didn't ask why I was here, so I didn't ask why he'd come to the beach to train his beetle. Since this was no longer my private space—I placed the beetle back in the basket and stood, brushing off the sand. Arataki Itto saw me rise and pushed himself up too.
The tall oni had absurdly long limbs.
I only reached his chest.
Suddenly, I wanted to try lifting him. So I grabbed the collar of the still-rising oni.
Arataki Itto rarely encountered anyone stronger than him—someone who could lift him effortlessly. That small hand, tiny compared to his, exerted undeniable force, briefly hoisting him off the ground before his legs could fully extend.
"—Wah! Miya, you—!"
"Look, Arataki Itto!" I laughed. "I can lift you and swing you around—"
I released him once he steadied himself. He grumbled and tried to press down on my head, but I dodged. He followed. "I can do that too! Don't think your strength makes you invincible."
"Oh?" I teased him further. "Want to compete tomorrow?"
"Ha! Bring it on!"
"What? Arm wrestling?"
"—Uh, sure! I'm really strong! Don't chicken out!"
Talking to him was like amusing a child.
I struggled not to laugh. Even if my strength wasn't at Shenhe's level—who could carry a Skyfrost Nail for miles—according to the System, lifting a Ruin Grader round trip wasn't an issue. "Then it's settled. We'll compete tomorrow. I'll visit your granny too."
As for gifts for the elderly, my mind raced through options: foot baths, down jackets, goji berries, erguotou… Definitely not erguotou.
Perhaps some pastries. The morning market would have them.
——
It was already early morning, nearing dawn. I walked slowly. The beach sometimes had Treasure Hoarder camps and patrolling ronin nearby.
"Short green-eyed woman in a long kimono, wields a fierce Debate Club. Avoid if seen. Seeks not treasure but lives. Murderous and sadistic. Lay low to survive… What nonsense is this?"
I felt like an old man squinting at his phone on the subway. "You make me sound like a serial killer?"
"Who says I don't want treasure? Huh?"
"Short woman? Huh?"
I sat on a table, legs crossed, looking down like a Japanese delinquent yelling in someone's face with rolled Rs and aggressive "Temeero, nandedo!" energy.
A Treasure Hoarder knelt fearfully. "No, no! We'd never dare speak ill of the mighty Miss Ryuguu! Others wrote this! How dare they!"
"…Do you know means 'the first to be hit'?"
He trembled harder.
"Ahhh! Spare me, Miss Ryuguu! Have mercy! I have elders and children to feed! I just steal a little to get by! Don't kill me!"
I was dying inside but kept a straight face.
This small outpost had only one guard. How did the Treasure Hoarders manage their manpower? The place also had records of robberies, where elders and women lived, and where treasures were hidden.
I checked the list and saw Yamada Taichi's name.
The Yamada who sold me the house?
I read further. His name was marked with a gold coin and a crossed-out skull. An arrow pointed to "Yashiro Commission," with dates and numbers I didn't understand.
"You know Yamada Taichi?" I asked the man on the ground.
"Yes… He wanted us to cause trouble for the Yashiro Commission. He needed time—"
"What time? For what?"
"Noon the day after tomorrow… A goods transport from Ritou to the Yashiro Commission. Yamada wanted us to harass them at noon—but I don't know what he plans! Really!"
He hurriedly explained under my gaze.
"But… he also hired some skilled bandits."
Yamada Taichi clearly intended to act against the Yashiro Commission. I decided to tell Thoma tomorrow.
As for this man—
Perhaps because I'd faced malice from Treasure Hoarders and Kairagi from the start, I easily felt killing intent toward them. After leveling up, I'd seek them out even from a distance. Now was no exception.
"You're alone here?"
"Y-yes!"
"Then this poem isn't entirely wrong. Every Treasure Hoarder and ronin I meet dies—" I jumped off the table. "I'll reflect on that. Next time, I'll let them run first before killing them."
I pulled him to his feet, smiling.
"Well? Run."
His face turned pale, legs shaking as he collapsed. "N-no, please don't kill me…"
"What are you saying?" I hefted the Debate Club, spinning it once before resting it on my shoulder.
"If you don't run, my old friend here will meet your head."
"3."
"2."
"1—"
He scrambled up and ran, pitifully scrambling. I didn't know his name—it didn't matter. I didn't remember his features, only that he feared me.
If you do wrong, be prepared for bad people to come knocking.
"Help!" he screamed ahead.
"System, have you seen The Shining? I feel like the husband chasing people with an axe," I said cheerfully, following at a brisk pace.
［My database contains it. If needed—］
"No need. It's just a metaphor."
I wouldn't let him get far.
I adjusted my grip on the weapon. It was a thirty-minute walk to Inazuma City and my home. Any farther, and he'd reach a village. The sky was lightening; I couldn't let him run into a settlement.
"Who said it? 'Knocking an enemy's head 500 yards into a rabbit hole led to inventing golf'… Oh right, Gandalf from The Hobbit!"
I accelerated, swinging the weapon in a wide arc.
I'd knock his head off—
"Clang!"
There was a spark—but why would there be a spark?
I met eyes burning with hidden anger—as if I'd done something deeply disappointing. A flame-wreathed weapon deftly parried the Debate Club. A crimson shield unfolded, blocking my target.
I stumbled back in disbelief, instinctively trying to hide the weapon behind me.
"Miya."
Thoma spoke. His face held no smile. Those green eyes held that intense, pressurized scrutiny again, fixed on me.
He'd seen me. Seen what I'd just been doing.
I felt panic, unable to meet his gaze.
All I heard was the crackle of Pyro energy and his slow footsteps as he approached. He asked,
"The Traveler and I searched for you all night.
"Miya, where have you been?"
——
［Important character detected: Thoma］
［Favorability decreased］
［Thoma Favorability: 33］