Tension hung in the air like steam over a boiling pot. Raika and Akemi's silent war raged on in their locked eyes and overly casual gestures. Nanami and Hikari, though not the most observant pair on most days, had finally caught on.
"Alright, alright," Nanami said suddenly, clapping her hands together with a too-bright smile. "Let's not start a fork fight over parmesan, yeah?"
"Yeah, exactly," Hikari chimed in, tossing a quick look between Raika and Akemi. "So anyway! Raika, did you pack for the school trip yet? I haven't even found my hiking shoes."
Raika blinked, caught off guard by the sudden pivot. "Huh? Oh. Uh, not yet."
Raito paused mid-bite.
"…Trip?" he said, his tone still level, but now carrying a sharper edge of curiosity.
"Yeah!" Nanami perked up, her eyes lighting up. "The school trip to Mount Rensu! We'll be leaving next weekend. I can't wait! Hiking, campfires, starry skies… it's gonna be amazing!"
In Raito's mind, Kurai stirred.
Mount Rensu.
The name echoed. Cold, ancient. Familiar, but not his own memory.
That's the mountain, isn't it?
He waited.
Kurai, sounding unusually distant, finally responded.
Don't get excited.It's just a pile of rocks and trees. Not all mountains are haunted, you know.
He raised an internal brow. You're avoiding the question.
Don't start, Raito. It's not like anything is going to happen. Just a dumb school trip. Go roast marshmallows and make ghost stories, whatever humans do.
But the hesitation in her voice betrayed her. Raito knew her well enough by now.
His fingers tensed slightly against his fork.
Mount Rensu wasn't just a scenic tourist spot. If Kurai's sister—this sealed "maybe-just-as-strong" demon—was anywhere, that would be it.
"So, this trip," Raito said aloud, feigning casual interest, "I assume Raika told me all about it?"
The entire table turned to Raika.
Her lips parted slightly, eyes darting sideways. "I… was going to tell you. Eventually. I just forgot, okay?"
"Mmh," Raito hummed, looking far from convinced.
"But wait," Hikari leaned in, sensing an opportunity to turn the attention again, "didn't the school say they're giving free tickets for family members to tag along this year? To encourage bonding and whatever?"
"Yup!" Nanami nodded. "They announced it last week. Even made a whole fuss about inviting siblings or guardians. Said there'll be extra cabins and everything!"
Raika visibly froze.
Akemi smiled over the rim of her glass, then lowered it with slow elegance. "Oh, Raito, you should totally come. Think about it—fresh air, beautiful mountains, a chance to bond with your sweet little sister," she said, dragging out the last words with unmistakable mischief.
Then she added, "And, you know, keep an eye on all of us innocent high school girls."
Raika immediately scowled. "He's busy. And the last time he went hiking, he—uh, twisted his ankle."
"That true?" Akemi asked, smirking.
Raito looked between them, the edge of a decision already forming in his eyes.
"No," he said plainly. "And I'll go."
Everyone blinked.
"…Wait, really?" Raika asked.
"Yeah," he said, his gaze cool and unreadable again. "Free trip, right? Might as well."
He resumed eating his pasta with mechanical rhythm, but his thoughts churned like a storm beneath the surface.
If Kurai's sister is there…I need to know what kind of threat she poses.If she's anything like Kurai… or worse—
Kurai's voice snapped suddenly in his mind.
Raito.Drop it.She's sealed. Buried deep. And she'll stay that way. You're not strong enough yet.
Then why are you nervous? he replied without missing a beat.
The demon went quiet.
Meanwhile, at the table, Raika slumped in her seat. The idea of having both Akemi and Raito in the same vicinity for an entire weekend made her stomach twist—and not in the cute romantic way her friends teased her about.
Nanami and Hikari, however, were thrilled.
"This is going to be the best trip ever!" Hikari beamed.
"Can we all share the same cabin?" Nanami squealed.
"Only if you want me to sleep on the roof," Raito said dryly.
Akemi chuckled softly. Raika groaned and put her head in her hands.
And in the center of it all, Raito sat in silence, finishing his plate and staring distantly past the candle on the table.
To everyone else, it looked like a big brother agreeing to tag along.
But to Raito?
It was a calculated step.
One mountain. One demon sister.One potential reckoning.
And one very chaotic school trip ahead.