-----

While Ray explained how he had encountered and been captured by  Andrew I was breaking the extra dishes we'd packed. I threw them on a pile on the ground and crushed them one-by-one, slowly pounding them into smaller and smaller pieces.

Once I finished I sighed and sat on the ground, brushing my hair from my forehead. "Therapy costs $400. But it costs me $0 to break and smash plates...That was f*cking therapeutic." I sighed happily. I then saw a bigger piece I missed and crushed it with my boot. 'That b*tch Andrew...' I gritted my teeth. 'How the hell did he survive? Did he manage to escape the shelter just before it exploded? Then... even after everything... he still managed to survive?' I frowned. But, at least... everyone's okay...

I exited the cave as Lucas began explaining about the code he received from the supporter along with the message the supposed 'Mr. Minerva' had left. Knowing what the note contained already, I left anyway. Ray shot me an inquiring glance as I left, but I waved it off with a tilt of my head. Ray shrugged, turning his attention back to Lucas.

I took in a breath of the fresh air and tch'ed as more of my long bangs flew into my face. I sighed and pulled out my ponytail before pulling my hair back into it. Should I maybe cut it again? Or have Ray cut it, maybe...?

I watched as the wind blew leaves through the air, swirling around. We should be leaving soon. We'll be later than the group originally, but we'd travel at a better pace because of the lack of injured within our group. 'Ok. We'll leave ASAP.' I turned back to go to the cave when there was suddenly a large crash and I stumbled as the ground shook.

I whipped around, pulling out my gun, coming face-to-face with a drooling wild demon. It opened It's mouth to eat me whole but I shot it in the center eye before it could. It dropped to the ground with a thud. I nudged it with my foot a few times but it didn't make a sound.

I jumped as there was a sudden flutter of wings, and to my surprise, one of the camera owls landed on my shoulder. I relaxed as I recognized it and extended my forearm and elbow so it could have some space, and the owl shuffled down until it was halfway between my elbow and shoulder. I ruffled the feathers on top of its head despite knowing it was a robot.

"Did'ja miss me?" I asked slyly with a grin. The owl, of course, gave no response. "I'll take that as a yes." I giggled.

I hummed to myself as I continued to stall reentering the cave. But after 5 minutes of stalling nothing I wanted to do came to mind. "If you have nothing to say I'll be going back now?" I asked, tilting my head. The owl then dropped to the ground in a swoop before flying into the air. I watched it for a moment as it disappeared into the distance.

I sighed with a shrug before walking back into Sonju's caves. "The trip will take around 10 days." I heard Don say as he leaned over the map Emma held between her hands.

"We can take it slow." I said as I entered. "Worry less about pace and more about being safe. After our stressful experience with the shelter it's best to take it easy." I walked towards the small group of older children planning our route.

"She's right." Ray seconded as he tapped on his chin. "If we all break dishes to relieve stress like her, we'll be out within the day." He said with a smirk.

"Mocking me, are you?" I grumbled with a swift elbow to his side. Ray huffed, hiding his grin in his scarf.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He looked to the sky. "Then, let's get going." He changed the conversation, looking across the group.

I nodded, raising my voice to cover the whole cave, where everyone, young and old, resided. "Clean up everything and grab your packs. We'll be needing everyone's help for this journey."

"Everyone?" Emma asked curiously.

I grinned, addressing the little children. "You guys learned a lot from Yuugo and Lucas while we were gone, right?" I patted  Alicia and Dominic on the head.

Everyone below 9 years grinned. "We learned lots!!" They cheered.

"Then, we'll be counting on you!!" I laughed, hugging several of the younger children.

We set off shortly after, finalizing packing up.

-----8 days into the journey-----

We were making good progress with the travel. We had managed to avoid encountering any demons since departure. Night was just falling and most of the younger children were sleeping together while several others kept watch.

There was a chill in the air, especially in recent days. I pulled my nose into the tip of my jacket, pulling my bag off of my shoulders. I put it on the ground and began to move stuff around, looking for my scarf. I found several extra knives, several extra knife holsters, and several packs of ammo. Alas, I could not find my scarf. I didn't leave it in the shelter which has now been reduced to bits, right...?

I groaned and sat on the ground, putting everything I pulled out of the pack back in. I then untied my hair and tucked it into the hood of my jacket, obscuring my ears in an attempt to keep them warm. I was just picking up my gun when I felt an odd chill spread throughout my back and neck. I gripped the gun and leapt to my feet.

"RAY, EMMA, WITH ME NOW!!" I yelled, dashing in the direction of my unease. Ray and Emma were already running towards me, Ray calling for Don's assistance.

We arrived in the clearing as the demons attacked Hayato- the Hayato from the original timeline, and his partner. We raised our guns and dealt with the demons quickly, the disgusting beasts quickly dropping like flies.

"Don't move." Ray said darkly, as soon as the demons were dealt with, raising his gun to Hayato's head. "Who are you, and what are you doing here."

Hayato suddenly whipped around and smashed his head to the ground in a bow. I snorted as he thanked everyone for saving his life. "I WAS SO SCARED!!" He wailed.

I busted out laughing, elbowing Ray as Hayato continued babbling. "PWUAHAH- YOU THOUGHT THIS GUY WAS A THREAT?!" I exclaimed as I laughed. "Look at him-!!" Hayato then grabbed my arms to thank me, but to my surprise Ray immediately reacted, intercepting the blonde boy with a roundhouse kick, sending him flying several metres away from me. "H-HEY?!" I exclaimed with a shout. Hayato bent his head to the floor and began apologizing frantically once again. "Why'd you yeet him like that?!" I exclaimed as I turned on Ray in shock.

"W-well, uhh, you see-" Ray stuttered out nervously, looking between the apologizing Hayato and I.

"HUMANS??!" Jin and Hayato exclaimed suddenly, drawing my attention away.

"That reaction's way too late!!" Ray and Don exclaimed.

"Ahhhh shush, you little sh*ts!!" I yelled, waving my hands around. 'We've come so far without demons! I've been able to be lazy the whole time!! Don't ruin that for me yet!!' "You'll draw more demons straight to us!!"

"...So, who are you?" Emma asked the two boys once they quieted down.

"Right." Bandana boy remembered suddenly, raising his head. "My name is Jin, and this is Hayato." I casually pulled my hair into a ponytail, exposing the number code on my neck. Let's hurry this up.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!!" Hayato yelled again.

"We told you you need to stay quiet!!" Don exclaimed worriedly.

"Jin!" Hayato continued. "No way!! They're the Gracefield escapees!!"

"No, we're obviously walking and talking goldfish." I said seriously, holstering my gun with a sigh.

"I-is she serious?!" Hayato asked, recoiling back, looking between Jin and I. I nodded my head sternly, but Ray had other ideas.

"No." He karate chopped my head with an exasperated sigh. "Don't mind this idiot. She likes to joke around. Yes, we're humans, and Gracefield escapees."

"We've been searching for all of you." Hayato exclaimed once more. "Under Mr. Minerva's orders!!"

Everyone recoiled back in shock but me, who grinned, stuffing my hands into my pockets. Let's get the next arc in action!!

(I feel so bad for the people who haven't read the manga rn- like all the spoilers I- and then theres also me not fully describing things bc manga readers already know- LIKE PLEASE Y'ALL READ IT-

Also y'all better be looking forward to the scarf scene next chapter bc I've already set everything needed up hehe  👀👀 (iykyk) (And that's what I'm talking about when I say 'I finally did it' next chapter, lol)

this chapter's name was brought to you by my number 1 personality trait)