Eriska's voice trembled slightly as she stared at the spot where the knight had stood moments before. "Who was he? And how did he just vanish like that?"
Sara stepped forward, her eyes scanning Ito for any signs of distress. "Ito, are you alright? Did he do anything to you?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Ito offered a reassuring nod, his voice steady. "Yeah, I'm alright." He glanced at Sara and the others, his expression thoughtful. "He was just giving me some advice—said to watch my back."
"Watch your back? But from whom?" Shion asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Before Ito could voice his thoughts, Gakurei's interruption cut through the air. "Whatever it was," he said, his tone dismissive, "it's gone now. Our focus should be on those two."
The nearby bushes rustled once more. Instantly, the group froze—eyes narrowing, muscles tensing, and hands clenching into fists, ready for whatever might emerge.
"I'm telling you, this is the right way." A familiar voice emerged from behind the brushes, its tone unmistakable.
"Huh, that doesn't sound like Zayden's voice," Ito muttered, his brow furrowing in confusion.
All eyes instinctively shifted toward the source of the disturbance, their gazes converging on the dense underbrush and towering trees. Emerging from the foliage, Zayden and Kajin stepped into view, talking to each other.
"Oh... they're all here," Kajin said, his voice laced with disbelief. "You were right; this was the correct way."
A collective sigh escaped their lips, a shared exhalation that spoke volumes—relief, understanding, and the quiet acknowledgment of a journey completed.
"It's you two," Shion remarked, his voice carrying a blend of recognition and a hint of exasperation. His gaze flickered between them, as if confirming their presence was both expected and yet still surprising.
"Why is everyone looking so startled? Did something happen?"
Shion's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a hushed tone. "We're not entirely sure what happened before you two arrived," he said, glancing toward the spot where Knight had stood moments earlier. "He appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as quickly—like a ghost."
Kajin smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. He casually brushed a leaf from his shoulder, then crossed his arms and leaned against a tree trunk with exaggerated nonchalance. "Ghosts, huh?" he said, his tone light. "Sounds like you all just needed a nap."
Kajin leaned against the tree, basking in his own bravado. Suddenly, a hand shot out from behind the foliage, gripping his shoulder with surprising strength.
"I see, you really have guts," a voice growled.
Kajin turned his head slowly, a nervous grin spreading across his face. "Oh, Eriska! Didn't notice you there."
Eriska's eyes narrowed, her expression a mix of annoyance and fiery determination.
"I heard about the little competition you were orchestrating," she said, her words sharp and deliberate. "Having fun, are we?"
Kajin's bravado melted away. He began to stammer, his hands gesturing wildly as if trying to grasp an excuse physically.
"Oh, that... well, you know, it's just... I mean..."
Before he could finish, a sudden, loud thwack echoed through the forest. Eriska's hand had made contact with Kajin's head, leaving a comically large bump rising from his scalp.
Kajin crumpled to the ground, a cartoonish lump already forming on his head.
"Brother!" Ito shouted, rushing to his side with concern etched on his face.
Meanwhile, Shion, Zayden, Gakurei, and Sara exchanged amused glances.
"Good job," Shion said, nodding approvingly.
"Nice one," Zayden added with a smirk.
"Well executed," Gakurei chimed in, crossing his arms.
"He had it coming," Sara concluded, a satisfied grin on her face.
Eriska stood over Kajin, arms crossed, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
"Maybe next time you'll think twice before stirring up unnecessary competitions," she remarked.
Shion stepped forward, brushing a twig off his shoulder. "Alright," he said, scanning the group. "Let's see who's still flagless."
Zayden flipped a folded flag between his fingers. "Mine's safe."
Sara gave a knowing smile as she pulled her flag halfway out of her pocket, then slid it back in.
Eriska crossed her arms, the corner of her flag just visible beneath her cloak.
Gakurei simply held his up, expression calm.
Kajin let out a nervous laugh, raising both empty hands. "…Does pretending count?"
All eyes turned to Ito. He stood silent, shoulders squared, hands empty.
Eriska stepped forward, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"Now that we're all here," she began, her voice calm but firm, "there's no reason to stick together any longer."
She looked around at each of them — not with hostility, but with the cold understanding of what lay ahead.
"In the end, we're all aiming to win this tournament. Or not," she added with a faint smirk. "But either way... we'll be standing against each other in the next round."
A quiet pause followed.
Sara nodded slightly. "I agree."
Zayden slipped his hands into his pockets, his tone more relaxed but eyes serious. "They're right. We need to start thinking about ourselves now—before we get left behind."
The tension among them slowly thickened. What had once been a team was now a room full of future rivals.
"No..."
Ito clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath his skin.
"I don't want us to split up. But what should I do?"
His chest tightened.
"Why? Why now? Why does my mind go blank... when it matters the most?"
His head hung low, eyes filled with quiet desperation as the weight of helplessness pressed down on him.
Suddenly, Shion's gaze snapped toward Kajin. "Whoa—what's with you?" he asked, brow raised. "Why are you gripping your head like that?"
"Aaarrrghhhh!!!" Kajin yelled, clutching his head tightly. "It's no use! I can't remember it!"
The group turned to him, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.
Shion stepped closer, eyeing him cautiously. "Can you tell us what you can't remember?"
Kajin stood up abruptly, his expression unreadable. He took a deep breath and declared, "You see, I totally saw ten different colors of panties, but now I can only remember nine of them."
A silence settled over the group, so thick and awkward it could've been sliced with a butter knife.
Eriska stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Kajin. "Unbelievable," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Of all the things to forget, you choose that?"
"You don't understand." Kajin. "It's a competition between me and my brother, Ito, for the flags. We can't separate, and in the last round, even if we have to fight each other, it doesn't mean we aren't allies. Right, brother."
Ito's eyes widened, his breath catching as Kajin voiced the words he hadn't dared to say. The weight of helplessness that had gripped him began to lift, replaced by a surge of renewed determination. He straightened his posture, shoulders squared, and met Kajin's gaze.
"Yes," he declared, his voice clear and unwavering.