Ren stepped outside, his gaze settling on the quiet pond ahead. The water shimmered faintly under the filtered light breaking through the high tree canopy.

  She followed close behind, her eyes widening in surprise. “Wait… hey! Is this the place where the antidote is?”

  Ren nodded slowly. “Mmm… about 90% sure. I already came from this area to your side, so I opened the portal directly here. If not, we’d have to start searching from scratch.”

  She frowned. “Hold on! You said earlier you didn’t know where it was. How do you know now?”

  He leaned slightly, whispering near her ear. “My sisters told me.”

  “Huh…?” she blinked. “Well, then tell me properly. Where’s the antidote?”

  Ren pointed toward a large moss-covered boulder nestled beneath thick trees. “I think… beneath that. The clue said something like, ‘where not the moon rests’, That means somewhere shady, under heavy trees. And ‘a stone that never responds’—probably a boulder. ‘Where sunlight fades’—means here, under these thick trees. The canopy above blocks most of the light.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Then let’s go!”

  They hurried over. Brushing aside the damp grass, they searched behind the boulder’s base—and there it was. A small, distinct herb with silver-lined leaves and faint glowing veins.

  The moment the clue was found, She suddenly hugged Ren with a childlike cheer.

  “Yeah! We found it!” she squealed with joy, like a kid winning a treasure hunt.

  Ren stumbled a bit, nearly falling over from the sudden hug.

  “H-Hey… that’s just a clue we found, not the final thing. You’re acting like we won the tournament or something…” he muttered, a bit overwhelmed.

  She huffed, puffing her cheeks. “Hmph! You don’t even know how to celebrate! You’re so boring.”

  Ren gently patted her head, a soft smile on his face. “Sorry for being boring, then.”

  As the two stood near the silent pond, ghost moths began to flutter around the area, silently drawn to the location.

  *******

  Meanwhile, back at the outside forest

  Hina leaned backward eagerly. “Maa… can you take that Niisan’s pulse? Maybe they’ve reached it by now.”

  Miko grinned teasingly. “Why, Hina? We’re watching Yui, aren’t we? Or do you want to see Yuta? Or maybe Inori’s children?”

  Hina flinched in panic. “H-Huh?! T-That’s not it, Grandma! I’m just… curious. Since he opened the dimension earlier, that’s all...”

  Esha chuckled quietly to herself, sensing the real reason.

  Miko leaned in, rubbing her cheek against Hina’s with playful affection. “Really?”

  Hina glanced at Esha, She gave her a small, knowing nod.

  Hina’s eyes widened.

  Inori said “Actually, I’d like to see too. I’m curious about what happened at that moment… He drew the katana, then the next moment they were just talking normally.”

  Relieved, Hina muttered, “Aunty, thank you… for supporting me.”

  Inori glanced at her with a smirk. “Hey, dumpling, why are you saying thank you? We don’t need to be so formal.”

  Miko added with a knowing look, “She said it with a different intention, don’t worry, Inori.” Then she gently took the screen from Hina’s hand and placed it in Esha’s lap. With a soft motion, she lifted Hina onto her lap and hugged her gently.

  “Bujji,” Miko said softly, “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Hina blinked rapidly. “H-Huh? Wh-What, Grandma?”

  Miko laughed and rubbed their noses together, whispering warmly, “Don’t worry. We’ll watch him only. Or should we move to the big screen?”

  Esha takes the pulse again. At that very moment on the mini screen, Ren was patting her head, his smile calm and serene.

  *******

  “Hey!” She smacked his hand away. “I already said don’t do that, idiot! Why’re you doing it again and again?!”

  Ren only smiled in response.

  She scowled. “Are you mental or what?! I’m scolding you, and you’re smiling like that? Are your screws loose or something?!”

  He still smiled. “Even if you’re scolding me, it doesn’t feel like that.”

  Again, his hand landed gently on her head.

  She sighed, defeated. “Damn… do whatever you want. I think, in the meantime Even my mom shouldn’t do this many times…” She looked away, composing herself. “Well, open the dimension. I have to go.”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  *******

  Miko blinked in surprise. She leaned back slightly, sighing. ‘Ren, Ren, Ren… What's happened in your vast world?’

  *******

  “By the way,” Ren suddenly asked, “what’s your name? I never asked.”

  She narrowed her eyes to surroundings “Reha.”

  Ren nodded. “Okay. So, tell me—where’s your partner?”

  Reha looked around, puzzled. “Huh? Wait… where is this place? Which direction is this?”

  Ren smacked his forehead. “Don’t worry. I know the directions. On the first day, which direction did you start from?”

  “East.”

  “Alright. So your partner should be in the east zone, right?”

  She hesitated. “Uhhh… east…? Well, from this view…”

  Ren cut her off. “No, don’t think from our view. Just say—Is he in the same direction zone or not? …Wait. Right now, we’re in the east-south. So pointing toward north from here… means total east Zone exactly.”

  She tilted her head, confused. “Ummm… yes? Ok take now”

  Ren groaned, dragging his hand down his face. “You’re telling me directions, not the place!”

  She crossed her arms. “It’s my partner’s place. I mean… There are trees and a tunnel.”

  Ren exhaled deeply, calming himself. “That’s not enough, Reha. I haven’t seen the place, right? I can’t go by just a ‘tunnel’ detail.”

  She shrugged. “Well, I’ll go. It’s in this direction anyway. Then it is easy. You told me the direction at least. Thanks for the help.”

  She started to walk, but Ren grabbed her wrist.

  “Wait. Can you at least tell me the distance from the edge? Even if it’s rough, just give me an idea. I can take you close, that's at least I can do.”

  She gave a vague estimate.

  Ren nodded, opened a portal, and stepped aside. “Alright. Go. I won’t come. If we get a chance we will meet again in this round”

  Reha waved as she stepped through the portal.

  *******

  Watching this, Inori narrowed her eyes. “Haruki… They can only open portals to places they’ve already visited, or to somewhere they will accidentally enter, right? How did he open that one?”

  Haruki shrugged. “Yeah, that’s true Inori sama. But that rule applies to my mark. I can’t say for him. Maybe he’s already visited that forest before? We don’t see him every day, after all.”

  Miko silently stood up, walked over to Inori, and sat beside her. From behind, she gently placed her hand over Inori’s shoulder.

  With a cold, serious expression, Miko whispered, “Inori… I already told you, didn’t I? Why are you doubting them?”

  “Huh!…? No, no, I’m not doubting them Senpai”

  Inori tilted her head, She slowly leaned sideways, resting her head gently on Miko’s shoulder. Her arms wrapped around Miko’s right arm like a child clinging to her mother’s warmth.

  “Senpai… I felt something familiar. That’s why I asked. Didn’t you feel anything?” Her tone was soft but uncertain, tinted with a quiet longing. Cheeks pressing lightly into Miko's sleeve.

  Miko froze. Her eyes didn’t move, but her breath stilled for a second.

  Miko thought ‘Umm… how can I tell you this, Inori...? I’m confused myself,…. After knowing, if they call me 'aunty,' it feels weird. But…’

  She exhaled slowly

  ‘Who am I to them now...? Just a Senpai? A mother-like figure...? Or maybe I’m the only one who knows both their past and present — from their older selves to their child forms again.’

  She brought the cup to her lips, hands steady but her heart not. The tea was warm, but her thoughts were not.

  As she slowly sipped, silence stretched.

  ‘I’ve watched them grow again from kids. They only think of me as a Senpai. But I… didn’t realize anything until recently….. and It’s been so long since I met him.’

  Inori raised her face slightly, sensing Miko’s hesitation. Her brows furrowed.

  “Senpai…why are you silent? say it. You didn’t feel anything? You called him a good boy… and you said you’re like a mother figure to them.”

  She tilted her head, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

  "If my feelings and your feelings are meant to connect, and if there's even a chance, then it can only happen in one way, right?”

  Miko’s eyes darted toward Hina nearby — and immediately, she activated with serious tone

  – { Hey—Hina’s here! What are you talking about, idiot?! Are you crazy to mentioning something like that here?! }

  Inori jerked back slightly, startled by the sudden scolding. She raised her hands in defense, though no words came aloud — just the sheepish voice in Miko’s mind.

  – H-Huh?! Senpai, no! I’m not saying that! I just said… it’s possible, right?

  She lowered her hands slowly, avoiding Miko’s eyes.

  – First, just tell me—How did you meet them?

  Miko looked away, lips pressed tightly. She tapped her fingernail softly against her teacup, visibly struggling to find the right words.

  Miko quietly said – { Inori… I understand what you’re thinking. Yes, that could be the way. But why are you even thinking like that? }

  Her eyes narrowing gently with a maternal glint.

  – { If they really are my children… Would you still doubt them? }

  Inori's expression softened, her gaze falling to her lap. She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve.

  – Senpai… I don’t doubt them. I’m just thinking. But still, you didn’t answer…

  with sigh – { They said they were orphans when they intruded into the kingdom… so I registered them. I’ve been seeing them every day since. }

  Inori’s lips tightened. – Then tell me… how did he behave back then?

  Miko reclined back, eyes closed for a moment, as if rewinding time.

  – { At first, he was very silent. After a few months, I only saw Azuma—Ken wasn’t around. Azuma said Ken had gone somewhere. Later, when I saw them again, Ken was there. }

  She opened her eyes, looking up at the clouds.

  – { But then also he didn’t speak to me. Just stayed silent. }

  She turned to Inori with a knowing glance.

  – { I get it now… you’re thinking Ken is Ren… and Azuma is Kazuma, right? }

  She sipped her tea slowly, as if trying to digest the implications herself.

  Inori leaned in, eyes lighting up with clarity.

  – Yes… yes, Senpai! That’s what I was thinking!

  Her excitement grew.

  – On the night when the tournament started… I said right? I didn’t feel that much when I saw that Ken guy, but when I saw Kazuma—I mean That Azuma Guy—it felt familiar.”

  Her smile faded into confusion.

  – But now… seeing that guy… he feels familiar too.

  She bit her lower lip thoughtfully.

  – At first, I thought they were disciples of them, maybe their master’s behavior influenced them. But no—only they behave like that.

  – When he said he could use Avatar ability… I got confused. A weird thought crossed my mind—I even wondered if he might be his son. But that’s impossible, right?

  – So if there is a way… it would have to be forbidden art, right…?

  She looked at Miko cautiously.

  – Senpai, don’t get mad. I’m just saying—if there’s a chance.

  Miko tilted her head.

  – { Don’t overthink it. If you want to imagine it that way… go ahead. Who’s stopping you? }

  Inori’s face turned solemn again.

  – How can I think like that, Senpai…? If they’re really different people…

  Her eyes lowered, voice smaller in Miko’s mind.

  – They feel like ‘someone who’s seeing something in us… and acting like that. If not… she wouldn’t even talk to us’, right?

  She paused. Then, with a look of regret

  – Actually… I even said to that Azuma guy—how did he feel about me?

  Her hand gripped her skirt tightly.

  – Now I’m worried… Did he feel wrong about me…? But I felt the same feeling…

  She murmured, a trace of conflict in her voice. She lowered her gaze, fingers gently curling around her sleeves.

  – And when he calls me ‘mental queen’… I actually enjoy it.

  Miko’s eyes twitched the moment she heard the mental queen word. ‘That idiot… Kazuma… is he enjoying calling her like that?!’

  A small, embarrassed laugh escaped on Inori lips.

  – Who else would talk to me like that, so bluntly… so freely?

  she glanced at Miko with searching eyes.

  – Tell me, Senpai… am I wrong?

  – And I—without thinking—I even asked that Ken guy to marry Himari… because I liked his behaviour.

  *PFFFT!!*

  She nearly spat out her tea, Everyone turned toward her.

  “Grandma?! What happened?!”

  Miko coughing, voice shaky

  “N-Nothing! Just the tea—the wrong pipe, that’s all!”

  – { HEY, IDIOT!! HOW COULD YOU ASK THAT TO HIM AFTER JUST MEETING?! YOU ONLY ASSUMING THEM LIKE THAT, THEN WHY ASKED? }

  Inori blinked, slightly startled, then looked away with an awkward smile.

  – I-I mean... he talked about Roy, so I just asked him, thinking his calmness might suit her…, I feeling now, at that time I didn't think that deeply

  Miko narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms with a teasing grin forming in her thoughts.

  – { Umm… so you didn’t want to give her to my son, huh? Alright, fine then. }

  Inori immediately hugging Miko’s right arm tightly. Her brows scrunched with flustered energy.

  – Senpai, that’s not it! If you want, if Yuta and Himari agree, I’ll immediately agree too!

  Miko’s expression relaxed into a smirk, clearly enjoying herself. – { I’m just teasing. I doubt my son would say yes now even if he was dying. You see the situation, right? }

  Inori pouted, still clinging to her arm. Her voice turned softer, hesitant. – Senpai, now that your anger’s gone… Please, help me clear this up.

  Miko pressed her knuckles against her forehead, her eyes slightly shut.

  ‘She really won’t give up, huh…’

  She lifted her gaze slightly. – { Fine. Can I talk to them about what they're feeling? }

  Inori froze, face flushed. She shook her head quickly, squeezing Miko’s arm tighter. – Senpai! You’re making me more embarrassed! How can you just ask them that?

  Miko's shoulders moved in a silent laugh, her upper lip twitching just a bit.

  Nearby, Esha, Hina, Haruki, and Hisagi watching the screen as the two continued their conversation.

  Inori turned toward Miko, confused. – Senpai, what’s so funny now?

  Miko tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with mischief. – { You’re worried and again telling me not to ask them, so how am I supposed to solve it? }

  Inori whined, hugging tighter, her eyes pleading. – Senpai! If you ask them directly, I won’t talk to you again! Hmph. Think of another solution!!

  Miko stifled a giggle.

  ‘Inori, Inori… I’m barely holding my laugh here.’

  – { Alright. I don’t know if this solution will work… It depends on you. Of course, it depends on them too. }

  Inori tilted her head, confused. – { What do you mean, Senpai? }

  Miko paused, then said carefully

  – { Well… start with friendship. But They're 25. First, remove the ‘strangers’ label between you and them. You feel familiar toward them, sure—but they don’t feel the same. So, you have to move first. }

  Author Note : How do you feel about this Chapter? Umm… Which conversation you liked most in this chapter?