>>5931849The twelve of you set off. You’re trying to project an aura of confidence like Hotaru said you should, but you can’t help but feel slightly intimidated. It’s hard to pin down why. You’re probably feeling a bit shy. That, combined with the fact that you’re extra-conscious of yourself because of Hotaru’s instructions earlier, have you feeling a little withdrawn.
You stick close to Naoki, who falls back towards the back of the caravan. It makes you feel more at ease to watch and not BE watched right now. Hotaru guides Masami off towards the front.
You glance at Naoki. He glances at you, and sighs.
“When I had my accident, I was playing out here in the woods. These people are the ones who found me. I would have died without them. Still, it’s awkward. I’ve gone from being some dead kid they scraped off the floor to being the one who’s supposed to protect them. It’s bizarre. I told you I try to keep my worlds separate, but… Well, it’s probably not a coincidence we’re here. I bet they requested me. It makes me kind of angry, if I’m being honest.”
“I bet.” You say. “When we have time and some privacy we can practice some taijutsu? It’ll get your mind off it. I’m sure the weirdness of the situation will fade with time.”
—
The weirdness does not fade with time, at least, not within the frame of the first day. Naoki seems really on edge, and the two of you spend the first four hours walking in silence. Sometime around noon the caravan comes to a stop, and you eat lunch. When you’re done eating lunch, everyone just sort of lazes around for an extra two hours, bantering, talking about the weather, playing music, etcetera.
Akimitsu is keeping his distance, but Hana (Who you now know is Gin’s older daughter.) is really pestering your team. She starts with Naoki, trying to talk to him about music. He more or less refuses. She then starts trying to talk to Masami about fashion, but Masami doesn’t know shit about fashion and Hana quickly gives up. Now she’s trying to talk to you.
“So, like, what’s your deal?”
“My deal?”
“Like, I know Naoki is a fighter, Masami is, like, the girl of your team, right?”
“Being a girl isn’t a team role.”
“Right?”
“... What?”
“Whatever. So, like, what’s your deal?”
>Like, what’s your deal?>When you’re done with this riveting philosophical inquiry into your nature as a human being, who are you generally spending your time with? Hotaru eventually tells the three of you to make sure you stay somewhat spread out, one to the front, one in the middle, and one in the back.>Kin and his wife are generally at the front of the caravan.>Gin and his wife are generally at the back of the caravan.>The kids and Shota Aoki are generally in the middle of the caravan, though individuals tend to break off and wander away randomly.>You notice Naoki is avoiding Akimitsu for some reason. 