>>5936538And yet these people just walked through the countryside for weeks on end without a care in the world as if there wasn’t unfathomable death and havoc waiting for you out here, away from anyone’s capacity to call for help.
The nature here did have an aesthetic beauty to it. The sun was bright even as it was filtered through a thick canopy of tree leaves. The wind rustled those leaves and rendered the world visible in a pattern of dappled light. The wheel of the cart creaked, and the muted hum of some ignored conversation played out elsewhere in the line. Even the air tasted crisper and cleaner, and the wind that carried the air also carried earthy scents of plant life and soil. The world out here had an altered quality to it at times, like you were moving through the liminal zone that separated the real world from the heightened, poetic form of a painting.
And then you’d blink and that altered quality is gone once again. You’re surrounded by empty earth and the threat of doom and destruction and death. Once again the swaying leaves are drained of beauty and are reduced to soulless vectors through which someone might drive a spike into your throat.
—
Eventually the day comes to a close with sundown. The Kumamoto family briefly swarms the larger cart up front and goes about setting up camp for the night. Not only did a fire need to be started, but the carts staged in an accessible location, the animals tended to and tied up so they wouldn’t just wander off.
But the Kumamoto moved with the practice of ants and it was all done seemingly as soon as it started.
You verify with Masami that she’ll keep an eye on everything while you and Naoki practice some taijutsu, and soon after the two of you find yourselves in a clearing.
Naoki is relaxed enough that he’s stretching, still seeming like he’s enjoying the experience. This would be a good time to talk about some things, you think.
“Hey, Naoki?” You ask.
“Yeah?”
“What’s going on with you and Akimitsu?”
