Deep in the mountain forest.
A bleak, icy wind.
A torrential downpour.
Yui Hirasawa crouched beneath a large tree, trembling as she futilely held her backpack over her head.
Rainwater dripped steadily from the tips of her hair.
Her pink jacket was soaked through, clinging to her body.
Her lips were purple with cold, her teeth chattering, her whole body curled into a tight ball.
"Mio… Ritsu… Mugi… where are you…?"
Her voice, thick with tears, sounded especially faint in the empty wood.
Each breath left her mouth as white vapor, and her fingers had gone stiff with cold.
Dense fog and lashing rain erased everything from view; she could no longer see the path she had taken.
She tried to recall the hiking route, but her hopeless sense of direction left her completely unable to orient herself in such conditions.
Every attempt to move only led her farther astray.
At last she sagged, exhausted, against the trunk. Her mind began to blur.
"Am I going to die…?"
The scene before her wavered and dimmed.
"So cold… I wish I could have one more slice of Mugi's cake…"
Her thoughts drifted to the light‑music club room, always filled with laughter and the smell of sweets.
Just then—
Tap!
A faint silhouette appeared through the curtain of rain.
Forcing her eyes wide, Yui saw a black‑haired man walking toward her.
Strangely, the rain seemed to part around him, an invisible barrier keeping even the hem of his coat dry.
"A person? A ghost? Am I hallucinating…?"
Her surroundings suddenly twisted.
"Ugh… so dizzy…"
Her knees buckled and she pitched forward.
A pair of strong arms caught her.
Rei Ao brushed Yui's forehead, frowning.
"Running a fever? Your constitution is really poor."
Though he spoke bluntly, his touch was exquisitely gentle, as if holding a fragile treasure.
Warm energy flowed from his palm; the moisture on Yui's body vanished at once, her clothes turning dry and comfortable, her temperature quickly returning to normal.
She remained unconscious, long lashes casting faint shadows on her pale face.
"Sleep awhile."
Cradling her in his arms, Rei Ao strode into the rain. A playful gleam flashed in his iridescent eyes.
…
Elsewhere
Akiyama Mio waited anxiously, fists clenched so hard her nails dug into her palms.
She had struck a bargain with Rei Ao—one "favor" in exchange for Yui's rescue.
For her friend, she would pay any price.
Her heart hammered; countless possible "prices" flashed through her mind, staining her cheeks crimson.
"Mio… what is this method of yours?"
Tsumugi Kotobuki fixed her with a stare.
"Yeah, tell us already!"
Ritsu asked, uneasily scanning the rain.
"Yui's been gone so long…"
"I…"
Mio had no answer; she could give no solid explanation.
At that moment two figures emerged from the storm: Rei Ao, carrying an unconscious Yui.
Around them shimmered an invisible barrier—no rain could touch them, leaving a strange dry space.
"Yui!"
Mio and Ritsu cried in unison, half‑joy, half‑disbelief.
Rei Ao laid Yui gently on a bench, as if placing down fine art.
"She's fine—just frightened. A good sleep will settle it."
His deep, magnetic voice radiated calm.
Mugi hurriedly draped her coat over Yui, only to find Yui's clothes already warm and dry, as if she had never been soaked at all.
"Sir, thank you so much—how did you find her?"
Gratitude and curiosity shone in her eyes.
"Someone asked me."
Rei Ao glanced meaningfully at Mio, a smile flickering in his rainbow‑colored eyes.
"Now, it's time to collect my payment."
Mio's face flamed from ears to neck. She remembered the terms and her heart nearly stopped.
Ritsu and Mugi stared, mystified.
"Um… could we maybe—" Mio began, voice barely a whisper, but Rei Ao raised a finger.
"Not now," he said, smiling—gentle, yet edged with danger.
"When you're ready, call me."
His gaze lingered on Mio a moment longer, as though seeing straight through her.
Then his figure faded, vanishing into the rain as if he had never been.
Only a dry, sleeping Yui and Mio's burning cheeks proved it had all been real.
"Mio… who was that?"
Ritsu's voice rose with shock.
"Do you know him? What did he mean by 'payment'?"
Her questions rattled out like gunfire. Mugi, too, watched intently—elegant, but plainly curious.
"Appeared from nowhere and vanished the same way—like a magic trick…"
Mio lowered her head, ears scarlet, fingers twisting her hem.
Seeing this, even Mugi sensed the "payment" must be something personal.
"It's… a long story…"
Her voice dwindled to a murmur. There was no way she could explain who he was.
"By the way—you three have no shelter. Go over there."
Rei Ao reappeared without warning, startling them all.
They followed his pointing finger—and there, ahead, stood a brand‑new house.
Ritsu's jaw dropped.
"Was… was that house always there?"
~~~
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