The bustling festival pathways of Mount Kyobi stretch before them.
Colorful banners flutter overhead.
Foxfire lanterns sway gently in the mountain breeze.
Vendors call out from every direction.
Children race through the crowds.
Warriors discuss battles.
Merchants advertise food loudly enough for the entire mountain to hear.
Jack and the others continue walking together through the stone pathways.
Still discussing the tournament.
Still trying to understand Reito's battle.
---
Then—
Miko suddenly places both hands over her stomach.
---
Miko:
"Leave Reito for now."
---
A dramatic pause.
---
Miko:
"I'm hungry."
---
Instantly—
Everyone looks at her.
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Kaito points at her.
Without mercy.
---
Kaito:
"...You're becoming a mini Yukito."
---
The group immediately bursts into laughter.
---
Miko gasps.
Offended.
---
Miko:
"WHAT?!"
---
Yukito places both hands on his hips proudly.
---
Yukito:
"An excellent life decision."
---
Kaito shakes his head.
---
Kaito:
"First it starts with snacks."
---
"Then sweets."
---
"Then random food stalls."
---
"Next thing you know—"
---
He points dramatically at Yukito.
---
"You're this."
---
Yukito places a hand over his chest.
Pretending to be wounded.
---
Yukito:
"I have been attacked."
---
Then—
He suddenly points at Miko.
---
Yukito:
"You simply lack dedication."
---
Miko blinks.
---
Miko:
"Dedication?"
---
Yukito nods seriously.
As if revealing ancient wisdom.
---
Yukito:
"True food warriors don't wait until they're hungry."
---
"They prepare in advance."
---
Kaito groans.
---
Jack pinches the bridge of his nose.
---
Shiori immediately looks away to hide a laugh.
---
Mizuki giggles openly.
---
Miko stares at Yukito for several seconds.
---
Then suddenly points at everyone.
---
Miko:
"No."
---
"This is all YOUR fault."
---
Yukito:
"My fault?"
---
Miko nods vigorously.
---
Miko:
"Yes."
---
"We're becoming Yukito after being with Yukito."
---
Complete silence.
---
Then—
Everyone immediately realizes she's right.
---
Jack laughs.
Actually laughs.
---
Kaito nearly doubles over.
---
Shiori covers her mouth.
---
Mizuki giggles uncontrollably.
---
Even several nearby festival visitors glance toward them.
Wondering what could possibly be so funny.
---
Yukito looks around.
Confused.
---
Yukito:
"Why is everyone laughing?"
---
Kaito wipes tears from his eyes.
---
Kaito:
"Because that's the most accurate thing she's ever said."
---
Jack nods.
---
Jack:
"I can't even argue with it."
---
Shiori smiles.
---
Shiori:
"Neither can I."
---
Mizuki points toward Yukito.
---
Mizuki:
"You've definitely influenced everyone."
---
Yukito stares at them.
Slowly.
Suspiciously.
---
Then—
A grin spreads across his face.
---
Yukito:
"So what I'm hearing..."
---
He dramatically spreads both arms.
---
Yukito:
"...is that I'm unforgettable."
---
The entire group groans at the same time.
---
And beneath the glowing foxfire lanterns of Mount Kyobi—
Their laughter echoes through the crowded festival district.
For a little while—
No battles.
No pressure.
No tournament tension.
Just friends enjoying the Kyobi Veilcrest Festival together.
The laughter continues as the group moves deeper into the bustling festival district.
Foxfire lanterns glow overhead.
The scent of roasted skewers, sweet dango, grilled riverfish, and fresh pastries drifts through the mountain pathways.
---
And immediately—
A new problem appears.
---
Food.
---
Miko points toward one stall.
---
Miko:
"That one smells amazing."
---
Kaito points elsewhere.
---
Kaito:
"No."
"That one."
---
Mizuki glances toward another vendor.
---
Mizuki:
"The sweet stall looks nice."
---
Shiori laughs softly.
---
Shiori:
"Everything looks nice."
---
Even Jack finds himself looking around.
There are simply too many choices.
---
A brief silence follows.
---
Everyone begins thinking.
---
What should they eat?
---
Which stall?
Which food?
Which snack?
---
Then—
Jack suddenly stops walking.
---
Everyone turns.
---
Jack folds his arms thoughtfully.
---
Jack:
"Hold on."
---
The group pauses.
---
Jack looks around dramatically.
---
Jack:
"Why are we thinking so hard?"
---
Yukito blinks.
---
Yukito:
"Huh?"
---
Jack slowly points toward him.
---
Jack:
"When the Supreme Lord of Snacks is standing right here."
---
Miko immediately starts laughing.
---
Kaito nearly chokes.
---
Shiori covers her mouth.
---
Mizuki giggles.
---
Yukito's eyes widen.
---
Jack continues.
Completely serious.
---
Jack:
"Yukito."
---
A dramatic pause.
---
"Your Highness."
---
Yukito straightens instantly.
---
Jack bows slightly.
---
Jack:
"Please guide your humble subjects."
---
Miko immediately joins in.
---
Miko:
"Yes, Your Highness."
---
Kaito bows dramatically.
---
Kaito:
"The kingdom hungers."
---
Even Mizuki plays along.
---
Mizuki:
"We await your wisdom."
---
Shiori sighs.
---
Shiori:
"I can't believe we're doing this."
---
Yukito slowly places both hands behind his back.
---
His expression changes completely.
---
A king.
---
A ruler.
---
A legendary food monarch.
---
He begins walking.
Slowly.
Majestically.
---
People nearby actually start staring.
---
Yukito nods.
---
Yukito:
"Excellent."
---
"At last."
---
"Recognition."
---
He points toward Jack.
---
Yukito:
"You are a great warrior, Jack."
---
Jack immediately places a fist over his chest.
---
Jack:
"I am honored, Your Highness."
---
Yukito nods approvingly.
---
Yukito:
"Your King shall help you."
---
Then—
He dramatically spins.
Throws one arm toward the sky.
---
Foxfire lanterns sway above him.
---
Yukito:
"I HAVE DECIDED."
---
Everyone waits.
---
The tension rises.
---
The answer approaches.
The entire group waits.
Watching.
Listening.
Waiting for the supreme judgment of the self-proclaimed Food King.
Yukito stands beneath the foxfire lanterns.
One arm raised dramatically toward the heavens.
The mountain breeze flows through his hair.
His expression becomes unbelievably serious.
As if the fate of the world itself depends on this decision.
The tension rises.
Even nearby vendors begin looking over curiously.
Then—
Yukito slowly lowers his hand.
Yukito:
"I have seen many foods."
A dramatic pause.
Yukito:
"I have witnessed countless snacks."
Another pause.
Yukito:
"I have tasted greatness."
Jack immediately nods.
Jack:
"A true scholar."
Kaito nearly bursts out laughing.
Yukito ignores him.
Yukito points forward.
Toward a large bustling food shop overflowing with customers.
Steam rises from enormous iron pots.
The scent of rich broth fills the air.
Fresh noodles.
Roasted meat.
Spiced vegetables.
Everything smells incredible.
Yukito's eyes shine.
Yukito:
"There."
Everyone follows his finger.
The sign above the shop reads:
"Moonfire Hearth Noodle House."
The line outside is enormous.
Miko gasps.
Miko:
"That smells AMAZING."
Mizuki nods immediately.
Mizuki:
"It really does."
Even Shiori looks interested.
Jack folds his arms.
Jack:
"Solid choice."
Yukito places both hands on his hips proudly.
Yukito:
"Of course."
Kaito smirks.
Kaito:
"You picked the biggest restaurant."
Yukito:
"Exactly."
Kaito:
"...Why?"
Yukito looks at him as if the answer is obvious.
Yukito:
"Because if everyone is standing there..."
He points dramatically at the crowd.
Yukito:
"...then they're obviously doing something right."
A beat.
Then—
Jack nods.
Jack:
"That's actually reasonable."
Shiori laughs.
Miko laughs.
Mizuki giggles.
Kaito stares at Yukito.
Kaito:
"I hate that this makes sense."
Yukito places a hand over his chest.
Yukito:
"Wisdom comes naturally."
Miko immediately points at him.
Miko:
"No."
"It comes from your stomach."
The entire group bursts into laughter.
Even Yukito can't argue.
Because she is completely correct.
The bustling restaurant glows warmly beneath the foxfire lanterns.
Steam rises into the evening air.
The smell alone is enough to make everyone hungry.
And together—
The group begins walking toward the Moonfire Hearth Noodle House.
Still laughing.
Still teasing each other.
Still enjoying the rare peace between battles.
While somewhere deeper within the crowded festival district—
Unnoticed by them—
A familiar figure moves through the crowd.
And soon—
A certain cousin from Arashinra Village may cross their path.
— HOLD SCENE — 💯🔥🍜