The party set off at dawn. The pieces of sky between the treetops were streaked pink and orange from the rising sun. Miku took the lead, with Meiko close behind. Kaito trailed after, followed by Rin, Len, then finally Luka.
Rin was playing her guitar. Every now and then, she struck a wrong chord and everybody winced. The birds in the trees above them began to chatter louder, as if trying to obscure the horrible music.
Suddenly, Meiko snatched Rin's instrument and slammed it down on a rock. Rin gasped. Everyone else continued to walk, trying to hide their smiles.