July 29th, 2026.
Night falls, and Shiki and Hitori have hidden themselves in a cave. With Russian helicopters looming over the forest, some with searchlights on, neither Shiki nor Hitori could afford to leave the cave.
"I can still hear the choppers coming and going." Hitori said.
"That's because they haven't seen us, and we need to keep it that way." Shiki replied, as he carries fresh logs.
The duo go deeper into the cave, noticing two diverging paths.
"Okay. So, which way do we go?" Hitori asked.
"Look." Shiki said. "One of the pathways leads to a huge lake."
"How can you be so sure?" Hitori continued to inquire Shiki.
"Because I see water at the end of it." Shiki replied, pointing to the water at the end of the path.
"You're right." Hitori said. "I do see water."
Wasting no time, Shiki and Hitori head for the lake.
"I really hope I don't step on something jagged on the way." Hitori said. "I've been barefoot for hours now and so far, I have only walked on grass and dirt."
"I can at least be your eyes for the pointy stuff." Shiki replied.
"Good point." Hitori said. "I like my feet as they are now, so I don't want to step on anything sharp."
"Or I could carry you all the way there." Shiki continued.
"Alright." Hitori hops onto Shiki's back, and the duo continue on their way to the lake, with Shiki still holding the logs on his left hand.
"Wow. You're lighter than I thought you'd be." Shiki said.
Hitori could only blush, even as Shiki walks to the lake with her in tow.
Shiki and Hitori arrive at the lake.
"We're here." Shiki said, then, as soon as Hitori gets off of him, collapses on his face.
Meanwhile, on the Hayashi, at the bridge, Danji, Junji and Hirushi are being briefed on the rescue mission by several officers, all the while repair work on the ship continues.
One of the briefing officers presents a digital map of the islands.
"According to our last known coordinates, Captain Kirikata's plane crashed on Simushir Island."
"Simushir?" Danji asked. "Isn't that the largest uninhabited island on the chain?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Hatayama." Another briefing officer said.
"So if the Captain's there, we have to find him." Junji replied out of concern.
"This isn't going to be easy." The briefing officer continued. "One of our drones spotted a Russian airbase on the island. And based on the imagery, the Russian forces there are on the move. We see troops, tanks, helicopters and AA guns all over the island."
"Well, it looks like one big fortress to me." Hirushi said.
"That concludes the briefing." The briefing officer said. "Rest up pilots, you have to sortie tomorrow morning."
Danji, Junji and Hiruchi walk away from the bridge.
At Simushir Island, inside the cave, Shiki and Hitori sit by the campfire. Warmed by the campfire, Hitori scrunches her toes as Shiki watches. Hitori notices Shiki staring at her feet, giving out a little giggle towards him.
"Are you looking at my feet, Shiki?" Hitori asked.
"Alright. You caught me, Hitori." Shiki replied. "To tell you the truth, I find them fascinating."
"You think so?" Hitori asked once again.
"Of course I do. I mean, you certainly do look beautiful from head to toe." Shiki said.
"Too bad they're a little dirty, though." Hitori replied.
"Oh, I don't mind it at all." Shiki said.
"I'm glad, because I do feel kind of happy being barefoot." Hitori continued. "Walking on grass and soft ground makes me feel alive."
"Well, they certainly look gorgeous. I can tell you that." Shiki said.
"Shiki. Stop. Now you're just teasing me." Hitori replied, giggling in the process. "Don't tell me you like them."
"Yes, I do like them." Shiki continued. "In fact, they represent just how beautiful you really are."
He proceeds to tickle the soles of Hitori's feet, causing her to laugh uncontrollably.
"Shiki, hahahahahaha!" Hitori struggles to contain her laughter. "Nooo. Stop. I hate being tickled. Please, stohohohohop!"
An hour later, Hitori is sound asleep by the campfire as Shiki looks after her with his Glock 17 drawn, as the muffled sound of Russian helicopters flying by come and go. Still confident in the fact that the cave will keep them out of detection, Shiki decides to sleep on the cave wall, so as to not let Hitori out of his sight, his right hand still tightly gripping his gun in the event any Russian troops find them.
As Shiki shuts his eyes looking at Hitori lovingly, he thinks to himself.
"I can't leave her alone. It's my job to protect her. She's the captain of the Hayashi. Then again, I can't help but wonder why I'm falling for her. Hearing her story about killing her abusive dad at a very young age, the fact that she is an orphan. It makes me really sad. I promise myself I won't leave her alone. Even if this war ends, I'll always be with her. We can both live normal lives together."
With both Shiki and Hitori sound asleep, the cave enters an eerie silence.