The sun had climbed high in the sky, casting long shadows as the three of them walked through the rugged landscape. Ryuga led the way, his long strides silent and focused, never looking back. Kenta and Tsukiya trailed behind him, with Kenta keeping pace just a little ahead of Tsukiya. Despite the distance they had already covered, Tsukiya didn't seem to mind the long trek. In fact, she was talking non-stop.
It was obvious that Tsukiya wasn't used to having travel companions. She seemed eager to fill the silence with conversation, her voice light and animated as she spoke about anything that came to mind.
"You know," she started, glancing at Kenta with a smile, "the best part about having a girl in the group is that I can take care of you guys. I'm prepared for everything."
Kenta chuckled, casting a glance back at her. "Really ? Like what ?" he asked, curious and more than happy to engage with her. He had grown fond of Tsukiya already—her enthusiasm and energy reminded him of his own desire to keep going, even when the odds were against him.
"Well, for starters, you two would be helpless without me. I've got a whole survival kit in here," Tsukiya said, patting the side of her large travel bag as she caught up to walk beside him.
Kenta's eyebrows raised in surprise. "What kind of things do you have in there, Tsukiya-chan ?" he asked, clearly intrigued.
Tsukiya grinned, excited to show off her preparedness. "Just the essentials—like a Swiss knife, a lighter, matches, needle and thread, a first-aid kit, scissors, blankets, and—most importantly—food." She shot him a mischievous look. "You'd be surprised how many times food has saved me on trips like this."
Kenta laughed, shaking his head in amazement. "Wow, you really thought of everything. You sound like you've done this before."
"I have ! Well, kind of," Tsukiya said with a proud grin. "I love being out in nature. There's something freeing about it, you know ? Just you, the wilderness, and your own skills. My father would have preferred me to follow his path and sit behind a desk, but that's not for me. I like this life." Her voice was wistful for a moment, but she quickly brushed it off.
Ahead of them, Ryuga remained silent, though it was clear from the way his shoulders tensed that he could hear everything Tsukiya was saying. He didn't respond, but every so often, he would throw a glance over his shoulder, clearly irritated by the constant chatter. He had no interest in their conversation, but he wasn't foolish enough to underestimate someone just because they talked too much.
The hours passed slowly as they continued their journey, the sun gradually lowering toward the horizon. The sky was beginning to turn shades of orange and pink, signaling that it was time to find a place to camp for the night. Ryuga finally stopped by a flat patch of ground near a cluster of trees, his expression still one of cool indifference.
"We'll stop here," he said, his voice a low rumble.
Kenta immediately dropped his backpack with a sigh of relief. "Finally, I'm starving," he said with a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
Tsukiya, however, didn't seem the least bit tired. She set down her bag and stretched her arms above her head. "Perfect ! I'll get things ready. You two can relax."
As she busied herself with setting up the camp, Ryuga leaned against a tree, watching her out of the corner of his eye. He noticed how swiftly she moved, her hands sure and steady as she unpacked blankets, food, and other supplies from her bag. Despite his irritation, he had to admit she was prepared.
Without acknowledging that Ryuga was observing her, Tsukiya suddenly reached up and grabbed a pair of scissors from her bag. She ran her fingers through her long midnight-blue hair, and then, without hesitation, she began to cut it.
Snip. Snip.
Kenta, sitting nearby, watched in shock as long strands of her hair fell to the ground. "Tsukiya-chan, what are you doing ?" he asked, eyes wide.
She smiled as she continued to cut. "My mother made me grow it out. It's beautiful, but long hair's just too much trouble when you're traveling. Besides," she added with a shrug, "it's time for a change."
As she cut off the last lock, she ran her hands through her now shoulder-length hair, shaking it out with satisfaction. She glanced at Kenta and smiled, though she pretended not to notice the way Ryuga was silently watching her from the shadows of the tree.
"There. Much better," she said lightly, gathering the fallen hair into a pile to dispose of it later.
Kenta stood up and stretched, his eyes scanning the area. "We're going to need more wood to keep the fire going," he said, glancing over at Tsukiya, who was still busy fine-tuning her bow.
"Got it, Kenta-kun," she said cheerfully, standing up and dusting herself off. "Let's go grab some more."
Together, they wandered into the nearby woods, gathering fallen branches and dry twigs. Tsukiya hummed quietly to herself as they worked, her mood still bright and full of energy. Kenta, though quieter, seemed content as well, enjoying the simple task after the long day of walking.
"You know, it's kind of nice," Tsukiya said, breaking the comfortable silence as she gathered a few larger sticks. "It's been a while since I've done something like this… with other people, I mean." She smiled at him. "I'm usually on my own."
Kenta smiled back, pausing to lift a large branch. "I get that. It's nice having company too," he said. "I usually travel with Gingka and the others, but lately… well, it's mostly been just me and Ryuga."
Tsukiya's eyes brightened with curiosity, but she didn't press further. Instead, they continued their task until their arms were full of wood. As they made their way back to the camp, Kenta glanced over at Tsukiya again, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So, what's it like traveling on your own all the time ? It must get lonely."
Tsukiya thought for a moment, her expression softening. "It does sometimes, but I like the freedom. I can do what I want, go where I want." She glanced at Kenta and gave a small smile. "But I think I like this better. It's nice to have someone to talk to."
Kenta nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I get that."
They returned to the camp and dropped the wood in a neat pile near the dying embers of the fire. Tsukiya reached for her lighter, ready to reignite the flames, but just as she flicked it on, something unusual happened.
A sudden, fiery blaze zipped past her, a glowing ring of flame spiraling around the camp. Tsukiya stumbled back in surprise as the flames raced across the ground, heading straight for the pile of wood. Within seconds, the fire was fully lit, roaring with heat and light.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the now-blazing fire. "What… ?"
"That was L-Drago," Kenta explained with a small laugh. "Ryuga uses his Bey to light the fire sometimes. He's… not one for doing things the normal way."
Tsukiya blinked, still surprised, but quickly regained her composure. She glanced over at Ryuga, who was sitting further away, his eyes closed in what appeared to be disinterest. He hadn't even acknowledged what had just happened.
"Of course he does," Tsukiya muttered under her breath, shaking her head with a small smile. She didn't mind. In fact, it amused her, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
With the fire now crackling steadily, she turned her attention back to dinner. She pulled out some food from her bag and began preparing a simple meal. The smell of warm food soon filled the air as she cooked over the fire. Kenta sat nearby, watching her work with a smile on his face. Despite the exhaustion from the day's travel, he seemed content.
When the meal was finally ready, Tsukiya dished out portions for herself and Kenta. She glanced over at Ryuga, holding out a plate toward him. "Dinner's ready, Dragon Emperor," she said, her tone light but with a playful edge.
Ryuga didn't respond. He didn't even look in her direction.
Tsukiya shrugged, unbothered. "Suit yourself," she said casually, placing the plate down next to him in case he changed his mind. Then she turned back to Kenta, who gratefully accepted his portion.
"This is really good, Tsukiya-chan," Kenta said between bites, clearly enjoying the meal.
"Glad you like it !" she said with a smile, digging into her own food. She glanced at Ryuga from the corner of her eye, still amused by his complete lack of acknowledgment. His stubbornness didn't faze her—if anything, it made her more determined.
As the night grew colder, the fire burned steadily, providing warmth and light. Kenta and Tsukiya chatted quietly as they finished their meal, while Ryuga remained silent, seated in the furthest corner of the camp, away from them.
Despite Ryuga's coldness, Tsukiya was in high spirits. She felt lighter, freer, now that she was traveling with people who didn't know her as the masked blader, Selene. Here, she could be herself, and it was a relief. Even sleeping on the ground didn't bother her—after all, she was used to roughing it during her travels.
As the fire began to die down for the night, Tsukiya stretched her arms above her head and let out a satisfied sigh. "Goodnight, Kenta-kun," she said softly, a warm smile on her face. "Thanks for today."
"Goodnight, Tsukiya-chan," Kenta replied with a kind smile of his own. He hesitated for a moment, then added, "You should probably wake up early tomorrow. Ryuga usually leaves at dawn, and he won't wait."
Tsukiya chuckled lightly, nodding. "Good to know. I'll be ready." She glanced over at Ryuga, who had settled in the furthest spot from them, his back turned as if to emphasize his desire to remain distant. Tsukiya wasn't bothered by it—she was determined to prove herself to him, in her own way, and it was only a matter of time.
As she lay down to sleep, using her bag as a makeshift pillow, a small sense of peace washed over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she belonged, even if the Dragon Emperor refused to acknowledge her presence.
The stars twinkled above them as the campfire flickered low, and the quiet sounds of the night surrounded them. Though Ryuga was as distant as ever, Kenta's kindness and Tsukiya's newfound sense of adventure made the moment feel perfect.
With a smile on her face, she closed her eyes, eager for what the next day would bring.