“Huh! If I fail, I’ll jump and start over.”

  “That’s your only option,” Jin replied.

  Mei jumped to the fourth stone and stood firmly. “Yeah, it's stable!” She stepped onto the stone in the middle of the pool and picked up the crystal. “Aunty, now we can walk on water, right?”

  With a faint smile, Diya replied, “Haa… it’s finished.”

  Mei slowly walked over, her steps quiet as she made her way to Diya. With a soft smile, she lowered herself onto the ground and sat in front of Diya, looking at her with a gentle expression. Diya, in a warm, affectionate gesture, pulled Mei close, wrapping her arms around her from behind and resting her head gently on Mei’s shoulder. As Mei sat quietly, a soft sigh escaped Diya, and she smiled faintly, her voice teasing yet full of fondness.

  “Hmm… acting sweet when you need to, huh?”

  Mei, slightly flustered but smiling, remained in the embrace. “That’s not it, Aunty...”

  “Okay, don’t worry. I’m just teasing. I know my Mei.”

  Diya (35, has a soft, oval-shaped face. Her eyebrows are smooth and gently arched, always seeming to carry a hint of concern or affection. Fine smile lines at the corners of her lips and green eyes. Her nose is straight and soft-edged. Her smile is calm and reassuring — the kind that makes others feel at ease. Crimson red hair, light fair skin tone, wearing a hoodie-style ninja uniform.)

  Mei (21, heart-shaped face, bright expressive eyes, short brownish-black hair. Wearing a full-length deep forest green tunic-dress with a mandarin collar, long sleeves, and side slits from thigh to ankle, layered with black mesh. Paired with fitted black leggings for agility. A thin matching sash at the waist.)

  Jin, who was quietly observing the scene from a distance, couldn’t help but smirk at the affectionate moment. He chuckled softly.

  Noticing Jin’s smile, Diya playfully called out, “What about you, Jin? Don’t just stand there! Come!”

  “Aunty, what do you think when you want to stop Mei? Add a rule about both having to go?”

  “Hmm... yes, but I can do more.” She pulled Mei’s cheeks. “For my Mei, I didn’t even do that.”

  “Ahh! Please stop pulling, Aunty!” Mei groaned.

  “Well, what will you do now? Go, or stay and chat with me?”

  Jin crossed his arms. “Of course we’ll go.”

  “Hmph… Who asked you? I asked Mei. Please stay here, we can talk more,” she said in a sulky tone.

  Jin asked, “Then can you show the mini screen Aunty?”

  “Nope. If you didn’t get the crystal, I might’ve agreed. But now…” She grinned teasingly. “Well, if you want to go, head west from your view. I mean, exact north.”

  “Huh? Why are you saying that, Aunty?”

  With a teasing voice and coy grin “Guess why I would tell you?”

  Mei’s eyes widened. “Aunty! Is it about Neesan?!”

  “Yes. Of course, it’s not a problem. I didn’t see her after that. The pulse changed, and then you came.”

  Jin asked, “Why are you saying it like that, Aunty? It doesn’t sound like a big deal based on your tone.”

  “Hmm… Well, if you want to go, go that way. It’s just my suggestion. Otherwise, stay here. Mei, tell me what you think. In my opinion, you just need to collect three, that’s it. I think that guy made the rules sound complicated on purpose.”

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Jin said, “We’ll get a favor if we collect more. And if we keep them without storing, even if someone tries to steal or trade, we’ll still have the advantage.”

  “Huh! Favor?!” she muttered. ‘Niisan didn’t tell me anything… idiot Niisan.’

  “Huh? You didn’t know the rules, Aunty?”

  With a sigh, she embraced lightly. “Huff… I don’t know about that. Tell me exactly what Haruki said.”

  “Master said we’d get a small favor if we submit more than three.” With a sweet tone and innocent face, he leaned in and whispered, “Aunty, I know it’s not correct to ask.”

  He whispered again, “Do you know what the third round is?”

  She pulled his face and sighed. “Is that why you came? Well, I don’t know. Your mother didn’t tell me anything. Those idiots Haruto and Haruki didn’t either. And Niisan… you already know how he is. He’s not the type to share.”

  Jin whispered again, “Aunty, at least you know about this round, right?”

  With a wink, she said, “Even if I do, I won’t tell you.”

  Mei asked, “Aunty, you didn’t even know about the favor rule. So, do you really know about this round?”

  “Mei! You too?!” she groaned, rubbing her temples. “We have to understand the rules if we’re going to guide properly. Maybe they just thought the favor rule didn’t apply to us.”

  Jin crossed his arms. “Well Aunty, we’re going. You said west, right? I think that idiot Neesan got into trouble—and her partner is Yuta-san.”

  Mei added in a sad tone, “That’s right, Aunty. Sorry… I wanted to stay here. But we’ll go.”

  “Don’t worry, Mei. I was just teasing. You’re contestants—it’s your choice.”

  Jin and Mei wave goodbye and head toward Yuta’s direction.

  Diya watched them leave silently. After a moment, with sad expression and with silent space

  ‘If he had …’ Tears began to well up in her eyes—soft at first, but soon falling freely. She wiped them with her index finger, trying to stay composed, but the tears didn’t stop. Her hands trembled slightly as she moved them to her face. With an almost childlike motion, she wiped them away, raw and vulnerable. Her fingers lingered briefly, hesitant, before she lowered her hands, her eyes still clouded.

  ‘Well… even if I know everything, I can’t do anything with my dumb mind….’

  *********

  *Scene Shift: Outside the Forest*

  Outside the forest, people came and went freely. They ate what they liked, laughed, and chatted. To the citizens, it felt more like a festival than a trial. Everyone watched their preferred screens on a large viewing display.

  Haruki glanced to his left, “H—” but before he could finish, a hand signaled him to stay quiet.

  Hina, Miko, and Inori were huddled around a small screen, watching silently.

  Suddenly—

  “Buu!”

  A loud sound came from behind them. All three jolted in surprise. Hina let out a sharp scream before even turning.

  She spun on her heels—and saw her mother, Esha, grinning wide.

  “Maaa!” Hina gasped, her voice still shaking from the scare.

  She rushed toward Esha, who had just placed down a large tray and crouched to catch her. Hina clung to her like a baby monkey—arms wrapped tightly around her mother’s head, legs hooked around her waist. Giggling, she climbed a little higher, feet pressing against Esha’s thighs as she played wildly in her embrace.

  Esha laughed, holding her close. She nuzzled her gently and said in a soft voice, “What happened to my brave girl?”

  “I-I got scared all of a sudden!” Hina whined, half-laughing now. “But when I saw you, it all went poof!”

  The two began to play—clapping hands, wiggling fingers in a rhythm only they understood. Giggling together, they seemed lost in their own little world.

  Inori folded her arms and sighed dramatically. “Hmm… You’re the one spoiling Hina, idiot. She doesn’t even respect me—she called me an old lady!”

  Esha (30, wears a long, high-collared robe-style ninja dress that flows just below the knees, with side slits for movement. Colors: muted plum and soft maroon. Gold embroidery lines the collar and sleeves—elegant but not flashy. 3/4th length sleeves, slightly flared. Cinched waist in a darker shade of the same color. Black pants, open-toe sandals. Hazel eyes, gentle expression. Ash brown and soft maroon hair, tied low. She has a calm, warm, mature aura.)

  Esha chuckled. “Inori-neesan, she’s a kid. Are you really comparing yourself to her?”

  Inori scoffed. “Hmph… You’ve always been like this!”

  Just then, Hina stuck her tongue out. “Buu!”

  Inori gasped and stepped forward, “You little—!”

  But Hina quickly buried herself deeper into Esha’s arms, giggling behind her shoulder.

  Esha shielded her playfully. “Neesan, she’s a child—and you’re also acting like one. Well, if you’re that angry, hit me instead. Leave her.”

  Inori blinked, then frowned. “Tch. As if I’d hit her. I just wanted to nuzzle her cheeks with mine, that’s all.”

  Haruki asked, “Esha-san, you brought the food, right? The aroma is hitting my nose.”

  “Yes.” A tray full of freshly prepared food: rich, soft rolls stuffed with savory herbs, a steaming big bowl of thick curry, dumplings, fried rice balls coated in crunchy crumbs and filled with hot green chili paste and soft paneer, crisp rice cakes—spicy pickle, bread, and crispy potato rolls golden and filled with mashed spiced veggies.

  “Ooooh! Food!” Hina bounced excitedly, already halfway off Esha’s lap.

  “Neesan, Miko-san,” Esha called warmly, “come, eat. I made it for everyone.” She offered Miko a respectful nod and smile. “Miko-san, please try this.”

  Miko smiled gently. “Thank you, Esha. It smells wonderful.”

  They all gathered around, but Hina, already with a piece in her mouth, hugged the small bowl of curry and the biggest rice ball close to her chest. When Inori reached over to take one crispy roll, Hina growled playfully, “Try and I’ll bite your fingers off!”

  Inori froze mid-reach. “Huh!? Did she just—” Her eye twitched. “Hey, I want rolls. Just give me one of the two types. Who asked for your curry and rice ball? You cold-hearted baby dumpling.”

  She glanced at Esha, then narrowed her eyes. “Didn’t she try to bite me once before when I took her sweets?”

  Esha chuckled softly. “She might have but You did eat the last piece back then.”

  Inori scowled. “Tch. Fine. Even if she tries, I’ll still take it.”

  She reached again with mock determination. Hina opened her mouth like a tiny monster, ready to strike. “Aaaah—I warned you!”

  Esha stopped quickly, tapping Hina on the head. “Hina! That’s wrong. We have to share food. I cooked for everyone.”

  Hina paused, cheeks puffed full of rice. “Mmm… okay… Maa,” she mumbled, reluctant but obeying. She slowly pushed the crispy potato roll toward Inori—just a little. Haruki tried the rice cakes first, Miko tried the soft rolls, and Esha ate bread.

  Yuta's screen appeared on the big screen.

  Author Note:

  The current schedule is one chapter every two days. Actually, this chapter was supposed to be uploaded yesterday, but I’m uploading it this morning. But the next chapter may get delayed. I’m not saying it definitely will, but it might—because I’m low on confidence. Actually, this chapter is short, right? And these author notes are also consuming words. I wrote this chapter for myself. If I don’t like it, who will?

  In the future, I’ll still try to write in a fun, warm way. And sorry—I didn’t write Diya and Mei’s details at the start. I think I’ll just go with the flow without worrying about a slow pace from giving too much info. But since I’ve already given info for some characters, I added them too.

  As I said—I wrote this chapter for myself. Also, please imagine Sakura’s dress as normal—not a jumpsuit. I’ll write details about Himari in the next chapter.

  Thanks for reading my novel!