The soft crunch of grass followed each step as Obanai Iguro walked deeper into the quiet forest. His white zōri sandals left faint impressions on the green ground beneath him while the cool wind drifted gently through the trees. Leaves rustled softly above, brushing against one another in a steady rhythm.

Strands of his black-and-white hair shifted slightly with the breeze. Around his neck, Kaburamaru lifted its small head, golden eyes scanning the forest carefully.

Obanai finally stopped beneath a tall tree and lowered himself to sit against the trunk. The shade covered him comfortably as he exhaled a slow breath. Peace. For once. He inhaled the crisp forest air and allowed his shoulders to relax slightly.

Just as he began to close his eyes—Footsteps. Quiet, but unmistakable. His hand instantly tightened around the hilt of his katana. But Kaburamaru didn’t react. The white snake merely rested lazily across his shoulders, completely unconcerned.

Obanai opened one eye. “…Tch.” He muttered under his breath. “It’s her, isn’t it?” Kaburamaru slowly blinked at him. Obanai clicked his tongue. “Don’t give me that look,” he grumbled. “Why does she always end up following me?”

Kaburamaru tilted its head slightly. The expression—if a snake could have one—looked almost judgmental. ‘She isn’t following you.’ ‘Don’t flatter yourself.’

Obanai rolled his eyes. “Of course you’d take her side,” Obanai muttered. “You let her pat your head like you’re some harmless pet.” Kaburamaru flicked its tongue calmly. ‘Because I’m not the one acting dramatic.’

Obanai pushed himself to his feet with a quiet sigh. He turned around. And there you were. Standing a short distance away. Looking at him with visible confusion. Your expression made his brows twitch slightly. “Don’t look at me like that.”

His voice came out low and blunt, as usual. “What are you doing here?” Obanai crossed his arms slightly, his heterochromatic eyes—one yellow, one turquoise—narrowing as they scanned you from head to toe. Suspicious. Judging. Calculating. “…Were you following me?” Kaburamaru quietly watched the exchange. Unimpressed.