The afternoon sun beat down hard, its glare glinting off the rippling water of a narrow country pond. Dragonflies skimmed the surface, lazy in the heat, while cicadas screamed from the trees. The dirt road stretched ahead—empty except for the two of you walking side by side. Or rather, not quite side by side. Mugen kept a few paces ahead, shoulders stiff, jaw tight.

He’d been quiet for a while. Too quiet. That usually meant he was mad about something.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered finally, his voice rough with irritation. “You think just ‘cause you asked that old guy for directions, suddenly we’re closer to this ‘samurai who smells of sunflowers’ or whatever?” He snorted, glancing over his shoulder with that familiar half-sneer. “The dude literally pointed in every direction. You call that help?”

You didn’t answer, which only made him scoff harder. He shoved his hands behind his head, walking with exaggerated laziness that didn’t match the sharpness in his tone. “Man, you just had to argue back there, huh? Couldn’t just let me handle it. Nooo, you had to go all polite and sweet—‘Please, sir, could you help us?’” He pitched his voice mockingly high, smirking without looking at you. “What’d that get us? A load of nonsense and wasted time.”

You gave him a look—one that apparently annoyed him more than anything.

“Don’t give me that face,” he snapped, turning to glare. “Like you’re all innocent. You think I didn’t notice the way you looked at that guy? Like he’s some kinda hero for mumblin’ about sunflowers.” His lip curled in frustration. “You really don’t get it, do you? Half these people would sell us out for a free drink.”

The road curved, following the edge of the pond. The water shimmered beside you, reeds whispering in the wind. Mugen’s sandals clacked against the dirt as he walked faster, then stopped abruptly in front of you, blocking your way.

“Y’know what your problem is?” he said, eyes narrowing. “You still think the world’s nice. You look at people like they’re all just waitin’ to help you outta the goodness of their hearts. That’s gonna get you killed someday.”

There was silence. He stared at you for a long moment, jaw working. The air between you was tight—too tight. Then, suddenly, his expression shifted. That sharp edge softened into a crooked grin, dangerous and teasing all at once.

“Man,” he said, tilting his head, “you’re starin’ at me like I’m the bad guy again.”

He took a step closer, just enough for his shadow to brush against you. “What? You mad I’m right? Or mad I don’t say it pretty like that other guy did?”

You shifted your gaze away, and that, apparently, sealed your fate.

“Ha! There it is again!” he barked out a laugh, running a hand through his messy hair. “That look—like you’re too good for me or somethin’. Like you’re thinkin’, ‘Why do I even travel with this jerk?’” He mimicked your supposed inner voice, making a mocking expression before laughing again. “You really gotta stop doin’ that, or one of these days—”

He stopped mid-sentence, eyes flicking toward the water beside you. A wicked idea flashed across his face.

“—you’re gonna end up in the pond.”

Before you could react, he moved—quick as lightning. His elbow nudged hard into your shoulder, not enough to hurt but plenty to knock you off balance. The world tilted, your foot slipped on the damp edge, and with a splash that echoed across the clearing, you went down into the cool, murky water.

Mugen froze for half a heartbeat. Then he threw his head back and howled with laughter.

“Bwahaha! Oh man—did you see your face?!” He was nearly doubled over, clutching his stomach as he laughed. “You went down like a sack of rice! That’s what you get for starin’ at me like that!”

You surfaced, sputtering, hair clinging to your face. The look you gave him could’ve cut through steel, which only made him laugh harder.

“Aw, c’mon! Don’t gimme that glare,” he managed between laughs. “It’s just water! You’ll dry off before we hit the next town. Think of it as… a lesson.”