"I'm back, Long Yan!"
Soft footsteps landed behind him, followed by Hada Anna's crisp, energetic voice.
But after jumping down from the tree, Hada Anna did not cling tightly to Hada Ryuhiko as usual. Instead, she stood some distance away, looking at the silent boy crouching on the ground, a trace of hesitation flashing across her face.
She seemed to want to step forward, yet something held her back, leaving her afraid to approach.
"What is it? Anna, do you also think I was wrong?"
Sensing the attitude of his inseparable childhood friend, Hada Ryuhiko pursed his lips, drew a deep breath, and slowly let it out.
"No."
Hearing this, Hada Anna hurriedly shook her hands, her face full of panic as she spoke.
"Then why... won't you come over?"
As he spoke, Hada Ryuhiko rose to his feet, casually tossed aside the branch in his hand, and stomped hard on the ground, erasing the map of the Death Forest he had drawn there.
Originally, he had wanted to find a foolproof path so that he would not have to do this.
But now that he had failed to find one, everything could only proceed according to the original plan. The map was of no use anymore.
"Because... because... because..."
Hearing the faint anger in Hada Ryuhiko's voice, Hada Anna's previously composed appearance instantly crumbled. Her face filled with anxiety, and even her little feet began hopping up and down.
Like an ant on a hot pan.
"Because what? Can't you just say it all at once?"
Hada Ryuhiko suddenly turned around, unable to hold back the shout.
Though his words were angry, his face looked as though he were about to cry.
If he could have helped it, why would he have resorted to such a desperate measure?
If