"I've been here for a while."
Kitagawa Kai stepped out from behind the bamboo, his gaze still fixed on where Yamamura Miki stood.
"Miki, can you control it yourself now?"
"I think so. Let me try again."
Morishita Ai came over too, circling halfway around the spot where Miki had been standing. "Quick, quick, quick! Give it a try."
"Okay."
Yamamura Miki tried to activate the ability she had just mastered.
The figure he had barely been able to make out gradually came into focus.
The girl still wore the same jacket, her hands resting rather stiffly in front of her. Neither her face nor her clothes had changed, but this time, Kitagawa Kai could sense her presence distinctly. In fact, it was almost pronounced...
"How is it?"
Yamamura Miki asked nervously, "Kai-kun, is it better now?"
"Like pants on fire—blazing obvious!" Kitagawa Kai reached out and patted her head.
"That's amazing, Miki. You solved something that's troubled you for so long in just a few minutes. This calls for a proper celebration."
Yamamura Miki touched her cheek, unable to contain her smile.
"I thought I'd be stuck like that for the rest of my life."
"Hehe, General, aren't you forgetting someone?"
Morishita Ai moved her head up beside his hand. "I'm the most important one! I'm the explorer, and I'm still waiting for my medal!"
"You were amazing too, Ai. I'm proud of you."
Kitagawa Kai obligingly ruffled her hair, then put away his smile. "All right, praise time is over. Now let's discuss you two leaving the group without permission."
"Ah, haha." Morishita Ai froze, gave a couple of awkward laughs, then promptly turned to shift the blame. "Miki, didn't you tell Lady Ichinose and the others?"
"Huh? Weren't you the one arranging everything, Ai?"
Yamamura Miki looked