Fujimaru Ritsuka blinked.
The mountain path was paved with bluish-gray stone, while the woods on either side were a lush, deep green. They looked somewhat dark, but only somewhat.
"Master, what's wrong?"
White Yukina looked rather puzzled.
"Did you just say something?"
"Huh? Ah, no. I guess I just spaced out for a moment. Did something happen?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka seemed completely unaware, scratching his nose in confusion.
"It's nothing. You just looked like you wanted to say something."
Sakumura turned back.
"What is it, Miss Fujimaru?"
"Nothing. Let's keep going."
Shaking his head, Fujimaru Ritsuka paid no attention to that strange feeling.
"So, has anything changed since we came here last time?"
The group stood together on the ring-shaped ridge. With his hands casually tucked into his pockets, Takasugi Shinsaku asked Sakumura.
Sakumura did not answer immediately, merely lowering his head to examine the area carefully.
"No. There haven't been any changes. It's the same as before."
"Then let's go down and take a look. Getting closer should tell us what's going on over there."
Shrugging, Takasugi Shinsaku jumped down first.
"This time... I'll check the lake."
Yukina glanced at Mama Bear.
"Last time, I only came into contact with the waters of Lake Kurokawa and got a feel for what was in them. I didn't actually go underwater to investigate properly, so I may have missed something. This time, I'll go down and take a look."
"Yukina, will you be all right?"
Mama Bear looked worriedly at her youngest daughter.
"I'll be fine, Mom."
Yukina transformed on the spot, changing from white to black in an instant, her expression utterly unconcerned.
"Besides, I lived in this lake for decades. There's no need to worry."
She deliberately kept her voice low, making sure Sakumura and Takasugi did not hear.
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