Tsukasa had barely finished coldly ordering Nikki to keep a close watch on Taiju and Yuzuriha and report their every move.
Tasked with watching them, Nikki immediately went to find the pair.
You really were something, little sister.
Avoiding the gazes of the passing patrols, Nikki approached Taiju and Yuzuriha and lowered her voice.
Yuzuriha's brow abruptly furrowed at her words, and her fingers instinctively clenched the hem of her clothes.
Taiju scratched the back of his head. "Th-then won't we be completely cut off from Senku and the others? Now that communications are down, what are we supposed to do?"
As a deathly silence settled over them, a sharp crack suddenly came from the woods beside them.
The sound of a dry branch snapping underfoot was especially piercing in the quiet, oppressive dusk, reaching all three of them clearly.
"Who's there?!"
Every nerve in Nikki's body instantly went taut. With a flick of her wrist, she deftly drew the short knife at her waist and stepped in front of Taiju and Yuzuriha.
Shielding the pair behind her, she stared warily into the depths of the dark trees.
The evening breeze stirred the leaves, sending layers of shadows swaying as a figure slowly emerged from the darkness, unhurried.
The instant Nikki recognized his face, her pupils contracted slightly.
"Ukyo Saionji? What are you doing here?"
It was indeed Ukyo Saionji.
He wore a hat, its brim casting deep shadows over most of his face and concealing the emotion in his eyes.
Cool and aloof, he stood silently in place, his gaze passing lightly over the tense, vigilant Nikki before settling on the flustered Taiju and Yuzuriha behind her.
A moment later, he slowly raised his hand.
Nikki shouted sharply and stepped back to steady herself. "Stay back!"
"You just... heard