A soft knock at the door pulled Shunjiro from his thoughts, the sound almost lost to the crackling of the fire in the hearth. He sat up, curious, and called out, “Come in!” The door opened, and a young woman stepped inside, balancing a tray laden with a steaming bowl of stew, a chunk of bread, and a mug of warm cider. Her movements were graceful, yet her confident stride hinted at someone well-versed in the adventurer’s life. “The king thought you might need a warm meal,” she said kindly, her voice soft but clear. She placed the tray on the table beside him, the aroma of the stew immediately filling the room. Shunjiro’s stomach growled audibly, and he grinned sheepishly. “Thank you! This looks amazing.” Without hesitation, he picked up the spoon and dug in, the rich, savory broth warming him from the inside out. It was the first meal he’d had since arriving in the Cosmic Continent, and every bite felt like a blessing. As he ate, he glanced at the woman, her cloak still dusted with snow from the storm outside. Something about her felt familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. “Are you a servant here?” he asked between bites. She laughed softly, shaking her head. “No, not at all. I’m an adventurer, just like you.” Shunjiro froze mid-chew, the spoon hovering in front of his mouth. Her words triggered a memory, a fleeting moment from what felt like ages ago. He stared at her, piecing together the fragments in his mind. After the entrance exams for the guild, he’d caught a glimpse of her alongside another young man. It had been a brief encounter, but her face had stuck with him. “Wait a minute,” Shunjiro said, setting the spoon down and leaning forward. “Do you know Emi?” The woman tilted her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, Emi joined my guild about two months ago. Do you know her too?” Shunjiro nodded, his grin widening. “Yeah, I do! She’s incredible, always sharp and ready for action.” The woman chuckled. “That sounds like Emi, all right. She’s been a great addition to our team.” Shunjiro hesitated for a moment before asking, “What’s your name? I don’t think I ever caught it back then.” The woman extended her hand, her smile warm. “I’m Yuuna. Nice to meet you properly.” Shunjiro took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Yuuna, huh? I’m Shunjiro. Thanks again for the food, and the company. You’ve got no idea how much better this makes the night.” Yuuna nodded, pulling her hand back and tucking it into her cloak. “Well, Shunjiro, you’re in luck. My guild and I are here on a mission in the Stellar Empire, but we’ll be heading back tomorrow. We can help you return home. I’m sure you’re eager to get back to your friends.” Relief washed over him, and he exhaled deeply. “That’s amazing. I’ve been trying to figure out how I’d make it back without freezing to death out there. Thank you so much.” Yuuna waved off his gratitude. “Don’t mention it. It’s no trouble at all. You should rest tonight. That storm outside isn’t letting up, and you’ll need your strength for the journey.” “I’ll get fully rested,” Shunjiro said, leaning back against the bedframe. “Tomorrow, I’ll be ready.” Yuuna smiled once more, her expression soft. “Good. I’ll see you in the morning, then.” As she turned to leave, Shunjiro’s eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than he intended. She was strikingly beautiful, her presence radiating a quiet confidence that made him feel at ease despite the circumstances. His cheeks reddened slightly, and as the door closed behind her, he let out a low whistle. “Wow,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. “She’s gorgeous.” He chuckled at himself, sinking back into the bed and pulling the blankets up to his chin. The warmth of the fire and the meal left him feeling more relaxed than he’d been in days. But as his thoughts drifted, they didn’t linger on Yuuna for long. Instead, they turned to someone else, someone who had been on his mind since the moment he was separated from the group. Itsuki. Shunjiro’s expression grew somber as he thought of her. He’d always admired her sweet and outgoing nature, her unwavering dedication to her friends, and her incredible healing abilities. But lately, things had been different. He couldn’t imagine what she must be going through. Losing her parents was devastating enough, but to discover that her sister, Suzu, was responsible, it was unimaginable. The thought of her trying to process that kind of pain alone made his chest ache. “She must feel so alone,” he whispered to himself, staring at the flickering flames. Itsuki had always been the one to take care of everyone else, to patch them up when they were hurt, to offer a kind word or a comforting smile. But who was there for her when she needed someone? Shunjiro clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve. I have to get back to her. He knew that she was strong, stronger than she gave herself credit for, but even the strongest people needed someone to lean on. His thoughts raced as he imagined her sitting alone, her shoulders heavy with guilt and grief. She had always pushed herself to her limits, but after the battle with Eclipsed Abyss, he knew she must be blaming herself for not being able to heal everyone fast enough, for not being able to save Hikari. “It’s not your fault, Itsuki,” he said softly, as though she could hear him. “You’ve done more for us than anyone could ever ask for.” He closed his eyes, picturing her face, the way her smile could light up a room, the way her laughter had a way of lifting everyone’s spirits. He missed her. He missed all of them. But more than anything, he wanted to be there for her now. To remind her that she wasn’t alone, that she didn’t have to carry the weight of everything by herself. The fire crackled in the hearth, its warmth wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. Shunjiro took a deep breath, letting the sound soothe his restless thoughts. Tomorrow, he would start the journey back. With Yuuna and her guild’s help, he would find his way home. And when he did, the first thing he would do was find Itsuki. “I’m coming back, Itsuki,” he murmured, his voice soft but steady. “And I’m not letting you go through this alone.” With that promise in his heart, Shunjiro let his eyes drift shut. The storm outside raged on, but within the safety of the warm room, he felt a flicker of hope reignite. Tomorrow was a new day, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.