Chapter 72: Embers

*Kine*

"Thanks for accompanying me, Charlotte," I said as we disembarked the airplane.

"Don't mention it," she said as she wheeled some of the luggage. "If anything, I'm surprised you even asked."

I sighed. "Well, the other Majors have been pestering me about needing to depend on others."

"So, you listened to them but not me," a voice called out.

My muscles tensed as I turned to see Kaze, accompanied by her siblings and mother.

"Let's go kids," their mother said, pushing Kuma along. "Your sister could use some privacy to talk to her ex."

"Nice to see you again, Kine!" Kuma said, waving.

I snickered and waved at the kid. Kuma sure was an oddball. At first, he came off as elitist, but he wasn't a bad kid. He was actually downright friendly, most of the time.

Koga stared back at us, a worried look on his face.

I smiled to reassure him, but he still seemed bothered.