Chapter 42: The Calm Before the Storm

The warehouse was silent except for the soft clinking of weapons being laid out on a rusted table. Sai leaned against a cracked pillar, his arms crossed, watching the others settle in after their narrow escape.

Kuro jumped onto the table, pawing at one of the knives before curling up right in the middle of all the gear.

"Typical cat," Tora muttered, but his lips curved into a small smile.

Mira stretched her arms, her body aching from the earlier fight. "We need rest. Actual rest. Not this half-sleep with one eye open nonsense."

Hotaru was already flipping through one of her father's journals, her brow furrowed. The notes were messy, filled with hurried writing and cryptic sketches.

"Your old man was definitely paranoid," Ryuuji said, peering over her shoulder. "Some of these codes don't even make sense."

"They're not supposed to," Hotaru replied. "They were meant to be unreadable to anyone but me."

That made them all pause.

"Wait…" Sai straightened. "He left these for you?"

Hotaru gave a small nod, her fingers tracing the inked letters. "Before he disappeared, he told me something. He said, 'If I'm ever gone, find my words. They'll lead you home.' I never knew what he meant—until now."

The team grew quiet. Even Ryuuji didn't crack a joke.

"So, what do they say?" Mira asked softly.

Hotaru took a deep breath. "It's a plan. A backup plan he made in case Kurogane ever went too far."

Tora whistled low. "Guess we're using that plan now."

She shook her head. "It's not complete. Pieces are missing, like he never got to finish writing it down."

"Great," Ryuuji groaned. "So, we have half a treasure map and no idea where the treasure is."

"We have enough to start," Hotaru said firmly. "And that's better than nothing."

Sai pushed off the pillar. "Then we need to decide — do we lay low for a bit, regroup, or do we strike first and fast?"

"Strike," Hotaru said instantly.

"Rest," Mira countered.

"Eat ramen," Tora added, holding up a broken packet.

"Flirt with danger," Ryuuji winked.

Hotaru rubbed her temples. "You guys are impossible."

Kuro yawned loudly, as if the conversation was boring him to death.

Sai sighed. "Alright, let's compromise. We sleep for a few hours, then we move out. Agreed?"

No one argued, which was rare.

As they settled into makeshift beds — old blankets, torn tarps, and even cardboard — Mira glanced at Hotaru. "Are you okay? For real."

Hotaru hesitated, staring at her father's knife. "I don't know. But I'll pretend I am until I figure it out."

Mira smiled faintly. "That's very you."

The night passed slowly, with only Kuro's soft purring breaking the silence. But even in sleep, none of them truly relaxed. The storm was coming — they could all feel it.

And when it hit, they wouldn't just be running or fighting to survive.

They'd be fighting to win.

End of Chapter 42