Tomogashima

The ship gently rocked as it sailed across the serene blue sea. The sun reflected off the waves like scattered diamonds, and a soft breeze fluttered through the air.

Inside the lounge at the front, Ryker lay with his head on the table, sound asleep, his coat draped over his shoulders like a blanket. The rhythmic motion of the sea seemed to soothe him more than any bed could.

On the deck, laughter and chatter filled the air.

"Wow! Look at that!" Sol exclaimed, leaning over the railing as the distant outline of a seagull swooped across the sky.

Yumi stood beside him, a soft smile on her face.

Celica, Akira, and Aisa sat quietly, watching the waves ripple against the ship's side, their eyes calm yet alert.

Further back, Amelia, Saki, and Mio had just stepped onto the deck, enjoying the fresh ocean air as they talked among themselves.

At the top of the ship, King (Kenta), Shin, Arisu, and Hiroshi sat like kings of the world, legs dangling, enjoying the wind and view.

Then, quietly…

"Hey, Yumi…" Sol said, a little nervous. "We should go on a date someday. Like, when all this is over…"

Yumi turned to him with a grin and gently grabbed his hand.

"We're already in a relationship, dummy."

Sol turned bright red, causing King above to shout, "Hah! Caught in 4K!"

Meanwhile, Hizuru leaned against the railing, watching the group with cautious curiosity. "They're… different than I expected. Can they really complete the mission?"

Jasmine, who stood just behind her, folded her arms and answered calmly, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

"Don't worry. They're far stronger than they look."

As the ship continued cutting through the sea, the crew was unaware of what awaited them on Tomogashima. But for this moment—they were just young heroes, sharing the sunlight, the wind, and the quiet before the storm.

The ship rocked softly as it approached the docks of Tomogashima.

Inside, Ryker remained sprawled across the table, eyes closed, lost in quiet slumber.

Sol approached, nudging his arm.

"Oi, Ryker. Wake up. We're almost there."

Ryker's eyes slowly opened, and with a small click of his tongue, he muttered,

"Tch... So we've arrived."

At the gate, everyone was gathering—gear checked, eyes alert, some excited, some wary.

Just before stepping off the ship, Ryker turned to Hizuru.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Hizuru tilted her head slightly.

Ryker's gaze sharpened.

"Do you know a girl named… Saori?"

Silence.

"Wha—WHAT THE HELL?!" Sol and Celica shouted in perfect sync.

"You know her?" Hizuru asked, surprised.

"Wait, Ryker, you know Saori?" Sol grabbed his shoulder, half-panicked.

"Why are you acting so nervous?" Aisa frowned.

"You don't understand," Celica said with a dark expression. "When she gets angry..."

"Yeah," Hizuru added, eyes serious, "She came to Tomogashima five years ago. You're going to her house, actually."

Sol paled instantly.

He turned to Yumi, gripping her hand tightly.

"Yumi… This might be our last date."

"Hey! Stop with the drama and move already!" Jasmine barked, pushing the group forward.

As they walked toward the port, Yumi whispered,

"Who is Saori?"

Sol sighed.

"She was our childhood friend. Moved here five years ago. And when she's mad… even monsters get scared."

"Since when did you know all this?" Sol turned to Ryker.

Ryker shrugged.

"Since the beginning."

"So that's why you picked your team," Hizuru said with a smirk.

"No," Ryker replied calmly. "That was just a bonus."

Behind the main group, King, Shin, Amelia, Arisu, Hiroshi, Saki, and Mio trudged along with bored expressions.

"Man, this already feels like a side quest," Shin muttered.

"I'm only here for the food," King yawned.

"I sense chaos incoming," Amelia said, already bracing herself.

The team descended from the ship… unknowingly stepping into the land where memories, friendships, and hidden rage awaited them.

The group finally arrived at a quiet, vine-covered home nestled near the forest edge of Tomogashima. The sea breeze was gentle, but tension stirred among a few of the heroes.

The front door creaked open.

"Hey, welcome!" a familiar voice called cheerfully.

A girl stepped out—Saori. Her long black hair swayed gently, and her sharp eyes scanned the group… until they locked onto one particular person.

"W–Wait... Celica?"

"Yeah... it's me," Celica replied, offering a small smile.

Before she could say more, Saori sprinted forward and pulled her into a tight hug.

"It's been so long! You didn't even write! Do you know how worried I was?!"

"Ahh... sorry," Celica muttered, slightly flustered.

Then Saori blinked.

"Wait... hold on. If you're here, then that means—"

She looked around quickly.

"Where's Sol? Where's Ryker?"

But they were nowhere to be seen.

"…They ran," Amelia said, arms crossed, looking unimpressed.

The scene shifted.

Ryker and Sol were sprinting behind the house, leaping over fences and sliding through bushes like trained escapees.

"She hugged Celica. We're next. I know it," Sol whispered in terror.

"Survival instinct," Ryker muttered.

Back inside, everyone had gathered in the living room—heroes scattered across couches, floors, and chairs. Saori, still hugging Celica, looked slightly confused.

"Seriously, where are they?"

Back around the corner, Ryker reappeared, brushing leaves off his coat.

"Let's go. We have work."

His team—Celica, Yumi, Akira, Aisa—instinctively followed him.

"Mission time," Yumi said, stretching.

"We'll handle this fast," Akira added, eyes focused.

As Ryker's team moved out, Sol peeked from a bush, still holding Yumi's hand.

"Did she see me yet?" he whispered.

"She already saw you," Jasmine deadpanned from behind.

The town was unnervingly silent.

Tomogashima, a place surrounded by water and legend, now sat under a shroud of fear. Families kept their daughters close. Shops closed early. Even the seagulls seemed to avoid the skies.

Ryker walked ahead of the group, eyes steady and hands in his coat pockets. Aisa, Celica, Yumi, and Akira followed behind.

They reached a narrow alley lined with stone houses. An old woman sat in front of one, knitting in a rocking chair. Her hands trembled slightly, but her eyes, though cloudy, held depth.

"Grandma," Ryker said gently as he stepped forward, "May I ask you a question?"

The old woman looked up, blinking.

"Wh…who are you? My eyes… I can't see well anymore."

Ryker knelt beside her.

"We're heroes, ma'am. We've come to investigate the disappearance of young girls in this town."

The knitting stopped.

"My granddaughter… she's gone too," the old woman whispered, her voice cracking.

Aisa stepped forward, crouching beside Ryker.

"Did she say anything before she went missing? Did she speak with anyone?"

The old woman shook her head.

"No… not a word. She was just gone one morning."

"Do you have a photo of her?" Celica asked gently.

"Yes… give me a moment," she said, slowly standing and heading inside her home.

A tense silence fell. Ryker stood, eyes scanning the area.

"Did you sense that?" he murmured.

Akira nodded.

"There's something… watching us."

"Let it watch," Ryker said, eyes narrowing. "If it wants to play, we'll play smarter."

The door creaked open again. The grandmother returned, holding a worn-out photo.

She handed it to Ryker.

In the picture was a smiling teenage girl, no more than sixteen, standing in front of the beach at sunset. Her eyes were full of life. She wore a bracelet made of seashells.

"That's her… my little Hana."

Ryker passed the photo to Aisa, who nodded.

"We'll find her. I promise."

The old woman smiled faintly. "Bless you, children… just don't vanish like the rest."

They thanked her and continued down the stone path. A cool wind swept through the village.