Hime’s word had been true — he had neither seen nor heard another soul for the last forty hours. Shichi wrapped his arms around his stomach. It was groaning again. The rice balls Yuu had brought the previous night had…

A single day passed, each minute dragging like a boulder through the mud. Shichi had once again foregone a meal, undeterred as the girl began to cry. Even when her tears evolved into a tantrum, he did not waver, ensuring…