Hayashi reached out and patted Gengar's head, soothing his little purple troublemaker, then turned to Shizuha, who was still catching her breath. "Madam, I know you must have many questions right now, but perhaps you should first dig your daughter out of the snow before interrogating him about his motives, hm?"
"R-right! Miu—" Shizuku snapped back to reality. Without another thought, she spun around and rushed toward the tree, pulling her daughter out of the snow.
Hisako couldn't help but chuckle. "What a careless mother."
Hayashi smiled. Being a natural airhead seemed to be a trait passed down in Shizuha's lineage—her daughter, Miu Fūrinji, was also an adorable little airhead.
Soon, Shizuha returned carrying the swaddled infant. She bowed deeply to Hayashi and said earnestly, "Thank you so much for your help. Without you, I would have died at Senzui's hands—"
What truly frightened Shizuha wasn't her own death—as a martial artist, she had long since disregarded life and death—but rather, what would happen to Miu if she died and left her unprotected?
"Ahem, actually, saving you and your daughter came with a small request—" Hayashi grinned and turned his gaze toward Senzui, who was suspended midair by Gengar. "But first, it's more appropriate to ask Mr. Senzui a few questions, don't you think?"
"Hah—you're right!" Shizuha exhaled, steadying herself before looking up at the suspended Senzui. "Senzui, why did you do this?"
...
...
Senzui was dead—by his own hand.
After attempting and failing to break free, realizing escape was impossible, Senzui answered Shizuha's questions honestly.
In the end, having resolved all doubts, Senzui used his qi to sever his own heart meridian and closed his eyes peacefully.
"I never imagined Senzui would be the one to betray us."
Standing before Senzui's grave with Miu in her arms, Shizuha spoke sorrowfully. "He never said a word to us."
Hayashi stood beside her and comforted, "You can't blame yourself, Mrs. Shizuha—he chose to conceal everything and bear it alone, ultimately falling into darkness. That was his decision."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Hayashi." Shizuha wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled at him. "Without you, I truly wouldn't have known what to do."
"!"
Erina's ahoge shot straight up as she scrutinized Shizuha and Hayashi with wary eyes—No way? Surely not? Absolutely not possible!
"If I had died here, Miu would have…" Shizuha looked down at her sleeping daughter in the swaddle, her expression conflicted. "I can't even imagine what would have happened to her."
In her mind, if Senzui—who had already fallen to darkness—could kill her without hesitation, why would he spare her daughter? Even if he had a moment of mercy, how could an infant survive alone in the freezing wilderness?
At this thought, her eyes welled up again.
'Oh, it's about that…' Erina sighed in relief, patting her chest and chiding herself for being overly sensitive.
Beside her, Hisako covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. 'Ah, the young mistress is adorable when she gets a little jealous!'
"Mrs. Shizuha, don't thank me just yet—I did say saving you came with a purpose!" Hayashi planted his hands on his hips and declared boldly. "Hmph, and it's quite a demanding request, too!"
For example—Heh heh, ma'am, you wouldn't want your daughter to be bullied by me in the future, would you?—Such demands were absolutely impossible, because this lady could kick a five-meter diameter stone into smithereens.
Hayashi wasn't about to test whether his body was tougher than stone.
"Please, go ahead—" Mrs. Shizuha said with a gentle smile, sensing that the young man before her was surprisingly harmless, like a white sheep that had just escaped from the pen.
"Well, we were hoping to learn martial arts from you." Hayashi took Erina's hand and looked at Shizuha with utmost seriousness. "I want the strength to protect her."
Mrs. Shizuha, holding her baby, blinked in surprise before breaking into a bright smile. "Of course!"
...
...
Although Shizuha Fūrinji had agreed to teach Hayashi and the others martial arts, the circumstances at the time simply didn't allow them to settle down and begin training. So...
"So what is this!? What on earth is this!?" Shizuha sat atop Corviknight's back, her voice brimming with curiosity as she asked, "Come to think of it, earlier too—what was that thing that crawled out of your shadow? And that big dog you put inside a ball!"
Her tone, demeanor, and expression didn't betray even a hint of her being a mother. Instead, she seemed more like a carefree high school girl.
"They're called Pokémon—unique creatures," Hayashi replied, sitting cross-legged as he stroked Corviknight's back. "The one we're riding is called Corviknight, the one in the shadow is Gengar, and the big dog is Arcanine."
"Ooooh—"
Shizuha obediently sat beside Hayashi, nodding with a somewhat silly expression—if given a pen and notebook, she might've started taking notes on the spot.
"Aside from those three, there are several other Pokémon with us, but it's not convenient to show them now. I'll introduce them to you one by one when we're safe."
"Really?" Shizuha hugged Miu happily, swaying her upper body with glee. "Yay, I'll be waiting! You have to introduce them to me!"
"Don't worry," Hayashi gave her a thumbs-up. "For now, let's focus on reuniting with your husband—Mrs. Shizuha, please guide the way."
"Mhm—"
Shizuha nodded, then after getting her bearings, she directed Corviknight to fly toward the location she and Saiga had agreed upon.
At Corviknight's speed, it took only about five minutes to reach the spot—a dilapidated temple nestled in a remote mountain range.
Whoosh—whoosh—
Corviknight flapped its wings as it descended slowly to the ground. By the time Saiga, alerted by the noise, rushed out of the temple, his face was frozen in a "0.0" expression.
Wh-what kind of bird is this!? Why is it so huge!? And why is it wearing armor!?
Meow meow meow!?
"Honey!"
But before Saiga could process what was happening, a tearful cry rang out as his wife leaped down from the giant bird's back and threw herself into his arms, clutching their child.
"Shizuha, I'm so glad you're safe—" Saiga pushed aside all other thoughts, holding his wife and daughter tightly as he murmured, "Thank goodness."
"Honey, I found the traitor—" Shizuha looked up at Saiga, tear streaks on her face, and said in a trembling voice, "It's… It's Senzui!"
Hearing that name, Saiga's eyes widened sharply. He staggered back, muttering in disbelief, "Senzui? But… but why?"
"It's like this…"
Shizuha recounted the truth she had learned from Senzui. Upon hearing it, Saiga swayed on his feet before collapsing onto the temple's steps.
Clearly, the betrayal of a close friend had dealt him a heavy blow.
"Let him have some time alone," Hayashi said, recalling Corviknight before turning to the young lady beside him with a smile. "Erina, it's getting late. Let's prepare for camping first."
"Leave it to me!"
Beside them, Hisako rolled up her sleeves and tossed out two Poké Balls, saying, "Indeedee, time to work!"
"Yessa—" x2
Indeedee (male) and Indeedee (female) took their positions on either side of Hisako. The trio quickly began preparations—since the Buddhist temple provided shelter, tents weren't needed for now, but cooking equipment still had to be set up...
Though Shizuha's curiosity was practically making her eyes pop out of her head, she had to painfully resist the temptation to go watch. On one hand, her husband was still immersed in grief, and on the other, she genuinely needed to rest.
...
...
Half an hour later.
"Shizuha, why are you... Wait, that smells amazing!" Saiga Fūrinji lifted his head in confusion, sniffing the air before turning to his wife beside him. "Shizuha, do you smell that?"
Having kept an eye on Hayashi and the others, Shizuha replied softly, "It's our saviors cooking outside."
"!"
Reminded by his wife, Saiga's face immediately twisted with regret. He hurriedly stood up from the stairs and said with a bitter smile, "I actually neglected our saviors—Shizuha, let's go see them right away!"
"Alright." Shizuha, holding their baby, followed Saiga as they headed toward the temple courtyard.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Hayashi turned and saw Saiga in his suit and Shizuha in her bodysuit. Raising his right hand, he greeted, "Yo! You're here? Perfect timing—we're about to eat. Join us!"
"Uh..." Saiga opened his mouth, scratching his head awkwardly before giving Shizuha another rueful smile. He then quickened his pace and approached enthusiastically.
"Savior, is there anything I can help with?"
Shizuha stifled a quiet laugh. She knew her husband's bitter smile stemmed from shame—these people had saved his wife, yet he had been lost in his own sorrow, neglecting them for so long. And now, not only were they not upset, they were warmly inviting him to eat...
'But it really does smell incredible—'
Shizuha subtly sniffed the air before carrying Miu toward the dining table with curiosity.
Hungry now!
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