Morning arrived gently on Luna's island, the kind of morning that felt unhurried, as if time itself had decided to slow down out of respect for the place. Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains in the mansion, painting soft gold. Outside, waves whispered against the shore, and palm leaves rustled lazily in the breeze.
But inside the mansion, there was no laziness at all.
Beru was already awake, sitting cross-legged on the bed with the old map spread carefully in front of her. Her fingers traced the faded lines again and again, her eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. Every time she looked at it, the reality still felt unreal—that what started as a game had turned into something genuine, something left behind by Luna's great-grandfather.
Haruto leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching her quietly. "You've been staring at that since sunrise," he said softly.
Beru looked up, smiling sheepishly. "I keep thinking it'll disappear if I stop."
He walked closer and crouched beside her. "It won't. We found it together."
That simple sentence warmed her more than the sunlight ever could.
Downstairs, the mansion buzzed with preparation. Souta burst into the dining hall with boundless energy, already wearing a cap and hiking shoes, as if the adventure had been scheduled in his soul.
"GOOD MORNING, FUTURE LEGENDS!" he declared.
Ren groaned from his chair. "It's too early for your voice to exist."
Aira sipped her juice calmly. "You were shouting in your sleep too."
"I was practicing victory speeches," Souta replied without shame.
Luna entered shortly after, dressed comfortably but neatly, her hair tied back, excitement carefully balanced with composure. She paused for a moment, looking around at everyone gathered at the table—her friends, her world—and smiled.
"This really feels like something out of a story," she said quietly.
Tadao adjusted the straps of his backpack, checking its contents one last time. "We should be prepared for anything. The forest area marked on the map is old and dense. It hasn't been fully explored in years."
Ren perked up. "Dense forest? Hidden paths? Ancient clues?" He grinned. "This is already my favorite day."
Breakfast passed quickly, filled with planning and overlapping voices. The butler helped them pack essentials—rope, torches, first-aid kits, water flasks, portable cooking gear, sleeping bags. Luna insisted they take radios, though Souta jokingly claimed he'd just shout loud enough for everyone to hear.
By the time they stepped out, the sun was high and bright, and the island stretched before them in breathtaking beauty. Beyond the manicured grounds of the mansion lay rolling hills, streams that glimmered like silver threads, and further still, the forest—lush, deep green, and quietly mysterious.
They followed the map's markings carefully, Beru holding it gently while Tadao occasionally leaned over to confirm directions.
"The path splits here," Tadao said, pointing. "The symbols suggest we take the narrower trail."
Souta squinted. "The creepy-looking one?"
"Yes."
"Perfect."
As they entered the forest, the air changed. It became cooler, richer, filled with the scent of earth and leaves. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered beams, making everything feel almost unreal.
They encountered their first puzzle near a stone marker half-buried in moss. Symbols were carved into it—stars, arrows, and numbers.
Ren crouched beside it. "Looks old."
Aira studied the carvings. "The numbers match the coordinates on the map."
Haruto added quietly, "The arrows align with the direction of the sun."
Luna smiled softly. "It's guiding us, not blocking us."
Piece by piece, they solved it together, the stone shifting to reveal the next path.
As the hours passed, challenges came one after another—riddles etched into tree bark, rope bridges that required trust and teamwork, hidden markers that only revealed themselves when viewed from the right angle.
Through it all, laughter echoed through the forest.
Souta slipped on a rock and dramatically announced his "heroic sacrifice," only to be pulled up by Luna, who couldn't stop laughing. Ren climbed trees with reckless confidence, while Aira scolded him even as she held the rope steady. Tadao remained calm and observant, quietly ensuring no one strayed too far or got hurt.
At one point, Beru paused near a stream, mesmerized by how the sunlight danced on the water.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
Haruto stood beside her, their shoulders brushing. "You look happier."
She glanced at him. "I feel… lighter."
They didn't say more. They didn't need to.
By late afternoon, hunger set in. Near a quiet bend in the river, they decided to rest—and that's when Souta spotted movement in the water.
"FISH," he whispered dramatically.
What followed was chaos.
Ren rolled up his pants immediately. "I'm catching one."
Aira sighed. "Please don't fall."
He did.
Eventually, with teamwork, laughter, and a surprising amount of skill from Luna, they managed to catch several fish. They wrapped them carefully, proud of their small victory.
As the sky slowly deepened into shades of orange and violet, they realized it was too late to head back.
"We camp here," Tadao decided.
They set up near a clearing. A campfire flickered to life, its warmth cutting through the cool night air. The fish were cooked carefully, seasoned simply, but tasted better than any luxury meal they'd had at the mansion.
They ate together, sitting in a loose circle, faces glowing in firelight.
Souta leaned back with satisfaction. "If we don't find the treasure, this was still worth it."
Luna smiled, hugging her knees. "My great-grandfather would have liked this."
As the fire died down, they laid out sleeping bags beneath the stars. Above them, the sky stretched endlessly, clear and brilliant.
Beru stared upward. "Tomorrow… it gets harder, doesn't it?"
Haruto nodded. "But we'll face it together."
One by one, their voices faded. The forest hummed softly around them, and anticipation lingered in the air like a promise.
Somewhere deeper in the island, the treasure waited.
And this was only the beginning.
To be continued...