[center][b]Hideki, Yoshimi[/b][/center]

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"Well, it's about time we left," Hideki told Yoshimi. Yoshimi nodded and followed Hideki as he walked to the formerly barricaded door. "Do you know where they are?", Yoshimi asked. "Not exactly...", Hideki replied. "Ehehe, I see...", Yoshimi said. "Well, for now we should just head into the forest. We might find them there," Hideki said. "Okay," was Yoshimi's short reply. "Oh, but before we do. Make sure to keep your guard up. We might encounter more of those monsters," Hideki warned Yoshimi. "I understand. Let's go now," Yoshimi said. "Right," then they walked into the forest.

"I always feel relaxed in this place... It seems to be at peace," Hideki said and then he took a deep breath. "Though, that's not a good enough reason for me to drop my guard," he added. "Hey, Yoshimi," Hideki said. "Hmm? What is it, Hideki-san?", Yoshimi asked. "Do you think... We'll be able to stop whatever's happening?", Hideki asked. "Hmm... Of course~ And then afterwards we'll celebrate by having a feast in our shrine~", Yoshimi said cheerfully. "Haha, you're so optimistic...", Hideki said and then smiled. "Well, it'd make no sense to be pessimistic in an already bad situation, right? So I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible~", Yoshimi said with a smile. "Sigh... Honestly all I want to do is protect Yuriko... I don't want her to get hurt, even though getting hurt is an inevitable fate for us humans," Hideki said. "Well, I'm certain that you, no, we will be able to protect her," Yoshimi reassured Hideki. He smiled, "You're right... Thanks," Hideki said. "No problem, Hideki-san~", she happily said.

"We've been searching for some time now... Where are they?", Hideki said. "No worries, I'm sure we'll find them sometime soon," Yoshimi replied. "Yeah... Let's just keep searching," Hideki said. Just then he noticed that there was some rustling in the bushes behind them. "...?! Be quiet...", Hideki whispered to Yoshimi. "E-eh...? Why?", Yoshimi asked quietly. Suddenly an odd white blob emerged from the darkness of the forest. It looked like it was searching for something. "Crap... What is that...? Let's keep quiet...", Hideki whispered. All of a sudden the creature rushed at them and tried to wrap them up in its body. Hideki was able to evade, but Yoshimi wasn't.

"Hyah! Ugh...", Yoshimi groaned as the creature pounced on her and started to engulf her with its gelatinous body. "Ah! H-Hideki-san...", Yoshimi yelled. "Yoshimi!", Hideki said as he dove and reached out his hand. She tried to grab his hand but it was too late. She'd already been taken by the lurker. "NO!", Hideki shouted. Hideki was filled with rage. He unsheathed his katana. Suddenly the sky started to darken. "RELEASE HER!", Hideki yelled. Lightning bolts struck the trees around him, causing a fire. One bolt hit the blade and was somehow absorbed by it. "HAAH!", Hideki yelled as he slashed at the lurker with his lightning-imbued sword. The strike landed and made the creature shriek in pain. Hideki could somehow control the flow of the electricity and used that to prevent Yoshimi from getting electrocuted.

Yoshimi had been released by the creature. She was on the ground, gasping for air since she wasn't able to breathe inside the lurker. "Die," Hideki said. He raised the katana and sent it down. At the same time a bolt of lightning crashed down onto the lurker. It let out another blood-curling shriek. The creature turned into a puddle of nothingness after the attack. "...", Hideki fell to the ground, unconscious. At the same time Yoshimi rose up. "Unh... Huh? Hideki-san?!", Yoshimi exclaimed. She went near her. "Thank goodness, he's okay...", Yoshimi said. "But... He fell unconscious...", she said. "I guess... we should rest here first," Yoshimi said.