The early morning at Haneda Airport.
The clamor was diluted by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows into background noise.
Winter sunlight slanted down, casting long shadows across the floor.
The air was filled with a unique blend of coffee, bread, and cleaning agents.
Jiang Jian Yue was wrapped in a thick, off-white cashmere coat, the collar turned up, almost hiding half her pale face.
The weakness from a recent illness hadn’t fully faded, and at this moment, she resembled a delicate, fragile porcelain doll.
Those red eyes, occasionally sweeping over the crowd, carried their usual detachment, the once-diminished aura regaining… then cooling again.
As it should.
In her hand.
Surrounding her were several men in suits who tried to appear low-key, but their presence was only more conspicuous.
Morita Ao also stood half a step beside her, reporting something in a low voice before handing her a small paper bag.
“Missy, inside are special hand warmers, and…”
He paused, lowering his voice further.
“News from Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu—the Seventh Division is on standby near Sapporo. I suggest Missy and your friends don’t stay in Sapporo for long.”
Jiang Jian Yue nodded lightly, her fingertips rubbing the edge of the paper bag, her gaze drifting to the companions gathered not far away.
“Jiang Predecessor! Over here, over here!”
Kaori Onishi sat atop a suitcase, waving excitedly.
Today, she wore a bright red down jacket and fluffy white earmuffs, looking like a bundle of leaping flame.
Beside her stood the slightly reserved Yamanoi Yayoi, wrapped tightly in a blue down jacket matching her hair color, only her yellow eyes showing an expectant and slightly anxious light.
This was her first time traveling so far, all the way to Hokkaido.
Previous school trips were just Osaka or Kyoto; she had never left the main island.
To her, that northern land seemed like an entirely different country.
Saori Saiyonji, meanwhile, wore a deep gray functional windbreaker, with a mask and sunglasses—any celebrity traveling must keep a low profile.
Yuki Asahi stood a little ahead, dressed in a simple black down jacket and jeans, carrying only a rather “frugal” black travel backpack.
His gaze followed Jiang Jian Yue, and when she looked over, he instantly gave a shy smile and hurried closer.
“Predecessor, are you feeling okay? Did you rest well last night?”
“Not dead yet.”
Jiang Jian Yue replied tersely, slipping the small paper bag into her shoulder bag.
As she moved, the red pattern at her neck appeared and disappeared near the edge of her scarf.
After gaining a new ability, the red veins that once only extended across her back had started to spread to the front of her neck.
Yuki Asahi’s smile faltered for a moment, but he was already used to the predecessor’s coldness and was about to speak again—
“Yo! Boys and girls! Are you ready to start the thrilling Hokkaido adventure?”
Koji Hattori wore a fitted black cashmere coat over a turtleneck sweater, his hair styled rather flamboyantly, his whole demeanor spirited, and his hand still wrapped in a bandage.
He pushed a huge metal suitcase, with a slightly smaller one—Jiang Jian Yue’s—tied on top.
His other hand carried an overstuffed tactical backpack, fully equipped as if headed for wild survival in Hokkaido.
“Hattori-san?”
Kaori Onishi stared in surprise.
“You’re coming too?”
“Of course!”
Koji Hattori pointed his thumb at himself.
“I am the Security Consultant and Adult Guardian for this Supernatural Club Youth Winter Hokkaido Expedition Party, responsible for all ‘unsuitable for minors’ troubles.”
He was especially lively today, even a bit goofy—naturally, this was at Jiang Jian Yue’s request.
After all, they were going on a trip.
If Hattori kept acting like a cold-faced bodyguard, it would kill the mood.
Yamanoi Yayoi let out a small breath of relief, whispering, “That’s great… I was worried we wouldn’t be able to book a room.”
She had secretly checked before—many hotels were strict about minors staying alone.
But she believed the Jiang Predecessor would have a way, so she didn’t mention it on LINE.
“Thanks, Hattori-san.”
Yuki Asahi nodded in gratitude.
“Part of the job!”
Jiang Jian Yue didn’t look at him, only gave Morita Ao a slight nod.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Missy. Wishing you and everyone a pleasant journey.”
Morita Ao and the surrounding suited bodyguards bowed in unison.
Damn it! Keep it low profile!
Feeling the sudden curious and surprised gazes from around, Jiang Jian Yue quickly lowered her head and slipped into the middle of the party.
After checking in their luggage, the security check process was uneventful.
The group entered the bright departure lounge.
Jiang Jian Yue had originally wanted to buy a first-class ticket, but Yuki Asahi insisted on paying for himself.
She ultimately chose economy class—not to save Yuki Asahi some money.
But because sitting in first class alone would make her seem out of place!
Boarding the plane from the jet bridge, Jiang Jian Yue found her window seat, unbuttoned her coat a little, and took out her headphones from her bag.
Seeing Yuki Asahi sit beside her, the girl immediately straightened up.
Where was Koji Hattori?
Shouldn’t Koji Hattori be sitting next to her?
Jiang Jian Yue stood up and saw Koji Hattori moving back a few rows with Yamanoi Yayoi, then looked back at her with a silly grin.
—This guy! Swapped seats!
Is that even allowed?
“Predecessor?”
Yuki Asahi glanced curiously at Jiang Jian Yue’s odd behavior.
Forget it…
Don’t act too hostile, or it’ll hurt Yuki Asahi’s self-esteem.
“It’s nothing.”
Jiang Jian Yue glanced at Kaori Onishi, who was struggling to hide her excitement while holding a selfie stick, and sighed inwardly.
You… seize the chance!
A tear rolled down in the heart of the iron-blooded Kaori Faction.
Sitting back down, Jiang Jian Yue put on her headphones and turned on noise-cancelling mode, making it clear she didn’t want to talk.
This caused Yuki Asahi’s words to get stuck in his throat.
Outside the window, the giant engine began to hum deeply as the plane, pushed by the tow vehicle, slowly taxied.
The noise-cancelling headphones blocked out the engine roar.
She reclined her seat, put on an eye mask, and prepared to rest.
Last night, she had stayed up late waiting for episode eleven—only to find it wasn’t updated, waiting for nothing.
Through the edge of the eye mask, Jiang Jian Yue could almost “see” Yuki Asahi’s stiff, nervous figure beside her.
“First time?”
She asked softly.
“Uh… yes, first time.”
Yuki Asahi’s breath was unsteady—he wasn’t comfortable with this flying metal contraption.
Why could a hunk of iron like a plane fly, anyway?
His hand, resting on his thigh, clenched the fabric of his pants nervously, palm sweating.
“No need to worry.”
The girl’s soft hand slipped into his palm, unconcerned about the sweat, and clasped his tightly enough to hurt.
“Leave it to me.”
Yuki Asahi’s tension eased, but his face was already bright red.
“T-thank you…”
It’s fine, hang in there, brother!
The plane started its takeoff run, the speed feeling nothing like it could possibly lift into the air.
Yuki Asahi’s mind whirled with doubt.
Suddenly, a powerful thrust pressed him back into the seat, his legs instinctively clamping together.
Holding the predecessor’s hand, he also squeezed harder without realizing it.
Ka-chk–
Haneda Airport’s runway and buildings shrank quickly outside the window, replaced by thick clouds.
Sunlight became dazzling and pure in an instant, filling the cabin with light.
As the plane leveled off at cruising altitude and the seatbelt sign turned off, the gentle hum of conversation started.
Yuki Asahi finally let out a deep breath, gaze drawn by the scenery outside.
So beautiful, the clouds… huh?
How did the clouds get inside the cabin?
He looked down and saw wisps of white smoke rising from Jiang Jian Yue’s hand, escaping from where their skin met.
He’d seen this white smoke once before, when Jiang Jian Yue regrew her arm beneath the ruins after the battle with Ikeda Kou Devouring Form.
Yuki Asahi suddenly realized he might have squeezed too hard just now, and hurried to apologize, his voice trembling.
“I’m sorry!”
“………….”
Jiang Jian Yue’s lips twitched slightly.
She gently released Yuki Asahi’s hand and tucked it into her coat—doing her best to minimize output, to avoid triggering the smoke alarm.
“It’s okay… First time…being nervous…is…understandable…”
Jiang Jian Yue’s words came out in broken reassurances, telling the boy not to blame himself—besides, with rapid recovery, such a small thing was no big deal.
Still, it seemed this guy’s stats had risen again?
Escaping energy represented growth potential; although Yuki Asahi’s Emotional Control hadn’t increased, his numbers just kept rising.
Would he become a stat monster who could punch a city apart one day?
Yuki Asahi felt guilty but had no idea how to express his apology.
But soon he noticed Jiang Jian Yue had fallen asleep, her head tilted against the window.
Blinding sunlight streamed through the window, giving her ashen hair and eye mask a soft golden edge.
Her peaceful sleeping face soothed his anxiety.
How nice…to be able to travel with the predecessor.
It felt like a dream.
If this is a dream, please don’t let me wake up.
***
At the back, Kaori Onishi and Yamanoi Yayoi leaned together, flipping through the Hokkaido travel guides and food magazines provided on the plane, occasionally letting out little exclamations and chatting.
Saori Saiyonji sat alone across the aisle, staring at her phone, sunglasses and mask still on.
Koji Hattori unbuckled his seatbelt, stood up to stretch, and let his gaze linger on Jiang Jian Yue and Yuki Asahi in the front row.
Jiang Jian Yue seemed truly asleep, her breathing even.
Yuki Asahi sat straight, his eyes fixed on the clouds outside, but now and then drifted cautiously to the peaceful sleeper beside him.
Koji Hattori smiled, took out his tablet, and sat back down, pulling up the Sapporo Security Deployment Map and Seventh Division Assembly Point Satellite Map that Morita Ao had sent him.
The plane flew smoothly at ten thousand meters, with over an hour’s journey left to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo.