The mountain air was on a different level compared to the city. Sunlight pouring through the leaves created mottled patterns on the ground, and dry fallen leaves crunched and crumbled underfoot. The sound of birds chirping drifted from somewhere, and the sound of branches bumping against each other echoed from all directions whenever the wind blew.

Tsukasa's group had definitely started from the trailhead. They followed the map and chose their directions confidently at every fork. But now, all that stretched out before them was a mass of thickets that felt embarrassing to even call a path.