Day twenty-six and day twenty-seven passed in a blink of an eye, and the two poor kids still hadn't yet found their way out of the mountain despite they'd already run out of food and supplies. Asano was losing faith in life, yet Arina was still determined to stay upbeat all the time and hadn't yet lost faith in anything. A strong-minded little annoying girl – now she was the one to lead both of them on the journey.

Asano had become so depressed that he had lost every bit of energy in him to even open his mouth to talk. As opposed to him, Arina kept on singing random songs to cheer up the situation.

"Pebbles and Bam-Bam on a Friday night trying to get to heaven on a paper kite. Lightning struck, boom! And down they fell, Ahh! Instead of getting to heaven, they went straight to hell! Dino the dog, ruff ruff! Was on the bone, chomp chomp! While Fred and Barney rock the microphone. There was nothing that Fred and Barney could do. Except sing 'Yabba daba daba daba daba daaaaaaba do!"

"Stop it, Arina, you're giving me a headache," said Asano in exasperation, scratching his incredibly itchy hair. Pulling it out, whilst he stared at it with his eyes wide open. Pieces of his strawberry blonde hair had fallen off madly, indicating that he was suffering from insane malnutrition.

Arina had also taken notice of that. It happened to her as well. But when it did happen to Asano, she suddenly felt the urge to go hunt something extraordinary so malnutrition wouldn't dare to affect her loved one.

They proceeded to keep up with the journey. Asano was close to fainting from exhaustion and hunger, but Arina was always there to support him.

"Do you need me to piggyback you, Asano-kun?"

"No, I'm fine," he insisted.

However, Arina noticed his pace gradually got reduced in the following hours. It seemed like he had given up hope and had come to a point when he was unconscious of everything except for the word 'fatigue'.

Arina didn't bother to ask as she came and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and grabbed his waist, helping him walk while supporting his weight.

"Hang in there, all right? I'm going to get you home," smiled Arina gently, "I'm going to get you home."

Asano looked at her in stunned bewilderment, though up to this point he had nothing to be ashamed about anymore. "How are you still got so much energy? Just how unlimited is your stamina?"

Arina faced forward for him to view her profile. "You know, Asano-kun, this is my specialty."

She supported him on the way when Asano was lost in his head. At first, he as a leader had chosen the wrong decision which caused the death of many people, then with one arm broken, he was pretty useless and had to rely on Arina for everything. He also wasn't aware of all the possibilities that could go wrong on this trip and didn't prepare a single thing as opposed to someone as reckless as Arina. And the worst thing was that — he was being supported by the girl he usually looked down upon, whilst he was actually the useless one. If he couldn't even walk on his own, how can he protect and get her home as he'd like to? Never in his life had he hated himself this much.

"I'm sorry," Asano's voice trembled, gritting his teeth in bitter.

Arina was taken aback when a drop of his tears rolled down his cheek. He was completely vulnerable now. All the stress, anxiety, and depression that had bottled up in his chest for the past twenty-seven days now was finally being uncapped and exploded.

Crying in front of others – was the last thing he was willing to do in his life. Now he had broken down and wasn't afraid of showing it anymore. He had given up on her.

"You're such a bad leader, Asano-kun'

"I'm not worthy for you to look up to. I'm sorry," said Asano, tears streaming down his face. His expression darkened.

It was as if he had fallen into the pit of despair, into the deepest one. Everything was so dark, so unbearable. However, a ray of sunlight then beamed down to his place, Arina raised her voice while giggling:

"What do you mean, Asano-kun? Everyone is special. Everyone has at least some quality in them that is worth looking up to. Okay, for example, I'm good at these stamina things, yes I know and perhaps people would look up to these abilities of mine. And you? You're good at various things; hence why you are the most outstanding amongst others. I adore you in various aspects but not in some parts. It's natural, I like your imperfections a lot. And mistakes can be fixed. There are many things we can learn from mistakes, aren't we? I'll never gonna blame you for making mistakes and no one should ever be."

Asano forced his tears to stop and his gaze lingered on Arina's beaming face. Why was she so dear to him now? Suddenly, she was no longer an annoying little girl in his eyes, but more like a comfort person.

"Are you hungry?" she asked out of a sudden. "I had surveyed around the areas we passed by many times as you told me to but still, Asano-kun! I feel like some supernatural forces forbid us to harm animals. That Mamushi snake was the last thing I saw that could be hunted. Oooh, yeah! I feel like I have to send my signal to the universe so it could return us something to keep us full and healthy to survive and get out of here. Let me try it!"

Asano watched Arina shut her eyes forcefully and looked as though she was concentrating on some deep thought.

"All right! did something happen?" was her first question upon opening her eyes and scanning around. Unfortunately, Asano told her nothing happened and said the sending signal thing was such a dumb and unrealistic method.

Arina let out a heavy sigh and they went on for another hour when something miraculous happened.

It wasn't a meal that Arina had sent to the universe though. However, it was the other thing that they have craved for so long – a stream.

When Asano and Arina first heard the running water, their jaws fell, and immediately ran toward it to confirm what they assumed it could be. A stream, yes, it was indeed a stream. Their gaze lay on each other's and Arina burst out a laugh of happiness.

"FINALLY! Asano-kun! We can take a bath now! Yay!"

"And we don't have to worry about running out of water anymore," said Asano, still in a state of petrification, then dropping to his knee, and laughing along with her. These two surely had lost some of their sanity.

Asano opted to let Arina wash herself first, while he was filling the bottles with the stream's water.

And Arina, on the verge of taking her clothes off to get in the stream, saw something strange moving on the edge of the running water. Curious, she quietly came closer to observe it clearly. At first, it resembled a rock to her, and she thought she might have hallucinated a bit when she saw a rock moving, but no. It was an alligator's head protruding out of the water.

Arina's first reaction was to jump back from the sight of the terrifying creature. However, this was also a perfect opportunity to capture an extraordinary meal for both of them, and that thought instantly overtook her.

Taking in a deep breath to gather courage, she went back to build a fire and then went to fetch her cordages. And finally came back with all the weapons needed, Arina braced herself with a burning determination as she rolled her pants and got in the water.

To be sure, Asano was struggling to write down the first paragraph of his final wishes before he die with his left hand when Arina's upbeat voice startled him.

"ASANO-KUN! ASANO-KUN! LOOK WHAT I FOUND!"

Asano turned around, and he swore to himself that he had never ever been this shocked his entire life. His eyes formed a fully shaped O, as well as his mouth. He sat there gawking in petrification thanks to the utmost shock.

Arina fled to him with an alligator in her arms, the brightest smile ever flickered on her face. At least it wasn't a full-grown alligator; nevertheless, it was shocking. The alligator had its jaws tied up tightly with cordage, and Arina threw it into the fire, killing it.

"See? The universe did respond to my plea," began Arina gleefully. "As delightful as I was, I was about to jump in the water when my eyes met a moving rock – a moving rock I initially thought! But then of course I had my doubt and decided to take a closer look – what a clever decision, right, Asano-kun? And I confirmed it was indeed an alligator! I wasn't afraid one bit, Asano-kun. You could say that I'm very brave. I looked at the alligator while your face moaned in delight when tasting its meat flashed through my mind. And I went to fetch my weapons, which are my cordages and a skinny fallen tree branch I picked, but I imagined it as an ancient spear to boost my strength. I waded into the water to get to it and poked it with my spear. It did react very unfriendly as I'd expected – it started to snap at me as if it wanted to rip my flesh off, and charged an attack. But I was very fast, Asano-kun. I blocked its attack using the spear to capture its neck. You could imagine I stabbed a fork into your favorite Kobe beef, it's not any different. Then I stamped on its mouth, in case it will pull off its same old trick on me again. And finally, I tied its jaws with cordage, and voila! I won against an alligator. I do hope that my imagination about you enjoying its meat is at the same level as your obsession with Kobe beef. Now sorry to ask but can you go gather a heap of leaves so I can put it on and peel its skin?"

And so Asano did what she told and Arina cooked them a magnificent meal. Asano couldn't resist the temptation and ate the thing straight away. Arina, upon seeing him living up to her imagination was almost too much happiness for this world. She butchered its meat in excitement and gave it to him whenever he was done with one.

"Why don't you eat?" asked Asano, surprised to see that Arina had stopped eating after having only one piece.

"Oh, don't worry, Asano-kun. I'm perfectly capable of fighting hunger," smiled Arina closed-eyed. "The thing that matters to me now is for you to eat as many as you like! I'm extremely glad to see you feeling content after so many days bottled up your emotions. It's dreadful, I know, as I've also experienced them so many times. Should've shared them with me before, you know, I'll never judge you. In fact, I do think you're awfully brave and admirable for finally doing so earlier, don't you think the same thing? Want another one?"

Arina handed another piece of meat whilst Asano instantly declined it.

"What's wrong? You're full already?" questioned Arina in disappointment.

"Um," replied Asano in an undertone, as opposed to his usual assertive way of speaking.

To be honest, Arina had successfully landed an emotional hit on his metallic heart. He then begged her to keep eating and don't mind about him. Out of his passionate request, Arina took it to heart and took another small bite, in fear of running out of food and she couldn't see Asano being content again.

A tear streamed down Arina's filthy face.

Asano was looking away when her sudden sniff drew his attention. Gawking at the girl finally also breaking down and teared up uncontrollably, Asano didn't know how to react as he merely asked what was wrong.

"I made a promise," said Arina with a quiver in her voice, though she desperately toughen it to make her sound normal. "I made a promise to protect everyone and get them out of this dreadfully wicked place. I said it to Sakura-chan every night, yet I failed, Asano-kun! I failed! I tried everything I can but all they listened to was your order. Now that the only one left was you I vowed to myself that I'm gonna cheer you up every day and get you home at all costs! Even if I have to risk my life fighting an alligator to fill your empty stomach I'm gonna do it! It wasn't as easy as it sounds but I ought to do it! I'm sorry to tell you so, Asano-kun, because I also bottled up my emotions ever since. I just wanted to not affect your mood...you're very dear to me, you know that? So if you're already full right now, I'm going to reserve it for later."

For the first time ever, Asano displayed his sympathetic face to another person as he could relate to her somehow. His instinct told him to pat her head and he followed it. Arina's sob was all but serious now, it didn't sound like a childish weep like he usually perceives. She buried her face in her arms whilst sounding as if she wanted to stop the tears. Asano's hand ran down her back and rubbed it in comfort. Who taught him to do it? No one. It was just human instinct.

The moment was filled with nothing but emotional vulnerability. Asano never experienced such things before. It was all odd and uneasy.

"I'll also not going to forgive myself if something happens to you," he mumbled.

Eventually, they took turns bathing, and Arina asked Asano if they could stay there for a night since she washed her clothes and had to hang them to dry. He said yes and they went to gather materials to build a shelter.

When night fell and the two kids sat together in front of the fire, boiling raw water, Asano again seized the chance to ask Arina about her true identity.

"Haven't I told you I do NOT like to talk about these matters!" mourned Arina in distress, like how Asano'd expected. He had asked her countless times before and each time he'd get the same reply from her, that she disliked people asking about her private life.

"Fine, I will find it out myself then," he declared, smirking. He could've just investigated her case earlier, though he paid no mind to it back then. However, this time was different. He was truly intrigued by her character.

Arina pulled her diary out and started writing her day, while the leaden feeling struck Asano down again. If they manage to get out of this place, then what will happen? How will his father treat him after this? Will he disown for having a son who returns with nothing but failure like him? Will he put him in class E? Should he plan for a resolution now?

Arina was about to tell Asano about how she couldn't stand living in a world without ice cream when she noticed his anxiety judging from his expression.

"Why, what's wrong, Asano-kun?"

Asano didn't reply, for so he was a private person, though Arina answered for him.

"Let me guess, there are two possibilities. One is that you're afraid we won't ever make it out. Two is that you already imagined your father's face when we returned home because you failed his expectation during these circumstances. Did I get one of the two correct? Or perhaps none? Or perhaps both? Or perhaps something else that I hadn't guessed?"

Asano gasped at her since she did get one of them correct. Noticing this, Arina said, "Okay, so perhaps none is crossed out. Oh, Asano-kun, just tell me."

Asano looked away, it was difficult for him to engage in a conversation revealing his inner emotional trigger. Although, he heaved a deep sigh and resignedly spoke, "The latter, you got it right."

As he spoke, Arina viewed his expression shifting into that same 'shame on yourself' one from nights before when he first confessed about hating himself for being vulnerable, forming a weak smile.

"Oh, Asano-kun," began Arina sympathetically, "none of this is your fault. Why do you bother about these things? You are a kid, and so do I! And I'm, to be honest, Asano-kun, I do not like your father one bit! as I am with my eyebrows. What on earth would he blame a kid for the death of others? It's utterly unfathomable."

Asano winced in displease. He refused to claim himself as a kid as he'd like to be perceived as a grown up. Even so, he calmly told her, "I am a kid with heavy duties and responsibilities. And it's understandable the chairman would feel ashamed seeing his kid fail, even I do myself."

"Well, don't always be so tense. You must let loose sometimes and enjoy your childhood. After all, we must cherish our childhood days, isn't it? Because that's the only time when we get to relax. And let me tell you, childhood is all about learning from experiences. So don't blame yourself, Asano-kun, you're learning..." smiled Arina in comfort.

Asano said nothing in return but relapsed into silent thought, as Arina again said, "And don't pay your mind to the future. I suppose you could imagine it, but don't try to predict it. It's truly unpredictable, considering there are various possibilities in this world. The more you pay your mind to it, the tenser you become. So whatever comes -- comes! Let fate decide your future."

She said airily, laying down on the leaves, looking upon the sky. Seeing how Asano kept sitting there looking worried, Arina clutched his arm and pulled him down.

"Oh, Asano-kun! Asano-kun! You must see this!"

Answering her calling, Asano also lay down. His gaze then met the sea of stars in front of them.

"Isn't it amazing to think of how we've been neglecting lovely things around us in exchange for our unpredictable future?" said Arina thoughtfully. "It's a funny thing that almost everyone does, isn't it? I must admit sometimes I do too. 'No, uncle! I'm not going to eat unless I have ice cream first!' I said. 'Oh, Arina, you're not grateful for your food at all. In that case, I won't buy you another ice cream unless you learn to appreciate what is in front of you first' he replied. That's why I reckoned it's not worth getting worried about the future all the time. Sometimes, it could even affect your mental health, you know, it's that big of a deal."

Asano observed the starry sky whilst listening to her gingerly. In the end, he saw her as an incredibly introspective person, which was something he lack in himself. He was good at dealing with other people's emotions but not his own. And why did he find it so attractive? People are naturally drawn to characteristics they lack in themselves.

"Aren't the stars bright tonight? If you could live in a star, which one would you pick? I'd like that lovely clear big one away over there," said Arina dreamily, pointing at the one above a dark hill.

Suddenly, Asano muffled a laugh and tilted his head to her, "You really are interesting. Have anyone told you so?"

"Well, I often hear people say I'm an odd thing. Nevertheless, appearance is often what they care about most. I guess when you're pretty, whatever blabbed out of your mouth isn't as important anymore. The first time I met Seo and Teppei they were such phonies I couldn't stand it. I was intentionally saying that I'd never met someone as ugly as Seo and they didn't say anything in response. When I asked them again they snapped out of it. Not until I intentionally spit in front of them that they finally dropped their masks. So I'm awfully glad I got to meet you, Asano-kun. You care more about my mind than any other guy. I guess you're also the first one to think that I'm interesting. I remembered I once told someone that there are a lot of different Arinas in me, and wished I were just one Arina as it'd be ever much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting. So once in a while, you would find me annoying, and other times you would find me full of brilliant ideas. It's all that makes a person so interesting, don't you think?"

A genuine smile flickered across Asano's face. He indeed found her excessively interesting. When he returned home, he'd surely throw himself into researching her.

"Asano-kun, I think I could see Sakura-chan over there. Oh, look! There is Kanie-kun too! The thin star next to Sakura-chan's, see? Well, hello there, Chimon-kun," beamed Arina, waving her hand at an oversized star above the two below. "I think they're waving back at us, Asano-kun. You should wave at them too, so they can see that you're still alive and healthy."

Asano paused for a moment and bluntly said, "Nonsense."

He might think that she's interesting, but that didn't mean he didn't find her thinking too childish and absurd as he disliked fantastical things.

When Arina finished waving at all of her deceased friends, they both went to sleep. Asano's anxiety eased somehow while being with Arina. All he ever cares about now is protecting and bringing her home even if he had to risk his life. He also refused to be a burden to her.

Morning arrived, and when the kids were still sleeping, the noises of an approaching vehicle that they yearned for so many days woke them up.

Arina rubbed her eyes, quite upset that she'd forgotten about her dream when the sight of a whole team of men in orange rushing to them made her eyes shoot wide open.

Turned out, they were from a rescue team. Unable to say a word, she turned to Asano, who was also too shocked to the point of petrification.

One pulled out his walkie-talkie and reported, "Team two here! We have found two kids here near a running stream. Otherwise, keep searching for the others!"

Overjoyed, Arina shot in the air and fled over the rescuers. She laughed and cried simultaneously and cast her arms around a rescuer, to which he jerked her off and pinched his nose, whilst letting out an 'ew!'

"B-b-but I've taken a bath!" whined Arina, fuming.

Asano also sprang to his feet and went to fetch Arina's belonging and ran toward the rescue team in suppressed joy.

"Tell them to stop searching for others. They all died," said Asano to them, as Arina gasped.

"Asano-kun! Maeda-san, Kibe-kun, and Inoue-sensei might still be alive. What're you saying?"

Asano's eyebrows furrowed. He thought about how those animals didn't deserve to live and be brought back into society. Nevertheless, the rescuers heard Arina and proceeded with the research.

The two kids got into the vehicle and the rescuers drove them out of the mountain. On their way, Arina was too excited and overjoyed that she talked nonstop and described their remarkable adventure, mostly exaggerated. She talked too fast and too much to point of nearly dying from choking, and later shared the leftover alligator's meat to the rescuers' bewilderment.

The day of this accident to appear on the news had finally come close. Asano with mixed feelings of joy for finally getting back home and anxiety for the public's reaction and mainly his father's struck him hard.

Arina then turned to him and merrily said, "Isn't it wonderful, Asano-kun? We've got each other home."