Though it was the middle of January, the weather was particularly tolerable for that day. Emiko stood at the foot of the hill, her hands resting in the front of the oversized sweater. She pushed herself off the tree and squinted at the tall figure trudging down towards her.

"Why?" she deadpanned.

Kindaichi jogged towards her. "Hello to you too, Emiko."

"Why are you here on time?"

"Why are you here early?"

"Hey! I'm the one asking questions. And the most important question is where are Mirae and Kunimi?"

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. "No new messages from him. He did say they wouldn't be too long though."

"Wait, wait, wait, Mirae and Kunimi are walking here together?"

"Yeah."

She stomped her foot. "How come I'm the last to hear about this?"

"You and me both." His voice came out cold, dejected. His eyes remained glued to his phone screen.

"You sound sad." She pointed out the obvious. "Okay, who hurt little Yuutaro's feelings. I know I'm not your greatest fan but I'll annihilate anyone who tries to mess with you."

"That's nice to hear, but no one's messing with me."

"Then how come you look so sad?"

"I guess I've been feeling," he paused, "like you. Excluded."

"Not possible. Mirae is my best friend so when she replaces me with someone else it hurt ten times more. Not to mention Kunimi avoids me. And when he does talk to me he's speaking in tongues and as much as my Uncle Keishin likes to think that I'm into the occult and should be able to speak in gibberish, I can't!"

"It might not be the same but it still hurts the same." He shoved his phone back into his pocket and turned away. At the prodding questions, he sighed. "Kunimi's my best friend, the person who I could talk to about anything on my mind. But as of recently, I get this feeling that I'm just bothering him. We haven't had a proper talk in weeks. And as for Mirae, well, I don't know if you know but I have feelings for her. We used to text each other all the time and talk on the phone at least twice a week. Whether it was about our favourite songs or our favourite t.v. shows. I know she's busy but she makes time for Kunimi. I feel hurt too."

"Damn." Emiko blinked, relaying his words over in her head. She always knew that Kindaichi was a bit more on the emotional side, but she never expected him to be so forward with his feelings.

"Yeah."

"You do know she and Tsukishima have a thing going on, right?"

"I did not." He frowned.

"Hey, don't look so glum. All I'm saying is that if you're into her, make your move. Because if you're going to take baby steps and let everything unfold naturally, well, sorry my dude but you might want to back off altogether. Tsukki's real serious about liking her and not to shoot you in the back or anything, but I ship them."

Kindaichi paused, trying to process what he had just heard. When he had first found out that Tsukishima had gotten closer to Mirae, he pretended that everything was fine. Even after Kunimi warned him that it wasn't. But now, he didn't know what to make of it. He wanted to confide in Emiko, someone who he considered to be one of the few close friends he had. But hearing that she wanted Mirae to be with Tsukishima, Kindaichi felt betrayed. He knew Emiko didn't owe him anything, but when she said that, he was hurt.

He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Mirae and Kunimi.

She smiled at them. "Hey, guys."

"'Sup."

"Hi."

"What the hell are you wearing?"

Emiko placed her hands on her waist. "What do you mean what am I wearing?"

Kunimi leaned down. "I mean why are you dressed like a homeless person?"

Mirae erupted in a fit of laughter.

"Rude! That is rude. And you know what, I don't even care that you're talking to me like a normal person because that was a rude thing to say."

"Doesn't change the fact that you're dressed like a weirdo."

"Come on, it's not that bad," Kindaichi offered. "It's like the equivalent of comfy."

"You know, if you squint your eyes and tilt your head," Mirae demonstrated, "it could pass as comfortable wear."

They all laughed while Emiko frowned.

"Excuse me, but I was told we are going underground, okay? A tunnel, to be exact. I'm not going to come dressed as a princess. No, I'm going to dress in something that will let me attempt to run away in case we come across a murderer."

"So you resorted to your Uncle's old Karsuno sweater?"

"Yeah, it even has Ukai printed on the back." Emiko turned around and pointed with her thumbs.

"Does Coach know about it?"

"No, and we're not going to tell him. Because if we do, I'll probably get grounded for going through his closet. Which is not my fault by the way. I just ran out of hoodies and didn't have time to do the laundry."

"It's literally five sizes big on you. Not to mention, it hangs around your knees."

"So, not only is it comfortable, but it keeps me warm too! Two birds with one stone." She brought out finger guns with a big smile on her face.

Kunimi blinked. "I think we can all agree that if we run into a murderer, we'll use Emiko as bait to get away."

"That might be taking it a little too far."

"Dude, chill with the comments."

"You know what, let's do it. At least, then I won't have to face the Demon Queen ever again."

Mirae rolled her eyes. "By the way, how'd you hear about this area?"

"It's because he's into weird stuff."

"Shut up." Kunimi grabbed his bag and started handing out flashlights. "Erina, my older sister, told me about it. It's a Seijoh thing for friends to go together."

"Yeah, some of the guys on the team, well the third years, went a few weeks ago. Kyotani said it was fun, but Yahaba said he still has nightmares about it."

"Okay, but if we do this, you guys have to promise not to split up. In any movie or drama that I have watched, people die when they split up. We can't die guys."

"Mirae," Emiko frowned. "It's a tunnel, we're not going to die."

"Well actually, if you get separated, there's a high chance you won't find a way out. The legend says that only lovers can find their way out." Kunimi looked up from his phone with a blank stare.

Emiko clapped her hands together. "Well, we're doomed. So let's go and not get separated, okay? Alright, I'll lead." She marched forward but was pulled back by her hood.

"You are definitely going to get us lost. Kunimi should lead the way."

Before she could retort, Kunimi held his hand out.

"Mirae, you and I should lead the way."

"No!"

"Absolutely not."

The two who were hand in hand blinked. Emiko and Kindaichi shared a look.

"I mean-"

"Well the thing is-"

"Um-"

"Your sense of navigation is terrible. Mirae you got us lost in Tokyo, don't you remember that? I definitely do not want to be led into a sus tunnel by you of all people."

"Excuse yourself from existence," she seethed, "that was you! You lost our tickets and used our money to buy snacks. And no matter how many times I told you to stop and ask for directions, you kept assuring me you knew where we were."

"Don't call me out like that!"

"Don't lie like that!"

Kindaichi and Kunimi who were watching them leapt into the middle, separating the two. After a few more minutes of exchanging faults, the boys tugged them into the tunnel where a low growl shut them up.

"What the heck was that?"

"A dragon."

"There are no dragons!"

"Of course there are," Emiko gasped, "don't you dare disrespect the guardian dragon of my ancestor's clan like that."

"Maybe it was Kayako Saeki."

Kindaichi, Mirae, and Emiko turned to look at Kunimi, a look of bewilderment on their faces.

He shrugged. "The Grudge."

"Nope! Absolutely not. Goodbye. I'm out of here."

"Emiko stop being an idiot, come back!" Mirae focused her flashlight on Emiko's retreating shadow. "Come back!"

"I will not die by someone names Kayako. I refuse. My fortune teller said I'd die in a superheroic way, that's not heroic it's gruesome."

"Emiko what are you going off about? Stop wandering alone."

"You three can go on ahead and die. I'll stay here and arrange your funerals. Anything specific I should write on your headstones? Or do you prefer to be cremated?"

"Fine. The boar in the woods can stomp you to death for all I care."

"The what?" She deadpanned. The others began their journey into the tunnel and not before too long the dim light of their flashlights began to disappear too. Emiko looked outside, narrowing her eyes at the rustling in the bushes. She stomped her feet and bolted after them.

"-batteries but they were completely drained."

"That's frightening."

"Stop with the ghost-demon stories," she huffed, clinging onto the closest person's jacket. That person happened to be Kunimi and he quickly shrugged her off. "How far does the tunnel go?"

"Well, there are about 8 different routes, but they all lead to the main road." Kunimi shined his flashlight on the walls, admiring the graffiti and carvings.

"Emiko, could these be pagan symbols?"

"What makes you think that I know the answer to that? Wait, you have been talking to my Uncle Keishin, haven't you? What did he tell you?"

Their voices bounced off the walls of the tunnel, echoes repeating their words. For a while, the four of them continued their walk, making the odd comments and bantering. For the most part, it was very civil. Then, the unexpected.

"Who just touched me? Emiko," Kunimi sighed, "why do you keep touching me?"

Emiko turned around from her spot at the front of the group, a good 7 paces ahead. "What are you talking about? I didn't touch you."

A brief pause. "Who touched me?"

"Not me," Mirae answered. "I'm up here with Emiko making sure she doesn't fall into a hole."

"There are holes here?!"

"Of course there are holes here!"

"Don't look at me dude," Kindaichi flinched away from the bright light of the flashlight. "I'm carrying the bags, how would I even touch you?"

"Well someone touched me. Their hand was wet and cold."

Another brief moment of silence. Then, the sound of feet slapping the ground followed by a shriek. "Uncle Keishin!"

"Emiko come back." Mirae facepalmed. "Someone get that doofus!"

"Why is she running deeper into the tunnel?"

"I got it." Kunimi rolled his eyes. "You two just keep walking down that path. We'll meet you guys along the way."

Now alone, the atmosphere shifted.

Mirae continued her admiration of the coloured wall art, pausing when something caught her eyes. She turned to look over her shoulder and that's when she realized that Kindaichi was muttering to himself.

"Pardon?"

The light hit his face, showing a red blush. "I'm trying to find conversation starters."

"Oh."

"It's just," he paused, "it's not as easy talking with you as it used to be."

"Oh." And he was right. "We can talk about Yua Loves Eichii?"

"I haven't watched the latest episodes. The season finale was a plot twister. I didn't exactly like it."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

They shuffled on forward.

"We could talk about school?"

"Okay. How's school?"

"It's going well. How about you?"

"Same."

"Oh! Your third years left the club, right? You were promoted. How's being captain?"

A light blush coloured his cheeks. "A lot harder than I thought it'd be. I knew most of these guys before I got the leadership role, so now it's hard to draw a line with them."

She nodded in agreement. "I think you'll do fine. From what I've seen, you're fair. Your teammates won't give you a hard time. And you've got Kunimi as vice-captain."

"That's true. I thought he'd try to run away from it, but he's been really helpful."

She hummed and they walked again in silence for another minute. Then, Kindaichi cleared his throat.

"Are you dating Tsukishima?" he cringed at his own question.

"Oh. Um- no. We're not that serious yet."

He nodded his head and walked ahead of her. Not yet. Those two words gave him time, which he desperately needed. He needed to process everything and think about whether he wanted to act on his feelings. Whether he wanted to risk his friendship with Mirae.

Mirae followed him, a little confused at the sudden question. It was unlike Kindaichi to be so straightforward and blunt. Why did he bring up Tsukishima? It wasn't like they were friends. From what she remembered both acted indifferent to the other. Then, she stopped in her tracks as she put the pieces together. Her face burned red at the sudden thought of Kindaichi having feelings for her. She looked at the ground and slowed down so she wouldn't have to face him in this state.

Kunimi waited for Mirae and Kindaichi to turn the corner. The second they were out of sight, he turned around and sprinted in the direction Emiko ran in. He could hear her cries and the sound of her feet hitting the ground as she ran. In fifteen short seconds, he reached her wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest.

Emiko shrieked and kicked her feet in the air, struggling to get away. "No! Get off me. My Uncle Keishin will hear about this! My ancestors will send 80 curses on you and your next generations! I will-"

"I'm immune to your ancestor's curses."

"Oh, it's you." She relaxed. They stood there like that for another second before Kunimi let go of her.

"C'mon, I know the way out."

"Where are Mirae and Kindaichi?"

"Just up ahead. Hurry up, sheesh why do you take so long?"

She sputtered. "Patience, Kunimi, it's a thing you know? Haven't you heard of it?"

"No."

"I don't like you very much." Emiko gripped her flashlight and followed after him quickly, pinning herself to his side.

Kunimi stared at her from the corner of his eyes. "Yeah well I don't like you very much either."

"I know you don't! And since I have you in this dark and creepy tunnel, I demand answers." She shined the flashlight in his face, ignoring the way he growled her name in warning and turned away. "Why do you do this?"

"Move the light away from my eyes, Emiko."

"Answers! Kunimi I demand answers!"

He swatted her hand away. "Why am I passive-aggressive with you?"

"Is that what you call it? I thought it was bullying!" she pinched his side. "It's rude! It's mean! Why do you do it?"

"I do it because you're an oblivious fool."

"Excuse me?" she deadpanned. "I am not a fool! You know who is a fool? My Uncle Keishin for letting me leave the house tonight!"

"Good for you."

"I want Mirae. Heck, I'll even take Kindaichi. Where are they, huh? You said they weren't too far behind."

"Huh." He paused.

"What? If you're trying to scare me I'll throw a rock at your head and leave your unconscious body behind."

"I'll turn into a zombie and chase after you."

Emiko scrambled backwards. She whipped her head back and forth, heart leaping in her chest. "That's not fair. You know I can't outrun you."

"Then I guess you better stick close and not throw rocks."

"Fine. Mirae! Kindaichi! Come back!"

"Let's hope they find their way back."

"What?" she stopped in her tracks. "What do you mean hope?"

He looked over his shoulder and shrugged. "I did say only lovers could find their way out if they got lost."

A look of horror crossed her face. "Oh my God, I'm gonna die in here!"

"The world isn't that lucky."

"What did you just say to me?"

Kunimi turned around and continued walking. Emiko definitely caught sight of the smirk playing on his lips.

"Are you sure it's this way?" Mirae shined the flashlight behind them. Her shoes were wet from a puddle she nearly tripped into and the cold, damp feeling made her skin itch. She pulled her facemask under her chin and sighed. "I can't breathe in here."

"It's definitely this way." Kindaichi looked up from the map. "Do you need to rest a bit?"

"No. I want to leave this tunnel."

"Well, Yahaba's map says it's not too far up. I'm sorry I took the wrong turn earlier."

"As long as we know where we're going."

"It's funny."

She deadpanned. "What about our situation is funny?"

"Oh no!" Kindaichi stopped. "I don't mean it like that. I was just thinking about what Kunimi said, the legend of the tunnel."

"The one about lovers?"

He nodded. "It's like something out of a t.v. drama."

"Yeah. It is."

A shudder ran up both of their spines at that moment, and they turned away. Mirae bit her lip, walking past him. Kindaichi followed behind her. The sound of their footsteps echoed as they neared the open air.

The sun was beginning to set. Its orange colour bled between the swaying branches of the trees. The air had gotten a lot colder.

"Mirae," Kindaichi called. He clenched his hands into fists and bit his lip.

She was hugging herself. A small pout on her red lips, matching the colour on her nose as she sniffled in reply.

He felt his chest clench. Forcing his lips into a soft smile, he said. "Nothing."

"Emiko, shut up."

"No! Not until you tell me why you're being so mean."

"Figure it out yourself."

"You think I haven't tried that yet?" She jumped over a puddle. "I don't remember doing anything."

He stopped walking and looked at her. "That's because you don't listen."

She pursed her lips. A thought crossed her mind, something Mirae had said. "Does this have to do with the day of the finals?"

"Wow," Kunimi drawled. "You're so smart."

She frowned. "That wasn't my fault. I had a family emergency."

"You could have at least messaged me after to see what I wanted to say."

"I'm sorry."

"I don't accept your apology."

"You have to!"

"That's not how it works."

"It wasn't my fault though. Even after that, I was dealing with my parents."

He turned to look at her, a little concerned. "Your mom came too?"

She nodded her head. They walked in silence after that. Kunimi knew about the Demon Queen and just how triggering she was to Emiko. He could only imagine the damage she had on her this time.

He cleared his throat.

"Was everything okay with her?"

"It was the same old: be more this, be more that. And they left the day after, so it wasn't too bad. Wait-do I get a free pass? Will you be nice to me now that you know I suffered by it?"

He pushed her away from him. "No, I still hate you."

"What did I even do."

"Figure it out. Once you do, I'll be nice to you again."

"Question," she grabbed his sleeve. "Can we be civil?"

He rolled his eyes.

"You didn't say no. That's good enough for me."

"Wait." He narrowed his eyes, moving the flashlight away. "I think we're almost out. Do you see that light?"

"Freedom! Come on, let's go!" Emiko grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the end of the tunnel.

| Note |

Hey guys! We are so, so sorry for this late update. Please roast us, we deserve it.

We wanted to let you guys know that we are going on vacation. Our flight actually leaves today, but don't worry, we are taking precautions against COVID and are being safe.

As for uploads, we don't think we'll be able to get to write for the next few weeks. So, uploads will be paused for now.

We hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Ah, it has been so long since we've written Kindaichi, Kunimi, Mirae, and Emiko together. Last time they saw each other, it was at the City finals, so this was a much needed hangout.

That's all for now. Thank you so much for the continued love and support. Please stay safe and take care of yourselves!

| End Note |