-No One's P.O.V-

After the hot springs, everyone are now almost arriving at Gunma.

Kenichirou: We're almost at Akira's hometown!

Beatrix: *Worry* I sure hope your parents are alright.

Akira: *Reassuring* They're fine. My parents wouldn't go down that easily!

Kenichirou: As your best friend, I have to introduce myself to them! I'll entertain them with a one-liner!

Mordred: *Teasing* As long as that one-liner of yours isn't that cringy.

Kenichirou: Shut up, Mordred!

Mordred let out a small chuckle upon hearing Kenichirou's reaction.

Mordred: I'm just teasin'~!

Shizuka: It's been three years since you visited your parents, right?

Akira: Huh?

Shiuzka: *Teasing* You're not nervous, are you?

Akira: *Sheepsihly* N-No! Not at all!

Deep down, Akira is actually nervous but also awkward as he thinks about how to talk to his parents, but...

(Y/N): Akira, up front!

You yelled which made Akira snap out of his senses as he pressed the brakes.

In front of everyone, the entrance tunnel was blocked by vehicles and barricades.

Akira: What's going on?

Mordred: Let's go check it out.

Both Akira and Mordred went to look ahead at the front entrance. To their shock, there were lots of undead through the dark tunnel.

Akira: Zombies.

Shizuka: Your village is past this tunnel, right?

Kenichirou: Could it be...?!

Beatrix: The villagers have...

(Y/N): Wait, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Mordred, can you use Stone Free to reach the other side?

Mordred: *Nods* Got it.

Mordred then unleashed the blue threads coming out of her right hand from her index finger. Everyone couldn't see it except for you.

After waiting for a minute, Mordred then spoke up...

Mordred: I can feel something hard on the other side of my thread. There might've been a barricade from the other side.

Akira: *Worried* You sure?

Mordred: Positive. If we can't go through here, we could probably take another route.

Beatrix: And how do we do that?

Shizuka then spoke up from behind.

Shizuka: There's only one other way to continue. We'll cut through the forest and go over the mountain.

Upon walking down the forest with all of your luggage being carried in everyone's hands. It was quite silent throughout the whole way, but the scream of a man could be heard not too far from everyone's location.

Akira: A scream?!

Beatrix: Where is it coming from?

The scream was getting closer which came from behind everyone. Everyone turns around to see an old man running from a zombie boar.

Beatrix: Please get down! Oshite mairu!

Beatrix quickly prepares her bow and fires out her arrow. The old man ducked down as the arrow penetrated through the zombie boar's head, killing the creature instantly.

(Y/N): Nice shot!

Beatrix: *Smiles* Thanks.

Akira: Are you alright?!

Akira then rushes to the old man's aid.

...

Old Man: Man, you really did me a solid back there! My name is Masaru Kumano! Nice to meet you!

Masaru finishes his introduction with boisterous laughter.

Mordred: *Polite* Nice to meet you too, old timer.

(Y/N): *Curious* By the way, why are you out here?

Masaru: What am I doing? The cities are overrun with monsters, aren't they? I was looking for a safe place and ended up settling here! That monster boar was unexpected, though! Gyahaha!

Beatrix: Home is where you make it! I understand!

Shizuka: *Skeptical* But you can't live in the middle of the forest!

Upon entering through the woods that was led by Masaru. Everyone's eyes widen in awe upon seeing that is under construction.

Akira: This is...Could it be?

Masaru: It's a tree house, of course! Despite how things seem, I'm a master carpenter! No house? No problem, I can just build one! Mwahaha~!

Mordred: *Surprised* You've been working this tree house by yourself?

Masaru: Yup! It's quite under construction, though. Took me a few weeks!

However, in the back of everyone's mind, they were reminded by another rule of the bucket list which was ... "23. Build a treehouse".

Kenichirou & Shizuka: Uh, based on how things have been going...

Beatrix: Japanisch Tischler!

Masaru: *Pats an Oak Tree* This is an Oak Tree! Oaks have large, thick branches so they make perfect host trees. Southern trees rot too easily! But you can find some northern trees in this area! This is an amazing and rare forest that's quite unusual from a global perspective!

That is when Akira Tendou performs a fast walk towards Masaru which caught him off guard.

Akira: *Enthusiastic* Mr. Masaru! There's no telling when another zombie boar will attack before it's completed. This is a race against time. It'd be better if you had help, right?

Masaru: W-Well, sure...

(Y/N): *Raised Eyebrow* Shouldn't we go and check your parents first before we do this?

Shizuka: I wholeheartedly agree with (Y/N)...

Akira: *Still Enthusiastic* I can't believe you'd ignore someone in danger! Have some heart, you two! Your own secret base where you can stretch your wings and leave the world down below! A building at one with nature, where you can embrace the mighty power of the trees! Where sky's the limit for design! A treasure trove of imagination and playfulness! A dreamhouse suspended in mid-air! *Pleading* Can we?! We only live once. Can we build a treehouse with our hands?

Kenichirou: I think that's a great idea.

Shizuka: ...

Masaru: I don't understand what's going on, but I'll be counting on you! Gyahaha~!

...

Beatrix: Affection. Sympathy. Affection. Sympathy.

Shizuka: Honestly, why are men always so...

Beatrix: *Holds up her paper* I did it!

(Y/N): (Clearly speaks in Japanese perfectly, but her writing sucks. Eh, I'll give her a break for that. Bea is still learning...)

Mordred: Hey (Y/N), are you gonna help out?

(Y/N): Oh, coming~!

...

Back to Akira Tendou, he was still hammering down the hammers and thought about the nature and the world itself until Masaru comes in...

Masaru: You know, you've got quite a knack for this!

Akira: What? Really? Thank you very much! I've dreamed of having a treehouse since I was little.

Masaru: Gyahaha! That's great to hear! Come to think of it, my son used to pester me to build a treehouse for him when he was a kid!

Masaru says until you asked Masaru while holding a pile of planks before putting them down.

(Y/N): I hate to be nosy, but...where is your son right now?

You waited for Masaru's response, but he paused which gained Akira and your attention until he spoke up with sadness...

Masaru: My son was bitten by my wife right before my eyes. So, I had to deal with 'em...them my own hands.

Mordred: *Sympathetic* Old man...

Masaru: I thought I could take my time and build a tree house with my son when he was bigger and I had retired. *Sniffs with tears in his eyes* People say, when you're ready to repay your parents, it's already too late. *Sniffs* Turns out, it works the other way 'round too.

Suddenly, he lost grip onto the wooden plank that he was holding onto, but Akira holds it for him and said...

Akira: You have our support. Let's finish this support.

Mordred: *Nods with support* Agreed. We can't let 'ya burden this work alone.

(Y/N): Same here. If your son wants to build a tree house that badly, we'll help you out, old timer.

Masaru: Thank you. *Loud voice* Alright! Just a little more unttil it's complete! Let's give it our all!

-Time Skip-

Hours passed until everyone managed to build the awesome tree house.

Everyone: The treehouse is complete!

(Y/N): *Victorious* Let's goo!!

And just like that, everyone starts to have a fun around in the tree house such as the swings, slides, eating canned food while sitting on a rocking chair. Finally, "23. Build a treehouse" was now crossed out.

Akira: Mr. Kumano, it's been great working with you.

Masaru: I'll be in this forest. If there's trouble, give me a holler, and I'll give you a hand.

Akira: *Nods* Right!

Mordred: *Smiles* Thanks, old timer.

Shizuka: How unusual. I thought you would say, "I got to spend he night in a treehouse."

Akira: Yeah, well...I kinda got a strong urge to see my mom and dad.

(Y/N): *Pats Akira's back* We're right with 'ya if you feel nervous.

Akira: *Smiles* Thanks, (Y/N).

-Time Skip-

Later, everyone carefully crossed the cliff while Akira Tendou just casually walks through the edge. Akira explains that the place was used to be called "Hungry Gorge" because of how many people died here until they opened the tunnel which is the route to and from the village.

Akira goes on telling his history about his village that it was started out as a penal colony long ago that is enclosed by steep mountains and valleys that it was like a remote island on land.

After some time of dangerous crossing, everyone finally made it to Akira's hometown.

Akira: *Points* We're home. That's my home, where I was born and raised!

Everyone was in awe of the view until all of you carefully stepped down to the ground while Akira Tendou is busy having thoughts about repaying back for his parents.

...

Upon arriving at the village, everything was dead silent. There were no villagers, scares fell to the ground, and machines were turned off as if this place was ransacked.

(Y/N): Holy shit, what the hell happened here...?

Akira: N-No way...*Looks around in panic* Where's everyone from the village?! Dad. Mom!

Akira then starts running towards his own household out of worry and panic while everyone else followed after him.

Akira opens the door and yelled out for his mother and father but...

???: Hey, yo! Yo, ho! Drink! Dance! Andd a'yo ho ho!

In front of Akira's group, the villagers were doing some drunken dances.

(Y/N): *Tilts his head in confusion* What is this?

Demon Masked Old Villlager: Hey, yo ho! What's this?

Old Man Villager: A-Aren't you Akira, Tendou's kid?

Demon Masked Old Villlager: Teruo! Akiko! Akira has come back!

Akiko: What? *Turns to look at Akira* Akira? Akira, is that you?

Teruo then turns to look at Akira with his stern expression. Akira is at loss for words until he starts to have tears in his eyes while yelling out to his father and mother...

Akira: Dad! Thanks for working hard everyday non-stop to put me through college! Mom! Thanks for packing me lunch everyday and washing my rugby club uniforms! I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the both of you! I've just given you nothing but troubles and worries. Also! I've never done anything for you! I've never done anything to I used work as an excuse to not visit you for the past three years. I'm sorry! I'm really sor

However, he was cut off by his own father by punching his head to interrupt his emotional gratitude, which made everyone get taken aback.

Mordred: Ooh...

Akira: *Holds his head in pain* That hurts! What was that for?!

Teruo: 'Ya came back here just to spill that nonsense? The world's a mess. Think a little before you act.

Akira: *Baffled* Nonsense?

Teruo then turns his attention to you and the group.

Teruo: Y'all Akira's friends? You must've had a rough time crossing that dangerous path. We've got plenty of empty rooms, so get some rest for now. *Walks away*

Kenichirou: Oh, thank you!

Shizuka: Thank you very much!

Teruo: *Takes his hat* I leave the rest to you, dear. I'm off to the fields.

Shizuka: Your dad's not the man I'd pictured.

(Y/N): *Concern* You okay, Akira? The whole family reunion is not what I had expected...

Akira: Y-Yeah, I'm fine...just a little hurt though...

...

Akiko: We have wild plants we forage in the mountains and vegetables from our fields. We're a small village with nothing fancy, but please make yourself at home.

Kenichirou: Thank you very much, ma'am!

Mordred: *Polite* Thanks for hospitality.

Everyone (except Akira and Akiko): Thanks for the food!

Everyone then gobbles down the food that was given by Akiko.

Kenichirou: *Delighted* Whoa! This is so good!

Beatrix: *Relaxed* So this is tempura!

Shizuka: Have you been locked down here sustaining yourselves all this time in the village?

Akiko: Yes, we're a remote village that's pretty much sealed off every winter anyway with all the snow. We've always survived the winter by farming and hunting. So, this spot of trouble isn't trouble at all.

Shizuka: I see.

(Y/N): *Impressed* You and your people are quite resourceful, I can respect that.

Akiko: *Smiles* Thank you, young man.

Mordred: *Curious* Most importantly, how did you guys blocked off the tunnel? Did something happen?

Akiko: A lot of people from the city tried to take shelter here when they heard rumors that this village was safe. But some of them were infected and spread the infection to those around them. We had no choice but to seal the tunnel. Stopped the infection in its tracks.

Kenichirou: *With tears in his eyes* I'm really glad you and the others are safe!

Akiko: Anyway, a number of people from the city managed to survive. This village has been losing residents for a while, so there are many empty houses. We let them use those and lived with us.

Beatrix: Wunderbar! *Looks at Akira* Akira! We should add historic home renovations on your list!

Akira: Whoa! That's a good one!

That is when Akira realizes something in his head as the thought about how he should repay his parents, which was his already added another bucket list..."31. Go home and spend time with my parents".

-Mini Time Skip-

Kenichirou: This is truly a glimpse of old Japan. I wasn't even born here, but I feel like I've returned to my hometown. What's this feeling of nostalgia?

Beatrix & Shizuka: Right?

(Y/N): *Reminiscent* Osmanthus wine taste the same as I-

Mordred: *Cuts you off* (Y/N), don't you dare start with it...

-Time Skip-

Later at sunset, everyone was busy working hard in their farmland duties. Akira trying to repay his parents was difficult for him while doing his work.

Right now, Akira is seen approaching his father and was carrying a basket of green beans. Unknown to Akira, his father had blood on his right hand and he says to himself that he doesn't have much time left for him.

Akira: Dad! The green beans were ready to harvest. This should be enough for dinner...Uh, dad? Is something-

Teruo: *Dismissive* Nah. It's nothing.

And now, they were walking back to their own household while carrying the food on their backs until Akira notices four young adults walking past them.

Akira looks back at them in curiosity, yet familiar.

Teruo: Hm? Oh, those guys came from the city.

Akira: That guy...I've seen him before...

-Mini Time Skip-

Later at night, the four young adults were now approaching the barricaded tunnels.

Fat Guy: *Nervous* A-Are we really doing this?

Edgelord Leader: *Grimace* Of course we are.

https://youtu.be/Cl5cQbtsIX8

(A/N: Start at 0:22 seconds).

The Edgelord Leader pulls out his notebook which contains his own bucket list as he looked at the contents with an evil grin on his face.

Edgelord Leader: But while we're waiting...might as well do what we want. It'd be a shame if we didn't.

...