Crinix rested his hand on Shina's shoulder, his eyes filled with concern. "Shina, it's going to be okay."

Shina's face turned bright red as she muttered a barely audible "Thanks."

Crinix removed his hand, his expression softening. " Do you have any idea where l might be able to find Shinro ? "

Shina's gaze drifted away, her voice barely above a whisper. "You could try searching his room, it's room 17, or the forest. He likes to go there for training."

Crinix nodded, his eyes locking onto Shina's. "Thank you, Shina. I'll find Shinro."

He rose from the bench, his movements fluid.

"Good luck tomorrow, and greet Takahishi for me," Shina called out, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Crinix turned, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I will. Thanks again, Shina."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Shina to watch him go.

Crinix headed back to their room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. He found Takahishi still fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

Crinix called out, "Hey Takahishi, wake up!"

But Takahishi didn't stir. Crinix decided to take a more drastic approach, shaking Takahishi's shoulder. Still, there was no response.

Crinix's expression turned exasperated, and he yelled, "WAKE UP, TAKAHISHI!"

Takahishi instantly woke up, jumping out of bed with a startled expression. "Huh? What?"

Crinix's expression turned serious. "We have to find Shinro, remember? And I've already been to Shina's place. She told me where we might find him."

Takahishi's eyebrows lowered, his expression turning accusatory. "What? You went to see Shina without me?"

Crinix's expression turned sheepish. "Sorry, but you were asleep. We don't have time, remember? Now get up, and let's go!"

Crinix headed for the door, sliding it open as he walked out. Takahishi quickly jumped out of bed, following Crinix.

As they walked, Takahishi asked, "Where are we going, Crinix?"

Crinix replied, "Shina told me we might find Shinro at his room, room 17. It's just behind this block."

They took a turn behind the block, and it didn't take them long to find Shinro's room. They stood in front of a door with the number 17 emblazoned on it.

Crinix turned to Takahishi, his expression serious. "This must be the room."

Takahishi nodded, his eyes fixed on the door. "Well, aren't you going to knock?"

Crinix stepped forward, his fist raised as he knocked on the door. They waited for a minute, but there was no response. Crinix knocked again, but still, there was no answer.

Takahishi stepped forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You're not doing it right."

He started banging on the door, but still, there was no response. Crinix's expression turned exasperated. "He isn't around, Takahishi. Stop now."

Takahishi stopped, tilting his head as he faced Crinix. "So what now?"

Crinix's expression turned determined. "We have to look for him at the forest. Shina told me that if I didn't find him here, I might find him there."

Takahishi's expression turned uncertain. "You sure about that, Crinix?"

Crinix nodded, his eyes locked onto Takahishi's. "Yeah, I'm sure. Let's go."

Crinix backed away from the door, starting to walk away. Takahishi had no choice but to follow him.

A few minutes later, they found themselves standing in front of a dense forest, the trees towering above them like sentinels. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.

Takahishi's voice was barely above a whisper. "So this must be the forest."

Crinix nodded, his eyes fixed on the forest. "Yeah, let's get inside."

He took a step forward, his foot sinking into the damp earth. Takahishi followed, his eyes scanning the forest floor nervously.

As they walked deeper into the forest, the darkness seemed to swallow them whole. The trees loomed above them, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground.

Takahishi's voice was laced with fear. "Crinix, I don't like this. It's too dark."

Crinix's expression turned reassuring. "Don't worry, Takahishi. I'll protect you."

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the darkness began to recede, and their eyes adjusted to the faint light. Crinix suddenly stopped, his head cocked to one side. "I think I see a way," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Takahishi nodded, his eyes fixed on Crinix's back as he followed him. They walked in silence, their footsteps quiet on the forest floor. Takahishi occasionally called out Shinro's name, his voice echoing through the trees.

"SHINRO!!" Takahishi shouted, his voice ringing out through the forest.

The only response was the echo of his own voice, which seemed to mock him. "WHERE ARE YOU!!" he shouted again, his voice growing more desperate.

The echo seemed to laugh at him, repeating his words back in a mocking tone. Takahishi couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Crinix turned to him, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Hey, stop that."

Takahishi's laughter died down, but he couldn't resist one final shout. "OKAY, AM STOPPING...!!" His voice echoed back, and he chuckled.

Crinix rolled his eyes. "Okay, Takahishi, fun is over. Quit it."

Takahishi grinned, but his smile was short-lived. A sudden explosion rocked the ground, making them both stumble. The forest erupted into a cacophony of bird calls as the trees seemed to shudder and tremble.

Takahishi's eyes went wide with fear. "What was that? That wasn't me!" he cried out, grabbing Crinix's arm.

Crinix's face set in a determined expression. "I don't know, but we have to follow that sound."

Takahishi's grip on Crinix's arm tightened. "Crinix, are you nuts? Maybe it's something dangerous! Maybe it'll kill us! Let's go back!"

Crinix pulled his arm free and took off into the depths of the forest, disappearing behind the trees. Takahishi was left standing alone, calling out Crinix's name in a desperate bid to get him to come back.

But Crinix was gone.