Isekaid into the Wilderness

Ch1: The Final Expedition

Atop the Hokkaido mountain peak, Kazuki Mori sat, his eyes tracing the horizon where the sun's gentle fingers painted the sky with soft hues of pink and gold. A breeze danced through the trees, weaving the forest's whispers around him. It was the final stop of a journey that had carried him from the southern end of Japan to this very summit—a journey kindled by memories and the unwavering desire to honor his family's legacy.

The scent of pine lingered, mingling with the rich aroma of the earth beneath him. He took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs. It had been a long road, a tribute to the camping trips he once shared with his parents and his older brother, Ryota. Their faces flickered in his mind—his mother's warm smile, his father's hearty laugh, and Ryota's unyielding presence.

The memories were a mix of joy and sorrow, a testament to the happiness of those camping days and the ache of loss that still lingered. Their lives were cut short by an illness, a cruel twist of fate that left him and Ryota without parents, a family divided. Those pages of his life were etched within him, a story he carried wherever he ventured.

His fingers brushed the silver locket hanging around his neck, a gift from his mother. Inside lay a fragment of her kimono, a token he cherished. The locket was a link to her, a bridge to those moments he treasured.

As the sun's warmth grew, Kazuki's mind turned to his reason for being here. The journey, spanning from Kagoshima to Hokkaido, was a tribute to his family's legacy. A journey that retraced the path they once tread, a path where love and laughter once echoed.

But there was more to this peak than met the eye. A peculiar energy seemed to thrum in the air, an anticipation that whispered in his ears. He couldn't explain it, but it had guided him to this place.

As the two sun's dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows, a strange unease settled upon him. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to unfold. His senses heightened, every rustle and distant sound heightened by a newfound awareness.

As night's veil enveloped the mountain peak, Kazuki Mori shook off the strange unease that had momentarily gripped him. With a deep breath, he expelled the lingering sense of anticipation and retrieved his smartphone from his pocket. He tapped the screen, connecting him to the one he sought.

A familiar face appeared on the phone's display—a lifeline to his brother, Ryota. Across the miles that separated them, their eyes met through the digital window, both pairs alight with recognition and shared history. It was a testament to the bonds that could not be severed, no matter the distance.

"Ryota," Kazuki greeted, his voice steady and warm, carrying across the virtual space that separated them.

"Kazuki," Ryota replied, a soft smile curving his lips. "You've reached the peak, haven't you?"

Kazuki nodded, a sense of accomplishment and nostalgia intertwining within him. "Yes, I'm here. It's a sight to behold, just as we remembered it."

In the glow of the smartphone's screen, their conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving a tapestry of shared memories. Stories of misadventures during their camping escapades, tales of sibling rivalry, and the laughter that had echoed through their lives. The journey that had once been a dream was now drawing to a close, and their connection held the weight of the years they had walked together.

"Remember that time when we got caught in that unexpected rainstorm?" Kazuki reminisced, a chuckle in his voice. "We had to huddle in the tent for hours."

Ryota's laughter echoed through the phone. "And you were convinced your notebook was going to dissolve."

As the conversation shifted, Ryota's smile held a touch of anticipation. "Speaking of new beginnings, Aiko's pregnancy is progressing well. She's three months away from holding our little girl in her arms."