(~just a cute folk tune instrumental influenced by a mix of African and East Asian folk music, with a little dance flavour to it~)

A jungle encloses the town of Gonasii like a fortress’ walls, its buildings dwarfed by trees that pierce the clouds.

Only the village’s western end sits unobscured by forest, opening into the cold oceans of Northern Niirasong where most of Gonasii’s traffic enters through.

On one of these ferries are Miko and Rumi, who step off at the terminal together, strolling past a line of locals offering themselves as tour guides.

For a town in a jungle so quiet, its people are anything but, and a warm, herbal scent lures Rumi away just outside the port.

“H-Hey, we haven’t even gotten a map yet, you’re gonna get lost at this rate!”

Tilting her head, Rumi gazes at a nearby teahouse’s sign as residents in colourful robes wave at them.

“‘Soogon Parlor’, huh. Whatever they’re making, it kinda smells like berries?”

“You’re asking me? You know I can’t tell teas apart.”

“Eh, whatever, I think it’s worth a taste! Like look at it—you know what they say when you visit Niirasong: if you want to know which restaurants are good, you try out the ones with long lines.”

“Do we really have to time to wait though…? It’s already 12, our check in’s in two more hours.”

“Can’t be that bad! Just come with me, it’s not like Gonasii’s that big anyways.”

Perhaps the town itself isn’t, but Miko can’t help but lose her thoughts to the jungle that surrounds them, as if the trees themselves are whispering in her ear, beckoning her to come closer and see what lies beyond their veil.

If a hamlet as small as Gonasii can still house locals so lively and jubilant, how can she be certain that the rainforest around them isn’t hiding something far, far more enchanting? Something so otherworldly that she cannot even think of it in her head?

Just the idea excites Miko.

Now that she and Rumi are here in person, they will go out and venture into these woods themselves sometime soon. It would simply be a disservice to leave such a vast expanse unseen.