[ Hopefully that's the case, Kido thinks to herself as she walks- a quicker pace than usual, enjoying actually being able to see where she's going and not having to worry about stepping off a curb or running into a lightpost every other step. The town is nice since the roads are paved and everything, but it'll be dirt and rock once they hit the forest and if they are any signs of bears, she is going to force them to take a detour. No shrine visit is worth being mauled by a bear. ]

Oh, that reminds me. I was talking to Hayato about the forest a while ago, and he says that he's not allowed to play in the forest, and neither is anybody else in his class. I guess forest fires aren't uncommon, especially during the dry season in the summer, and when there's thunderstorms. So if there's anybody left in the castle, we're going to have to kick them out for their sake.