There is a plain covered with ankle-high grass. Above, you can see iridescent clouds painting a summery contrast on the canvas of blue sky. Yuuki is unsure whether Cross Connectia has seasons or not, but to her, this is summer air.

　Although the view was magnificent, the scenery unfolding before her eyes reminded her of the high temperatures she felt in the real world before logging in, and her steps became heavy.

　Immediately after arriving in this world, she had run off in joy, ignoring Impmon's warnings, but now she had completely circled around and returned to her initial spawn point.

　She looked down at her feet and saw three shadows that were not her own.

　Needless to say, one belonged to her partner, while the other two belonged to a person and a Digimon she had met here.

　Decked out with a biker helmet and goggles, the woman had blonde, braided hair reaching down to her waist. Only a few minutes ago, this slender woman, dressed in a rider's jacket, appeared in front of Yuuki and Impmon, along with a Digimon that looked like a terracotta figure.

　Yuuki was puzzled: "To show up at this timing, you seriously must be able to see into the future. Your name is so on-point." The woman just laughed heartily and shrugged her shoulders.

"...It's a bit of an exaggeration to say I can see into the future. I guess you could say I have good intuition. I just felt like I could meet someone here, that's all."

　The person in front of Yuuki spoke nonchalantly, stroking the head of her partner Digimon, Hanimon.

　Yuuki and Impmon tilted their heads at the answer, then instinctively shrugged their shoulders just like the woman.

"You say that, but..."

"It's way too ridiculous. You must have known beforehand Yuuki was lost."

　And it was true, Yuuki was very lost.

　She was warped from Digimon Liberator to Cross Connectia.

　"The first step of a new adventure!" ...Was how it started off, but the excitement was short-lived, since not a single person among those scheduled to meet at the spawn point was there.

　After standing there in a daze, she noticed a floating message item, and suddenly this woman was standing behind her.

　She introduced herself as "Mirai" (like "future" in Japanese), hence the earlier exchange.

"My, my, you don't trust in my intuition, then? Mind vouching for me Hanimon?"

"Well, even I sometimes think her 'sharp instincts' are a load of nonsense, if it's your first time meeting her, you're bound to be skeptical."

　Hanimon's somewhat intimidating tone was surprising, given its appearance. Mirai faced Yuuki and Impmon, seemingly unconcerned by their reaction, and tilted her head in a puzzled manner before they could interject.

"Hmm, is that right? Is it really too hard to believe?"

　Yuuki almost replied—"It's not a matter of belief..."—but stopped herself.

　Meeting in this vast land of Cross Connectia was too extraordinary to be chalked up to mere "intuition," as she put it. However, she'd probably just laugh it off if told as much.

　Still, even if it was truly just intuition, the fact remained: Yuuki and Impmon had been completely lost after arriving in Cross Connectia. They hadn't known where to go or what to do next. Meeting Mirai had changed that. And given that Yao had mentioned her by name beforehand, Yuuki had every reason to trust her.

　In that case, they should be grateful instead of expressing doubt.

"Well then! Now that we've shared the joy of this fateful meeting...how about we take a look at this message item together?"

　No sense in overthinking it. Yuuki took a breath, steadying herself. Back to her usual self, she gave a quick nod—ready to roll with the suggestion from her "savior" Mirai—Mirai Kinosaki.

"Aighty! Let's do it!"

"That's 'all right,' one of her many nonsense words. Will you be able to put up with all that?"

"No problemino! Learning kids' slang is a breeze for me. I'll just consider you as another younger sister."

　Hanimon beside her legs appeared to let out a little laugh.

"Huh. I see. I guess that means our friends who were supposed to meet us here got attacked and scattered."

　When Mirai and Yuuki checked the contents of the text item placed at the spawn point, they found a brief written explanation.

"The debugging team was attacked by a group of Digimon. Mistymon was their leader, and it captured Altea. Kazuki, Williams, and Winr have escaped in different directions. Let's regroup where Cool Boy is. See you there!"

　...Ahh, that darn Mistymon.

　As Mirai read the message, the moment she saw the name, she realized something: the situation surrounding Cross Connectia is more complicated than she'd thought. If that Digimon is involved...

　I see. Then that also narrows down where C-Boy might be.

"Is everyone in one piece...?"

"Come on, these are the kind of folks who manage to leave a message while in dire straits. They're sharp. I bet they're handling it just fine."

"Yeah... I hope so."

　Yuki and Impmon walk restlessly side by side, discussing this and that. A smile involuntarily broke out from Mirai's mouth at the sight of them acting like siblings.

"Calm down, Yuuki."

"Maybe you two are a little too calm...?"

"Little devil, you should learn to be a little more firm. Like me."

"Eh... Firm as clay is too stiff for my liking."

　It was impossible not to chuckle at the silly conversations between humans and Digimon.

"Hahaha! You guys are funny. I'm sure you'll be alright, like Impmon said."

　Yuuki and Impmon stared at Mirai in confusion as she continued.

"Kazuki is Suzune Kazuki, right? You probably already realized if you're in a team with her, but she's super reliable. It also seems it was her idea to leave this message."

"Well, yeah, of course I realized that! But it's not only Suzune—everyone else is ultra-reliable too."

"Well then, what are you worried about?"

　Hearing this, Yuuki's whole body trembled and she hugged her shoulders.

　Checking the message again, she spoke.

"It's the meeting point. How'm I gonna find it if I don't have the foggiest where Cool Boy is?"

"Ahhh..."

"I mean, that's what we came here to find out... I know it's a long shot, but do you know anything about it?"

"Why ask me when it was basically stated in the message? Wherever Mistymon is, right?"

　There's no doubt about it.

　Mistymon is one annoying Digimon. It was inclined to abduct any human it sees.

　Even if he hadn't been taken, Cool Boy would probably follow Mistymon himself in order to get to the bottom of things.

　However, these two don't seem to be on the same page.

"What the—!?"

　Taken by surprise, the cries of Yuuki and Impmon rang out across the land of Cross Connectia.

　With few mountains around, there was only a faint echo.

"Ohhh, wait, so it was Mistymon's domain all along? Ugh, I should've looked there!"

"W-w-wait, hold on. I'm still trying to figure this out! And actually, why did you get here ahead of us anyway, Mirai?"

"Ahaha... It's kind of embarrassing, but yeah, just like you two, Yao asked me to come. I was supposed to help search for C-Boy."

　The search for Cool Boy had been planned well in advance.

　Shortly after Yao Qinglan and Omekamon uncovered that his data was somewhere in Cross Connectia, Mirai received the request. (Due to certain circumstances, Mirai had a relatively light workload as a debugger.)

"I had no idea where to start, so I just focused on mapping things out for the people who'd come after me."

"Mapping...?"

"Yeah. I've recorded all of Cross Connectia's geographic data."

"Wha?"

　Mirai couldn't help but feel a faint pang of guilt, like she'd just admitted to doing something shady. But at the same time, she felt mischievous satisfaction at having pulled off such a feat.

　...Did I go overboard?　...Kind of.

　Yao Qinglan probably hadn't thought she'd be able to find Cool Boy on her own. She explained that a few more people—Yuuki and the others—would soon be coming to this world, which is probably why she requested the map data.

"All of it? As in, actually all?"

"Yep, all."

　Why don't I show you?

　As she muttered this, Mirai operated the D-Storage in her hand and projected a 3D image.

　The map data displayed before them, as large as a dining table for six.

"Okay now, cue the jaw drop and stunned silence... Wait, uh, never mind."

"What the heck... Map data alone is something, but this is just...genuinely amazing."

"Woahwoahwow!"

"Oh come on, you two, it's not that surprising. Anyone could do this if they took the time."

　After all, this is Cross Connectia, where time moves faster than in our own world. There was more than enough time to make a map.

　They were also able to interact with local Digimon along the way and pick up detailed information, for example, about how troublesome Mistymon is. And now their endeavours should pay off, since Yuuki and the others can benefit from the map data.

"I don't know where the others have run off to, but Mistymon is probably near this area here..."

　There is a conspicuous structure a bit east of central Cross Connectia.

　It is a fortress that is said to be the stronghold of the world guardian, Dalphomon.

　Mirai couldn't map the interior since outside visitors aren't permitted, but she was able to observe it from afar and record its shape in detail.

"Cool Boy is here... And they're probably also holding Altea there, right?"

"Most likely."

“Incredible! This is super great, mad respect!"

"I told you, anyone could have done it with enough time."

　Hanimon, standing beside her, chimed in.

"We just kept covering ground, east and west, one stop after another. Although with Mirai's endurance and my high mobility, it was a walk in the park."

"High mobility...? You, Hanimon?"

"Hohoho. I move quite briskly, I'll have you know."

“Amazing! Truly astounding! Right, Impmon?!"

"Yeah. I wasn't sure what you were talking about with that 'traveler' stuff, but...this really is impressive."

　Hanimon's proud retelling and the two of them reacting with such genuine excitement made Mirai feel a little uneasy.

　Being a traveler means being a rootless person. Someone who hasn't found where they belong.

　At that, Mirai suddenly became pensive.

　If nothing else, she certainly is a traveler. How many years has she defined herself that way?

　...Since dropping out of high school. So, roughly seven years? Wow.

　Then she realized: it had been a lot longer than she thought since she had visited home. Although she occasionally messages her younger sister, Arisa, and parents via chat apps, she hadn't actually seen their faces in ages.

　To be precise she hasn't seen them in person, but her parents send her photos so she won't forget their faces. Her mother and father wear the same good-natured expressions as always, Arisa is growing to be a smart-looking woman.

　...I wonder if Rissy is doing okay.

　The one whom Mirai calls "Rissy" is none other than her younger sister, Arisa Kinosaki. She still feels guilty she couldn't bear the pressure of being from a family of doctors, and left home.

　Her parents, both practicing physicians, provided them with a life free from hardship, while even assuring them they didn't need to become doctors. Her parents even cheerfully supported her when she decided to drop out of high school and travel. Arisa was different, though.

　She is now working hard to become a doctor, following the same path as her parents. That too is freedom. If only she hadn't said it was “because I want to make everyone feel at ease," then Mirai could have celebrated her path without hesitation—with nothing but pride.

　...I guess I'm just being egotistical again.

　After all, both she and her sister couldn't help but worry about what others thought of them as "the Kinosaki kids." Arisa, who tries to live up to expectations, is more laudable than Mirai, who abandoned everything and ran away. That is why, even though Mirai should be enjoying her freedom, a sense of guilt remains like a lump in her heart.

　However, her younger sister doesn't think so. Arisa doesn't resent Mirai for leaving home, and in fact, she and her parents are all positive and supportive.

　It's okay to seek freedom, she affirms.

"...Oh, I just realized."

　Something dawned on Mirai.

　The way Yuuki behaves is actually quite similar to Arisa. It's no wonder she's been so easy to talk to.

　She couldn't help but imagine her as her little sister. Neither of them expected special treatment; they just focused on what they wanted and went for it.

"Hey, how old are you now, Yuuki? I was thinking you're about the same age as Rissy—my younger sister."

"A spry nineteen years old! A flower of a college student even spring would envy!"

"Oh, my intuition was off. You're older than my little sis."

　Then she's the same age as my childhood friend, Sho—Shoto Kazama.

"Oh I see, you thought Yuuki is a bit dense for her age."

"Hey, don't be nasty, Impmon! Why'd you gotta backstab me?"

"No, no, no, nothing like that. She just reminds me of my little sis."

"Little sis... Ahh, sorry if I'm mistaken, but are you talking about Arisa?"

"Oh. Yep, that's right."

　Of course she already knew, making things awkward.

　She'd heard from Yao that Arisa is part of the debugging team, so it makes sense that the two are acquainted.

"I knew it! Though we haven't interacted, I was sure she's a nice girl! Think we can be friends!?"

　...Oh, I see.

　She had wondered if her sister seemed like a "nice girl" to others. Mirai was so happy, a smile spread across her face.

"I think you could. You're a nice girl too, Yuuki. If you ever run into her, just go ahead and say hi."

"Um, Mirai?"

　Yuuki called out hesitantly to Mirai, who was standing tall with her D-Storage at the ready. Contrary to the smile on Mirai's face, Yuuki felt a growing sense of anxiety.

"All right, then... It's time to return to the other side."

　Without responding to Yuuki's call, Mirai activates her Unique Emblem and everyone sees Hanimon digivolve again.

　Wreathed in light, it quickly digivolves to level 6.

　Its final form is breathtaking, with a fusion between a space suit and a traditional white kimono, plus a bamboo-like rocket attached to its back, elegant and alien all at once. Yuuki couldn't help but hold her breath.

"Can I count on you for navigation, Kaguyamon?"

　The Digimon called Kaguyamon accepted its partner's request with a smile and a nod.

　Yuuki now understood what Hanimon had meant earlier by "mobility."

"Are you really going?"

"I already gave you the map data. From the start, the plan was for me to link up with the second team after figuring out C-Boy's location, and then to head back to Lacuna."

　Mirai realizes she's been here for too long.

　Yao explained in advance that it was best to avoid staying in this world for an extended period of time, where the flow of time is different.

　However, Yuuki can't ignore the grave feeling that's come over her.

　So she voiced her concern.

"Umm, am I gonna be okay?"

　Yuuki couldn't help but think how incredibly reassuring it would be to have the person who created the map by her side.

　Before this farewell, Yuuki realized that not being able to join her friends from the outset outweighed the elation she felt at the prospect of a new adventure.

"You've got this, Yuuki. Your trusty sidekick is with you. Right, Impmon?"

"Hah, I don't need you to tell me that. Come on Yuuki, be cheery while we send them off. That gloomy look isn't like you."

　Impmon's words came as a surprise.

　Certainly, it's not like her. The usually radiant Yuuki can get along anywhere as long as she's with her trusty sidekick.

　To get into the spirit, she slapped her cheeks with the palms of her hands.

"...Got it! You're totally right!"

"Finally she smiles, what a pain in the—"

　Seeing their exchange, Mirai speaks while holding onto Kaguyamon.

"Impmon, you should be more honest. Yuuki resembles my sister, but you and I are also alike."

"...What? What do you mean by—"

　Impmon's words were interrupted by a loud boom.

　The sound is from Kaguyamon's rocket. The engine seems to have ignited.

"Forget about it! You're all gonna be okay! Put the map I made for you to good use!"

　Mirai shouts over the rocket's roar.

　Kaguyamon and Mirai slowly began to lift off the ground, causing a forceful gust. Yuuki and Impmon were struck and had to brace themselves to stay upright.

"Roger! I hope you get to see your little sis on the other side!"

"Huh!? What did you say!?"

"Nothiiiing! Take careeeeee!! And thank youuuuuu!!"

　We need to try just as hard as them.

　Yuuki shouted out to Mirai and Kaguyamon.

　Whether her words reached them or not didn't matter, as long as her feelings did.

　Having done so much to encourage her, she believed that Mirai understood her gratitude and would keep it in her heart even after returning to Lacuna.

"...Let's do our best, Impmon!"

"Obviously! Time to go, Yuuki!"

　Seeing them flying high up into the sky and getting smaller and smaller, Yuuki felt resolved.

To be continued.