Calories for Travel

"Calories for Travel" (旅するカロリー) is the one hundred and twenty-second chapter of the Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga series, written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto.

Synopsis
Heading into the ancient past, Mika and Yu appear as children in a memory from Ancient Greece. They hide from Sika Madu who they see with his disciples, as well as Krul and Asuramaru. As they wonder if the First can see them, in the physical world Sika Madu is pinned with Saito preparing to delve into his mind.

Checking the memory of the First's mansion, Yu and Mika view the casket containing Mikaela. Yu remembers talking with the past Mikaela long ago. Yu cannot remember what they spoke about. On whether it is him, Mika can only recall his name being spoken, but feels it is from a more recent event.

As Mika prepares the means to check deeper past memories, Yu returns to eat for the energy to do so. Thrilled at feeling they are on an adventure together, Yu then hears Mika say he thinks there are further past memories. A physical door to the past needs to be opened. Having peeked, Mika has to wonder what Yu is if they really are his memories. Yu heads to open the door to see what happened in his past.

Characters
List of characters in order of appearance:
 * Mikaela Hyakuya (also appears as a child while in a memory)
 * Yuichiro Hyakuya (also appears as a child while in a memory)
 * Akane Hyakuya (flashback)
 * Hyakuya Orphanage Family (flashback of two members)
 * Gekkouin (flashback)
 * Byakkomaru (flashback)
 * Krul Tepes (flashback or envisioned)
 * Shikama Doji (flashback as Sika Madu as well)
 * Noya Hienma (flashback)
 * Asuramaru (flashback or envisioned)
 * Raimeiki (flashback)
 * Saitō
 * Mikaela (flashback)

Summary
Within the cabin in the Sea of Trees near Mt. Fuji, Mika has his hand on Yu's chest and says he is going inside. Where they are to take a look at this past, Mika proceeds to do that. When Mika vanishes from view, Yu notes he is gone, before closing his eyes to join him in a memory.

After a scene of blank, Mika finds himself within a memory where he appears as a child. Looking around, Mika wonders what era this is. It is a memory from ancient Greece, and Mika sees Yu approach who also appears as a child. Having seen one another, Mika asks why Yu is a kid, who questions the same. After a moment of contemplation, Mika speaks how apparently being kid-sized uses less energy.

Mika senses some weird desire in Yu to go back to when he was a kid too. Feeling it is a good point, Yu's observes that was when everyone was still alive. Akane and members of Yu and Mika's Hyakuya orphanage family are envisioned in Sanguinem.

Looking around, Yu asks Mika where they are. From the people's clothing and buildings, Yu states this has to be really far back in the past before commenting how he has lived a long time. Responding to make it sound like it is not his problem, Mika raises how it is Yu's memory though then asks if it is ringing any bells.

Having no recollection of this, Yu questions Mika with as long as he has lived, is he going senile. Answering yes, Mika replies when it comes to Yu the lights are on but generally no one is ever home. As they walk, Mika notices something and warns Yu to hide. Taking his arm, Mika lands on Yu as they retreat behind some pillars.

Covering his mouth, Mika warns Yu to be quiet as the First is here. While Mika is still covering Yu's mouth they both peek from behind the pillar. Walking nearby is Sika Madu accompanied by his disciples Gekkouin, along with Byakomaru, with Noya and Raimeiki as well. Additionally, Krul and Asuramaru are also a part of the group.

As they watch, Yu tells Mika he is right. After Mika questions does Yu think Sika Madu will notice them, the response is he is not sure. When Yu raises how these are their memories, Mika clarifies they are Yu's. Despite that, Yu gets the feeling that as his demon, some of Mika's memories are mixed with his own somehow, something Mika registers.

Considering the state of this memory is ended when Yu notes how the First and his entourage are getting closer, so Mika attempts to remain quiet. Hiding behind a pillar, Yu and Mika cover one another's mouths as Sika Madu passes them without reacting to their physical or discerned presence. Asuramaru and Krul following behind the First also do not notice them.

Checking from behind the pillar, seeing that Sika Madu and his group have left, Yu questions Mika can they come out now. Sharing how he is scared, Mika reminds Yu that when they looked at his past before the First noticed them. Putting it down to that he was really close then, Yu asks Mika whether he can feel the First now before questioning where is he. Only able to feel his presence a little, Mika notes he is really far. Sensing that the First feels super weak, Mika wonders why, something that Yu also picks up on.

Physically lying on his back in a cage, Shikama Doji has cables attached to his head. He is unresponsive to them and the stakes through his body pinning him to the floor. Hyakuya Sect scientists shout how resistance has been detected and to quash it. Orders are given to hurriedly increase the drug dose. The concern is if a mistake is made, Lord Rigr dies.

Looking upwards, Shikama Doji finds Saito stood over him. Questioning whether he is ready, Saito tells the First that he is going to poke around inside his mind. Grasping his head, Saito views Shikama Doji's neck that he opens his fanged mouth wide for.

Within the memory, Yu asks a man nearby if he can see him. Gathering he can't, Mika then tries to check whether they can be bumped into. While they cannot be seen, Mika finds that physical contact is possible as he is knocked over by the man in the memory. Although the man does not react as he continues walking, Mika finds that they are solid enough to hit them.

Having found that the people in the memory definitely do not see them, Yu wonders why. Giving it some thought, Mika speaks how they are a part of Yu's memories so it makes sense they cannot see. They are just memory after all, but it seems like they can still touch them as they are solid objects, like the ground they are on is.

Addressing whether the First they just saw is able to see them, Yu checks if that was just him in the past, yet Mika is not sure. Turning to how things can touch them, Mika considers that means they can take damage if they get attacked so it is probably better to stay clear of them. Deeming it a good point, Yu guesses if they see the First again they should run.

Meaning to dig through his memories while staying clear of the First, Yu asks Mika where he wants to go next. Deciding that whatever direction the First came from would be safest, Mika shares how the memories he saw a bit ago make him think there is a mansion that way. Adding there is, it is something Yu remembers as well.

In an area of fields at the First's mansion, it is noted how inside there is a vast underground chamber with a single casket. A door opens to such a room, and Mika sees it is this place, he saw it before. Equally familiar is Yu who remarks there is a pretty kid who looks like like Mika here. Stating that he is there, inside that box, within the casket ahead lies Mikaela.

Together, Yu and Mika observe the corpse of Mikaela. When Yu says for Mika to see that it is him, just prettier, Mika asks how. After Yu says to look how they are identical, Mika guesses so. Addressing how Mikaela has wings too, Yu bets he is an angel.

Mentioning how Mikaela is supposed to be the First's kid, Mika mentions did the First not say that. After a moment of silence, Mika asks Yu what is wrong. Finding it weird, Yu speaks how he remembers things. Long ago he would spend all day leaning on this glass. With it news to him, Mika asks if Yu can remember any details.

Although Yu cannot remember, he knows he was always here watching and talking. When Mika asks to who, Yu answers to him in the coffin. Checking if Yu means he was speaking to this kid, Mika raises did the First not say he was dead. Tapping the glass, Mika questions whether Mikaela can talk. While he asks his look-alike to say something, Mikaela remains ever unresponsive.

Asking what they spoke about, Mika hears Yu say he can't remember. Frustrated, Yu seizes his own neck as he details how he can remember as far as his throat, but it won't come to him. In response, Mika says he does not think people generally remember things with their throats. Continuing that the words are right there, on the tip of his tongue, Yu speaks that they will not come out.

Clear it is no good and Yu is unable to find the words, Mika turns to how he does remember one thing. That he talked to that corpse. Confirming that, Yu appears perplexed as he questions does Mika not remember it too. As Mika processes the question, Yu continues if this kid really is Mika then would he not remember too.

As Mika thinks about it, in the blankness his name is being called. Replying to Yu kind of but not really, Mika mentions there was this really dumb-sounding voice repeating his name over and over. Yu states that was him. Despite that, Mika weirdly feels like those memories are recent, before asking when is Yu not annoying. Yu insists he is not dumb or annoying.

Guessing this is all they will find here, Yu suggests they go further back into the past. Agreeing with that plan, Mika wonders how far back they can go. After Mika asks how long has he been alive, Yu merrily answers who knows. Wishing he knew that himself, Yu says for them to go deeper in.

When Yu asks how do they do that again, Mika begins to generate the means in an energy appearing around his hand. Forming this into a shining circle above him, Mika speaks how he will devour Yu's desires and to let his power go berserk. While Mika means to use that to force them both further back, he becomes aware that Yu is running short on energy.

Although Yu is surprised given he just ate, he sees Mika is right so will go and eat quick. Meanwhile Mika will set it up so they can go back even further. Happy to briefly part ways, Yu and Mika says they will see each other in a bit. Yu closes his eyes as a child in the memory, and awakens where he physically is in the cabin near Mt. Fuji.

Breaking into a smile, Yu becomes exhilarated at how great he feels this is. It is like he and Mika are on an adventure together which Yu finds so awesome. Realizing he is hungry, Yu feels he could keel over. Sliding a door across to where the supply of food items are, Yu begins eating. In doing so Yu states how he had better eat a while bunch so they can go even further in the past.

Contacted by Mika calling his name, Yu hears that is enough and he has eaten plenty. Mentioning how he has opened the way to the past, Mika reveals they can go way far back. With Yu's mouth full and surprised, Mika cannot understand what he is saying but mentions for him to just get back here. He does not know how, but Mika thinks this goes insanely far into the past. Moving to seat himself, Yu closes his eyes to return.

In his child form within the memory again, Yu beholds many circles of light that Mika has produced in the chamber. Apparently taking effort on Mika's part, Yu is amazed how he did great. While there is progress, Mika says how he cannot get the door to the past to open.

The door in question is enquired about by Yu, and Mika points to it ahead. A tall dark door structure with a fiery like aura around it stands slightly ajar. When Yu checks if that door goes further back into their past, Mika answers yes. Noticing it is slightly open, Yu asks if Mika took a peek already. Having taken a little one, Yu excitedly asks what did Mika see.

Saying for Yu to look through the door himself, Mika adds it is not good. If they really are Yu's memories then Mika has to wonder what he really is. Looking to it, Yu guesses they will just have to look. As Mika observes, Yu walks towards it and speaks for the door to open, and show him what happened in his past.

Quotes
"Okay. I'm going inside, Yu. Let's take a look at your past."

- Mika and Yu begin the memory delving.

"Oh. Apparently being kid-size uses less energy. I sense some weird desire in you to go back to when you were a kid too."

- Mika's apparent innate senses as to why they appear as kids in a memory, and can feel Yu's inner desires.

"Heck... This has to be really, really, reeeally far in the past. Boy, I've lived a long time."

- Yu clearly sees the ancient Greek land he is in within the memory.

"This is your memory, though. Is it ringing any bells?"

- Mika asks Yu if he can remember anything from the time period they are in.

"I get the feeling that, as my demon, some of your memories are mixed with mine. Somehow."

- Yu having seen the First and his disciples, wonders if they are his own memories, or a mix including Mika's.

"Hmm... I'm scared. When we looked at your past before, the First noticed us."

- Mika shares his apprehension, and remembers what he saw as a memoryless demon.

"Yeah. That's cuz he was really close then. Can you feel him now? Where is he?"

- Yu reasons why Sika Madu was able to discern them last time they met.

"Only a little. He's really far. It's like he's super-super weak now. I wonder why?"

- Mika's awareness of the First's presence.

"Resistance detected! Quash it! Increase the drug dose! Hurry! Make a mistake and Lord Rigr dies!"

- Hyakuya Sect scientists pick up on and act to keep Shikama Doji captive.

"Are you ready, First? I'm going to poke around inside your mind."

- Saito speaks to Shikama Doji who lies with cables attached to his head.

"They're part of your memories. It makes sense they can't see. They're just memory after all. But it seems like they can still touch us. They're solid objects, like the ground is."

- Mika rationalizing why the people in the memory cannot see them yet still make physical contact.

"Then the First we just saw won't see us back? That was him in the past."

- Yu checking if the Sika Madu he and Mika saw is him or a memory.

"If things can touch us, that means we can take damage if we get attacked. It's probably better to stay clear of them."

- Mika feels it's better to avoid the Sika Madu, memory or not.

"Good point. I guess if we see him again, we should run."

- Yu willing to flee from the First.

"We'll dig through my memories while staying clear of him. Where do you wanna go next?"

- Yu's precautionary measure as they explore the past, and a question for Mika.

"Whatever direction the First came from seems safest. The memories I saw a bit ago make me think there's a mansion that way."

- Mika deciding where they should head, and having knowledge of Sika Madu's mansion.

"The First's mansion. Inside there's a vast underground chamber... ...With a single casket."

- Aware that the casket containing Mikaela is underneath Sika Madu's mansion.

"Oh! This place! I saw this before!"

- Mika having seen the room where Noya was murdering past Yu's realizes the location was in the Firsts'a residence.

"Oh yeah! There's a pretty kid who looks just like you here. He's there! Inside that box!"

- Yu having remembered that Mikaela was kept here, who he says looks like Mika.

"He's supposed to be the First's kid. Didn't he say that?"

- Mika discussing the relation of Mikaela to Sika Madu.

"Long ago... I'd spend all day leaning on this glass."

- Yu's memories of the ancient past.

"No. I can't. But I know I did. I was always here. Watching and talking."

- Yu cannot remember specific details but knows generally what was occurring in the past.

"But you do remember one thing, right? You talked to that corpse."

- Mika addresses how Yu spoke to Mikaela.

"Yeah. If this kid really is you... ...Wouldn't you remember this too?"

- Yu asks whether Mika does not remember speaking to a past Yu.

"Kind of...? But not really? There was this really dumb-sounding voice repeating my name over and over. But weirdly, I feel like those memories are kinda recent?"

- Mika recalls his name being spoken but is unsure if it was as Mikaela in the ancient past.

"Anyway! I guess this is all we'll find here. Let's go further into the past."

- Yu feels he and Mika should head further back from the ancient Greek setting they are in.

"Okay. I'll set it up so we can go even further back."

- Mika generates shining circle-like powers to check further past memories.

"Aaaaah! This is great! It's like we're on an adventure together. That's so awesome!"

- Yu having returned to eat for energy has a reflective moment of joy at what he and Mika are doing.

"I've opened the way to the past. We can go way far back."

- Mika contacts Yu outside the memory to inform him of the progress.

"Look for yourself. But... It's not good. If these are really your memories... ...I have to wonder what you really are."

- Mika having glimpsed memories of further past memories of Yu.

"Open, door. Show me what happened in my past."

- Yu invokes a door in his memory to open to reveal deeper past memories.

Cover Details
The cover for chapter 122 features story aspects, namely Mika with his hand on Yu's chest. They are located in a cabin within the Sea of Trees near to Mt. Fuji. Speaking that he is going inside him, Mika and Yu mean to explore memories of the past. Chapter details such as the Seraph of the End logo, to lettering and the chapter title are all featured in the first panel of the page.
 * Alone together, Yu and Mika commence delving into past memories.
 * In entering a memory, it is seen how Mika as a demon vanishes from the physical world. Since they are his own memories, Yu can close his eyes to join Mika in the memory.
 * Appearing in a memory of ancient Greece, Mika and Yu appear as children in modern-day clothes. Mika seemingly inherently realizes that they are kid-size as that uses less energy.
 * A desire for Yu to go back when he was a kid is sensed by Mika. Seeing why, Yu speaks how that was when everyone was still alive as Akane and members of their Hyakuya Orphanage family are visualized.
 * While they are unsure of the era, Yu registers how he has lived a long time.
 * Noticing him first, Mika pulls Yu out of the possible view of Sika Madu who is approaching.
 * Sika Madu is seen walking with all his disciples aside from Kiseki-o who may be present but is not seen.
 * Remarkably, both Krul in her modern day attire along with Asuramaru as a demon are also seen with Sika Madu. Their presences here may either mean this is a mixed memory of Yu and Mika's. Alternatively it may mean that Asuramaru left Krul to become a demon in Japan, and then returned to reunite with Krul.
 * If this is an accurate memory of Sika Madu with his disciples it is likely they would have been invisible to the ancient Greek people around them on account of them being demons. Krul as a vampire would have been the only one visible near Sika Madu.
 * In chapter 106 "I Am Your..." it was shown how Sika Madu could perceive Mika within an eye that could be formed into a Yu. Based on that, it's very likely that memory or not, Sika Madu in this chapter would have little difficulty in noticing that Yu and Mika were in the memory. That he is currently weakened may prevent him from acting in the memory, or possibly he pretended not to notice them.
 * Although Mika was behaving as a demon without memories at the time, in recalling how the First noticed them before, Mika as he is remembers his experiences back then.
 * Both Yu and Mika can feel the First's presence where they are aware of his weakened condition.
 * While Shikama Doji is physically inactive in his imprisoned state, Hyakuya Sect scientists feel they are picking up resistance.
 * Where demons can explore memories, Saito as a vampire seems confident he can achieve this as well by means of technology and biting into the First.
 * In testing their environment, Yu and Mika find people in the ancient Greece memory cannot hear them, but physical contact can still be made.
 * For the time setting they are in, where avoiding the First is a priority, Yu and Mika seek out his mansion having knowledge of that.
 * Entering the room where Mikaela is kept, Mika recognizes it from a memory of Yu's he accessed. Yu remembers the setting firsthand from memories of Yu's in the past.
 * Seeing his wings, Yu bets Mikaela is an angel. For Shikama Doji's part, he has seraph, vampire, and demon traits yet neither his or Mikaela's species has been specified at this point.
 * Having memories of being the past Yu, it is remembered how he would spend all day leaning on the glass Mikaela was kept under.
 * While Yu remembers himself in the past, Mika does not outright recall himself in Mikaela's place, who he speaks to as "me-lookalike."
 * After checking that Yu's memories reach back into this past era, having avoided Sika Madu and his entourage, and seen Mikaela, they decide to head further back into the past.
 * Unsure of how long he has been alive, Yu comments he wishes he knew that himself.
 * On how to access deeper memories, Mika seemingly has an innate ability to generate powers to help open them.
 * Returning to his physical body to eat so as to regain energy, Yu is thrilled at feeling he and Mika are on an adventure together.
 * In the time Yu was eating, Mika had managed to open the way to the deeper past. He describes it as going insanely far into the past where they were already in an ancient setting.
 * The means of accessing deeper memories apparently comes from Mika generating many floating circles of light which appear to tax him. If they are reducing boundaries between scenarios, they seemingly allow a door to such past settings to appear.
 * In taking a peek, Mika has to wonder what Yu really is should they be his memories.
 * With a door being a man-made like creation, it might be inferred that something created such as door as an access point between memories.

Gallery
Manga panels provide a visual overview of the events of chapter 122 with depictions of the characters, Seraph of the End world and scenarios.