We had decided to split up into teams to try and find the best place to make camp for the night. It hadn't taken long before we had all drawn lots to decide who went with who. The teams were Heyu and me, Loki and Kibbles and finally Nathan and Sora.
" We all meet up back here in around two hours or so," Loki said as he drew a marker in the sand.
" If there is any danger shoot a spell of magic into the air," I said slightly worried.
" We will be fine won't we," Sora said as he scruffed Nathan's head.
" Anyone need anything else from my storage ring before we depart?" I said thinking out loud.
" I think we have everything" Loki replied with a nod.
" Great let's do this!" Nathan said as he raised a fist into the air.
We did a final check of our supplies before we all went out separate ways. It looked as if I had lost to Kibbles as Heyu seemed depressed watching him and Loki moving off into the northern area while we scouted the west.
It did not bother me too much as I was excited to see what sort of new and interesting plants were available in this area. Since there was a tonne that relied on bioluminesce if I could collect some seeds I would not have to rely on Loki or Kibbles for light in dark areas.
Plus there were the mushrooms with paralysing agents which made me wonder if I could use some of them in battle. The possibilities were truly endless.
" Hey Yuki..." Heyu said as we walked through the mossy undergrowth.
" Mm" I said as I gently willed away some plant life.
" I was just wondering if it was really okay for Sora and I to come along," Heyu said quietly.
I stopped walking and Heyu followed suit. We stared at each other for a moment as the light from the plants hit our faces.
" Of course it is fine why do you ask?" I said confused.
" Well, it was our fault that.. Well. A lot happened and I was wondering how you could forgive us so easily" Heyu replied.
" I see," I said as I took a step closer to Heyu.
" do you want me to be angry and try to kill you?" I said with a stern voice.
" Of course not.. But I would feel a little bit better. I mean your engagement" Heyu said dejectedly.
[ This guy is pretty dense..]
I started to chuckle confusing Heyu even more. He couldn't look me in the eye as I continued to hold my stomach. After a few moments, I sighed and wiped the tears from my eyes before raising an eyebrow.
" I will never forgive Romeo or even you. Not only for what happened to Ki but for knowing where my father is and not telling me. This being said...My engagement being broken off... I will forever be grateful to all of you" I said first in anger than in a depressed tone.
" I.. I .. don't know what to say" Heyu said as he walked up to me and hugged me.
I could feel his warm body wrap around me as he placed his head on my shoulder.
" We really didn't mean for any of this..I am truly sorry Yuki. I just thought you were a spoiled rich brat when I met you but you are more than that. I just don't want you to hate me… Sora or anyone else. I know I can't ever make it up to you but I am glad you will at least let me stand by your side for a while." Heyu said quietly into my ear.
I stopped moving bewildered like a deer in headlights. I didn't expect any of this to happen. It seemed that Heyu was waiting to get me alone to apologise. I couldn't help but wonder how long he had been trying to sum up the courage to do so, I was grateful none the less.
I wrapped my arms against him as we stood there for a while. I didn't want the rest of our journey to be awkward so I decided to embarrass him a little.
" Heyu.. we probably shouldn't stand so close," I said in a teasing tone.
" Huh?!" Heyu said as he let go of me and took a step back. It looked like he finally realised that we had been arm in arm for a least a cup of teas time. Heyu coughed trying to clear the air but I wouldn't let him.
" People may think we are a couple or something, " I said with a wide grin.
" What people?! Who?" Heyu said as he looked around.
" Who knows. Two young boys alone in the woods alone with a beautiful view. Pretty romantic right?" I said as I giggled.
I watched as Heyu's face went bright red as he looked away avoiding my gaze.
" They can think what they want! Hmph!" Heyu said as he took a step in the direction we were supposed to walk in.
It seemed however that he wasn't paying attention to where he was walking and almost stumbled into a mushroom. I had to quickly extend my hand gripping his wrist.
{ Error unable to collect Profile }
The system buzzed through my ears. I had tried many times since I had given Heyu his name to add his profile to the Lubu system but just like now and error message sung out. I was so used to it I ignored it as I looked and Heyu and smiled.
" That was close. If you wanted to hold my hand all you had to do was ask." I said as I held him with a smile on my face.
" Stop acting weird it's confusing me," Heyu said as he looked at me.
" Consider it a little payback for your apology from before," I said with a smirk as I let his wrist go.
Seeing how completely and utterly stumped Heyu was I had realised that at least in this world I had become much better at flirting. I smiled as I walked forward leaving and embarrassed Heyu to stumble after me.
If it was me from several months ago back at the academy I probably wouldn't have done something so stupid but here in the wilderness and with no engagement I was at least somewhat free to do as I please. Not to mention I had spent more then enough time with Heyu on my trip so far to get used to his male lead aura.
The rest of the walk was pretty uneventful. Since I had gone out of my way to tease Heyu he seemed to be deep in thought. At least he wasn't avoiding me. He would find out that I liked men sooner or later and I couldn't help and think about what reaction he would have.
Thinking about how open I was here I couldn't help but admire how much I had grown in that aspect. I would forever be grateful to Cupid for giving me this new life. In every way, I felt like I had grown as a person.
I even began to whistle energetically as I collected seed and spore samples from various plants looking for places we may have been able to camp.
There honestly wasn't the wide and open space that I was hoping for but this little time with Heyu made it worth it... At least to me.