My body... Feels so heavy...
Joe Walker felt his body was very heavy, as if something was pressing down on him.
He slowly opened his eyes and found Maria sleeping while hugging him on top of his body. He also realized that the sky was dark, indicating that it was nighttime.
Huh? Did I fall asleep in the vehicle? Since when?
Did I fall asleep? I couldn't have fallen asleep near Maria or Alice. Did I fall asleep?
He observed Maria's sleeping face.
S-so cute...
Oh well, it doesn't matter. At times like this, I should go back to sleep until Maria wakes up.
Joe Walker tried to go back to sleep. However, in the end, he couldn't fall asleep again.
I'm not sleepy anymore! The night seems long. What should I do?
First, I should check the surroundings around me
Joe Walker looked around but couldn't find Alice anywhere.
Huh? Where's Alice?
Alice! Help me!
What should I do now?
Should I wake Maria up? But it seems like she's sound asleep. My heart won't bear the guilt!
Should I just move her body? But what if she wakes up because of the body's movement?
Alice! Help!
Sh*t... I'm even afraid to speak...
In the end, he could only let his body be a soft bed for Maria.
**********
A little girl in a winter military uniform was warming herself by the campfire and also with her soup. She gazed at the dark night sky full of stars. The girl was Alice, one of the explorers and one of the remaining humans on the planet Uterus.
Tonight was a full moon night, making the night sky more beautiful than usual.
The night sky is so beautiful... It's so lovely that it makes me feel comfortable.
If only the world were as beautiful as the night sky.
Alice sighed in disappointment. After that, she drank the soup she had made and enjoyed it.
If only Joe or Maria were still awake. The night's atmosphere would surely be livelier.
Especially if both of them were awake. It would definitely be very lively and festive!
Alice was unaware that she was smiling at that moment.
This reminds me of the people at home. Are they okay?
Alice seemed to look sad.
What am I hoping for? It's impossible. They must be dead right now...
Memories of the endless war that took place in her hometown came to her mind.
Bombs fell from the sky. Thousands of bullets rained down on the city as if it were a common occurrence. The enemy soldiers entered through the main city gates and pressed the allied forces.
And in the end, what she saw was her grandfather's waving hand gently bidding farewell, "goodbye, my two cute little girls. Remember, you are beautiful diamonds among a pile of muddy ones. What you need to do is stay away from those dirty diamonds and remain beautiful forever."
That was her grandfather's last words before his face disappeared from view until now.
It has been two years since Maria and I started this journey. And a few months ago, we finally found the high tower mentioned by Grandfather.
Suddenly Alice remembered a word from Joe Walker, "Your grandfather hoped that there would be a better life for you on the highest level. That's why he sent you to explore the highest level. Because he hoped you would find your happiness in there."
Although she didn't respond much to Joe Walker's words like Maria did at that time, those words always made her contemplate.
Is Grandfather hoping for our happiness?
Can surviving make someone happy?
I've heard that word repeated in several storybooks. But honestly, I don't understand what that word means.
I understand that happiness occurs when someone feels happy. But, I don't understand what it feels like to experience happiness.
Have I ever been happy?
When was the last time I felt happy?
When was the last time I smiled?
Smiling should be a reaction of someone feeling happy. That means I should feel happy often when I smile. Does that mean every time I smile, I feel happy?
If so, I don't need to reach the highest level to feel happy. Exploring together like this is enough to make me happy.
Does that mean my happiness is traveling together?
No! Honestly... traveling with them makes me annoyed all the time!
But, even so, deep down in my heart, I know that I am happy. Because when I'm annoyed, I realize that I'm not alone. The more I get annoyed, the more I realize that I'm not alone. And realizing that makes me happy.
Alice looked at her vehicle and smiled while thinking about Maria and Joe Walker.
Of course, I won't say this to them. But, at least now I can say something to you guys.
"Thank you for accompanying me in this journey called life."
A few minutes later, Alice finished her soup and hurried to sleep so she could drive with a fresh body the next day.
However, as she returned to the vehicle to sleep, she was surprised to see Maria sleeping on top of Joe Walker's body, drooling.
"Ehhh? What's wrong with them? But Joe seems to be sound asleep. Uwah, so much drool, it's gross!"
Alice tried to lower Maria's body from Joe Walker's body and covered Maria's drool-covered face with her blanket.
Oh no, the blanket is already wet with drool. What should I do, there's only one blanket left.
I can't just let Joe sleep without a blanket like this.
What should I do right now?
Alice carefully examined the blanket she was holding. Then she looked at Joe Walker, who was sound asleep.
Feeling like there was no other choice, she prepared herself to sleep with one blanket with Joe Walker.
She created a small distance so their bodies wouldn't touch. After that, she closed her eyes and fell asleep while trying to hold back her embarrassment shortly after.
**********
In the middle of the cold night, Joe Walker began to wake up again feeling warmth that puzzled him.
So warm... My body doesn't feel heavy either...
Has Maria gotten off my body? But why do I feel suffocated now?
Joe Walker opened his eyes out of curiosity. He was confused because the first thing he saw was someone's hand near his neck and a blanket covering some parts of his body, especially his legs.
Curious, he turned to the right and found Alice hugging his body tightly.
Ehhh? Why is Alice suddenly here?
Joe Walker then turned to the left and found Maria.
Huh? Why is Maria using the blanket alone?
And why am I sharing a blanket with Alice?
"Alice, wake up! Alice!"
Alice only hugged him tighter.
Suddenly, Alice's left leg also clung to Joe Walker's body. Making Joe Walker even more afraid to move at that moment.
For the first time, Joe Walker felt sad looking at himself. Closing his eyes, a few tears fell little by little as he murmured, "I'm tired of sleeping all the time."
But Joe Walker suddenly smiled.
Sobs... This happiness is torturing me. But, I'm grateful it's happening. Damn it!...
But, at least give me some time to rest... Please!