The next morning, Fuwa stirred in bed, the early sunlight filtering through the window. She sighed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She convinced herself that everything that had happened last night was just a vivid dream. There was no way she had kissed Raven, neither had that silly wrestle in the bed, or gotten caught up in all that embarrassing tension. It was just a dream... a wild, strange dream product of her watching too many anime.
But then she turned over... and her eyes landed on Raven, peacefully sleeping right next to her. Her black hair, slightly tousled, and her cat ears twitching as she slept, was very real. Fuwa's heart leaped into her throat. It wasn't a dream.
Her scream pierced the quiet morning air.
Within seconds, Minato, Sophia, and Mia burst through the door, weapons in hand and not even properly clothed because of the emergency, expecting danger. What they found instead was chaos.
Raven had been launched off the bed, sprawled awkwardly on the couch across the room, rubbing her head in confusion, groaning in pain. Meanwhile, Fuwa, standing on the bed, was furiously throwing pillows at her.
"Why...?" Raven muttered, shielding herself with her arms from the barrage of pillows. Her golden eyes blinked groggily, still half-asleep and utterly bewildered. "What did I even do!?"
Minato, Mia, and Sophia stood frozen in the doorway, completely at a loss for words. They exchanged confused glances, trying to make sense of the situation. There was no immediate threat, no enemy to fight—just Fuwa and Raven... in a chaotic pillow war.
"Uh... should we be worried?" Minato asked, scratching the back of his head, clearly unsure if he should intervene.
"I don't think so" Sophia replied, her brow raised, trying not to laugh "This seems... personal"
Mia smirked, arms crossed, clearly entertained by the scene "Looks like someone had an interesting night"
"That's NOT true!" Screamed Fuwa still panicking throwing a pillow toward Mia, it impacted her face without causing damage "U-Umm... I... I can explain!" Fuwa stammered, her face flushed bright red.
The trio in the doorway raised their eyebrows, clearly amused by the scene but didn't press for details "Hey, who is hungry?" Said Minato as they slowly backed out of the room, leaving the two girls to sort out whatever... situation this was.
Once they were gone, Fuwa, mortified beyond belief, scrambled to the floor. She got on her hands and knees, bowing deeply, her forehead nearly touching the ground "I-I'm so sorry!" She cried, her voice muffled against the floor "I don't know what came over me! I was just... panicking! And then I saw you, and I... I just...!"
Raven, still sitting on the couch, arms crossed and pouting, refused to look at Fuwa. Her tail flicked in annoyance as she sat there in silence for a long moment. She wasn't really angry, but she was milking the situation for all it was worth. After all, it wasn't every day that Fuwa lost her composure like this.
Raven let out a dramatic sigh "You're impossible, Fuwa," she said, but there was no real bite to her words. Slowly, her smirk returned, and she cast a sideways glance at Fuwa. "You could've just said good morning, you know"
Fuwa peeked up from her deep bow, her eyes wide with embarrassment "I... I didn't mean to! I just...!"
Raven stood up, stretching lazily "Well," she said with a teasing grin "I guess I'll forgive you this time" She turned and gave Fuwa a playful flick on the forehead, causing the blue-haired girl to flinch.
As Raven flicked Fuwa on the forehead, the blue-haired girl flinched and pouted, rubbing the spot where Raven had playfully tapped her. Her heart was still racing, but at least Raven didn't seem too upset. In fact, she seemed almost... amused.
'!!!' She realized 'This cat just played me!'
"Come on, sleepyhead" Raven said with a lazy grin, her golden eyes twinkling with mischief as she stretched her arms over her head "Let's get some food. I'm starving, and you probably need something to calm your nerves after... all that" Her tail flicked behind her as she lazily walked toward the door, clearly enjoying Fuwa's flustered state.
Fuwa sat up slowly, still trying to process everything that had happened. Her face was a bright shade of red, and her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions... embarrassment, confusion, and affection. That kiss last night… the wrestling… the tension that lingered between them… 'What is happening to me?'
She glanced over at Raven, who was already halfway out the door, her silhouette framed by the morning light. Fuwa's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
As Fuwa stood up, she noticed how her bed was still a mess... pillows strewn everywhere, the sheets tangled up from the commotion. She sighed, quickly trying to tidy up before, which took her some minutes, and followed Raven out of the room "I really need to stop overthinking" she muttered under her breath.
"What took you so long? Are you punishing me?" Complained Raven who waited for her outside.
Both girls walked toward one of the big tables that were left there after the party had ended, some of the locals who had abused the booze were sleeping in the grass totally knocked out, but neither she nor Raven was really affected by it. Minato was sipping an herbal infusion while eating some bread, Sophia was munching on some chicken leftovers and Mia was eating some of the cake that wasn't eaten from yesterday, at least there was more food for them also. However, as soon as Fuwa walked near them, Mia gave her a knowing smirk, clearly still amused by what had happened earlier.
"Morning, Fuwa" Mia said, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm "Sleep well?"
Fuwa nearly tripped over her own feet "Y-Yes! Perfectly fine!" she stammered, trying to sound casual, but her cheeks betrayed her by turning red again. She quickly sat down at the table, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Minato chuckled softly, clearly picking up on the awkwardness in the air but deciding not to push it, he had so much fun yesterday, at the party, and after that, but he was surprised Raven and Fuwa had that kind of relationship, that explained a lot about how Fuwa dragged her yesterday.
As everyone began to dig into their breakfast, the room filled with the sounds of clinking utensils and casual conversation. There was bread, cake, fruit, some honey, leftover chicken and milk. Fuwa quietly picked at her food, her mind still racing, while Raven sat across from her, casually munching on some chicken she was disputing with Sophia as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
The morning passed with little incident, though Fuwa couldn't help but feel like she was being watched. Every so often, she'd catch Raven glancing at her with that same teasing smirk, or Mia giving her a wink. It was maddening.
Finally, as breakfast wound down and the group began to prepare for the day, Minato leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head "So, what's your plan for today? Still want me to point on a map the location of the nearest dungeon?" he asked, looking at Fuwa.
Raven, still lounging in her chair, shrugged lazily "Sounds good to me. Could use some fresh air and action after last night's... events" she said, casting a sly glance at Fuwa, her voice dripping with amusement.
Fuwa nearly choked on her milk "Raven!!"
Mia and Sophia exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the ongoing banter between the two of them. Raven chuckled as she leaned back on her chair, but then Fuwa threw her a loaf of bread that impacted her forehead causing her to lose her balance. Soon the cat was looking at the beautiful clear sky still laughing, as everyone around them laughed.
...
...
...
After everyone calmed down, Raven observed Fuwa talking with Minato over the table while they discussed a map, for once, Raven didn't feel insecure about them. Fuwa hadn't told her about it yet, but it seemed that she had begun to reunite intel for their next move, she wanted to go to one of the so-called dungeons of this world, it seemed they wouldn't be traveling with the trio, at least not on this trip.
"What are you guys gonna do now?" Asked Raven to Mia and Sophia.
"Oh my~" Said Mia covering her mouth with her hand "Are you worried about us?"
"Ah, but Raven our hearts are already taken by Minato!" Said Sophia continuing the play initiated by Mia.
"I would tease you girls, but I fear for my safety" Admitted Raven.
The trio shared a laugh.
"We are going towards another dungeon" Admitted Sophia "It seems, Minato is growing worried and wants to catch up with you guys but we are too weak to accompany you, and we don't want to be carried, we want to have adventures and save this world with our own hands!"
"Hey, I can respect that" Said Raven "I think we will meet again"
"For sure!" Said Mia.