The trio was back on the road, and Kazuya couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Lyria kept smirking at him, Mika was unusually quiet, and every time he caught her eye, she quickly looked away.
"What's going on?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Nothing!" Mika snapped a little too quickly, her cheeks turning pink.
"It's definitely something," Kazuya muttered, glancing at Lyria for answers.
Lyria grinned mischievously. "Oh, nothing much. Just wondering when you're going to sweep Mika off her feet again."
Kazuya froze. "What?!"
Mika groaned. "Can we not talk about this?"
"Oh, come on, Mika! It was adorable!" Lyria said. "You were blushing so much, I thought your face might explode!"
"I was not blushing!" Mika shot back, crossing her arms.
Kazuya rubbed his temples. "Can someone please explain what I supposedly did?"
Lyria opened her mouth to answer, but Mika clamped a hand over it. "Not. A. Word."
The Fireflower Incident
Their awkward journey took a turn when they stumbled upon a field of shimmering red flowers that glowed faintly in the sunlight.
"What are these?" Kazuya asked, leaning down to inspect one.
"Fireflowers," Mika said. "They're rare and… volatile."
"Volatile how?" Kazuya asked.
Before Mika could answer, Lyria plucked one and held it up like a trophy. "Oooh, they're so pretty!"
"Lyria, no!" Mika shouted, but it was too late.
The flower let out a loud POP, and a burst of fiery sparks shot out, setting Lyria's hair alight.
"AHHH!" Lyria screamed, running in circles.
Kazuya tackled her to the ground and frantically patted out the flames.
"Why does this stuff always happen to us?!" he yelled.
A Moment Alone
After the chaos, Mika wandered off to scout ahead, leaving Kazuya to tend to Lyria, who was now sporting a singed ponytail.
"She's so grumpy lately," Lyria said, watching Mika disappear into the trees.
"She's always grumpy," Kazuya said, trying to sound casual.
Lyria gave him a knowing look. "No, she's extra grumpy. And I think I know why."
"Oh, here we go," Kazuya muttered.
"She liiiiiikes you!" Lyria teased, poking his arm.
Kazuya snorted. "Yeah, right. She barely tolerates me."
"That's just how she shows affection," Lyria said. "You should talk to her!"
"And say what? 'Hey, Mika, do you secretly have feelings for me, or am I just imagining things?'"
"Yes!" Lyria said brightly.
"Not happening."
Campfire Confessions
That night, as they sat around the campfire, the tension was palpable. Lyria pretended to be asleep, leaving Kazuya and Mika alone.
"So," Kazuya said awkwardly. "Lyria thinks you're mad at me."
Mika sighed. "I'm not mad."
"Are you sure? Because you've been kind of… weird since that love potion thing."
Mika's face turned red. "Can we not talk about that?"
"Why not?" Kazuya asked, leaning forward. "It's not like it meant anything, right?"
Mika looked away, her expression unreadable. "Right."
Kazuya frowned. "Wait. Did it?"
For a moment, Mika didn't answer. The crackling fire filled the silence between them.
"Forget it," she said finally, standing up. "It's not important."
Kazuya grabbed her wrist before she could walk away. "Mika, wait. If there's something you need to say, just… say it."
She hesitated, her eyes meeting his. For once, there was no sarcasm or anger in her gaze—just vulnerability.
"Kazuya," she said softly, "you're an idiot."
"Okay, ouch," he said, letting go of her wrist.
"And you're reckless, annoying, and completely clueless," she continued.
"Wow, you're really laying it on thick," he muttered.
"But…" she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "you're also brave, kind, and… I don't hate you as much as I pretend to."
Kazuya blinked. "Wait, was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it," Mika said, turning away.
The Interruption
Before Kazuya could respond, a loud rustling came from the bushes.
"Enemies?" Mika asked, drawing her sword.
The bushes parted, and Lyria popped out, grinning from ear to ear. "Don't mind me! Just stretching my legs!"
"You were eavesdropping!" Mika accused.
"Me? Never!" Lyria said, holding up her hands. "But if I had been listening, I'd say that was the sweetest moment ever!"
Kazuya groaned. "Can we go back to fighting monsters now?"
"Not until you two admit you're cute together!" Lyria teased.
Mika's face turned bright red, and she chased Lyria around the campfire, swinging her sword.
Kazuya leaned back with a sigh, watching the chaos unfold. "Why do I feel like this is only going to get worse?"