The clouds paint the sky and brilliance of the sun hides behind it. The green lively forest is painted with ashen gray like it will rain, however, several hours has passed now and there were not even a single droplet wetted the world.

It is as Hibiscus and Emby predicted yesterday, today will be cloudy. The paleness of the environment, although looks stale, is appealing and refreshing as it presents its new face to us. It felt somehow cool as the temperature drops a little than normal and it reminds me of the season where people would rather stay inside their houses that to risk getting wet by the rain.

It’s already lunch time so we stop to eat.

We need to eat to refuel ourselves. I don’t think we won’t run out of food in this place but our usual daily necessities are plummeting such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and conditioner. I hate to say this considering that I was previously a man but, I’ve come to love taking care of my hair and despite being dirty.

Not only Casablanca and Hibiscus needed it, now that we have Topaz, the demand for such luxury is now needed than ever. Clothes and tents are fine as we got tons from Merissa but, I’d actually love to sleep on a bed…that is not moving in a ship. Also, I also received some cooking utensils from Gants so cooking won’t be a hassle.

If I remember correctly, I still have a single white gold in my dimensional storage. I could have just exchanged it in the guild but it would cause a commotion or worse, the guild itself doesn’t have enough coin in stock to buy my white gold.

Also, it’s the only thing left to me with monetary value. Thinking about selling master’s swords that he gave to me is out of the question.

Now, we survive by sheer hunting of food, although, Ichirou is the one doing the hunting and cooking altogether. And now, that man, Ichirou, is cooking a soup for us with plenty of meat and thick creamy base.

Resting inside a tent, together with Casablanca and Hibiscus, we chatted about random things because we basically don’t have anything else to do. Also, Topaz just hangs around outside our tent and kept her eyes on the soup. There’s just one thing that bothers me though. Our chat heavily leans towards elven city politics, technologies and their difference with the human cities.

It was a conversation that had me thinking deep. The relations of public to the government, the involvement of nobles and aristocrat to their reigning land and how they should suppose to govern it, with a hopeful naïve idea of how to avoid famine and infestation to keep the livelihood and the resources of a town or cities.

The twins are heavily educated on those matters. If I remember correctly, they are studying in the Elven Academy before getting dragged into this mess. They mentioned that they have a various course but what they are studying are politics and governance. That includes the law and treaties made by continent leaders. Internal and external rules that to be implemented.

Internal rules refer to the rule inside the continent. For example, the basic and commons in the elven community are the discrimination of spirit elves. There are heavy rules that dictate that racial discrimination won’t be tolerated and has a fine to pay if caught.

The same rule won’t be applicable outside the continent such as the human continent, which means, internal rules are effective only inside the elven territory.

And then, External rules are laws implanted by the leaders of each continent. The rule is something that will be criticized and analyze deeply by the continent leaders before implementing. Once the law is passed, the population of two-third within the circle of leaders that petition for its removal will be accounted and the said law will be abolished.

The perfect example is the rule that forbids slavery with an effective range that spans throughout everywhere with no exception.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

It sounds complex but as long as you remember the essentials, understanding the main concept will not lure you away from the viable facts.

The conversation is fruitful and I learn stuff that from the twins. Although they said that their knowledge is just for a lower grade. However, with such high-level conversation, the two eventually tires out and suggested a new topic.

The new topic that they chose got me surprised…

“Let’s talk about romance!”

“Yeah! Let’s talk about it with Asagao!”

That’s the very definition of a girls talk and I don’t think I am cut out for it. The two of them suddenly made a huge grin towards me as they scoot closer. It kind of annoys me that I want to pinch their cheeks…

“Asagao, it here a guy you like or something?”

“There’s only the three of us here. You, Hibiscus and I. Don’t be shy!~”

A guy?!

They are asking a previous guy like me if I like a guy! And not only that, their stares are pushing me on the edge.  However, even if I think of someone I know, there will be only a blank answer to it.

“I’m previously a guy so liking one is a bit too much.”

I honestly told them as it was an unwavering truth that I believed in. There’s not much to talk about my love life and I still got my hands full of troubles. If possible, I want to focus getting stronger, and that’s the reason I am seeking guidance from Senya.

That it as it may, we still haven’t found anything or anyone that could lead us to where she is so it is a bit troubling. Also, about Topaz, about the incident in the Dragon Capital Mujinn, devils appearing frequently and much more.

“Then what about Ichi? You and Ichi are super close, right?”

“We always see you two with each other! Asagao, sometimes, you’ll just stare at him for no reason!”

“Wha-! Ichirou? I’ve been staring at him for no reason? That’s impossible. Even if he is handsome and manly, I don’t think I can actually fall for him. That’s not happening and won’t ever happen. He already said that he loves someone and want to dearly see her again.”

I countered.

Also, recently, we’ve been bickering with each other more frequently and looking at his direction is unavoidable. But, is that really it? If I am mad at him, I shouldn’t even look at him. Or do I resent him? That’s not possible as we trust and respect each other’s decision.

He’s nice and very gentleman. He is always prepared to help anyone and his arms are always there when needed. He’ll always scold me about involving myself in danger but in the end, will help me regardless of what I have done. He is pretty tolerant in some cases too as he let Topaz come with us even though he doesn’t fully trust her.

He’s undeniably caring but knows to judge a situation with a calm and collected mind. At some point, he is a logical person that kneads the facts and analyzes it.

Thinking back, we do have a lot of good moments where…

Huh…

What am I even thinking?

Why are my cheeks burning now that I remembered everything we have gone through, especially back at the shore of the abyss? Why do I feel fluttery remembering how many body contacts we have made and conversation about each other we have talked about?

No, no, no! That’s impossible! I am still a guy inside and he is literally a guy. There’s no way I'll fall in love with him! There’s just no way in hell!

Why are my feelings all over the place by just thinking about those?!

“I’m…I’m kind of confused…”

The only words I can utter towards their questioning gaze. I don’t know what to say to deny their allegations now but I definitely don’t like Ichirou. Not at all!

As I look at Casablanca and Hibiscus, they are just sitting side by side with an annoying smile that I’d usually find on Higan’s face and it really ticks me off!

“Ohohohoh! It seems Asagao is quite unsure of it yet.”

“Stop that Casablanca, we don’t want to force Asagao to say anything now, do we?~”

“Please don’t make fun of me! We’re not like that and I will never ever like Ichirou whatever happens!”

I shouted with vigor.

However, we failed to notice that someone has been watching us for a while now…

It’s Ichirou…

“Umm…err….Asagao…”

“I-Ichirou?!”

“I…I came because the food is ready…”

“W-wait! How much have you heard?!”

“Nothing…really…just the part that you will never ever like me…”

“That’s…”

“I know! I am really a dense guy…it’s understandable…”

“No, no, no! That’s not it!”

“We should eat now…”

Ichirou left the tent with crestfallen countenance. Topaz saw this and follows Ichirou’s stride while putting up a suitable distance while humming in excitement for the food. Meanwhile, I am just gaping mouth in a rather disappointed face due to my wrong words.

“Oh, this is going to be hard.”

“Yeah. Good luck, Asagao!”

“Stop it!”

I’ve shouted again towards the two giggling elves. I already made it clear that it wasn’t like that between the two of us!