It has been a few days since Heliotrope and I arrived at the border town from the Kingdom of Tirrheaarn and the Kingdom of Madd. Our plan is to escape towards the Kingdom of Madd since the unit personally led by the Emperor of the Empire of Rousse, Emperor Nazhral, went towards the Kingdom of Ecklan where they thought me and Heliotrope will go.

My breakdown prior to the following days that we stayed there was ultimately quelled by none other than Heliotrope herself.

Every morning I’d find myself quietly weeping with trembling shoulders. She will be there to caress my back and whispers words of comforts to me. Every night, I’d find myself quivering with nightmares in my sleep and Heliotrope would hug me in my sleep.

The pain is still there. The anguish still seeps into my heart. The realization that I’ve lost so much more than I’ve gained has haunted me indefinitely.

However, with all these times of horror, Heliotrope was there with a smile, almost a smirk, on her face and patiently quells everything with just a touch.

I’ve gotten comfortable with it.

By midday, we’d take a stroll in the town leisurely. Heliotrope would let out her dazzling curiosity at everything and would barter at a sight of an item she wants and bring in our inn. She is also a complete motormouth about her, once again, own brilliance.

She is a complete narcissist, however, I don’t dislike it.

And that day is one of those days.

“So as I was saying, once I got into the library, I made my way to pick up a book about alchemy but I got tired halfway.” Heliotrope said smugly while whirling her finger in the air. I was just staring at her with a sidelong glance. Suddenly, I felt something.

“Heliotrope.” I called out to here.

“Aster?” She replied with a smile.

“It’s lunchtime already.” I informed her while gesturing at our stomach.

“Ah, yes. What should we have for lunch, I wonder? I wanted to try that roasted quill stall for a while now but the serving they give is quite small.” Heliotrope wonders as she starts skimming through the stalls around with curious eyes.

“I think it was quite plenty.” I commented as I try to remember how they serve the quill on a stick oozing with a sauce that basically drips on your clothes.

“Eh, you’ve been eating less than I do. How will you grow up…Tsk.” Heliotrope clicks her tongue at her own comment as she looked at me from head to toe.

“Are you insecure about something, I wonder?” I asked while tilting my head. To be honest, I already knew the thing she was looking at. “The bosom, I wonder?” I asked again while outlining my chest under my clothes.

“Oh, shut it! We’ll get that quill today!” Heliotrope stomps her feet with a pout. I follow after her with slight glee. I can already tell how her tail is standing up angrily under the robe so I walk closely behind her to prevent anyone from noticing.

Heliotrope and I bought that roasted quills on a stick and walk on our way towards the town’s plaza where we can eat our food while sitting on the fountain side as we watch passerby.

The town isn’t quite developed with only a part of the town’s road paved. The houses, since it’s on the border of the Kingdom of Tirrheaarn, adapted houses built like adobe, however, a lot of infrastructures are also based on roof houses. Our inn is one of those buildings that are made up of woods and stones. Partly, this town also adapted carpentry-based from the Kingdom of Ecklan which adapted too by the Kingdom of Madd.

The weather today is quite cloudy as walking under the sun proved to be easier today…or it might be because I’ve been in a better mood lately.

With that in mind, I started nibbling at the roasted quill before it becomes cold. As soon as my teeth and fangs sunk into the meat, I was met with a chewy texture but at the same time, oozing juices and oil stored by the very meat of the quill.

The rubbery texture gave me the challenge of tug and pull so I carefully bit and chew knowing how it could get really messy. While I was thinking that, I turn to look at Heliotrope.

“This quill is making fun of me!” Heliotrope exclaimed as she once again sunk her teeth on the meat, however, I immediately saw how messy she has become.

“Ehehe…” I giggled a little as I watch her struggle.

“You really don’t have to laugh at me.” Heliotrope glares back with half-closed eyes.

“Well, there’s a bit of sauce in your right cheek.” I said while I wiped it with dry and clean cloth from my pocket. As nudges that cloth on her face, she just frowns in displease.

“It’s an embarrassing sight. It was my first time eating something this rubbery.” Heliotrope complained.

“Rubbery? I thought it was a bit tender, at least for the quill that I am eating.” I told Heliotrope as I bit into my lunch.

“That’s strange. The ratio that I should be getting the best out of the best is ten over ten. It’s not even an exaggeration to say that luck itself finds its way to me as an honor.” Heliotrope ponders as she glares at the roasted quill she was eating for lunch.

“But is it as bad as you think it is, the quill?” I asked her just in case we need to complain about it.

“It’s doing its job to satiate my basic needs for mastication. Even with a mild taste, it doesn’t really affect me since it’s just one of the many plebian foods I’ve just encountered.” After chewing, Heliotrope said those words as if she was trying to dismiss the issue.

I leave it like that. If Heliotrope doesn’t want to discuss it further than the logical conclusion that she ends up with, there’s no point talking about it. Her basic logic and conclusion to everything are always by the book and common sense.

I just stared at the sky again as I chew on the lunch on a stick, almost half-eaten. Despite the cloudy weather, disguising ourselves under the mantle and hood makes it a bit hot.

Truthfully, I still can’t sort everything.

My minds, my feelings, my motives…

The talk of the town is about Elder Doiteain’s upcoming execution. The set date is next week, four days from now on. It will be held on the western part of the Tirrheaarn Kingdom forest, the city that fell first in the hands of the Empire.

It was the city Elder Domhan was tasked and…the city where he was reported to have died.

The Empire of Rousse hasn’t liberated the Tirrheaarn Kingdom Capital yet because of the resistance the remaining soldiers are showing. Not to mention, the emperor of the Empire, Emperor Nazhral, is absent from the frontlines.

Even as I sit and idle here, war is still going. The only Elder I know who might be out there fighting is Elder Iarann.

“Hey, Aster, you do want to go somewhere?” Heliotrope suddenly barges into my thought with a question. I take my eyes from the skies and look at her with a tilted head.

“…I don’t think I have anything particular I wanted to go except where you wanted to go, to the Kingdom of Madd.” I told her as I cast a downward look towards my feet dangling.

“Are you sure?” Heliotrope took her eyes off me and her sight wanders around the town. “Don’t you want to see any of the Elders one last time?” She added as if she is springing me into action.

“Heliotrope…Are you implying that…” I immediately felt a bitter pill going down my throat. It was simply a proposal I don’t want to hear because…

“I kept us stuck here for a few days now. I was just thinking if you are interested or not. I really don’t want to speak about it but this time, I just have to break it to you. Aster, do you want to see Elder Doiteain one last time?” Heliotrope immediately urges me for an answer.

In my heart, I wanted to scream that I want to go and see Elder Doiteain. Maybe there’s even the desire to do everything I have to rescue her, to get her out of her impending doom. There’s also a part of me that wants to reject it since I knew it myself how painful it will be…

I was…avoiding it…

Until now, until Heliotrope bluntly said it to my face.

“You’re…so cruel…after all those morning and night that you let me feel the warmness I yearned, you are going to hurt me again…” I said to Heliotrope not with my usual default countenance but with a faint smile.

“You’ll cry whatever happens anyway. You might as well do the crying in one fell swoop and wail to your heart content without regrets. Although I’m not telling you to do the impossible such as rescue her.” Heliotrope returned a condescending smile.

“I see…” There are risks involved but at the very least, I’d like to say my farewell to her, to Elder Doiteain. But… a decision this bold…I would have never considered it…

A speck of courage, even it is just a speck of dust, is what I yearn from the start. At times, I was only ushered to do something or to obey certain requests.

I’m still considering it. Is it really alright for me to make decisions by myself? For someone who does not have anything, do not have love, and for someone who until a few days ago, cannot see the value of everything in front of her.

However, I don’t want to waste any more opportunities. I’ve lost something but this time, I’m going to all chances on my hand.

“Heliotrope…” I called out to the girl who kept giving me warmth, the girl, who in my suffering, relentlessly reached out to me. It’s not about who, It was about who was there with me at that time. I know that for a fact. I’d be relying on anyone who reaches their hand out to me, whoever they are. I am that simple.

“Have you decided? No, you are eyes tells me that you’ve gathered up the courage for it.” Heliotrope sprouted a sweet smile as she stares gently at me.

I wasn’t so sure of it myself, however, it’s the first ever decision that I truly made for myself.

“Please help me. I want to see Doiteain. I want to see her before she parts from this world. I want to say how grateful I am to her and to everyone else!” I said with an earnest voice.

“I see a lot of reasons to refuse, but hey, I like living on the edge once in a while.” Heliotrope smirks knowingly as she nods. “I already know where it is going to be held. We got four days left and we need to travel for three days.” Heliotrope informed as she started tinkering inside her head.

“Thank you.” I whisper those words to her direction but I doubt she’ll notice it.

Because Heliotrope brought a vast amount of wealth with her, she was able to barter for a second horse to use for our journey. I remind that I am not proficient at horseback-riding. She simply went and barter for a small carriage with a simple roof.

In just an hour, Heliotrope managed to provide for our transportation. Before I could say anything about how I feel bad making her spend so much, she reasoned out that she planned to do this sooner or later. We took our afternoon buying provisions and such and load them into the carriage.

“Heliotrope, you can drive a carriage?” I asked her as she is humming in our shopping.

“Of course, yes. It sounds tedious because of the bumpy road but I’ll be sure to drive safely.” Heliotrope’s face pales a little as she imagined the road ahead.

“I recommend buying pillows as a cushion. It will, more or less, make the travel comfortable. Not only that, we can use it when we go to sleep.” I told her as I also look around. Our hooded figures are well enough known in the town but no one bothered asking us about it.

“I was also thinking about that, however, supply in Tirrheaarn is rather limited. If you have noticed, our beddings are indeed made of hay. There isn’t a single speck of cotton.” Heliotrope explained while grimacing.

“…If only we could get something similar to our tails.” I exclaimed with a small sigh.

“I wouldn’t exactly want to sit on our tail. But well, maybe we can use an animal hide such as bear for our bearing.” Heliotrope came up with a suggestion that lit up an idea in my head.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Rather than bear fur or cotton, we can just use feathers. I’m sure we can procure some and had it handmade for a day by a tailor.” I suggested.

“Where in the world do we get feather?” Heliotrope promptly asked but suddenly, she immediately looks at me. I nod at her flabbergasted countenance and she smiles.

We went back to the roasted quill store and inquired to the man selling the quills. Fair enough, there was a slaughterhouse by the edge of the town on the south.

The feathers of the fowls that they slaughter are gathered and tidied up. It seems that feather is a commodity that they trade out of their town. Most people here seem to be accustomed to using hay for their bed and pillows that they see no point in keeping the feathers.

Of course, with Heliotrope’s magical skills in bartering, she acquired the feathers. We promptly went to a tailor and had it made in express with additional payment.

It was dusk when we finished.

“It’s good that we have something else to do now rather than escaping. Virtually, I don’t see Nazhral as a threat. He won’t hurt me…none can afford to.” Heliotrope says while walking beside me. From a short distance is the inn where we stay.

“We leave before noon tomorrow…” I muttered as I look at the town dyed in crimson brilliance from the sun setting from the horizon. The smell of the earth slowly fades as the temperature drops and the wind slowly started bringing the scented breeze of the forest.

“Have you become attached to these sorry of a town?” Heliotrope grins as she asked me.

“No, I was just thinking those nights that I tried overcoming my guilt. Did I…really overcame them or not? Is what I’m about to do is a path of change?” I already know the answer, however, uncertainty is certainly sticking into my heart.

“Argh, shut up with your sad thoughts. I hate it. If you are sad, I’ll pamper you but I don’t want you ranting out what’s inside your mind.” Heliotrope gave me an annoyed countenance.

“…I guess you are right.” I faintly smile. Heliotrope doesn’t want my words. If my emotion starts breaking down, that’s where she’ll come.

If…if I can have a sister…I want to be someone like Heliotrope…

The proceeding nightfall was normal as we eat, brushed our teeth, and went to bed. I didn’t even have any bothering nightmares. For the first time in a while, my sleep was unburdened…

I’d be lying if I pray tell I am not worried at all. However, I do not want to bother Heliotrope with my repetitive melancholic behavior. I don’t want to walk all over her kindness, as to which, I’ll stay strong for her.

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“Say, Aster, have I ever told you that these feather cushions are the best thing I had four the past few hours?” Heliotrope blurted out suddenly as she currently drives the carriage throughout the forest along the road from the western part of Tirrheaarn’s forest.

“I think it was worth getting them yesterday…but…” I replied to her commentary, however, there’s another pressing matter that needed to be pointed out.

“It’s hot…” Heliotrope complained.

“It is indeed hot…” I followed up as I wipe the sweat sweltering from my forehead.

Rather than the sun brightly punishing us from above the world, it is the humidity of forest that makes us sweat indefinitely. This is just three hours before noon but the temperature has risen to an unbearable degree.

“I don’t really want to admit it but my butt has been sweating and I think a part of the pillow is already drenched.” Heliotrope said as she actually reached out to the pillow where her butt is resting. “Oh, it’s really wet! It’s so stuffy!” she exclaimed with an utter grimace.

“Wait…that means…your skirt is also wet. Oh, also mine.” I said as I also checked mine. I also felt how uncomfortable it is but I guess it was obvious.

“……” Heliotrope stares at me with widened eyes.

“……” I also stare back with my default countenance.

“Pfft…ahahaha…Ahahahaha!” Heliotrope bursts into laughter.

“Ehehe…this is…quite the pickle.” I giggle softly.

“Ahahaha! What the hell is that joke? You know, your smiling face is even more annoying than when you start bawling you know! But I’d rather see that than feeling the mood drops.” Heliotrope commented as she tried to stifle her laughter but to no avail couldn’t.

“I’m sorry…I just want something else for a change.” I sprouted a smile over the silliness of our conversation.

“Ahahahaa…it becomes hotter and I am now drenched from top to bottom.” Heliotrope said as she finally found the time to hold her breath.

Both of us stopped laughing. I stare down for a moment to still my breathe and Heliotrope looks up while letting out sighs of exhaustion while still holding onto the rein of the horse.

“I guess we’ll be taking two breaks a day, huh?” Heliotrope said. I look at her face and it is brimming with sweat. If I have a mirror, I could say the same for myself.

“The horses won’t last that long. We stocked a lot of food and water for them but if this kind of humidity persists, we may have to do some short stops on towns along the way.” I added since it’s crucial that our horses survive.

“By our pace, we would most likely arrive at another town tomorrow morning. Ugh, the pain of sleeping outdoors again…” Heliotrope complains.

“……” I stare at Heliotrope’s countenance with a saddened smile.

“What? I may complain but I won’t disgrace myself by turning around now. I am going to slap your face that shows your distrust on the gracious Heliotrope if you do it one more time!” She fumed at me together with a mean glare.

“But I am not opposed to the idea when it comes around.” I replied as I look back on the road.

“This selflessness of yours, it’s irritating.” Heliotrope spits those words out with visible displease.

After that, we took a break before noon and an afternoon. The humidity that surged on us did go away after lunch so our afternoon was met with comfort of the forest’s gentle wind, however, our skins are sticky and our clothes feels like it is sticking too much.

Luckily, before sunset, Heliotrope and I managed to find a small lake, or more accurate to say, we just saw it in the map by accident and made it as our goal of the day. We camped beside the said lake because it was a perfect chance for the horses to drink to their heart content.

And more importantly, it is a perfect opportunity to take a bath, albeit cold.

“Aster, are you sure no one is around?” Heliotrope asked as she came from the western part of the lake while I walked out from the eastern part right from the forest’s curtain while holding a torch.

“None. I daresay none would venture now deep into the forest at this time.” I said as I look upon the starry night sky.

“Yes, yes. My pristine and pearly skin is a treasure not available to anyone after all. Now, let us partake on this magnificent outdoor bath.” Heliotrope announces as she started stripping.

“I am fairly sure because our ears and tail as a divine beast as something isn’t to show to the masses.” I stand corrected on that reasoning but since Heliotrope isn’t listening, I also started removing some garments up to my underwear and soaked myself into the lake.

As I soak my feet, the water suddenly glowed in blue light, like firefly suddenly flaring up as it spreads throughout the water. Heliotrope notices such phenomena and her eyes lit up in a vivid excitement.

“Aster, this is incredible! Look at this lake glows in hysterical hues of blue!” Quite enthralled, Heliotrope shouts as she paddles around.

“Yes, my rough guess is that it is some sort of plankton. The specifics…I can’t remember.” I said with a downcast look.

“Spare the details if you cannot recall. Your knowledge of your world may deteriorate over time but at least burn this sight in your eyes.” Heliotrope said as she splashes water on my face.

“Indeed, it’s…how do I word…lovely.” With a small giggle escaping from my lips, I look at the spectacle.

The stars reflected on the lake and the blue hue of light spreading throughout the water surface. Even the whole place faintly glows with the beautiful azure wonder that it brought nothing but satisfaction in our eyes. Shallow may it be, the lake started giving off a vibrant view as the moon started peeking out from the cloud that covered it earlier.

Standing and playing at the center of the lake is Heliotrope with all smiles and joy. It was a sight that also brought me happiness as I think of how much fun it brought her.

Nature itself presented as a stage of smiles and joy it feels transient. I know that it is just a joy exclusive to this moment and it has to drift away from the exposure from the time and events. It was a sight that brought to us even with the smallest chance.

“What are you doing smiling like a creep there? Come here!” Heliotrope runs up to me and pulls me over to the lake making a splash.

“It’s cold…but… I don’t hate it…” The water is brazenly chilly but the sensation was something that will be embedded in my heart.

“There’s no leech or whatsoever too. This is indeed a fine lake for me to pry myself bare. You also should enjoy it.” Heliotrope said as she fell on her back and started floating.

“Well, that’s luck brimming on our side…” I said as I also float beside Heliotrope.

Pulled by her eccentricities and whimsical actions, I started traveling with her. Did our path intertwine by fate itself or we are just bound to meet each other along the way?

The girl called Heliotrope is nothing but a walking mystery for me. She shows her arrogance boldly and mocks the misfortune of my life. She was the girl who has everything and I am someone who is devoid of all.

She threw away the life of seemingly endless streams of luck and wealth and sought freedom to this degree. I sought a life resembling hers but I ended up fixated on her little escapade.

But…I know in my heart…

I have fallen in love with this escapade of ours.

“Why are you staring at me with a flushed face? Have you fallen for the pristine and perfect Heliotrope?” She teases as I undoubtedly gaze at her firmly.

“I haven’t heard much of you since the day we met. I just thought that you wanted to avoid talking about your life…However, right now, I am driven to hear something about you.” I replied bluntly.

“From a meek and pessimistic pooch, you’ve become rather bold and arrogant.” Heliotrope replied with a faint smile.

My time spent with Heliotrope might have changed me for a bit. From my outburst of emotions that she took care of to what misfortunate scenario that she dealt regarding me, rather enthusiastically.

Heliotrope was unfazed by all of it and kept her head up high.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to know more about you.” I honestly said as I lock stares with her.

Her eyes widened from my words and she blinked several times. She then looks upward, towards the moon. A minute passed since then and I found myself staring at the moon too that hovers above the sky.

I only waited for her to say something. Less, I waited for her to decline my words of request.

“My mother died when I was just six. She was the one who taught me everything from bartering to physical skills such as driving a carriage. You know, I was at a genius level at that time so it wasn’t hard to learn everything. After her death, I was praised and raised with wealth and prestige by Emperor Nazhral. You could say he is like a foster father to me.” Heliotrope started talking on her own. I just thought it is just like her to lead every conversation on her own pace.

“I remember you telling me that your mother was the actual divine beast summoned into this world.” I interjected with curiosity.

“She is, however, it was a mystery. Her story tells that she was a messenger of god from a faraway place. When she was summoned, she became pregnant.” Heliotrope said with a smirk like she is mocking the story she herself told.

“Pregnant? Who is the father?” I asked immediately.

“…Aster, do you know of the Ecklan Kingdom’s religion? They call themselves Christians and their religious scriptures is called the bible. It was said that my mother got pregnant with the said holy being. The reason for it is that her hymen was still intact all the while being pregnant.” Heliotrope said with the same smirk on her face but this time, she’s biting her lips.

“……” I was speechless for a huge reason. The scripture called the bible was indeed from the Christian religion, however, in this world, it also exists. Questions are now all over my head and the answer is nowhere to be seen but I stayed quiet to let Heliotrope continue her story.

“There isn’t anything worth mentioning besides that I was actually born with a twin.” Heliotrope’s eyes have now gleamed with a bit of melancholy. She props herself upwards, standing on her feet on the shallow lake.

“A twin?” I inquired further as I also stood.

“Hmph, it’s a nameless twin that died after my mother pops me out. The people of the Rousse Empire firmly believed that I am the child of prosperity and fortune while the one that died was the child of corruption and misfortune.” The words escaped from her lips are fairly sprinkled with bitterness and anguish.

“What do you think of it?” I asked Heliotrope as if poking on her tone of voice.

“I am, at the very least, don’t care about my twin. I mean, I never even met her or knew anything about her. It all ended when the time she was born. Nothing more…nothing less…” She closes her eyes and she faces the starry night sky. “That’s a lie. Mother’s health declined because of the death of my twin. If anything, I don’t hate the twin that I was supposed to grow up with, however, I feel a little bit angry at her for my mother’s death. It’s unjust anger but I couldn’t help it.” She followed her words as she started walking towards the shore.

“I see…What would your twin look like if she grew up with you?” I asked a hypothetical question as I followed Heliotrope.

Oddly, she glances at me silently before walking away wordlessly.

Or so I thought…

“Aster, what do you think the method used to summon divine beast?” Heliotrope throws a question I definitely cannot answer.

“The only idea I have is that while the Empire of Rousse used magic as their fuel for the ritual, the Gauls used the power of the Faes. In fact, Elder Domhan said that it took twenty years for me to be summoned.” I answered what I know and what I heard.

“…What are the fair odds that they might have really summoned a divine beast? So to say, what if you are the only divine beast that can only be summoned, however, your story contradicts any facts that you are a divine beast from your previous world. Then, finally, the method that they used to summon you…” Heliotrope’s eyes are dark and serious as if the liveliness earlier was all false.

“I don’t know. They do not want to tell anything to me.” I replied to Heliotrope, however, I can feel the fright crawling into my heart.

“They should at least be doing it once a year. Aster, the method that the Rousse Empire to summon me was discovered by accident and the ritual they used…sacrifice human lives.” Heliotrope’s eyes become even sharper and darker.

“…Twenty lives, then?” I muttered. However I tried looking it past myself, I can’t feel anything sad about it.

“Hey, you just heard me right! Twenty lives went to waste just because those Druids tried to imitate the Rousse. Are you fine with that?” Heliotrope asked with an overly concerned countenance.

I was surprised by how calm I was upon the news. Maybe I have already anticipated it or more, It was something that I thought would be the natural process in this world.

“It must be how you felt towards your twin sister that died since birth. It is because I don’t know them that I felt nothing.” I replied to Heliotrope.

“That’s really unnatural if you ask me but if you go as far as to use me and my never-ever-met dead twin sister, I guess you do make a fair argument.” Heliotrope said while wearing a default countenance devoid of any visible emotion.

Cold or heartless I may be called, it is how I feel about the matter concerning how I was summoned. I could not think of anything else other than the objective I was given or so I think. I am too engrossed with the idea that I was given a second chance in life that the process didn’t matter anymore.

If I was told about it the first day I arrived in this world, guilt would have crushed my heart. King Cuh’s death and the elder’s demise is more of my concern.

Sad as it may, heartless as it sounds, but in hindsight, I might be thankful for those twenty lives that were lost. I am going to shoulder those twenty lives and move on with my life.

I look at Heliotrope once again and she looks back.

“Is that what you really think?” Heliotrope asked while retrieving her clothes and starts getting dressed.

“Twenty lives lost just to summon me, the divine beast that they believed that would bring balance into this world. However, up to this day, I still don’t know what I should be doing. Right now, I am just trying to live through day by day. Everything is all thanks to you, Heliotrope but I still haven’t found meaning in my life.” I replied to Heliotrope with a bitter smile.

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere. It’s good that you think that way. In a way, from someone as deprived as you, I am…a little jealous.” Heliotrope said with a faint smile. Her words alone left me thinking if there’s any desirable thing that I have.

“For the great Heliotrope to feel any jealousy is a puzzle for me…” I worded it like I am teasing her in my own way.

“Don’t mock me. Honestly, in a way, people genuinely cared for you as an individual because they saw how pathetic you are. For me…” Heliotrope looks up onto the sky with eyes looking far ahead as if she is longing for something.

She stopped her words before anything else.

I felt that her fading words desire to be something quelled. Heliotrope’s eyes that reflects the undying world of stars deeply etched with the profound shine of cerulean shows haziness as it moistens, gleaming like a beautiful drop of dew.

I felt that at that moment, Heliotrope would let out what is inside her mind and her true desires. However, I still felt a translucent wall separating us. It is a wall that she herself built to protect her own ego.

She may have told me about her life and about her mother, however, she hasn’t mentioned anything about what she wants to happen subjectively.

After that, we ate our dinner which is a simple soup with vegetables and plain salted beef jerky. We quietly cleaned our plates and gave each other some space until it is time to sleep.

I decided to keep watch first while Heliotrope tucked herself into a sleeping bag.

“…...” It was like any other night that we camped out. One would stare at the embers of fire burning through the firewood while the other sleeps for the upcoming shift.

“Aster.” Heliotrope called out to me in the pure silence of the night. Her voice rang like a bell as it was clear and serene. I crawled up next to her.

“…...” I look at her through the covers of her sheet. She extends her hand out a little bit. I could have thought nothing of it. Heliotrope, among the two us, is mentally strong and physically prepared, however, her next words plastered a smile on my lips.

“I feel really cold. I just want to hold onto something for a while. Just…until I fall asleep.” Heliotrope said, almost a mutter.

I reached out for her hands and sat beside her. I can’t do anything better for her right now, however, I am happy that even with a simple request like this.

That night it made me realize that Heliotrope is also vulnerable to painful emotions and as fragile as me. That night, I tightened my grasp on her hand a little.