It's been a few days, it's gotten so much colder. I'm wearing my cloak, and my fluffy jacket. Even then, I have to keep my hands warm with magic.
Shaun's kids are waddling with the layers on them; his wife is sacrificing her only clothing for her kids, as well as Shaun. He kept her close to him, trying to share his body warmth.
Alissa, Melinda and James had the clothes to keep themselves warm. They had enough to help Shaun's kids too.
Meanwhile, Shen just wore her cloak to cover herself; as it was still daylight. I'm so fucking jealous of her though.
The cold never seemed to bother her, she was wearing a separate damn dress. It was slightly more revealing than the last, showing the side of her legs.
For some odd reason, Jin kept glancing at her; I suspect he has some interest in her, it feels like it grew slightly over the three days.
On the other hand, Verd and his wife, Sage, only brought their clothes and winter clothes.
As my breath turned into smog in front of me, I heard Shen, who was always by my side speak up.
"You seem awfully quiet today."
"I don't have much to say." I replied, it was half assed. Partly due to the cold, and the fog in my head being intense. Is that response not good enough for her…?
Why the fuck is she smirking?! I gave her a damn excuse, what else does she want to fucking know…?
"Not only that, you seem grumpy." She pointed out, her tone was sort of cheery and snarky… What the hell is she getting at? Wait, is she trying to tease me?
Sure… I feel like shit today, my monthly crampings woke me up in a rage. Hold the hell on, does she know…?
I felt my spine tingle as she turned away. The way she spoke, does she know somehow? Don't tell me… she also has-
Before I could say anything, I was interrupted when everyone else stopped. The sun wasn't even close to setting, and the cold instantly became worse.
Without further ado, we made camp here. It seemed like the right decision, there was a forest not far ahead; but far enough for us to be safe.
We were just next to the dirt path for carriages to ride through. Plus, Shen confirmed we were making good time. Ard could take a couple months with the time we're making.
In fact, we were within its borders. The town we stopped at was just a day's worth of walking away.
"Yukina, instead of standing there, do you wanna help me set up my tent?"
"Uh…" I was sort of hesitant. Her teasing did get on my already short nerves. However, she tilted her head and asked a second time which made me begrudgingly agree.
With a slight "thanks." She randomly teleported things out of thin air. And this is why everyone stares at you.
Reincarnators each have a special ability; hers was an inventory, it was massive, and had more room than anyone could think. Thanks to her, and whoever brought her to us, we weren't as exhausted. And we didn't have to carry the entirety of our luggage around.
Just before I could help Shen… I heard someone call me.
"Yukina! Can you light this up for…" Shaun froze when I looked back at him. "Never…"
"Just set the damn campfire down, yes, yes, I can do it!"
He backed up, quickly grabbed a few stones; ran to the forest, and set up a few branches together. A shoddy campfire appeared in front of me in a few seconds.
Without much effort I set it in fire; Shaun tried to thank me but I ignored him. Just hearing other people's voices was enough to irritate me.
Without much talking left, Shen and I worked on setting her tent up. It reminded me of our old world's tents; black synthetic feel coverage, steel rods that get piked into the ground.
Of course, staring inside disallowed the sun to shine in. Shen would be dead, her body would've turned into ash.
It was pretty quick, mainly due to Shen's enhanced physical state. I only helped pike them into the ground, since I could barely keep up.
Damn these soft hands! Just a few swings from each pike was enough to set them on fire. Even traveling didn't harden my skin, even though I did a lot of physical labor. Although the skin did tear… a lot, nothing was built up.
"Good work, Kid." I felt Shen's hand pat my shoulder. "Not even letting your foot disability keep you down, huh?"
"Did you really have to point that out?" I asked and gave Shen a glance on my peripheral vision. "And why did you have me help you?"
"Bonding."
"Are you messing with me?"
"Are your period cramps that ba-"
"Shut it! I am not-"
"I can smell it, you don't need to hide it." Shen said to me in a quiet voice.
"...That's so gross."
"If you're trying to hide it, I would recommend keeping a poker face."
What am I supposed to say to her? Shen left me at a loss of words. First, it was damn gross she can smell that, second couldn't she keep quiet about it?
Everyone was starting to stare at us, I assume they could see my face turn to disgust. There wasn't much else to say, and so, I got to my feet. Next, I walked past Shen without any other words.
The more I hang around Shen, the more I learn about her; Mister Takeda is still in there during serious situations, conversely, Shen, how he is now is in control. There's more to Shen, it's hard to determine her true personality.
Anyways… I tried to find something else to do; no one needed help, not even James and Melinda, so I sat around the campfire. Alissa, and the two other kids joined me.
Shaun's and Vivienna's kids were sweet. Despite the swaddling, they were trying to play around.
"Um, Yukina," Alissa stuttered, I could see her hands fidgeting around. "How's your eye…? I-I never got the chance to ask you…"
Literally said I was blind in it a few days ago… This thought went around my head as I rested my chin on my hand. With a slight sigh, I responded to her. "My eye's fine. I can and have to live with it."
"I-Is there anything…"
"I appreciate the thought…" I cut her off, I really don't want this conversation. Even if I'm blind in this damn eye, I can go around fine. "But, I'm not useless. If I need your help I'll ask."
With my words, Alissa fell silent. Her face turned sour, my words really struck her hard, huh… It was true however, I didn't want to rely on people as much anymore.
When I was alone, I had no idea what to do; where to go, I nearly died due to relying on others too much. Did she take it harder than I thought..?
She looks like she wants to cry…
"... If we're walking next to each other, can you stay on my left?"
Her face instantly brightened when I asked that. Furthermore, she started asking me more of what she can do.
Why did I say anything?! Uuugh- agreeing to her was a bad decision… It was constant needling, asking, clarifying from her. I get it! She's fourteen, the adults in this group have her doing nothing, she doesn't need to ask constantly when given the chance…
Eventually her advances furthered, nearly pushing me back.
"I get it! When I need help, I'll come to you!" I exclaimed, this girl does not know when to give up! She was smiling ear to ear when I yelled at her!
"Please do! I wanna help when I can!"
"I will… I will… geez…"
Moments after I fixed my posture, Alissa went to fiddling with her magic. The other two kids watched in amazement. Kids are so easily entertained… it's cute.
My mood was soothed, watching the kids try to touch the orb and Alissa moving so they couldn't break her concentration. Additionally breaking the serious immersion that consumed the group as a whole.
It was quickly enhanced when Alissa started laughing, she began to have her fun. I was in too much pain to join in, but I watched with a small smile.
The kids would start to chase Alissa; she would run around, waving the orb around, giving the kids a chance to grab it but shed take it away at the last moment.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch; then, they went back to setting up with a smile.
Half an hour later, the camp was set up. Everyone set their tents around the makeshift campfire; closest to the forest, northeast of the campfire was James and Melinda's tent.
It was a larger tent of course, big enough to fit four-five people. The outside was leathery, with a zip up door.
Shaun's family's tent was smaller, due to their kids being six now. Unlike Melinda and James, its outside was made out of a cheap fabric, it was nearly see through.
Alas, came the quieter duo; Verd and his wife. Sleeping bags, a large one where they could coddle each other. They didnt have any kids or want for a tent. They loved the cold apparently, plus their sleeping bag was enchanted with a warming spell.
That's lucky… I felt a little envious seeing that.
Jin bought a rather luxurious one, for just himself. He's really bad with money. James said it, now I actually believe it..
The next issue after everyone swarmed the campfire was: who wanted to go hunting. Verd was the first one to agree.
"I'll do it!" He called out after the issue was laid out.
"Great, who else?"
No one else raised their hand; they all were hesitant, Jin stayed quiet— he was the best person for the job.
"I have an idea, " Shen raised a hand, I could feel her gaze scroll to me. "What about Yukina?"
"Are you trying to kill me again?"
"No, I just thought you're the best candidate after the rest." Shen explained.
"Why is that? I can barely walk right with my foot. " I retorted, bringing my foot up, and pointing at it with my hands. Then, I continued with a finger directed at my eye. "And I can't see shit with this!"
Shen shrugged, fell silent for some time as everyone mumbled at her suggestion.
"Verd, are you confident in keeping Yukina safe?"
"I am."
"And Miss Shen, surely there's something else you have in mind." James inquired as he clasped his hands together. He leaned forward, hinting at his intriguement.
…Does he hate me after what happened? I could see the absolute seriousness radiating from James. He even ignored the tugging of Melinda and Alissa.
"The forest located over there is not so dangerous. The monsters in there are Blue Slimes. Not the acidic versions, they'll melt from Yukinas spells."
"I understand that, but why would you suggest my daughter for that?"
"Multiple reasons," Thus, the procedure of Shen's explanations started. First, a good practice for mana manipulation. If I could control palm of flames to keep a steady light, it'll increase my magic potency. Second, I need time to work with Verd.
Out of all of us, I spent the least time with him. It was evident in my space from him.
And out of some debate, everyone agreed to the suggestion. Damn it… I don't want to!
Yet, they vehemently hounded me to! Yes, yes I need to learn to use my other senses due to my eye… yes, I need to practice my magic.
But why in a damn forest?! Wouldn't that be the worst…? Agh! Nevermind! It's no use complaining when no one will listen!!
So in short, due to this dumbass decision, Jin tossed Verd his bow. No idea why we need that…
Shaun gave me a sword, he retracted his words when I insisted on training yesterday. He also had it in a sheathe that attaches to my hip.
After a hug, from my pretty much adopted family, Verd and I left.
***********
"Just… don't use your magic, okay?" Verd asked me, a tone of concern was obvious. After I nodded and he turned around, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
Who the fuck is going to use fire magic in a damn forest?This guy's known me for a year… Ugh…
Due to the forest being slightly darker, I had a tiny flame alit on my finger. It only illuminated the area around us, failing to light a few meters ahead.
"Is there anything edible in this forest?" I asked Verd, we've been walking for a few minutes now. The only "edible" things were not made for digestion; tree bark, grass, leaves, hell there were not any fruits.
It was just wood, grass, leaves that hung and slapped us in the face.
And no matter the amount of times I asked Verd, he stayed quiet. What are we hunting? I got radio silence, he kept the bow he borrowed closeby; his halberd was glued to his back just in case of a monster attack.
This is not going to be fun.