“Come on, wake up.”

A male voice wakes me from my sleep.

“Hmmm~...”

“Come on, we have places to go.”

I hear the steps getting away from me.

“*Fuuuuwwaaaa*”

Using my arms to raise myself from the pillow, I open my eyes and look around the room.

Al is looking outside the window. His expression is serious. It’s as if he is looking for something, or watch out for something.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask.

“Uh?” He turns his head. “No no, don’t worry. Just keeping an eye on things.”

“I see.”

I rub my eyes and move my legs to get out of the bed.

“Ugh.”

My muscles hurt. More than yesterday, but it’s not unbearable.

“Does your body hurt?”

“Yeah.”

“C’mon, I’ll help you—”

“It’s fine! I can deal with it.”

I get up to prove what I said.

Ugh... Maybe I got up too fast.

He shrugs.

“Suit yourself.” He walks to his bed and picks up his bag. “So, did you have any dreams?”

Now that you mention it.

“No, I didn’t.”

It’s just like back when I summoned him. I didn’t have dreams every night.

“Hmm, I see.”

“Isn’t it strange? Why do I—”

“Shh.” He raises his finger and puts it in front of his mouth.

“... Why do I have dreams some days and in others I don’t?” I whisper. “Is it random or is there some kind of requirements?”

He shrugs again.

“Honestly? I don’t know and don’t care anymore. Something is clearly wrong with both of us and there’s little to no point in trying to understand what. At least for now.”

“But isn’t that irresponsible? Shouldn’t we try to understand this?”

“You’re right, it is irresponsible and we should try to understand what’s happening, but that’s not the point. What I mean is that we have more to worry about right now. You didn’t have any dreams? Ok fine, let’s hope you’ll have next time. We’ll eventually figure things out.”

He’s right. We don’t have enough clues and we have more important worries. And this is not even an urgent matter.

“I see. You’re right.”

He puts the bag around his shoulders.

“I’m going to wait outside. Come out when you're ready.”

He turns his back and exits the room.

He meant the straps. I took them out yesterday before going to sleep. I couldn’t sleep with them on.

“Ugh...”

I grab them from the bedside table where I left them.

“*sigh* Back to being a stupid, mute, and stupid guy...”

I can’t express enough how much I hate this.

It would be fine if it was just changing the way I dress or even the color of my hair, but turning me into a guy…

It just sucks.

I take off my shirt and put the straps around my chest.

Well, at least I have something to look forward to. An entire day shopping with Al... It's going to be awesome!

I smile unconsciously.

Just thinking about it makes me happy. Buying new clothes, walking in the park with him, having lunch together… Just like a date.

“Hmmm!!!” I scream inside, full of excitement.

Indeed, a day to look forward to!

I’m sure father will take care of everything as soon we reach my home. That day might be closer than I think!

“Hm-hmm ♫♫”

I put on the shirt again.

But I wonder… What does Al feel about me?

*knock knock* Someone knocks on the door.

!!!!

He’s waiting for me, I should hurry up!

I grab the pelts and put them in the bag that's beside my bed. I put it on my shoulder and exit the room.

Al’s waiting outside.

“Let’s go.”

I nod.

He starts walking.

“Ugh.” My legs still hurt.

My walking is weird.

“Do you want help?” He looks at me.

I shake my head.

“As you wish. Just bear with it until we get to the horse.”

We walk towards the end of the corridor.

…

We enter the main room of the inn. A girl around my age is cleaning the tables.

“Oh, good mor…”

She was about to greet us, but she suddenly stopped as soon she noticed who we were.

“Good morning?” Al greets her.

“Wawawa…”

“Something wrong miss?”

Then she looks at me.

“You’re… Limping...?”

What?

“KYAAAAAA!!!!” She let’s go of the cloth she was using and runs away behind the counter.

… What just happened...?

I look at Al.

He’s as stupefied as I am. Just like me, he has his mouth open with an incredulous expression.

He looks at me.

“What the hell? Any idea?”

I shake my head.

I’m confused as you are.

“What’s happening!?” A man comes running from where we came from.

“I have no idea. That girl just screamed and ran away.” He points to the counter.

“What? Vella! Are you alright!? What’s the matter!?”

“Wawawa...”

The man runs to the counter.

“What’s wrong!?”

“Pervert! They’re perverts!”

What!?

“So that’s how it is…” The man turns to us. “I give you hospitality and that’s how you treat my daughter!?”

“Uh!? We didn’t even touch her!”

“You...” The man menacingly walks towards us.

But we didn’t do anything to the girl!

I look at Al. He’s rubbing his eyes with his left hand. He’s murmuring something.

‘I’m not in the fucking mood for this.’

!!!

I put myself between Al and the man.

“What!? You also want to get some!?”

You idiot! I’m protecting you from him!

He gets closer.

“I’ll beat the crap out of—!”

“STOOOOP!!!”

Another girl comes running and kicks the man in the head, sending him flying to the ground.

Eh? What’s happening!?

The girl then turns to us and bows.

“I’m so sorry! This is all just a misunderstanding! Please forgive us!”

Uh…

I don’t even know what’s happening anymore! What’s going on!?!?

Al puts his hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, we forgive you if you give us a free meal.” Al answers.

“But of course! You also don’t have to pay for the room obviously!”

“Good. We’ll be outside waiting. Bring us something with meat and easy to carry.”

“Of course! It’ll just take a minute!”

Al pulls me and we walk towards the exit.

Behind me, I can see the girl yelling to the other two.

…

We are waiting outside the inn. Al went to fetch the horse from the stable and already returned.

This silence is killing me. I know I’m not supposed to speak, but I want to talk with him about what happened back there.

It also doesn’t help that Al is not ‘here’. He’s looking nowhere and seems to be… Somewhere else. He’s distracted.

What’s the deal with him?

“Uhm…” A girl comes out from the inn.

It’s the one who screamed and ran away from us.

She bows.

“I’m really sorry! I don’t know what came over me! Please keep this!” She raises a bag full food. There's ham, bread and cheese in there.

“It’s fine,” He grabs it. “just make sure next time you don’t overreact. You might get someone into trouble.”

“Yes! I’m really sorry!” She bows again. “It's just that—”

He looks at me.

“Let’s go.”

I hesitate a bit, but nod right away and walk next to him.

The girl seems to be troubled. She wanted to say something but Al interrupted her before she could.

I prepare myself to get up on the horse, but Al grabs me by the waist.

“!!!”

And helps me to mount it.

That caught me by surprise.

“Wait, aren't you curious why I...” The girls speaks with hesitation. Her voice was low but we could hear just fine.

“I'm sure you had your reasons. And sorry if I sound rude but I couldn't care less.”

“I'm...”

“Just forget it.”

You are really in a bad mood today...

He mounts behind me and grabs the reins..

“We’re off.”

He kicks the horse and we start moving.

I look behind and see the girl watching us as we leave.

…

…..

…....

We finally exited the village.

There’s no one around. This road is as desert as it can be.

Al’s still silent. He’s literally out of it today.

We already finished eating some of the food that that girl gave us.

“Al, are you alright?”

“Uh? Yeah. I am.”

“Are you sure? You are kind of…”

“*sigh* It’s just one of those days. I didn’t sleep at all. Nevermind me.”

I see… You don’t want to talk about it.

But still, this silence is killing me!

“So, what do you think happened earlier?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did you do something to her?”

“No I didn’t. Did you?”

“No.”

“Then we are on the same boat.”

“...” He’s also not making any effort to keep the conversation going. “Well… At least I’m glad that nothing bad happened.”

“Hmm-hmm. By the way, what was the big idea when you put yourself between me and that guy?”

Finally! He’s asking something!

“I don’t know. I just noticed that you were in a bad mood and didn’t want you to take it out on him.”

“... You are aware that he probably would hit you if that girl or I didn’t do anything, right?”

“Well erm… I was hoping he would calm down...”

“...”

I look at his face. His expression says 'Are you kidding me?'.

“I don’t know! I just didn’t want you in a fight with him!”

“*sigh* It wouldn’t be much of a fight. But I guess it’s the thought that counts.”

“Y-yeah…”

“But next time, don’t even think about doing something like that. You practically said a big f and u to everything I told you about defending yourself.”

“Y-yes, you’re right…”

“If you’re going to be like that, then what’s the point in training you?” He’s raising his voice.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Might as well beat you myself and save others the trouble.”

“H-hey now. I already said I’m sorry.”

I’m trying to hold it in, but I can feel tears in my eyes.

“Nora, if I sound angry, that’s because I care.”

“Eh?”

“So, don’t do something like that ever again. Ok?”

He puts his hand on my head.

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry. Like I said, it’s the thought that counts.”

I look at him.

He’s smiling at me. His smile is so warm that makes me blush.

I turn my face away to try to hide.

“I’ll be more careful. Sorry Al.”

“As long you understand.”

Silence returns.

The only sound that can be heard is the horse's steps and the birds in the trees.

After a while in silence, I try to start a conversation again.

“Al, I know I'm being a bother but... What happened? Why couldn't you sleep?”

“...”

“But, it's fine if you don't want to talk about it.”

“*sigh* I saw some ghosts that I wish I could forget. That's a good enough answer?”

“Oh...! Yes, sorry. I shouldn't have asked!”

I'm such an idiot!

“Don't worry. Anyway, *ahem* I just noticed how much of a downer I was being. This must suck for you. What do you want to talk about?”

“Eh? Uhm, well…”

I want to talk with him, but now that he asks, I don’t know.

But I should take the chance to lighten the mood.

Hmm, maybe we should play a game? No, that’s too childish.

What about the training? Hum… No, better not. I might want to train, but that doesn’t mean I like it.

Then what about our date? Yes!

“Oh, I already know where we are going to go shopping!”

“Oh?”

“Yes! I also know this one restaurant where they serve excellent food! Trust me, you are going to love it!”

“*chuckle* I see.”

Finally! Vacations! Yes!!!!!! Good news all around! Now you guys can expect chapters with a lot more frequency. :D

As for this chapter, it was supposed to be released yesterday, but I wrote a scene that "left a bad taste in my mouth". I don't know how to explain, but it just didn't mix well. As a result, today I decided it's better to save that scene for later, meaning I removed 4 pages worth of text. If the chance comes up, I'll use it another time.

So... Sorry if this chapter feels short.