I went home after that disastrous event in the tavern. I paid the tavern keeper for the things since he wasn’t pleased for his table to be destroyed. The other wanderers too weren’t pleased for what I did in the tavern.

I didn’t see Foulk tonight, so going there was entirely useless.

Who were those people, anyway? Takana knows them and their names sounds a lot like ours. Are they from our world, too? If not, then where did they meet? I’ve been with them for a long time but I really don’t know a thing about them, huh?

I was walking to the corridors leading to my room. Before you would enter the corridor, there was a door leading to the backyard of the house. I noticed something in the corner of my eyes.

There.

In the middle of the night, a young blonde woman, basking under the glory of the luminous lights, can be seen looking through the heavenly stars, with the cold yet feeble wind blowing her hair as if it’s taking her away.

Fuyuki? What’s she doing here late at night?

I slowly approached her and calmly said “Fuyuki…”

She was surprised that she let out a little ‘Eek’. No surprised there, whenever I’m in the dark, I would unintentionally activate my assassin side or something like that.

“Oh, it’s just you, Terrin…” she immediately let her guard down. Am I that trustworthy or is it because I’m harmless?

“Yup. What are you doing here? It’s cold here, you know.”

“Well, I couldn’t sleep, so I tried to go outside. Then I looked up and saw the view up there. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Though I took it for granted because I literally see it every day, it was beautiful when you think about it.

“In my country, you wouldn’t see things like this unless you live in the countryside or near the mountains.”

“Really…” Right now, when she said that, it looked like she was thinking of something deep. So I tried to ask her.

“Fuyuki…your country…do you miss it?” I spoke quietly that my voice was almost obscured by the wind.

Her eyes were still locked on the heavenly bodies up in the night sky. I didn’t know if she heard me or not.

After a few second, she looked at me and said “I do,” she paused and then asked me “Have you been far away from home, Terrin?”

“Yes. I’m not from here remember?”

“Oh yeah…sorry I forgot.”

“No problem.”

“Then you know how it feels to be far away from, right?”

“Yeah, more or less.”

“I really regret being here, to be honest. If it wasn’t for this place, I probably would have been with my friends and Hashi would still be alive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that I met you and the rest of the party but I also have people back home.” She said with such a painful expression that it made want to hug her but I stopped myself from doing so.

That makes sense. They had a life before coming here, not only Fuyuki but Kihana and Takana, too. Everyone had their past that they would probably never see again; Friends and family that they left and memories that will only stay as memories.

“I also don’t understand how the others just accept it. Don’t they miss their own place?”

So she’s been suffering this whole time, huh? Hashi would have probably known about this. He’s the leader, after all.

“I do think that they miss their own home, too. Even I miss someone from my hometown. It’s not that they’d forgotten about their past, it’s probably about they accepted it and is now thinking of the things that they have right now. At least, that’s what I think. I want to protect each and every one of you guys, so that I wouldn’t lose something again. But maybe I’m wrong, you know since I don’t really know much about you guys…”

“…You’re probably right.” She looked towards the night sky with the cold wind making me shivered. “Maybe just like these stars, the people we left behind are watching over us…”

Beautiful…Its hard to describe it but it feels like I'm looking at an angel.

I put my hand forward, wondering if I can even touch this beautiful creature but I managed to stop myself because she looked at me with such pure, innocence in her eyes.

“Besides, home is not a place or something that you can touch…it’s something you feel when you are with the people you love and those that love you, right?”

I nodded. “You’re absolutely right.”

“AAAAAA!” she shouted. While that was surprising enough, what she did next even surprised me more. She hugged me.

“W-What?” I was flustered and confused. "Fuyuki...?"

What the heck? She smells so nice and this warmth, it’s perfect against the cold. If someone see us like this, that would be really bad. But man, so this is how a woman feels like, huh? Is it okay for me to hug her back? Will I be called pervert after I hug her?

“Nothing. I just wanted to let out some of my negative feelings.” She held me tighter. I couldn't resist myself, so I went and hugged her, too.

She's right. This does feel nice. It's like someone's taking my burden away. It really feels nice.

"See? Maybe we should do this once in a while." a sexy yet timid voice came from Fuyuki.

"Absolutely not!"

This is really nice and all but something might wake up if — AAAA! what am I thinking!? I don’t want her to think of me as a pervert. Go back and sleep, good sir. You're not needed right now.

We probably stayed like that for a while before I can finally say “Fuyuki…you can let go now.”

“Okay…” her voice sounded dejected.

Takana was right. For someone who’s smart, she sure doesn’t think about the things she’s doing. And why did she had to sound so sad when I let go of her? That's going to give me some misunderstanding, you know.

“Your face is so red right now, Terrin.” She laughed a bit.

“Whose fault do you think that is!?”

She laughed. I’m glad that she’s not worried anymore. Being sad doesn’t suit her.

“Why did you leave your country in the first place?” I asked to change the topic. I hoped that she would tell me why they were in this world.

“We’ve not been really honest with you guys, huh?” She contemplated while playing with her hair. “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. Can you and Merry meet us here?”

“Of course, whatever you tell us, you guys will still be our friends. I guarantee Merry will agree with me right now if she’s here.”

“Thank you,” She smiled. “But about Merry…are you guys, you know, in a r-r-r-relationship?” She was stuttering and being fidgety.

“No, we’re not. In fact, that woman hates me. Can’t you see her cold stares whenever I talk to her?” just thinking about it was enough to make me shiver.

“Seriously? I never noticed at all. In my eyes, she’s always shining and so comforting to look at.”

“Please open your eyes. She’s the exact opposite of what you’re saying.”

“But I’m glad that you weren’t in a relationship…”

I’m glad, too.

“Do you really hate me that much that you’re smiling about someone not liking me? Maybe Takana was right…maybe nobody likes me.”

“Huh? I’m smiling? And don’t listen to that monkey. I, for one, like you a lot.”

I blushed at hearing those words even though I knew what she’s saying. Can you really blame me? I’ve never heard someone said they like me.

It seems she noticed what she said. She waved her hands and said “T-That’s not what I meant! I meant I like you as a friend. Yes, only as a friend.”

Did I just get friendzoned? So this was what people were talking about. I don’t like it.

“A-Anyway,” I said to change the topic again. “Speaking of friends, Takana and I met a friend of his named Ryuu and Shiro.”

“Wait, you met those two!?” as expected, Fuyuki made a surprised face. It was also cute.

I told her what happened in the tavern.

“Well, that was to be expected. Shiro and Takana were classmates before —“she stopped herself from speaking. “I’ll tell you about this when Merry and the other two are here.”

“Alright…” I couldn’t force her and besides, it’s their secret.

She coughed, “How about you, Terrin? How you holding up?”

“Except for the fact that I am sad because Hashi’s no longer here, I’m fine with everything else.” I said with a smile.

I hope she took my bait.

“Well,” she placed her hand on top of my hair and patted it. “You can count on me when you need help. It’s just like what Hashi said, we’re stronger together.”

Being patted on the head sure feels nice…

“I will. Thanks, Fuyuki.”

“How about we get some sleep?” she stretched her body. “I feel like tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

“Yeah, I have a feeling too.”

“All right!” Fuyuki suddenly shouted. This woman was a bit unpredictable. “I’m going to do my best tomorrow!”

“Me too!” I couldn’t leave her alone now, can I?

I don’t know what they will say tomorrow but whatever it is, I hope it would help me save Shakna. No matter what happens, I’ll protect them all. Even if it cost me my life.