92 – Forest (3)
“Now, let’s decide on the watch order.”
Before the party went to sleep, Charlie spoke.
It was a natural and necessary procedure.
No matter how well-prepared they were, you never knew what could happen in the forest.
So, setting a watch order was essential for preparation.
“I and this lad, Andel, will take the first watch.”
I was a bit taken aback by Charlie’s words.
Well, we hadn’t discussed anything beforehand.
According to his proposal, Charlie and I were to take the first watch together, which would increase the burden on both of us.
As for me, I was not a regular guy, so not sleeping for a few days wouldn’t have a big impact, but from a general perspective, it was undoubtedly harsh.
Especially considering we would be spending more than a day or two in the forest.
Initially, I had no intention of including El in the watch order, but I was a bit bewildered by this sudden decision without consultation.
And from my gut feeling, it seemed like he might even pass his time duties onto me.
He didn’t seem like the type to willingly sacrifice himself.
I was pondering how to deal with it.
“No. I can’t let that happen. I’ll take a watch too,” Dorothy said, raising her hand.
“Me too,” El added softly.
“Miss, you can’t.”
Dorothy immediately opened her ax-like eyes and glanced at Elle.
“But it’s not fair, is it?”
Though her gaze was sharp, Elle shook her head in defiance.
“I’m part of this team too. It’s not right for me to be left out.”
Elle’s logic was quite reasonable.
It wasn’t necessarily wrong.
However.
“Even if the lady stands guard, she won’t be properly prepared.”
Dorothy cut off Elle’s rebellion with a firm tone.
“Ugh…”
Upon those words, Elle could no longer speak.
Even without elaboration, she knew well herself.
That it was difficult for her to react when something happened with her own strength.
Unlike an ordinary field or a typical mountainous area, where we were, was different from such ordinary places.
If something were to happen, it was certain that Elle wouldn’t be given time to react.
And that would mean the team would be in great danger.
“…”
Elle eventually went into the tent with a sullen face.
Leaving Dorothy, Charlie, and me behind.
“Don’t worry, Dorothy, just rest. The three of us are enough for guard duty.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m strong too.”
“Uh…”
Charlie seemed to want to exclude Dorothy from guard duty as well, but seeing no sign of Dorothy relenting, he sighed.
In the end, Charlie reluctantly accepted Dorothy’s opinion, and today’s guard duty was to be carried out by the three of us.
***
Clack—
A dry sound emanated from the branches in the bonfire.
While the outside world was still filled with warm air, the night in the forest was chilly.
The faint warmth coming from the flames made me realize that I truly existed in this quiet forest.
I raised my head and looked up at the sky.
Perhaps because the campsite was in a relatively clear area, the trees didn’t obstruct the view of the night sky.
Fundamentally, the night sky here was brighter than that of Earth.
Partly due to the absence of pollution, and perhaps because even if it was a city, the lights weren’t as intense as those in Earth’s cities.
But the night sky seen from the forest was shining even more brightly than the night sky seen from outside.
“…”
When I stayed still like this, various thoughts came to mind.
How is Raikinwood doing now? Are the people of Blunoa, the writers, doing well?
Are the people at the Academy living without any major issues?
Is what I’m doing here right now truly correct?
And, rarely, I found myself thinking about Earth while gazing up at the sky.
Before falling into this world, my original hometown.
If you ask if I miss it, I can’t say there’s no longing.
I lived there longer than I lived in this world.
However, if you ask if the intensity of that longing is strong, I would say it’s not that strong.
Sometimes, memories of games I enjoyed, shows I watched often, or food I liked may come to mind, but that’s about it.
It’s just that level of longing.
Because there is no one waiting for me over there.
The original me, before becoming Wade Hebron, was always alone.
I never had parents.
My oldest memory starts in the orphanage.
Even after growing up, leaving the orphanage, and becoming independent, I was always alone.
I didn’t lead a completely normal social life, nor did I have trouble with normal communication, but I didn’t take those relationships to a personal level.
Dealing with people wasn’t difficult, nor did it make me uncomfortable, but I never felt like getting involved with someone.
The reason? Honestly, I don’t really know.
Maybe I didn’t feel the need, or perhaps subconsciously I shied away from getting close to someone.
Anyway, for these reasons, there will be no one waiting for me on Earth.
Maybe colleagues or those who were curious about me right after my disappearance.
But they probably forgot about me quickly.
Well, the point is, I don’t particularly wish to go back.
Therefore, I didn’t seek out a way back, nor did I take any specific action until I became an adult.
“….”
I gaze at the stars once again.
Getting lost in thoughts like this doesn’t really help.
No matter how much I think, I can’t find an answer, nor does the situation improve.
It just makes my mind more complicated with countless thoughts.
However, I didn’t mind this time.
It didn’t feel boring to stand still.
As I gaze at the night sky lost in contemplation.
Rustle—
I sensed movement from a tent.
I immediately turned my head, and could see someone coming out of a tent.
“Hello.”
It was Dorothy.
With a slightly sleepy face and subtly disheveled hair, she came out of the tent.
“It’s not time yet.”
While she is next in line, there was still quite some time left before her turn.
Without needing to check the time, it was evident from the dark sky.
Nevertheless, despite my words, Dorothy completely emerged from the tent.
Then, she sat down on one of the chairs next to the campfire.
“I know… I just woke up… I didn’t feel like staying inside the tent anymore….”
The lingering drowsiness has not completely dissipated, subtly elongating.
Her eyes, resembling the orange glow, shimmered, reflecting the color of flames similar to her own.
“There’s still too much time left for you to get up like this.”
It’s the final step of her campfire ritual.
Staying up like this means she must remain awake until dawn breaks.
“It’s okay… my body is sturdy…”
With a tired voice, Dorothy gently shook her head.
“…I see.”
Since she spoke in such a manner, implying that forcing her back to sleep might not be a good idea, I silently nodded my head.
It’s not entirely wrong.
Though not as much as me, she is a strong-willed person.
Not getting enough sleep won’t harm her condition or health.
Therefore, I decided to let her have her way with the campfire ritual.
However.
“….”
Responding with ‘Oh, really? Thank you.’ and going straight into the tent seemed a bit too obvious.
What to say, it felt a bit too materialistic.
Moreover, as mentioned earlier, she doesn’t mind gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky, so there was also a hesitation not to rush in.
Perhaps due to these reasons.
I missed the timing, and instead, an atmosphere that was hard to leave was formed.
What should I do in this situation, as I hesitate.
“You’re Andel, right…?”
Dorothy spoke to me.
“Oh, yes.”
Though slightly taken aback, I affirmed her question without showing it.
Glancing over, Dorothy was looking at the campfire with slightly clearer eyes than before.
“I’m sorry.”
“Uh, yes?”
Taken aback by the sudden apology, I ended up with a befuddled response.
Well, I expected her to say something, but I didn’t anticipate an abrupt apology.
However, despite my reaction, Dorothy continued without lifting her gaze from the campfire.
“You were inconvenienced.”
“…Ah.”
That’s what it was.
It was only then that I realized the reason for the apology.
“It’s not really necessary for Dorothy to apologize. No, there was no need for an apology in the first place. It was ultimately my choice, even if it was what you suggested.”
Even though I could have refused, I chose the path with my own feet.
So, there’s no reason to accept the apology.
“…But, the forest is a dangerous place.”
She continued speaking without turning her head.
She didn’t look my way, but I could tell by the fleeting glance in her eyes.
That she was genuinely sorry.
Maybe she was feeling sorry for even suggesting it in the first place.
Is that why I ended up here?
If that’s the case, she must be a warm-hearted person.
Actually, it’s needless worry, but…
“It’s okay. I can at least lend a hand.”
I say calmly.
To ease her worries even just a bit.
“….”
Only then did Dorothy raise her head to look at me.
But her eyes still held the same worry and apology.
…Well, since I’ve completely hidden my abilities, she probably sees me as someone without skills showing off.
I felt a bit sour at that fact.
But I had no intention of revealing my skills.
Soon, Dorothy turned her head back to the campfire.
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“…Still, nothing serious will happen.”
She said quietly.
“Miss chose you with confidence.”
Her added words carried an unwavering belief.
Like someone who believes without a doubt that it will be so.
“….”
Her expression, her unwavering voice.
It bothered me a bit.
It wasn’t just blind faith in El; her voice was so firm that it even felt like she could sense the certainty.
Considering Dorothy’s usual attitude, she wasn’t even skeptical about El’s everything.
That’s why it got on my nerves.
Where did that certainty come from?
I tried to speak up to resolve that question, but—
“…Now go in and rest.”
With a gentle urging, my intentions were unfulfilled.
“…Yes. Then I’ll see you in a few hours.”
After bidding farewell, I went into the tent.
Leaving the recent thoughts buried deep in my mind.
And so, the first day in the forest came to an end.