Blonde And Pixie

[Episode 25]

*Clap!*

"Now, now. Let's rid ourselves of this depressing mood! Ruvie what's your type?! What are your favourite foods? How's living in Japan different from the UK? Do you have any secrets you can share? What about your parents?!"

I can't answer all these questions at once! She's still going too! "Lynn! Ask me one at a time argh!" She grabs my hands and continues talking like she usually does.

It seems she's already back in talking mode… I guess I'm glad. I thought she'd either make fun of me for acting all angsty because of some stupid game or start behaving differently out of pity.

I have been thinking recently that maybe if it's Lynn, I wouldn't mind being real friends with her. Everyone else is getting along with each other and considering the situation, it wouldn't hurt to have just one ally. Besides, she doesn't have anything to gain from being friendly to me like those other guys. Maybe I can trust her. No, I think I want to trust her.

Gross! I keep being all mushy and cheesy. Just like how she's gone back to normal, I need to as well!

A raspy voice interrupts with a cough, "It is time for us to head out you two, come gather with my team yes."

His name was Pietro Luciano I believe. Right, the shady-looking dude. Well, I shouldn't be judging a book by its cover as I've learnt from talking to Lynn and Fuyu. If all turns out well, I could not only explore the cave successfully with them, but I could also get unlimited points which could…

Wait a moment.

What is my goal? Well I mean yeah, I want to go home and to do that I need to open all the doors and I could technically just sit and wait for everyone else to open the doors while I ride the coattails of some powerful group.

But I'm currently the weakest person here. I can't exactly stay like this forever. To top it off, most people don't want to team with me because I'm so weak, in addition, my trust issues and lack of people skills will mean that it'll be difficult to form a team by myself.

I've decided. I'll take this as an opportunity to learn and level up from them. As for my goal… I'll think of that later!

Although I'm not too happy about having to go back into the Bowa forest outside of the set times with a group of strangers with a creepy leader and a dodgy name like 'Shulkerz', I would only be benefitting from this arrangement.

"Alright, dearest!" Lynn grabs Pietro's arm with a smile on her face once again having it slid off immediately. "Let me say my goodbyes to my group real quick!" She bounces off towards two girls, exchanging laughs and waves.

Oh right, Lynn isn't a part of the Shulkerz.

Hold on, that person she's talking to. That's the pretty older sister I saw at the lake! So she's friends with Lynn. Maybe… Ruvian! Get your head out of the gutter!

All three of them look at me, the lady in the pixie cut smiles at me cheekily while waving her hand which makes me hiccup in surprise. Ruvian she's just a woman and you're one too! She's a dangerous stranger like everyone else.

…

But well, If I spoke to her as I did with Lynn, it might turn out she's a kind saint or something hehe.

Snap out of it Ruvian! Just look at the other girl to distract yourself! Oh- She's pretty too huh. Maybe even prettier. Yeah, I'm screwed. I knew I had a type, but I didn't think it existed.

Her slightly tanned skin contrasts against her white top and shorts as her wavy white, blonde hair flutters in the non-existent wind. The gorgeous grey eyes she owns stare at me curiously while her cheeks puff into a pink hue followed by the nervous curl of her lips.

A nervous smile? Shoot! I turn away covering my blushing face with my hand. I must've looked so creepy with how I froze admiring her face. Why are all the girls here so beautiful! Lynn, Fuyu, Fuyu's friend, the pixie older sister and now this… No doubt she's the prettiest though.

This is dangerous.

Lynn hops back toward me and Pietro. "I'm ready Ruvie, Piety. Let's go!"

We walk to the other members and exchange our full greetings while Pietro explains the plan.

"Hey Lynn," I whisper to get her attention. "That older sister in short hair-"

"Oh. You must mean Willow, Willow Liǔ!" She interrupts. "She's only a year older than you hun."

"Seriously!" The other members turn towards me. "As in, you seriously mean that cave is… A cave?"

They turn back at Pietro chuckling to themselves.

I clear my throat embarrassed and continue in a lower voice, "Yeah that's all I wanted to know." Of course, that isn't true. What I wanted was to gradually change the conversation from Willow to that other girl. Just because I want to become friends of course.

"I see. Well actually when I spoke to her just now, she said she saw you in the previous round when we stopped by a lake."

"Did she now." My dark past.

"Yup! Zuri said you sound like an interesting person too." Zuri? That must be the girl I actually want to hear about. "Zuri is so sweet! She's the same age as you and is a little shy but she talks a lot when you get to know her. Willow, on the other hand, is straightforward and a bit of a daredevil which I love, but she can be careless at times which is also cute." I would love to introduce those two to you after this!

Score! I mean. I guess making more friends wouldn't hurt.

"And that's the plan! Is everyone all good to go?!" The shukerz and Lynn simultaneously shout, "Yeah!" In response to Pietro.

Maybe I should've listened a little. I'll just ask Lynn what we're doing when we get there. Besides, we'll only be in the cave for two hours so what could possibly go wrong?