Be My Friend

The next day.

Kate woke up in the morning with the sun already up on the horizon. She rubbed her eyes and trying to remember — what happened last night?

The last thing she remembered... she was star gazing together with Ramza. The bonfire is the only thing that separates between them. It's not exactly romantic, but it's making her feel wonderful inside, it brought a silly smile on her face.

She stretched her body...hmm...she had fallen asleep last night while in the middle of stargazing and Ramza must have deposited her inside the wagon because she can't remember that she settled herself inside.

She combed her hair and tied it with a piece of yarn.

She was thinking — what will be their breakfast today? Maybe, they will just eat rice and nothing else.

She exited the wagon and looked for Ramza, she can't find him anywhere. She's starting to feel scared.

Oh no!

Did he leave her alone?

Where did he go?

What if something bad happens to him out there? And he was waiting for a rescue. What's she's going to do? Should she just stay where she was and wait for him here? Or go and find him in the surrounding area nearby? She's scared to venture on her own because she was afraid of wild animals hiding from the overgrown bushes and suddenly pouncing on her.

Then all of a sudden, the bushes parted and came out Ramza carrying a bunch of banana in his shoulder. Some of the bananas were already ripe, some were still green.

Kate smiled, huge relief washed over her after seeing Ramza, safe and well.

"Good morning, Kate! Hows your sleep?" he asked cheerfully.

"I sleep well," she answered and smiled radiantly at him. "Where did you get those bananas?"

"Just... nearby. While you're still sleeping, I strolled around the area, looking for something to eat and I happened to see banana plants teeming with fruits and took some of them with me," he explained.

"Great! We can boil the ripe ones and also the green ones," she suggested.

"Alright, let's do it!" he said and lowered the bunch of bananas in the ground.

Kate moves into action and took the clay pot and put it on the ground. She began putting the bananas one by one inside the clay pot, then she adds water.

She was preoccupied with her task... by the time she finished it... Ramza already prepared the stone and the fire is ready for cooking.

"Wow, you're fast, Ramza!" she beamed and placed the clay pot in the stone.

He just smiled charmingly at her.

Kate looked at his face, she noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes. She ignored what she saw and rose to her feet. "I will relieve myself," she said.

"Go over that area there, it's safe," he said pointing at the bushes nearby a few meters from the wagon.

"Thank you," she mouthed at him.

Kate went her way behind the bushes and do her thing.

A few minutes later.

Done with her business behind the bushes. She went back to the clearing and joined Ramza.

"It's not done yet, but it will be ready in a little while," he said.

"Okay, don't worry, I can wait," she replied. "By the way, today is the second day of our journey, and tomorrow will be the third day. What time we will arrive in the castle on the hill?" she asked.

Ramza glanced at her. "The next day after tomorrow. We will arrive there in the morning..."

"Wow, nice! I can't wait to finally see my sister! I missed her so much!" Kate enthused excitedly.

Ramza looked at her feeling guilty all of a sudden.

He released a deep sigh not sharing her excitement.

Kate noticed his gloomy expression. "Ramza, what's wrong? Did I said something that upsets you?" she asked wondering why his mood is different today.

Ramza looked at her face intensely. To feel closer to a mortal girl like her is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. But even if he will tell her that going to the castle on the hill is dangerous, she wouldn't listen to him, because for her, seeing her sister Ivy is her top priority right now.

If only he can slow down the time and make their moment together last for a hundred years, he will be a happy camper.

But that's not going to happen.

Only one more day left by her side and he will never see her again. Their path will be severed forever, and too bad, the memories they shared in this journey is too short that won't last a lifetime.

Dammit! He's feeling a heavy pain in his chest. He shut his eyes for a minute or two.

This girl creeps inside his heart for such a short time. He was left shaken to the core by the impact of her presence in his life. He was just grateful he was able to spend quality time with her before she will be gone from his life.

He smiled at her wanting to wipe away the worry in her eyes.

"I'm okay. I'm excited for you. The reunion with your sister would be a happy one," he said at last.

Kate smiled. "After I successfully see my sister in good condition and I'm back in my village, would you find time to visit me?"

Ramza scratches his head. "Hmm...I dunno..."

Kate pouted, she was feeling let down by his refusal to see her again.

"Why do you want to see me again?" he asked.

"Because, aside from my sisters, you are the first guy that... I like to be my friend," she answered.

Ramza scratches his head.

"The problem is that I'm based on Thorn Spring Village, that is where I live. Going to your village is a long journey and cumbersome," he reasoned.

Kate sighed. Hmph! Fine! It looks like he is not interested to see her again. She won't bother to ask him to visit her in the village, it's clear that he's not interested in her.

The bananas were cooked and they eat breakfast in silence.

After finishing their breakfast, they resumed traveling and stop only when it's time to rest for lunch.