Chapter 15 - Take good care of your friends.

(Back to Lionel's Point of View.)

After five minutes of running, I finally caught up with Kaoru. Gosh! This is exhausting! She's lying under a pear tree, breathing heavily.

"So much for my spirit of adventure! I think we should rest here..."

"You shouldn't do that Kaoru. You'll tire out easily."

I sat down beside her.

"If we're going to the Exosfir like you said, we need to reserve our strength."

"First of all, you're the one who said we're going to Exosfir, not me. I just repeated it for you so you can remember. Ring any bells? And secondly, you're the one who said that when this adventure comes, you'll run like you've never run before! Why? Because today, this special day, you are free. Yes, we are free, I know. But then we have responsibilities to fulfill and things to do. Sometimes, it's tiresome. We both agreed in that. And so, to have an unforgettable vacation, a break from the hassle and bustle of life, we decided to have an adventure! And Lionel, believe it or not, we're living the dream! It's happening right now."

"..."

I can't say anything...

"Did I really say that...?"

"Yes you did."

"It's unbelievable..."

"Oh dear, that oblivion curse is such an inconvenience!"

We took our lunch under the shade of the big pear tree. I ate my sandwich and she ate the pears she acquired from using "wind cutter" magic.

This is really fun. Resting and having a good time. Enjoying the scenery and appreciating the cool wind. The sun is warm and the birds are flying and chirping around. This is such a beautiful perfect day for an epic adventure indeed...

"Kaoru?"

"Yes?"

"Uhmm... Aren't you worried about the 'Dragon's flare' you used last time? I mean, it could start a forest fire..."

"You worry too much, Lionel. I did that so we'd have a path to walk on. My magic is not that strong. It dies out after a few seconds so there's nothing to worry about."

"I could've just cut through the shrubbery..."

"Now, now, where's the fun in that? You see, a great adventure should have a great start. So, to have a great start, you should have a grand entrance! Do you understand, Lionel?"

"Yes... Uhmm... Was that my idea too?"

"No. That's my idea."

"Ah... I see..."

"Want some pear?"

"Sure."

She tossed a ripe, yellow, pear. I took a big bite and wow! It's crispy, it's so refreshing and it tastes really good!

"By the way, why are we going to the Exosfir?"

"For adventure, silly."

"Yes, yes, I know, for adventure. But, why there? How about other places? Why Exosfir? There's got to be a deeper reason..."

"Oh, at last! I think you're starting to remember! I'll give you a clue. You chose that place because you really need to go there."

"I really need to go there..."

"Yes."

"Give me a minute."

I closed my eyes and started thinking very hard. Why did I choose that place?"

"I... I really don't know. I can't remember. I'm sorry..."

"Aw... I really thought for a second there that you could break the curse of oblivion just by using your sheer willpower!"

"I'm sorry..."

"It's okay."

Silence...

"Kaoru?"

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me? Please?"

"Sure! But for one condition..."

"What is it?"

"You must listen to me very well, okay? So that you'll never forget."

"Okay. I'll listen."

"Cross your heart?"

"Cross my heart."

"Hope to die?"

"Hey!"

"I'm just kidding. This is going to be long so please do not get bored or fall asleep okay?"

"I promise."

"Okay, here it goes. Why to Exosfir? Number one! As I've said earlier, for adventure. Number two! Again, as I've said earlier, or rather shouted, no one has ever ventured there before. You want to be the first to go there and see that place because no one has ever seen it before. You want to see its wonders! And spectacles! You also want to prove to yourself and to others that you can do it. That you are not weak! That you are strong! That if you achieve it, you'll fulfill your dream; to go to the Exosfir, the highest point of the known world where the sun, moon, and stars - and other celestial bodies are placed. Number three, you're not just doing this for yourself. You're also doing this for your parents, for your family. You told me that your father doesn't have a job. Your family has no more money. So you need to act. You need to help. You've looked for jobs in Iris City but found none. So, to have something to live by, you picked fruits and hunt in the forest everyday. Yes, there is food but you know it's not enough. Someday, you're family will need other supplies like medicine, oil, clothing, and other stuff. And so you've decided to go treasure hunting."

"One night, while up on a tree, you gazed into the star-filled night sky. You really liked to look upon the clouds during the day and the stars at night. It makes you smile, happy, and relaxed, you said. You're really amazed by their beauty. Suddenly, unexpectedly, an idea struck your head. You asked yourself, 'Why do the stars twinkle? Why do they sparkle?' And then, it hit you. You realized that only gems, jewels, precious stones, crystals, silver, and gold are the only things that glitter, twinkle, sparkle, and shine! You realized or, I rather say, that you discovered that stars are made of crystals! I know I'm intelligent and all but I did not see that coming! I didn't even realize it before! No one in Iris City even knows that! You were jumping and full of joy that day when you told me, and I must say, I'm impressed. You said that those stars will be sufficient enough to buy everything your family needs and even more! So that's the third reason why where going to Exosfir, to get those star crystals!"

"Wow..."

"Wow, indeed. But wait! There's more! There's still the fourth and final reason why we're going to Exosfir."

"What is it?"

"You want to study."

"I want to study?"

"Yes. I'll explain. Listen carefully."

"Okay."

"After you have acquired the star crystals, you will trade it for money; of course, you'll then use that money to officially enroll in Iris Elementary School of Academics, Magic, and Swordsmanship. You said that you want to learn how to read, write, compute, and all that academic stuff. Bad decision I say! It will bore you to death! Don't say I didn't warn you! Anyway, I never forgot those words..."

"Why?"

"Because you said that 'we'll be classmates.' That you 'want us to study together..."

I blushed... My eyes and mouth are wide open... I sat there like a stone. I didn't move. I can't move. I'm really, really, shocked. Did I really, truly said that?! GOSH!!! THAT IS SO EMBARASSING!!! Those things are not meant to be said! To a girl! In this early age! I should know better! I know better! Gosh! Those things should be kept in secret! In the deepest, darkest, corner of the head! Only to be said at the right place at the right time!

Now, I don't know what to say...

"Well, good luck, Lionel! By the time you'll have your money, I'm already in high school. And you're starting on kindergarten! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Aha ha ha... Right..."