Chapter 29 - Campfire

I woke up a few hours later from feeling taps, it was Erik and Chloe, the people who kept watched before me.

Rio and I left the tent silently and exchanged a few words with Erik and Chloe before they went to sleep.

"When you hear the first beep you just have to put some more of this wood in the fire." Erik pointed at a pile of wood as he gave us the devices.

"Alright." I continued,

"Thanks for keeping watch."

"Yup, and thank you for keeping watch now, goodnight." Erik replied

"Goodnight." Chloe said

"Goodnight!" Rio replied

"Night." I said as the conversation ended and they both went to their respective tents.

Rio and I sat around the campfire in the dark night, this dim campfire light is the only thing that shone in the night.

I yawned before starting conversation,

"Haah, how'd you sleep?"

"Great! We haven't slept in the same room since the inn." Rio smiled before continuing,

"With you, Taku and Ayaka there I felt safe."

"That's good."

Rio and I had some more conversation for around 20 minutes until one of the tent's doors opened.

It was Ayaka.

She looked like she had just woken up and her legs were shaking a little bit.

I walked over to her to see what's up, Rio and I still had night watch for another 40-ish minutes.

"Hey?"

Her face was flustered before she started to speak,

"I-I.... need to pick some flowers..."

Flowers? Why? I don't remember there being- Oh, wait... Was that the saying for needing to use the bathroom?

"Alright."

"C-Could you keep...?"

"Sure."

Oddly enough, Kazu asked me to keep watch before I went to sleep too. Was I some sort of pee guardian or something?

"Rio, she needs to pee, we'll be back."

Ayaka's and Rio's face both went red before Rio spoke,

"O-Okay... Stay safe..."

"I-Idiot!"

We walked a little into the dark forest, it was nearly pitch black but the device Oscar gave us shone a bit of light so we could see. I couldn't be as far away because of how dark it was.

"B-Block your ears."

"C-Close y-your eyes as well."

I just listened to what she said and followed instructions, I don't think I could keep watch for any animals or anything with my eyes and ears closed though.

…

Sometime later I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I opened my eyes and unblocked my ears.

"Y-You better never speak of this..."

"Sure."

Since everyone else was asleep and only me and Rio were awake, one of us had to keep watch, going into this pitch-black forest alone would be kind've stupid.

We made our way back to the camp,

"Night, I'll wake you and Taku up when it's time."

"N-Night..." She still looked a little flustered

"Remember! No words!"

I waved her off as she closed the tent door, and I went back to the campfire.

"Anything happen?"

"Nope!" Rio sat with his arms around his legs as he felt the warmth of the fire.

I enjoyed the fire as well, as much as I could remember the barrel fires, this was the first time I could enjoy a campfire. It was inexplicably warmer and looked way better.

"It's pretty."

Rio looked at me as I said those words,

"It is!"

I don't think either of us could've pictured living this type of life before, I couldn't speak for him for sure though. But me, for sure.

…

*Beep*

"Oh, Rio could you add a log?"

Rio added a log to the fire.

…

"Hey Leo..."

After he sat back down, he had a smile on his face

"Hm?"

"Thank you..."

My eyes widened for a brief moment before he continued to speak.

"Without you... I'd have probably died in the alleyway... Even if I didn't, I wouldn't have had any idea on how I should live..."

"So... Thank you... You saved my life... Changed my personality..."

"And you even took me in as a family member... Got me into this school where I've made a lot of friends..."

"Really... Thank you... You're the best brother I could've ever met..."

Tears started to flow down his face, but he was still smiling.

…

I walked around the campfire and sat next to him. I put my arm around him and spoke,

"Don't mention it. You've helped me a lot too."

I had a warm smile on my face.

If I think about it, I've changed a lot as well. I met him the first day I woke up here. I had no clue where I was or what to really do.

He's also the reason that I knew my 'Music' talent worked and that I was in my own novel. I think my personality changed too...

I probably and still don't really even have a reason to be in Heavensward. Sure, there'd be a war against the demons, and sure it'd be useful to know how to fight and have the knowledge we get taught. But I could've just minded my business and let the protagonist deal with all that.

I guess the reason I came here in the first place was to help Rio out. I had thought I was past saving, but I guess you unconsciously denied that and saved me... Because it's pretty fun now actually, learning, fighting, making friends, and living...

I put my hand on Rio's head.

"Thank you, Rio."