Ch. 9 "Of course you don't."

The morning after, we already had a fight. Not a lot of people are capable of messing up this quick, but this is one of the special abilities that I hold. Being the worst person on earth in the morning is something I am the best at.

We had gotten off the mountain and back into the infernal heat. We were still at a high enough altitude that the temperatures at night were fine, but when the sun got out, I started sweating buckets. At only 5 in the morning, sleeping was out of the question. Needless to say, the 5 hours of sleep I had gotten were far from enough.

The first thing I noticed when I came to my senses was Mori clinging to me, having all that body heat contribute to my inability to rest.

That was when I snapped.

"Get off me."

Mori: "...Hmm?...Oh, good morning."

Her voice was low and kind, you could even find a note of happiness in it. That threw me off even more, so I gently pushed her aside.

Why does she look so happy? Does she not understand the situation we are in? The situation she put herself in for no reason?

What does this girl even want from me? If she had seen me as easy prey, she would have given up on me when I got in trouble. If it's not that, then what?

Is this all a game for her? Does she want to make me feel guilt? Does she get off of that?

Mori was just looking at me confused.

"What is it you are after?"

Mori: "Hm?"

"Why did you start suddenly acting like this?" "What do you want from me?"

Mori: "Do... do you not like it? I thought this is what made you feel happy..."

"Why do you want me to be happy??? What's in it for you? Who in their right mind would throw their life away for somebody they don't even know that well?" "For what reason?"

Mori: "I think the reason is pretty obvious."

She was finally answering me with a straight face instead of that smile that has been my weakness for a while now. But I didn't like her answer.

"Huh, acting smart and all now. Keep it for yourself if you want, but I will need you to go back. Apologize for what you've done and promise those guys that next time you see me, you will hunt me down and do everything you can to catch me."

"I am done with being the reason you make so many sacrifices."

I had no idea where I was going while I was saying that, but I just wanted to get away from her without looking at her face. I didn't want to see those green eyes ever looking at me with disappointment again.

Mori: "I won't do that. If there is anything I want to catch, it is your attention."

I froze on the spot.

Mori: "I want you to be happy because that's what a lover would want. Isn't that right?"

A lover? Where did that come from?

"I don't remember ever saying I want such a thing with you."

I lied. And it was a stupid, blatant lie at that.

One thing is certain: that time, I had really hurt her, but as the cool, detached, ice-cold guy that I am, I continued to walk away, leaving her behind. I knew I was wrong. I knew I didn't want this, but I had pride. Too much of it.

It was exactly that pride that didn't stop my legs even after hearing a sweet voice say, "I will wait for you here, please come back when you are feeling better." from behind me.

...

In a river that was currently serving as a bathing spot, you could find an idiot whose fingers were turning purple from the cold water.

Of course, that nameless idiot was me, and the reasons I was not getting out of the river were plenty.

The first one was understandable for any hardheaded people out there. I hated how hot it was, so I was forcing myself to stay in that cool spot that also had my head in the shade.

The second reason was one that nobody should ever understand. I didn't care anymore. I was thinking that if I freeze to death here, even if I fail my new quest, it would not matter, at least not as far as I am concerned. I wouldn't be in a position where I could feel regret, after all.

But the third and most important reason is one that I think at least all men would understand. There was another guy next to me who got in 2 or 3 minutes before me. I was not going to let him win.

I had no idea who he was or where he came from, nor did I intend to ask him while we were both naked in the same body of water. It would be weird.

It would just make things weird.

...

As my consciousness started fading, I started doubting my conviction, but I was not about to let that guy win.

He seems to be asleep. Maybe he is dead? Maybe I won? Who is this guy in the first place? Nobody from the hub would just jump alone naked in a river, they are just too *redacted* for that. Maybe he is another victim? Or maybe an exiled? Is he even breathing?

I wanted to get closer and check, but that would mean approaching a naked guy in the same body of water. You just don't do that. It would be weird.

Maybe I really have no choice but to give up here. At least I hope Mori went back. The last thing I want is for her to find me like this.

He finally got up.

FINALLY!

River guy: "Ya know kid, I actually came here for ya girl."

What is he on, though?

"Whatever even made you think I've got a woman?"

River guy just took a good look at me. Oh, but how I wished he would stop.

River guy: "Hah, ya right. Of course ya don't."

I didn't answer. I was not going to start arguing with a naked guy that I had just shared the same body of water with. It would be weird.

I did, however, decide that I will punch him when I get up and get dressed a bit. I just needed to find out how long before me he got in.

"How long did you stay in here?"

I turned my head since there was no answer. He was nowhere to be seen. In not even a minute he got dressed and left.

What the hell just happened? Is my sanity already that far gone?

At the time, I had not even realized. Everyone around the world can speak English by now, yet he spoke to me in another language. He spoke to me in the one language I know best.

I stayed in there for 5 more minutes just to be sure I wouldn't lose. Those felt like the hardest 5 minutes of my life. Especially because I had time to think about how stupid I had been until then.

But I did reach a conclusion.

I don't understand her, and I probably never will. But you don't just leave someone who has been there for you.

After 5 minutes I got up and ran back. After another 2 minutes. I was back for my clothes.

That would have been weird.