Lost in the Forest? Just keep walking

After a long week crossing the Lysendrall Ranges, Strixx and I finally descended into the green forests below. Not long after we entered, she caught the sound of water and bolted off before I could stop her. I had no choice but to chase her, and by the time I caught up, we’d wandered off course and were completely lost.

Still, she’d found a stream. As I worried about our direction, we were clearly lost .

she dunked her face straight into the water without a second thought. When she noticed me staring, she asked how I drank water and insisted I try it her way. Reluctantly, I did--and to my surprise, it was actually refreshing.

Strixx beamed and proudly called it “Mountain Rabbit Style,” explaining how she’d once seen a rabbit drink this way when her hands kept spilling water. Copying the rabbit, she’d found it much easier. I couldn’t help but smile. As strange as it was, her method worked.

 I looked at Strixx, but before I could say anything--

 Grrrrrrr

 My stomach growled loudly.

 Strixx blinked, her ears twitching slightly as she stared at me. “Luca? You… hungry?”

 I sighed. “Yeah… it’s been days since we had a proper meal.”

 Leaning back, I stretched my arms with a longing sigh.

 “Ahh… that meat patty Riko gave us was so good…”

 Strixx perked up, looking determined. “Wait here, Luca! Strixx will find something for Luca!”

 “Huh? Wait—Strixx, don’t just—!”

 But before I could stop her, she had already dashed off .

 I sighed. "This girl never runs out of energy…"

 With nothing else to do, I sat by the water, listening to the quiet sounds of the forest as I waited.

 …But she was taking way too long.

 I frowned. “Hmm… don’t tell me she got lost."

 “I told her not to wander off alone…”

 Well, I guess I had no choice. I stood up and headed in the direction she ran off to.

 It didn’t take long before I found her.

 Under the shade of a large tree, Strixx was lying on the grass—fast asleep.

 But what caught my attention wasn’t just her sleeping figure.

 Beside her, a few empty shells of Qualot fruit were scattered on the ground.

 I let out a small chuckle. “I see… so that’s how it is.”

 She had probably found the fruit, eaten her fill, and then dozed off right there.

 I shook my head, smiling. She’s really a handful.

 Still, she must’ve been exhausted after all that walking through the Lysendrall Ranges…

 I glanced up at the tree and plucked one of the ripe fruits, taking a bite. The sweet, tangy flavor filled my mouth.

 With a satisfied sigh, I sat down beside her.

 The breeze was soft, carrying the scent of leaves and earth. The sunlight filtered through the branches.

 It was a beautiful day.

 I looked at Strixx, curled up peacefully in sleep, her ears twitching slightly now and then.

 For once, she wasn’t running around . She just looked… calm.

 I exhaled quietly. “…Guess I’ll rest for a bit too.”

 And so, with the gentle rustling of leaves above us, I leaned back against the tree and closed my eyes.

 When I opened my eyes, the sun was already setting.

 “Ugh… I slept too long,” I muttered to myself with a sigh.

 Strixx was still sleeping next to me, curled up peacefully. 

 A small smile formed on my lips as I reached out, giving her a gentle shake.

 “Strixx, wake up.”

 Her ears twitched slightly as her eyes slowly fluttered open.

 With a groggy, half-asleep voice, she mumbled, “Strixx needs to bring these fruits to Luca… Then…”

 She suddenly blinked, fully realizing the situation, and sat up in a panic.

 “Ahh…! Strixx fell asleep! Luca must be hungry!”

 I chuckled softly, calling her name.

 “Strixx.”

 She turned to me, still looking nervous.

 “U-Um… Luca, you see… Strixx was trying to bring these to Luca, but then… Strixx tried a few of them… And then… Strixx had more than one… because Strixx loves sweets… And then… Strixx fell asleep…”

 I couldn’t help but smile at her.

 “That’s fine. Now you know that eating too many Qualot fruits makes you sleepy. 

 Strixx fiddled with her fingers, standing in front of me.

 “Sorry… Luca…”

 I shook my head with a gentle smile.

 “No, no… Because you found the fruit, I was able to have some too. I should be thanking you.”

 Strixx blinked, looking around in confusion.

 “But… Luca… where are we now?”

 I let out a sigh.

 “Hmm… Now you realize? We are lost.

 Strixx, surprisingly, didn’t panic. Instead, she confidently reached out her hand to me.

 “Luca, let’s go!”

 I raised an eyebrow.

 “Eh? Go where?”

 Strixx puffed out her chest proudly.

 “Strixx doesn’t know the way… But! When Strixx keeps walking, Strixx always reaches a new place! So we should just walk!”

 I sighed, 

 “Strixx… Listen. It’s already getting dark. We don’t know how far we are from the nearest town, and wandering aimlessly at night isn’t a good idea. We should settle here for tonight.”

 Strixx tilted her head.

 “Hmmm… Luca…”

 I looked at her. “What is it, Strixx?”

 She fidgeted nervously, her ears twitching.

 “The thing is…”

 I leaned in curiously.

 “Yeah? What is it?”

 Then, suddenly, she shouted excitedly—

 “STRIXX IS HUNGRY!!”

 I sighed, shaking my head.

 “Ah, yeah. I was expecting something like that…”

 I glanced around. “Hmm… It’s too late to go foraging now…”

 Then an idea struck me.

 “Wait. Maybe… we can make something delicious.”