Volume 1. Chapter 50

Warm rays of morning sunlight slowly filtered through the dense canopy of trees, dancing on the dew that blanketed the grass around their camp. A gentle breeze carried the scent of the forest, and birds sang nearby, creating an atmosphere of peace and comfort. Ken slowly opened his eyes and felt the warmth of the fire, now extinguished from the night, replaced by the morning chill. He turned his head and noticed that Lily was already up.

She was sitting by a small campfire she had rekindled, stirring a pot with a cheerful smile. Her light blonde hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and her face radiated contentment and joy. Seeing that Ken was awake, she waved to him playfully.

“Good morning, sleepyhead!” Lily called out with delight. “I’ve already made breakfast. Are you getting up, or do I have to drag you over here?”

Ken, a bit surprised by her cheerful mood, sat up and stretched.

“Good morning, Lily,” he replied, still a little groggy but with a warm smile. “You’re full of energy today. You’d never guess that last night you were… well, how should I put it… on fire?”

Lily squinted at him, but the corners of her mouth twitched into a faint smile.

“What happened last night stays in last night,” she waved him off with a casual flick of her hand, as if dismissing his words. “Today’s a new day, and I’m not letting anything silly ruin my mood. So get over here, breakfast’s getting cold.”

Ken, slightly taken aback by her calmness, scooted closer to the fire and inhaled the delicious aroma.

“You always manage to surprise me, Lily,” he said with a soft smile, looking at her. “Seems like being bright and cheerful is your secret weapon.”

“Maybe,” Lily glanced away, slightly flustered, “or maybe I just don’t want to waste time on nonsense. I’d rather focus on the good things. Like making sure you don’t go hungry.”

Ken took the bowl she handed him, and after tasting the food, he couldn’t hide his delight.

“Lily, this… this is amazing! You should open your own restaurant. Or at least write a cookbook. ‘Lily’s Recipes: How to Conquer the World One Breakfast at a Time,’” he added with a mock-serious tone, though his eyes sparkled with amusement.

Lily blushed, a light pink hue coloring her cheeks.

“Stop it, it’s just plain porridge with berries,” she mumbled, but it was clear she was pleased by his praise.

“Plain porridge?” Ken feigned outrage. “I’d call it a culinary masterpiece! If someone told me I’d enjoy porridge this much, I’d never have believed them. You’re a kitchen sorceress.”

Lily giggled, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her embarrassment.

“You talk too much, Ken. Just eat before it gets cold.”

They began to eat, their conversation drifting to lighter topics. Ken shared funny stories from his world — like the time a friend accidentally brought a pet to physics class instead of a textbook — and Lily laughed so hard she couldn’t help but comment.

“Are you serious? They actually let that slide at your school?” she asked between fits of laughter.

“Not exactly,” Ken replied with a grin. “The teacher was shocked, of course, but instead of scolding him, she let the pet stay in class for the day. It was the most fun I’ve ever had in physics.”

Lily shook her head, trying to compose herself.

“Your world is so strange, Ken. But you know… it sounds fun.”

“And your world is the perfect place for adventures,” he shot back. “Though if someone had told me I’d be sitting here, in a forest, with an amazing girl like you, I’d have thought I was dreaming.”

Lily froze, her blush deepening.

“Stop it, Ken,” she muttered, lowering her gaze. “You’re saying nonsense.”

“Nonsense?” He raised an eyebrow. “Lily, I’m telling the truth. You’re amazing, and I’ve said it before. Besides, your porridge…” he paused and held up his spoon, “— is the best breakfast I’ve ever had. What more can I say?”

Lily giggled, her embarrassment easing a little.

“You just want more porridge, don’t you?”

“Well, if you insist, I won’t say no,” he winked.

After breakfast, they packed up the camp, still joking and laughing. Ken kept tossing witty remarks, praising the way Lily packed things or suggesting she pursue a career as a professional fire-tamer. Lily laughed, sometimes snorting, her eyes glowing with happiness.

Once everything was packed, they resumed their journey. The forest was alive with sounds, the soft rustling of leaves and birdsong providing a perfect backdrop for their conversations. Ken walked beside Lily, and they talked about everything — from the differences between their worlds to which berry was best for campfire porridge.

“You know, Lily,” Ken said, looking at her, “if someone told me I’d enjoy moments like this, I wouldn’t have believed them. You have a way of making even the simplest morning… magical.”

Lily stopped, slightly flustered by his words, but a gentle smile played on her lips.

“Ken, sometimes you talk like this is a fairy tale.”

“Maybe it is,” he shrugged. “But isn’t it? We’re in a forest, heading off on an adventure. And you… you’re a real heroine.”

“And you?” Lily narrowed her eyes playfully. “Who are you, then?”

Ken paused for a moment, then smiled.

“I guess I’m just the odd guy who stumbled into this fairy tale by accident. But you know, Lily, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Lily smiled softly, her heart warmed by his words. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so light and happy. Maybe… the morning really was magical.