Chapter 12 : What is your name?

Late night, moon bright, stars sparse; a cool breeze added chill.

Rustling leaves, nameless insects and critters scurried.

Full and relaxed, teammates returned to tents, exchanging goodnights.

Peaceful, heart-opening—one of adventure’s best moments.

After food and drink celebration,

last to leave—Qianyu, cleaning camp—carried leftovers in white cloth,

heading to her tent—

Anyway, what I mean: since she trusts you, lowers guard.

She’s yours to handle; even as captain, I won’t interfere.

But I believe Qianyu can satisfy all, right?

Lilix’s celebration words echoed in her heart.

Qianyu didn’t find it trouble or beyond her.

She’d survived alone before.

Finding the girl a safe place should be simpler than imagined.

“Trust, huh?”

She doubted her qualification to decide.

Strangers, not even friends—met less than a day.

(Her future in my hands—heavy responsibility.)

(Focus on now, treat sleepwalking later.)

“Um—I’m back, brought food.”

Qianyu carried fragrant bundle, nudged tent flap with head, calling.

Bed—empty, should be resting.

“Hm? Where’d she go.”

Panicked, Qianyu dropped food, searched.

Flipped bedding, checked impossible hiding spots.

“Bad—Captain just said, and I lost her!?”

Dire. Pray she hadn’t gone far.

Night wilderness, no-man’s-land.

Even Qianyu feared it.

“Where to start…”

Qianyu rushed out,

scanned—pitch black, no traces.

Brain racked, near asking Leila or Del—

better scolded than girl dead in wilds.

“—”

She appeared—vanished, then silent.

“Wah wah, y-you… not a ghost.”

Ragged clothes, hair half-covering dirty face.

Pale sickly skin, stick limbs.

Like urban legend Sadako!

Scare understandable.

Girl tilted head, puzzled by reaction.

Extended arm, wrote as before.

—

What does Master seek?

“Seek— you. Thought you missing.”

Relieved at return,

Qianyu helpless at obvious question.

—

? I was always by your side.

“Y-Yeah?”

Girl’s simplicity—no lie. Maybe Qianyu missed her.

—

Yes, like this.

Wrote, hands clasped at chest—prayer-like magic prep.

Glow flashed; body vanished head-down.

Undeniable invisibility.

“You’re invisible—how see?!”

No wonder Lilix glanced behind during talk.

Planned to discuss fate in her presence?

Judge reaction to entrust?

As expected of Lilix—considered even unnoticed.

—

You didn’t say you wanted to see me.

She, though—seemed missing a screw.

“Haah, good you didn’t leave. Eat—cools soon.”

—

Understood.

*

Narrow, stuffy pyramid tent—room for two.

Qianyu hugged knees on bedding, watching.

Girl held skewer expressionless, but nibbled savorily.

“—”

Qianyu wanted to break awkward silence, unsure how.

Hesitated till girl finished, tidied, placed safely.

Faced her, extended arm.

—

I’m full, Master.

“Ah, good, leave there.”

Qianyu scrambled up, helped clean. Glanced—ate little, third of hers.

Tossed leftovers with cloth.

Nature decomposes.

“Now…”

Clapped hands, turned—girl stared blankly.

Like robot awaiting orders.

“Thought a bit—need a name for ease. You’ll travel with us.”

—

Qianyu?

“That’s mine. Yours now.”

Qianyu wrote two Chinese on palm with magic:

星遥 (Xingyao).

“From my homeland’s style.

Your words, eyes—like starry sky, so…”

Thanks to evening, girl revealed characters self-written.

Qianyu recalled basic word magic.

Used in tavern front desk accounting.

Good name, she thought. Her preference mattered.

Prepared alternatives if disliked.

“—”

Likely yes. Nodded without thought.

Accepted smoothly.

“Then, Xingyao.”

Calling own name—shy.

Qianyu touched flushed cheek, feigning calm.

“Sleep. Early tomorrow—today now.”

Lilix vague, but split actions soon.

Efficiency.

Left town five days—return before supplies dry.

—

Yes.

Simple reply,

now Xingyao squatted in corner.

Head in arms, on knees.

Robot sleep pose.

(She’s not sleeping like that?)

Qianyu tried in rough camping.

Only backache.

Thus.

“X-Xingyao.”

Soft call, cheeks red—Qianyu lifted blanket,

revealing entry.

“Come sleep.”

“—”

Xingyao hesitated briefly, then cautiously approached.

Accepted co-sleep invite.

Perhaps saw as order.

Either way, nestled in warm bedding, girls realized

distance unknowingly close.

Likely together long, long time…

Drifting to sleep, Qianyu missed new arm words.

—

Good night, Master. And thank you.