Chapter 20 : Oh, it was an honest confession!

After last night’s light rain—barely felt in tents.

Today back to clear skies, drifting clouds.

Target confirmed eliminated, mission complete.

Qianyu, Del, Xingyao three girls,

set off early while light good, return journey.

To Captain’s preset meet point, join companions.

Temporary farewell to lush northern Atul Kingdom border mountains.

They walked familiar forest path,

planned revisit prior camps.

Then Del’s mysterious magic shortcut.

Ensure noon arrival.

“Mm—”

On usual trail.

Bored Qianyu sudden low hum,

hoping draw attention.

—

Orders, Master?

“Breakfast stuck?”

Success. Xingyao, Del responded.

“Nah. Just want chat.”

Kill time, road longer than thought.

Also, Qianyu hoped closer with both.

Del’s strict tsundere—used to.

But Xingyao treated her as master,

every word command—heavy.

“Can.”

Del thought brief, blurted:

“How about them.

New to team, interested right?”

Them—teammates.

As expected Del, sharp angle.

True, Qianyu interested.

“Mm. You mentioned Tasuwa…”

Qianyu recalled interactions.

Cold face, ignore, unseen—only impressions.

“Always avoiding,

no solo talk.”

“Ah, shy kid.”

“Th-That not shy, more disdain.”

“Really? Long with her, hard say.

Likely expression misled.”

Del gentle smile, eyes forward added:

“Start, thought of her like you now.”

“M-Me?”

Qianyu unexpected link.

“Not joined then.”

“No. Situations similar.”

“Haah.”

“Example:

Suwa met Lilix weapon repair outing.

Naturally invited adventure.

Leila I opposed, drag pace.

No help, need protect.

Yeyuan usual no opinion.”

“Very Yeyuan.”

“Votes, her abstain two-two.

But Lilix captain. Her decisions unswayable.

Tasuwa naturally joined.”

“Hiss, sounds—”

“Like you, as said.

Recall you no partner team,

no standout strength, no invites.

…Wait, some guys approached.”

“Th-They just saw lone girl easy.

Join team bedwarm, obvious.”

“True.

No kind carry burden, ulterior.

At least males I met, including kin, same.”

Del tone fierce.

Better not pry.

“Y-Yeah.”

(Though male here.)

(Not calling Xingyao burden. Opposite.)

Qianyu guilty agree, inner thought.

“Bit far, anyway.

You lone association corner,

like broke uncle bar drunk.”

“Ah, remember clear.

Rejected many teams.

Seniors harsh words.

Heart cold.”

(Surface. Even self-abandon,

solo adventure accident end.)

“Sigh.”

No good memory,

Qianyu sighed.

“Mm, then Lilix eyed somehow.

Her eye unique.

Before you, five-member Lilix team.

Known group.”

“Yes, even inattentive, heard rumors.”

“Mm hm, like.”

“Eh, only girls?”

“That. Unsure Lilix think.

All female now, impression.

Many talented females, strength rival.

Like me subhuman. Applied.

All rejected.”

“W-Why.”

“Who knows, said unsure.

Limited resources, add waste.

At least Suwa join.

Thought so, no good face.

Hope realize, retreat quit.

Here you understand.”

“Mm, mm, my situation, like.”

Mysteriously invited.

Disdained strength.

Qianyu nodded, understood odd not-trouble sense.

“Tch. Not planned say.

But, whatever.”

Del carefree shrug.

“Reveal this,

relation improved, though not hoped.”

“Del…”

“Ah, but opinion unchanged.”

Stopped, slight bend eye-level.

Finger near nose.

“Adventures not always calm, safe.

Future many unexpected,

even us can’t handle big trouble.

If no adapt change, quit early better.”

“M-Memorized.”

(First long talk teammate.)

Hearing confess, joy inevitable Qianyu serious nod.

Swallow today gain, effort goal.

Behind following silent,

no intent speak Xingyao.

Squinted smile watch,

like Master good mood.

(Mm, encouraging couple.)

How conclusion,

back hurry unaware.