After recruiting Jerusha and Lycus, along with trying to pull Devin and Lana in his party... Raye went back to the cabin.
He really had nothing else to do for the day...
And once he got back there, Jerusha greeted him with a warm smile. She even gave him a hug. Raye returned it naturally.
He asked where the two were, pertaining to Pyro and Zephyrus. Jerusha told him that they were interacting with the other spirits.
Then Jerusha asked him how his recruiting went. Raye smiled at her, then opening his mouth— he told her how everything went.
That Lycus joined them, and most probably Sofia too... Jerusha was happy to hear that
Until Raye also told her that Devin and Lana wouldn't be able to join them... Not because they're joining Leon, but because they decided not to join any [Hero Party]...
Upon hearing his words, a mix of understanding and sadness appeared on Jerusha's face.
She already expected that their whole usual group wouldn't be able to party together, especially because of the fact Leon and Raye are both representatives. But still, she was sad, or down that they'll be all going separate ways.
I an, once their party and the other parties started their adventures, they wouldn't be able to return for months...
It might even take a whole year!
aning, they wouldn't see Devin, Kyle, Lana, Leon, Allen, and Aria until then.
Jerusha was already attached with the group.
After all... She didn't really have many friends in the academy.
Why, you ask?
Even though she's kind, beautiful, and basically the easiest person to be friends with...
Well, that's because of her label as a prodigy.
The other students envied her, praised her, and so scums even tried to use her title by getting close to her.
Jerusha, being a spirit mage and close to nature— she imdiately sensed their real intents, so she avoided them easily.
Anyway... none of them really wanted to be friends with her, or at least, no one tried to approach her with that intent.
They just wanted to get close to her with different intentions in mind.
And so, because of that— Jerusha poured her free ti training, studying, and visiting the orphanage where she ca from and playing with the kids.
She was really detached from the Zion Academy.
But then... Everything changed when she t Raye...
...
Back then, Jerusha was just playing and training with the little spirits at the Northern Forest.
She already finished her class for the day and had nowhere to go.
Then when she was about to go back to her dorm... Jerusha passed by a cabin ar the entrance of the forest.
She always see this specific cabin, but just ignores it. She leaves spirits to guard it though as there's an old man living in it.
(We all know who.)
And that's when she saw Raye...
"...?"
Jerusha was confused... It was not the old man.
Though, he recognizes Raye's face!
'It's that kid...'
After all, Raye had an unignorable look, so he caught her attention a few tis back.
And of course— Jerusha knew his reputation as well.
It was widespread in the Academy like a plague.
Though except that, she doesn't know much about Raye.
So in the end— Jerusha just decided to go on her way and ignore Raye... Well, she would still do this even if he didn't have any bad reputation, because she didn't like talking to strangers...
But as she was about to walk away—
"Hmm?"
She noticed a few spirits flying around Raye.
Jerusha got curious and called for the little spirits.
SWOOSH~
Then when they reached her... She asked them why they were hanging around Raye.
-No particular reason, we're just curious!
And that's the answer she received.
"What...?"
Hearing this, Jerusha naturally got piqued as well.
Spirits are known to keep their distance from humans, after all. And it certainly doesn't look like Raye is a spirit mage.
Jerusha really beca interested why the spirits are acting like this toward Raye.
So instead of heading back—
Tap-
'Hmm, talking to him for a little wouldn't hurt.'
Jerusha decided to approach Raye!
The little spirits floated happily with her as if encouraging her to go to him.
*****
'A lot has already happened since then.'
Jerusha thought to herself after rembering her first ti eting Raye. Or at least, talking to him for the very first ti.
'We're even dating now... hehe...'
A small smile slowly appeared on her face, her cheeks softening a little as the thought ward her heart.
'I'm really glad I t him and the others.'
Jerusha firmly declared to herself, feeling nothing but gratitude inside her chest, the kind that made her feel light and happy.
'That's why it's a bit sad that we'll be separated now.'
Then, her lips twitched a little, the corners trembling ever so slightly as she held the thought.
"..."
She was silent, not knowing what to say or how to express it properly.
Raye noticed that she was feeling down, so without saying anything, he scooched closer to Jerusha as they remained seated.
"...?"
Jerusha blinked at his sudden movent, her body stiffening a little.
Then, without hesitation, Raven reached out and placed his hand on top of Jerusha's.
'...Warm.'
Jerusha thought to herself, feeling the steady heat from his palm.
She was a bit surprised when he did that, her head turning to Raye almost instantly.
'Why now...? What's he thinking?'
And then—
With a calm look on his face—
"Don't worry... Everything's going to work out just fine."
He said that softly, looking up at the sky with steady eyes.
"And once the demons get defeated... peace will co, and we'll all be able to do whatever we want."
Then he added. They were such optimistic words... It was unlike Raye to say sothing like that, almost strange to hear from him.
But strangely... Jerusha felt a little better. Maybe it was his words, his calmness, or just his presence by her side.
Either way, Jerusha felt at ease when she looked at Raye's face, a gentle warmth spreading inside her.
Then at that mont—
Raye looked at Jerusha as well, and their eyes finally t. Then, with the sweetest smile he could muster—
"That's why let's do our best and get through this shit together."
Raye muttered that, his voice low but steady.
"Haha, yeah!"
Jerusha laughed brightly and imdiately replied.
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