The next morning, everyone was busy packing everything up to set off for their next destination. 

They needed to meet lord Kiba and inform him of the changing events and Goro’s suicide. Finishing up with loading supplies onto their ship, they finally boarded it and Yun did a last sweep, ensuring they did not miss out on a single thing. 

However, all of them realised that a boy with midnight-black hair was missing. 

“Where’s Shin?” 

“Where’s the little kid?” 

“Where’s my little brother?” 

They all asked respectively. 

It was only K’xug who remained composed, giving Xue a glance. 

First, he knew that Shin’s disappearance had to do with Xue since Shin had a private conversation with him the night before. 

Secondly, he knew Shin was a part of Xue, the soul fragment of him. 

Lastly, his glance grew more confused since he noticed how haggard Xue seemed. It seemed like he had not slept the entire night. 

“...?” 

K’xug shuffled closer to Xue, tilting his head. 

“You don’t need to know.” Xue answered his question, sounding gloomy. 

K’xug scratched his head, shrugging his shoulders. 

Cecil looked equally haggard, and she bit on her lower lip. The next moment, she procured a painting and an envelope from her storage ring. 

“He...told me to give this to you,” she spoke up, handing the items to Haru. “It was entirely his choice…” 

Everyone leaned in towards Haru and he opened the envelope, taking out the letter and reading it. Hana was the shortest among them, hence she tiptoed and naturally used K’xug as her support. 

K’xug could not read due to the seal placed on him, and he simply bent down, carefully observing the reaction from others. 

Meanwhile, Xue and Cecil stood aside. Since they already knew the truth behind Shin’s disappearance, they were not as bothered. In fact, their minds were stuck on something else. 

Cecil recalled the night before, how Xue almost forced a kiss on her but restrained himself. She could still feel it, see it and even hear it. 

Her back against the wall. 

His arm trapping her. 

Their close distance and his breath on her face. 

The uninhibited desire and jealousy swirling in his grey eyes. 

She grew flustered and felt her face warming, her eyes wandered around and coincidentally met Xue who was gazing intently at her. 

Their eyes widened at the same time, and they looked away hastily.

A second later, Xue found his gaze drifting back to Cecil. Just like Cecil, his mind was replaying the scene from the night before. 

I should have kissed her. 

No...I don’t want to force myself on her. 

She looked so lovely. 

I should have kissed her…

No, stop it. 

Xue closed his eyes in frustration, shaking his head. 

Whereas, Cecil could feel his burning gaze on her and she started to squeeze her fingers nervously, her heart palpitating, bit by bit. 

Fortunately, the noise in Xue’s mind helped distract him a little. It eased the desire within him to jump onto Cecil, to snatch those delectable lips and to ravage them. 

To erase the traces of Shin’s innocent peck. 

Xue groaned to himself, his palm on his forehead. 

I shouldn’t have read those damned romance novels that Hana gave me. 

All I think about is Cecil. 

His soul fragments inside his mind started to make more noise again. 

***

When Shin opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by people that looked identical to him and they seemed older. Shin disregarded them, glancing around his surroundings and he found himself in a very strange place. 

He looked down at himself, shocked to see his own body. 

Just then, something in mind clicked and the confusion on his face slowly dissipated. 

“You little brat,” Kai made an unhappy face. “You kissed Cecil!” 

Shin looked back at Kai, his voice nonchalant. “It was just a peck, and a peck is a small matter to her, like she said.”

“Annoying brat.” 

“Cheeky brat.” 

“Witty brat.” 

A few of them insulted Shin. 

The ones who did not were Alric and Sid. Alric was worried once again, it seemed like a fight was about to erupt. 

Meanwhile, Sid was sleeping on the couch, like usual. Despite the bed in his room being more comfortable, he could sleep anywhere. 

“You want to beat me up?” Shin raised his eyebrows. 

Four grown men ganging up on a thirteen year old kid was completely brutal. They all hesitated, except for Isleif who stepped up. 

“If you don’t want to kill him, I’ll do it.” 

Alric paled, cowering back. 

“Aren’t you being a little extreme here?!” Kai barked out, holding Isleif back.

Zasiok scratched his nose awkwardly. “As an ex-captain of the guards, I won’t do something ignoble like that.”

Leonaut clicked his tongue, crouching down to meet Shin’s eye level. “I only managed to kiss her cheek, and a brat like you…” 

Shin glanced at them before he dashed past them, taking advantage of their hesitation and his short stature. His eyes were set on a door leading to a room at the end of this area, somehow, it just struck to him that that room was a space of his own. 

“Ah, he’s escaping!” Kai exclaimed. 

They started to chase after Shin.

“Wa-wait!” Alric gathered up his courage, standing in their way. “H-he’s just a ki-kid that realised he has lost his pa-parents!” 

They halted. 

It was only Isleif who scoffed, marching forward as he glared murderously at Alric.  

“Too soft.” 

Alric blanched, wanting to cry without tears and he stumbled back. 

“Hey, hey! Why are you taking out your anger on Alric?” 

“Alric is right, he’s just a kid that lost his parents.”

“Don’t faint again, Alric.” 

Isleif disregarded them, still wanting to chase after Shin and everyone held him back. 

He resisted, throwing punches and kicks. 

“I’ll kill that brat!” 

Kai was punched in the face, and he flared up. “You bastard, you wanna go?!” 

“Hmph.”

Zasiok was punched as well, and he simply wiped his lips. “Nice punch.” 

“Heh, Zasiok, calm like usual--” Leonaut smirked, only to be kicked in the face, a kick that Zasiok had dodged. 

“He’ll kick you--ah, he really did.” Zasiok chuckled at Leonaut. 

“You bastard! You dodged that on purpose!” 

“No, I didn’t.”

Eventually, it led to a scuffle among all of them and Alric who stood at the side was at an utter loss.

It seemed like he was always the one that is uninjured among them all. 

***

To her surprise, Haru and the others did not burst out in anger or vexation at Shin’s letter. Their expressions seemed more of fond exasperation, and Haru simply folded the letter, shoving it back into the envelope. 

“I can keep this right?” Haru waved the envelope at Cecil. “That kid’s letter.” 

Cecil nodded in shock. “You...aren’t angry?” 

She did not know what was written in the letter, but she had a feeling that it was considered a final farewell from Shin. 

“We are, but honestly…” Kiyae shrugged with a smile. “We are used to it.” 

“Many children we rescued did this in the past,” Yun adjusted his glasses, his tone contemplative. “It is probably the eighth time now.” 

“They still visit us once in a while, and they seem way more happier,” Ryo grinned proudly. “That’s all we really care about! No matter where they are in the world, being happy is all we want to hear from them!” 

Haru laughed, throwing his arm around Ryo. “To think I’ll hear you say such words.” 

Kiyae ruffled Ryo’s hair. 

Ryo snickered, throwing his arm around Haru and Kiyae. 

“There is something we can’t figure out in the letter,” Yun furrowed, crossing his arms. “Shin said the next time we see him, he might look different but it was still him.”

The three of them nodded in agreement. 

Cecil, K’xug and Hana glanced towards Xue. 

Xue shrugged at them. 

This wasn’t his problem to solve. 

He and Shin were the same person, but Shin had a mind of his own. It was up to Shin to talk to them and explain it to them in the future. 

He did not want to be dragged into meddlesome affairs. 

In the end, the group decided not to tally her any longer. They boarded the ship and prepared to set off. 

Hana watched as the sails were being unfurled expertly and she stared out at the sea, her expression growing dreadful with each passing second. 

“Hana.” 

She turned to Cecil who stepped in beside her. 

Cecil showed a benevolent smile, her enclosed palm outstretched towards her. 

“Your medicine for your seasickness.” 

Hana felt her world crashing down, her lips trembling as she looked at Cecil tearily.

“Th-that bitter medicine?” 

Cecil laughed. “Yes.” 

“Bitter medicine…” Hana sobbed out. 

She still remembered crumbling down to the ground after drinking down the awful medicine, with K’xug standing at the side to pray for her misery. 

“Don’t worry,” Cecil opened her palm, showing her a container. “This time, I had time to make them into pills, thanks to the healer we met earlier.” 

Hana perked up, like an energetic little bunny. 

“All you have to do is swallow it down with water.” 

Hana could see a holy light surrounding Cecil, and she glomped Cecil without hesitation. 

“Cecil! Cecil! You are the best! The best!” Hana squealed happily, beaming. “No more bitter medicine! No more vomiting!” 

Hana was hopping up and down, still hugging Cecil.

“Are you that happy?” Cecil laughed heartily.

“Yes! Yes yes!” 

“Next time, I’ll prepare pills in advance.”

“Cecil is the best! I love Cecil!” 

Kiyae witnessed this adorable scene, her hand on her chest as she felt her heart melting. 

So! Cute! 

Kiyae started to rush towards them, her arms extending out. 

I’m coming for you beauties! Lemme join in too--

Just then, she felt someone grabbing her by the collar and another person blocking her way. It was Xue and K’xug. 

Kiyae grimaced, clicking her tongue. “How stingy.” 

“Who knows if you’ll start kissing people again.” Xue retorted, releasing her collar. 

K’xug narrowed his eyes at Kiyae. 

He still hadn’t forgotten how she stole a kiss from Hana. 

Hana laughed it off simply after that, and she even complimented how soft Kiyae’s lips was, despite being a fighter. 

“I am not drunk now!” 

“Not like they can trust you now, Kiyae!” Haru guffawed as he walked past, cupping his mouth. “Let’s set sail!” 

Kiyae pouted, walking away.

Cecil and Hana were still chattering blissfully, and Cecil said something that made Hana hug her once again. The two ladies giggled once more, not noticing Xue and K’xug approaching them. 

“Cecil.” 

The raven-haired woman stiffened, inhaling sharply. She wasn’t facing Xue who was standing behind her. 

Hana noticed her tensing up and she withdrew from the hug. 

Cecil only stared forward, her eyes wide. It almost looked like her brain had short-circuited. 

“Cecil?” Hana tilted her head before leaning in, whispering into Cecil’s ear. “Did Xue do something?” 

Her mind immediately jumped back to that scene where she almost kissed once again. 

Hana stepped back, observing her friend’s reaction. 

Cecil tried to prevent herself from blushing. 

“N-no, no no,” she laughed nervously, shuffling her feet. “He did nothing! Nothing! Nothing--at all! Mhmm!” 

Hana pouted, hugging Cecil once again and she narrowed her eyes at Xue. 

“Xue, did you bully Cecil?” Hana huffed. “She is acting strangely because of you!” 

“Wha--” Xue widened his eyes. 

K’xug raised his eyebrows at Xue. 

Xue glanced at Cecil who was still facing away from him, before looking at K’xug and Hana. He shook his head vehemently. 

“I-I didn’t do anything,” Xue started to panic, reaching his hand out and placing it on Cecil's shoulder. "Did I do something wrong…"

He felt Cecil flinching under his touch.

Xue then remembered, he actually did as his words trailed off. 

He almost forced a kiss on Cecil, without her permission. 

He snatched back his hand hurriedly, closing his eyes in frustration. 

"Cecil, can we...just talk for a moment?" 

Those words snapped Cecil out of her flustered daze. 

Talk. 

That's right. 

I promised myself, to talk to Xue properly after the chaos was over. 

My answer… 

I want to let him know my answer. 

Cecil extricated herself from the hug, patting Hana on the head. 

"Thanks Hana, I'm fine."

"You sure?" Hana huffed, clenching her fists. "If Xue really bullied you, I'll scold him for you!" 

K'xug smiled in amusement. 

Other than him and Cecil, Hana was the only one who could scold Xue without any consequences.

"I'm really fine," Cecil laughed, relaxing a little and she passed the container to Hana. "Remember to eat your pills."

Cecil spun around, reaching out to grab onto Xue's wrist. 

"Alright, let's talk," Cecil nodded, pulling Xue along. "The two of us."

Xue widened his eyes, allowing Cecil to drag him along as he pointed between the two of them. 

"Just us two? Alone...?" 

"Yes, do you want to talk with everyone around?" 

"...yes." 

Cecil paused and spun around, bewildered. "What? You want to talk about ye-yesterday with everyone around?"

Xue nodded, his expression nonchalant.

Cecil was flabbergasted.  

"Ho-how could you talk about that with everyone around?!" 

"They won't care."

"But I care!"

"..."

"With everyone around, it's...it's even worse!"

"...it's worse with the two of us alone." 

Cecil was flabbergasted again. "How?!"

"If it's the two of us alone, I am not confident."

"Confident?"

"Confident of controlling myself." Xue admitted bluntly. 

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was a moment of silence between them. 

Suddenly, Cecil blushed in realisation. 

Seeing such a coquettish reaction from Cecil, Xue gulped nervously. 

His wrist where Cecil was still holding felt warm. 

Cecil bit on her lower lip. 

Xue could not help but drift his eyes towards those succulent lips. 

Cecil caught his gaze and she hastily released her lips, spinning around. 

"...ju-just follow me."

"Oh."

Xue followed behind her, slightly dazed. 

***

It was a dangerous spot. 

Cecil had really chosen a dangerous spot for them to talk at. 

The storage room at the far end of the ship where they stored spare tools and equipment. The lanterns on the walls of the room lit up the room. There were cupboards lined up against the walls and the center of the room, separating the room into two sections. 

In the center of the room, there was also a table with tools and equipment still scattered about. The person who previously used this room clearly did not understand the meaning of tidy. 

Once they entered the room, Xue marched all the way to the corner of the room, folding his arms. 

"Speak from there," Xue raised his voice. "Don't come closer, not a single step."

Or I'll devour you. 

Xue did not say those last words. 

Cecil was speechless. 

At this distance, she needed to raise her voice to let Xue hear her! 

She did not know what expression to show. 

If anyone witnessed their way of talking, they would be baffled. Talking from one end of the room to the other, it was such a strange sight. 

"So…" Cecil cupped her mouth, raising her voice too. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I have a few requests."

"What are they?"

“If possible, maintain this distance between us.”

Xue pointed between them. 

“...” 

Cecil remained silent, feeling disappointed from hearing those words. She was shocked herself after realising her disappointment. 

Did she enjoy being close to Xue this much?

“If possible, don't touch me.”

“...” 

She blinked rapidly, wondering if that even meant something as simple as brushing shoulders...or holding hands. 

His hands were big and warm, and it was nice...to hold his hands. 

Hugging too...

“And if possible, stop doing that.”

Cecil looked at him, a questioning look in her eyes. 

“Stop...biting your lip.”

“Ah.” Cecil released her lower lip hastily. 

This time, she knew the reason behind Xue telling her to stop that. 

The two of them stared at one another, not saying a word for a moment. For Xue, he was trying his best to keep his desires at bay. 

Whereas, for Cecil, she was troubled on how to express her feelings accurately. If she were to be honest, she was nervous. 

Extremely nervous. 

What if she slipped up her words like that time? 

She did not want to hurt Xue. 

Ah, crap. 

I almost bit on my lower lip again. 

“And yesterday…” Xue closed his eyes, looking away. “Just...forget about it, nothing happened. I’ll…I’ll do the same.” 

He was struggling to say those words. 

For Xue, what happened yesterday, he would never forget about it. 

How could he? 

He was so close to kissing her. 

Her scent of herbs and flowers that tickled his heart. 

Their close distance. 

He snapped his eyes open. 

If he were to close his eyes again, all he would see was the memories yesterday. 

“...n-no…” 

Xue widened his eyes in disbelief, swivelling his head to Cecil. “What did you just say?” 

“I...I said no.” 

Xue’s hands shook a little, and he clenched it as if to reassure himself that he wasn’t hearing things. 

No...maybe I am hearing things. 

Maybe this is all a dream. 

Xue remained speechless, his wide eyes staring at Cecil. 

Seeing no answer from him, Cecil squeezed her eyes close and she made a frustrated noise. 

Whatever!

I don’t care anymore! 

I’ll say it all! Say it all out! 

“I don’t want to forget about what happened yesterday!” Cecil exclaimed, taking a few steps closer to Xue. “I was disappointed! I-I really wanted you to kiss me, I...my heart was going crazy!” 

Cecil felt her face burning furiously, however, she could not stop. It was as if the feelings from the depths of her heart were finally bubbling to the surface. 

She finally understood. 

She definitely held feelings for this man before her. 

She did not know when it started, she did not know how deep her feelings were. 

Nevertheless, she truly liked him. 

There was no need to doubt it. 

“I...I told you not to...come closer…” Xue muttered out, blinking in shock as he clenched his fists even tighter. 

He truly could not believe Cecil was saying those words. 

It must be all a dream. 

It was because Xue knew what those words from her would mean. 

However, how can it be true?

Cecil did not stop there. 

“I don’t want to agree to those requests either! I want to...stay close to you! I want to hold hands, I want to hug you. I…” 

“I...I like you!” 

Xue finally reacted, stumbling back in shock. 

“I like you!”

Cecil stepped closer.

“I like you!” 

And closer.

“I really like you!” 

And even more closer. 

Xue gazed down at Cecil in front of him, unable to move from his spot. She was red all the way to the tip of her ears but there was a firm look in her eyes. 

He blinked rapidly, confounded. 

If anyone saw his expression right now, they would burst out laughing since it was completely unlike for him. 

“...” 

Xue was still speechless, as still as a statue. 

It was only when Cecil reached out with her hands, touching his face...he finally flinched in response. 

Xue exhaled shakily. 

He lifted his hand up which was trembling slightly, holding her hand which was caressing his cheek gently. 

“This...this isn’t…” Xue frowned, incredulity apparent in his voice. “This isn’t a dream?”

“It’s not.”

“You...like me?”  

Cecil could hear the actual words he wanted to say. 

“How can you like me? It can’t be true.” 

His conflicted expression said it all. 

Cecil smiled tenderly. 

“Xue.” 

He met her limpid onyx eyes, seeing his face reflected in them. 

She looked so beautiful, so lovely. 

“Xue, I like you,” her tone was sincere and fervent. “I really, really like you.” 

I was a fool to not realise it earlier.

So Xue, this is my answer. 

My heart...is yours. 

For a while now, it has been yours. 

Cecil tiptoed, pressing her lips softly on his. 

***

《 start 》

If possible, I want to stay close to you. 

If possible, I want to touch you. 

If possible, I want to feel those lips on mine. 

Again and again. 

I used to think looking at you was enough. 

I used to think fleeting touches were enough. 

It’s not enough. 

I want everything. 

Every single part of you. 

《 stop 》

***

Author's Note: The next chapter will have a prettttty long kissing scene. Whether it's steamy or not...uhh, I think so?

You guys will just have to read and judge for yourself--when it comes out of course.