The night stretched on endlessly. Here at Celestial Peak, it felt completely cut off from the civilized world.
It had only been a few short centuries since networks and electricity became the cornerstones of modern society, yet people had already grown utterly dependent on them.
It wasn't even time for bed yet, but with the fall of darkness, it was hard to see anything around. Only the cool breeze and the bright moon now kept Nearl and Ardan company.
"Nearl, how are your two older sisters doing?"
Ardan quietly slipped one hand out from under the covers and laid it over Nearl's hand, which was resting on the blanket's edge.
She didn't dare squeeze, mustering only a portion of her courage for this slight contact.
"They're doing well. The two who came with you are probably in their own tent right now, preparing the medicine you'll need to drink tomorrow. You really pushed yourself too far this time."
"I'm sorry. I'll learn from this, and I owe the doctors an apology too. I promised them I wouldn't act recklessly."
Ardan's face was full of genuine remorse; she truly felt sorry for the doctors who had worried over her.
Yet, Ardan was also stubborn to her core. An apology was an apology, but her resolve wouldn't change.
Another cool breeze swept by, and silence settled between the two once more. Mostly because Nearl seemed lost in thought all day.
"Nearl."
"Hm? What is it?"
She responded and turned her head, only to find Ardan staring intently at her, lips pressed together. Her expression looked inexplicably pitiful, stirring a sense of guilt in Nearl.
"Can't find anything to talk about? My spirits really aren't as high as usual today. You could head back early, actually. Leaving me alone, I'd probably fall asleep quickly."
"No, it's not about you, Ardan. I'm the one who's been distracted."
Nearl shook her head, pulling her gaze away from the moon, her expression turning serious.
"It's something unexpected I encountered yesterday. How do I put it... it left me with a heavy feeling."
"Can you tell me? I may be lacking in talent, but I can at least help think things through. As they often say, 'Two heads are better than one,' right?"
"It's really nothing much, just my own personal conflict. There's no need..."
Nearl's words of refusal cut off abruptly, for a different warmth had seeped into her hand.
A soft palm, slightly damp, with a body temperature just a little lower than her own—it felt as if it were drawing the heat from her hand, a mingling that brought a flush of intimate shame.
She tried to move her hand slightly, but that only made her more aware of the palm and fingertips gripping her own.
It was a normal touch, yet the words SS had spoken last night now flashed brilliantly in her mind.
She never felt shy when helping Oguri Cap make her bed, even seeing her change clothes. But now, Nearl only felt her heart leaping.
"Ahem!"
Nearl swiftly withdrew her hand. The blush on her face was hidden by the flickering firelight, leaving only a cough to ease the awkwardness.
Ardan looked regretfully at Nearl's retreating right hand.
"Can you tell me?"
"It's really nothing. I just suddenly realized how close things like romance and confessions have gotten to me. They always felt like distant stories from books or dramas, but now they've actually appeared. Its left me a bit bewildered."
"!"
Ardan grew alert.
"Has something happened around you, Nearl?"
Who has appeared during my absence? A straightforward rival?
"Haah…"
Nearl's ears twitched. She hesitated, but finally, with a look of resolve, she spoke.
"One should try not to hide things from friends. Alright, this matter isn't that important anyway. If you want to hear it, Ardan, I'll tell you."
But it is important.
The thought flashed through Ardan's mind, but she quickly focused her attention on Nearl's words.
"A friend of mine, a very close one, confessed her feelings to me."
"Mhm."
Ardan nodded.
"…"
"Hm?"
Ardan tilted her head.
"And then?"
"That's it. That's all that happened."
"Cough!"
Ardan's breath caught, sending her into a fit of violent coughing that startled Nearl into rushing over to soothe her.
"While this sort of thing does sound troubling, Nearl, your explanation was a bit too brief, wasn't it?"
"But you asked me to tell you, and I don't know how to elaborate. My mind was a mess at the time. Even now, thinking back, it feels like a dream. I don't recall much more."
"Was the impact that great? For you, is receiving a confession so hard to accept?"
"To be honest, yes. I was flustered. Perhaps everyone sees me as a dependable friend, but no one is perfect. For me, romance is just... completely uncharted territory."
"Then why not give it a try? Every young woman experiences first love. This is the time to bravely take that step."
"No, I can't."
Nearl shook her head decisively.
"If I were to have a partner, I would absolutely have to take responsibility for their existence. Their lifestyle, family influences, future plans—all of it would have to be considered. It's a heavy responsibility. I don't think I'm capable of bearing it now."
"Ah..."
Ardan covered her slightly parted lips, looking at Nearl with some incomprehension as Nearl lowered her head, counting on her fingers and muttering about all the things she'd need to do if she had a partner, how they'd need to grow together, and so on.
"This is really... Just how conservative is your understanding of romance, Nearl? Is it really necessary to consider it so complicated?"
"Isn't that just common sense?"
"There's no such common sense."
Ardan laughed, her spirits lifting. Her eyes curved like crescent moons in the high sky, her silvery laughter echoing within the tree hollow. Now she finally understood Nearl.
This person has always been weighed down by responsibility.
Ardan reached this conclusion and also understood why Nearl was so afraid of confessions.
For her, once she has a partner, she'd probably be the type to worry excessively.
Even though a relationship involves two people, she'd attribute everything to herself. If they were to break up, she'd likely think she'd held the other person back. Really...
How adorable and simple. What made Nearl grow into someone like this?
At that moment, Ardan changed her original plan.
She had intended to confess at the Sea of Vows in the third rest area, but now that clearly wouldn't do.
Faced with a Nearl like this, a romantic confession or a direct expression of feelings would be blocked by the high wall she had built from "responsibility."
Only long-term companionship could seep into her heart.
"Two hearts beating as one... Who would have thought this principle would be most evident in winning Nearl over. To succeed in a confession, one must first achieve that state of unity."
Gazing at the beautiful moonlit sky, Ardan revealed a confident, knowing smile.
I can definitely do this.
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.