Shangri La Pt. 1

92: Approachable

As the morning Sun began to grow while rising through the sky, the morning dew on all the grass and flowers outside the cave started dripping off as usual. And as the cool morning started to rise in temperature, it was already clear that a certain blond rose before the Sun decided to. 

Even after confessing his true feelings to the greenette, Katsuki could tell that this wasn't really the right time to make such a confession, but what other choice did he have? One part of him regretted confessing–and then kissing–to the greenette, but on the other hand, he felt relieved that he managed to say the words he wanted to say. 

He knew the timing was right, but now things had turned awkward, as it was clear the greenette wasn't sure how to process all this when he decided to do this.

And now because he made such a 'mistake', Katsuki ended up barely getting a single wink of sleep as he couldn't stop thinking of how he could've made his confession better. How he could've found the better timing for all of this, and how the greenette couldn't have ended up like this. 

So not only did he not get much of any sleep, he distanced himself from her to the point that he sat outside the cave the entire night like he was guarding the cave from any intruders. Now that morning finally arrived, Katsuki could only think of what could possibly happen for the rest of the day now that it truly was him and the greenette in this situation. 

'What am I gonna do now? ... Shit... WHAT AM I GONNA DO NOW?!?!? I told her we weren't gonna go back East any time soon since her situation's turned worse, but that doesn't mean I should stall her until she's recovered. Ah– Wait a sec–'

When he just happened to glance down at the sack that was resting next to him and remembered that his sword was completely destroyed and shattered to the point of being unable to use. 

'Oh yeah... that broke in the middle of that fight, and there's only one guy who can fix it, and they're in the Capital. We're only a day and a half away from the Capital... I guess it wouldn't hurt to show her the West since we're not far from there. And since it'll take more than a couple days for my sword to be fixed... maybe I can show her around and she'll get more comfortable with me... Yeah– Yeah! That'll work! And it's not like there isn't a doctor in the Capital, so she'll have to come with me whether she likes it or not! This'll be perfect!'

"Erm–" 

"Ah–" 

Right as he heard a certain and distinct groan from a certain someone, he whirled his head in the direction of the cave and could see a little greenette start to wake up while peeking her eyes open. Witnessing her as she could only shift her eyes from left and right and then begin to sit up while the fur coat slightly slid off her shoulder caused the blond Captain's heart to skip a bit. 

"Hm? Where is–" 

"You awake?" he managed to ask, only to watch Izumi turn her attention up to him and see him sitting so far from her. 

"Hm? Ah– Oh... G-Good morning..." she mumbled as she sheepishly used the fur coat to try and cover herself except for her face. 

'Cute.' 

"How ya feeling?" 

"U-Um~ B-Better." 

"Don't lie, you couldn't even lie still for more than 30 seconds last night." 

"Y-Yes I could!" 

"Whatever, you have enough energy to travel today?" 

"T-Travel? To where? The East?" 

"Course not, we're going to the West." 

"T-The West? But you didn't even ask me if we could go to the West!"