Chapter 71: Learning Slowly
The next few weeks were a slow process of learning and adjusting. Mina wasn't used to walking long distances, cooking her own meals, or doing manual labor, but she tried, little by little.
Ashia taught her how to gather herbs in the forest, while Haru showed her how to start a fire without matches. Every task felt foreign, but with each lesson, Mina felt a tiny bit stronger.
One afternoon, while they were gathering wood, Mina stumbled over a branch and nearly fell face-first into the dirt.
"Whoa, careful!" Kana laughed, catching her arm just in time.
Mina blushed. "I'm such a mess."
Kana shrugged. "Hey, we all were at some point. Trust me, I wasn't exactly a pro when I started either."
"He's lying. He probably never tripped over branches like I do." But Kana's light-hearted attitude helped ease her embarrassment.
Chapter 72: Small Victories
After weeks of practice, Mina finally managed to build a small fire on her own. As the flames flickered to life, a surge of pride filled her chest.
"I did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
Ashia clapped her hands. "See? I told you, you've got it in you."
Mina smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in days. "Maybe I'm not as helpless as I thought." It wasn't much, but it felt like a victory.
Later, when Kana teased her about her earlier struggles, Mina grinned. "Laugh all you want. I made that fire myself."
"Hey, I'm impressed," Kana said with a wink. "Guess you're tougher than I gave you credit for."
"I guess I am," Mina thought, the warmth of the fire matching the warmth growing inside her.
Chapter 73: Old Habits
Despite her progress, there were still days when Mina longed for the luxury of her old life. One morning, she woke up to find Ashia had prepared a simple breakfast of eggs and bread. It was good, but Mina couldn't help but remember the elaborate meals her family's chefs used to make.
"I miss the food. I miss having everything done for me." She frowned, pushing the thought aside as she ate.
But as the days passed, Mina found herself thinking less and less about her old life. The routines of her new life, though challenging, were slowly becoming more familiar.
Chapter 74: Finding a Purpose
One evening, as they all sat around the campfire, Haru spoke up. "You know, we never really talked about what comes next."
"What do you mean?" Mina asked.
"I mean, you're free now, Mina. What do you want to do with that freedom?" Haru asked, his eyes meeting hers.
Mina blinked, taken aback. "I never thought about that... I've been so focused on surviving, I didn't even think about what comes after."
"I... don't know," she admitted, her voice soft. "I guess I've never really thought about it."
Ashia smiled. "That's okay. You don't have to know right away. You'll figure it out when the time's right."
Mina nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Maybe I don't need all the answers right now. Maybe it's okay to just... be."
Chapter 75: Open Ending
As the fire crackled and the stars shone overhead, Mina felt something shift inside her. The pain of her past still lingered, and she knew she had a long way to go before she felt truly comfortable in her new life. But for the first time, she wasn't scared of the uncertainty ahead.
"I'm free now. And that's enough." The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.
What lay ahead was unknown, but for the first time, Mina felt like she was ready to face it.
YOU ARE READING
My Parents Locked Me Up, So I Snuck Out.
AdventureMina Yamada has lived her entire life in luxury, but her golden cage is far from perfect. Kept isolated by her wealthy, controlling parents, Mina isn't allowed to speak to anyone, explore beyond a few restricted streets, or ask questions about her p...
