"Hey, don't you guys think it's strange, with alpha preservation?"
She felt the same way as me, about alpha preservation. Its sudden appearance felt odd and strange, especially since she seemed to know the ins and outs of the forest and told us about another path.
"You're the strange one, not preservation."
"What did you say, witch?"
"I said... strange people shouldn't call others strange."
They argued as usual.
I didn't respond to their argument; instead, I was more interested in knowing the facts.
I glanced at Beta, who was currently biting a grilled fish in her hand. We were camping by the river; it was already dark, and we needed to fill our stomachs after walking for quite a while.
"Alright, you want to know?"
Beta noticed my gaze; she placed her grilled fish on a leaf.
"It's not strange, because why? Alpha preservation is not an ordinary human; she is the child of a human and a forest spirit."
Wow, this was surprising. I had read various books that told stories of relationships between humans and non-humans, but I thought they were just fairy tales.
"How do you know?"
"Hohoho, you don't know that? Ah, of course, wild creatures wouldn't know that."
"I know about it, but it's still just a rumor. And of course, I wouldn't know the facts, because I'm not as old as you, witch."
They continued arguing. Beta sighed, watching their antics.
"Enough, stop it and quickly finish your food."
Beta stopped the argument by pulling their ears.
After eating, I felt my body was very sticky and smelled unpleasant. I felt the need to bathe or wash myself, but considering the time and our location in the middle of the forest, I gave up the idea.
"Eh, why not? Let's bathe in the river."
But Beta responded differently; she, on the contrary, thought it was fine to bathe in the river, even at night.
"Ocean-splitting kick\!\!\!"
"Don't play\!\!\!"
Bestie immediately jumped into the water after taking off her clothes and was immediately scolded by Beta when water splashed all over her.
Then she took off her wet clothes and entered the water.
"What's wrong? Come into the water?"
She looked at me, who was still by the riverbank.
I thought it was just me at first, but no, because all of us were going to bathe in the river. I wasn't used to this.
The older sister beside me just stood silently without clothes. She didn't try to enter the water, perhaps waiting for me.
I glanced at her, looked at her whole body, and immediately turned away when our eyes met.
"Ah... I see."
Beta came out of the water; she walked casually without clothes towards the campsite.
"Wear this."
She returned and handed me a towel.
"Do you need help?"
I glanced at the older sister; she noticed it, but it wasn't because I wanted to ask for help. I glanced at her to make sure what she was doing.
I shook my head in response, then moved away a little to take off my clothes.
I didn't want them to see this, the mesh underwear.
"Are you done?"
I nodded in response and took her hand. The riverbank was rocky, and it wasn't easy to walk there. The older sister helped me into the water.
My body trembled when my skin first touched the water; it was cold. The current wasn't very strong; it was calm and gently flowing. The moonlight reflected on the surface, making the water seem to glow.
"No problems, right?"
I nodded; the older sister was still holding my hand. On the other side, I saw Bestie floating, swimming on her back by the river.
"Ow..."
Her head hit a rock on the riverbank.
Beta was elsewhere, not far from my position. She leaned against the bank, comfortable in her position. She closed her eyes. A log appeared, carried by the current, hitting and rolling her.
"Try submerging your head and looking into the water."
Ah, that's right, my head hadn't been in the water yet.
I tried it, lowering my body a little and opening my eyes underwater.
Below, I was greeted by the sight of the riverbed. Various small fish swam beneath my feet; colorful rocks sparkled at the bottom.
It was so big...
I glanced here and there until my gaze met something that forced me to come out.
"What's wrong?"
My breath was a little ragged from holding it for too long.
I shook my head in response to the older sister.
Now, looking around, I felt small compared to my surroundings. Even Bestie, who was my age, looked bigger.
"Come on, let's get out. It's already night and getting colder."
Beta was right; it was getting colder.
"Do you need help?"
The older sister glanced at me.
I refused her help, not because I didn't need it, but because I had a reason not to accept it right now.
"Do you have spare clothes?"
"No, I didn't have time to pack."
"I didn't think it was necessary, so I didn't."
"Hah... that's why I said to go back and get ready first."
"What about underwear? You didn't forget, did you?"
The older sister and Bestie turned their faces away.
"Oh my goodness, you're girls."
Beta lectured them both, while something occurred to me.
You didn't keep your promise... You said you would wear what I chose. You told me to be careful with promises.
The night sky felt full, with the glittering light of stars. Meanwhile, I beneath it felt empty and dark.
After getting dressed, I glanced at Beta, who was still lecturing.
Ah, are you looking for me?
A small dog approached me; it rubbed its body against my leg.
Let's go back.
I walked alone, with the help of a stick, followed by the small dog.
Decarya, your sky is too bright for me. Can you dim it a little?
I looked up at the sky. Hundreds of stars dimmed instantly, leaving half of them still shining.
Thank you...