Chapter 89: Chapter 85: Tensions and Teasing

The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the campsite. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, and the faint smell of campfire smoke lingered in the crisp air. Most of the group was already awake, some stretching lazily while others prepared breakfast.

Scaramouche sat on a tree stump, arms crossed and brows furrowed, still sulking from the events of the previous night. Aether, on the other hand, stood nearby with his arms also crossed, stealing occasional glares in Scaramouche's direction.

Lumine sat between them on a folding chair, massaging her temples. “You two are seriously going to keep this up, huh?”

Kazuha walked past, carrying a kettle of boiling water. “Ah, the eternal clash between the overprotective brother and the smug suitor. Truly, a tale as old as time.”

Amber stifled a laugh as she set plates on a makeshift wooden table. “At this point, we should start placing bets on who cracks first.”

Venti, meanwhile, strutted into the middle of the standoff with exaggerated flair, holding a piece of toast between his teeth like a rose. “Ladies and gentlemen, today’s main event: The Glare-Off of the Century!”

“Venti, stop,” Lumine said with a tired voice.

Aether snapped out of his stare-down with Scaramouche and sighed. “Whatever, I’m not wasting my morning on him.”

“Hmph,” Scaramouche scoffed, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off his pants. “Like I’d waste my time on you, either.”

Lumine stood abruptly. “That’s it! You two are going to help clean up breakfast together. No arguments.”

Both boys froze, their faces paling slightly.

“Wait, Lumine—” Aether started.

“Don’t you ‘wait, Lumine’ me,” she said firmly, pointing at the pile of dirty dishes. “Go. Now.”

Scaramouche muttered something under his breath as he stomped toward the dishes, Aether trailing behind him.

---

At the washing station…

Water splashed aggressively as Aether scrubbed a frying pan while Scaramouche dried a plate with unnecessary force.

“Stop splashing water all over the place, idiot,” Scaramouche said, glaring at Aether.

“Well, stop glaring at the plate like it personally offended you,” Aether shot back.

For a moment, there was silence, save for the sound of water and clinking dishes.

“You know,” Aether began, his tone quieter, “Lumine’s been through a lot. I’m just trying to make sure she’s okay.”

Scaramouche paused mid-wipe, his violet eyes flickering toward Aether. “…I know.”

“Then stop acting like an annoying little—”

“Watch it, Blondie,” Scaramouche snapped, narrowing his eyes.

Before things could escalate, Lumine’s voice rang out from a distance. “Are you two done yet?”

“Yes!” they both replied in unison before glaring at each other again.

---

Back at the campsite…

After breakfast was cleared and tensions slightly reduced, the group decided to split up for various activities.

Amber and Ayaka set off to collect firewood, Kazuha retreated to a shaded spot with his journal, and Venti had disappeared somewhere (presumably to nap).

Lumine was sitting by the riverbank, her feet dipped into the cool water as she enjoyed the peaceful sound of the stream.

A shadow suddenly loomed over her.

She looked up to see Scaramouche standing there, hands in his pockets and a slight frown on his face.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked, voice softer than usual.

Lumine smiled lightly. “Go ahead.”

He sat down beside her, pulling his knees up and resting his arms on them. For a moment, neither of them spoke, just listening to the sound of the river.

“…You know, you don’t have to keep butting heads with Aether,” Lumine said softly.

Scaramouche huffed. “Can’t help it. He’s like an overgrown guard dog.”

Lumine chuckled. “He’s just protective. You two have more in common than you think.”

Scaramouche turned his head slightly to look at her. “Yeah? Like what?”

“You both care about me a lot,” she said with a small smile.

For a moment, Scaramouche didn’t say anything. His gaze softened as he looked at her, and he muttered, “Well… yeah. Of course, I do.”

Before the moment could linger too long, a loud splash echoed from further up the river.

“VENTI!” Amber’s voice yelled. “Stop doing cannonballs into the shallow water!”

“EHEH~ You can’t stop me!” Venti’s voice rang out, followed by another splash.

Lumine and Scaramouche both turned toward the commotion. Lumine sighed but couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her lips.

Scaramouche shook his head. “That idiot’s going to crack his skull open one day.”

“Come on,” Lumine said, standing up and offering her hand. “Let’s go see what chaos he’s causing this time.”

Scaramouche hesitated for just a second before taking her hand and letting her pull him to his feet.

The two walked side by side toward the noise, the tension from earlier finally beginning to fade away—at least for now.