“Help! I’m the Chosen One (and I Didn’t Sign Up for This)!”

The morning air was crisp and quiet, save for the occasional chirp of birds and the sound of Lyria loudly humming a suspiciously romantic tune.

"Can you stop?" Mika snapped, adjusting the straps of her pack.

"Stop what?" Lyria asked innocently.

"That," Mika said, gesturing vaguely.

"Humming?"

"No, the smugness," Mika grumbled.

Lyria grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're insufferable," Mika muttered, quickening her pace to put some distance between them.

Kazuya, caught in the middle as usual, shrugged. "She's got a point, Lyria. You've been extra annoying lately."

"Oh, I'm the annoying one?" Lyria said, dramatically clutching her chest. "Says the guy who spent all night leaning into his feelings!"

"I wasn't—" Kazuya started, but Lyria cut him off.

"Relax, lover boy. Everyone knows denial is the first stage of romance."

"Pretty sure that's grief," Kazuya muttered.

"Exactly," Lyria said with a wink.

The Bridge of Blunders

Their path led them to a narrow rope bridge suspended over a rushing river. It swayed precariously in the wind, the wooden planks creaking ominously.

"Great," Mika said, eyeing the bridge with suspicion. "This looks totally safe."

"It's fine," Lyria said, already halfway across. "Just don't look down!"

Mika sighed and stepped onto the bridge, followed closely by Kazuya.

Halfway across, the wind picked up, causing the bridge to lurch. Mika instinctively grabbed the rope railing—and Kazuya's arm.

"Careful!" he said, steadying her.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, though her white-knuckled grip said otherwise.

"Uh-huh," he said, smirking. "Totally fine."

Mika glared at him. "Do you want me to throw you off this bridge?"

"Not particularly," he said, still grinning.

She rolled her eyes but didn't let go of his arm until they reached the other side.

The Accidental Picnic

Once safely across, they decided to take a break in a sunny meadow. Lyria, ever the opportunist, produced a blanket and a basket of snacks seemingly out of nowhere.

"Where did you even get that?" Mika asked, eyeing the basket suspiciously.

"Magic!" Lyria said with a wink, setting up the impromptu picnic.

As they ate, Lyria's attention was drawn to a pair of butterflies fluttering nearby. "Aw, look at them! They're dancing! So romantic!"

"They're probably fighting," Mika said, crunching on a piece of bread.

"Or mating," Kazuya added helpfully.

Lyria sighed dramatically. "You two are hopeless."

"Good," Mika said.

Undeterred, Lyria turned to Kazuya with a mischievous grin. "So, Kazuya, what do you find most attractive in a partner?"

He choked on his drink. "What kind of question is that?!"

"Just curious," Lyria said innocently.

Mika glared at her. "What are you doing?"

"Facilitating conversation!" Lyria said. "Don't you want to know his answer?"

"No," Mika said firmly.

Kazuya coughed awkwardly. "Uh, I guess… someone who's strong and brave?"

Lyria's grin widened. "Interesting. Mika, doesn't that sound familiar?"

Mika threw a piece of bread at her. "Shut up."

The Bear-y Awkward Encounter

As they packed up the picnic, a low growl echoed from the nearby woods.

"Did you hear that?" Mika asked, drawing her sword.

"Probably just the wind," Kazuya said nervously.

The growl came again, louder this time, and a massive bear lumbered into the clearing.

"Oh, great," Mika muttered. "Because this day wasn't annoying enough."

The bear charged, and Kazuya instinctively stepped in front of Mika. "Stay back!"

Mika blinked. "What are you doing?!"

"Protecting you!" he said, holding his sword with both hands.

Mika sighed, stepped around him, and delivered a single, decisive blow that sent the bear running.

"Uh… thanks," Kazuya said, lowering his sword.

"Next time, don't try to be a hero," Mika said, shaking her head.

"Noted," he said, smiling sheepishly.

Lyria clapped. "Aw, look at you two working as a team!"

"Do you ever stop talking?" Mika asked.

"Not when romance is afoot!" Lyria said cheerfully.

The Firelight Confession (Almost)

That night, as they sat around the campfire, Mika noticed Kazuya staring at her.

"What?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing," he said quickly, looking away.

"You're a terrible liar," she said, crossing her arms. "Spit it out."

He hesitated, then said, "I was just thinking… you're really amazing."

Mika blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"I mean it," he said, his cheeks turning pink. "You're strong, smart, and… kind of scary, but in a good way."

Mika stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then she smirked. "You're such an idiot."

"Yeah, I've heard that before," he said, smiling.

"Good," she said, turning back to the fire. But Kazuya noticed the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.

Lyria's Grand Declaration

As they settled into their tents, Lyria poked her head out and whispered loudly, "I told you two were cute together!"

"Go to sleep, Lyria!" Mika yelled, throwing a boot at her.

Kazuya chuckled, lying back and staring at the stars. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy adventure wasn't so bad after all.