"Kayo, what are you going to do after this?"
I tightened my grip on his hand slightly while staring at him, who was carrying a bag filled with firewood that was supposed to be my responsibility.
"You're right... Maybe I'll sleep a little longer. My body feels really sore after moving around all day."
"Also, I haven't eaten for two days. You haven't either, right? So later, let's eat together like we did back then."
Kayo replied while moving his hands around, as if checking whether his movements felt stiff or smooth like someone healthy.
"Hah... It can't be helped, let me massage your shoulders later. Be grateful, I'm still willing to give my hands to you—"
He quickly grasped my hand even tighter than I had before.
His eyes sparkled like a child who had just received a gift from their parents. He looked like a child who simply needed attention...
"Really!? I'm so lucky to feel your hands again... Hah... I can't wait to feel the pleasure..." he let out a breath of relief, looking forward to the gentle touch on the parts of his body that felt sore.
"Just relax, you might feel weak after receiving my attack. I won't let you feel disappointed after that," I replied with a faint smile as I watched his reaction.
If Kayo is still that energetic, maybe he just needs a little time to rest before leading this group again.
Don't worry, Kayo, I'll do my best too—
... ... ...
If only I had known what would happen, maybe I would have asked Kayo to stop and just massage him right then and there.
If only I had been braver to do it, maybe he wouldn't have ended up like this now.
... Damn it, he helped me when I almost fell earlier. Instead of repaying him with the same kindness, I ended up making him suffer because of my decision.
"I'm sorry, Lin. I promise I'll come to you after helping prepare the food, okay?"
"You can also help when you're free— Yeah, yeah! Wait a moment, I'll be there soon."
After we gathered with the others, I intended to sit next to Kayo and immediately massage his shoulders, but the situation here didn't seem to allow me to do that—
I slowly rested my back against the wall, beside my bag that Kayo had been carrying earlier.
Not even a few seconds had passed, I had just started to breathe a little easier because my legs could finally rest, when many people immediately approached Kayo.
I saw it. Kayo had just slightly folded up his pants so he could sit comfortably on the cave floor.
But before that could happen, he was immediately surrounded by several people with exhausted expressions, just like us.
Their faces looked very thin, with deep dark circles under their eyes from lack of sleep.
"Kayo, how long until our food is ready?"
"Please, my baby will die if they don't get food... I've been feeding them even though I haven't eaten anything since last night..."
"They need your help to prepare the food. It will take too long without you."
Most of them were women carrying children and babies who were crying from hunger.
They all begged Kayo to help prepare the food along with several others.
In fact, all of us already had our own tasks, and the number of people preparing food was already far greater than the other groups.
... They could have been more patient and waited for the food to be ready, without having to approach Kayo who was already so exhausted—
Do they think Kayo doesn't feel what they're feeling right now—
Feeling annoyed by their irritating behavior, I forced my aching legs to stand and protect Kayo from their demands—
"Kayo?"
He looked at me with a forced smile on his face. He who looked fine earlier now seemed to be suffering greatly as the little time he had was taken away by others.
His gentle yet painful gaze made my entire body freeze. To me, it felt like Kayo was asking me not to interfere in his responsibilities as a leader.
My eyes widened when he placed his trembling hands on my shoulders. I couldn't do anything except listen to what he was asking of me.
I can't take this anymore!
"Kayo!"
I shouted his name as I tried to touch his chest, but once again he stopped my hand before it could reach his clothes.
He wrapped his hand around my wrist, his touch hot—not warm like usual.
The sensation clinging to my hand made me even more certain that I could make him stop helping others.
Before I could say anything else, Kayo brought his mouth close to my ear. I froze, waiting for what he would say next.
"Listen to me, Lin. I won't be helping them for long, maybe just a few more minutes and I'll come back to you."
Idiot! With your body in that condition, you still want to prioritize others over yourself—what are you thinking?!
He touched the ears on my head until they pressed against my hair, a touch that made me feel comforted and helpless.
"I'll be waiting for your massage, okay?"
Then he left me, walking toward the women who were waiting for him.
Kayo left me after making that promise he intended to fulfill, heading toward the crowd that surrounded the people cooking for them.
... I can't force him to stop. He would hate me if I did something that made him feel restrained.
My chest feels so tight, I might cry seeing him pushing himself even harder than I am.
"Hey, you're the one who brought the firewood, right? Please take some and bring it over there. They're very cold, hurry."
Before my tears could fall, someone approached me and asked me to bring firewood to a group of elderly men who looked uneasy from the cold, then left me.
... Whatever, I can't trouble Kayo by being a burden. I have to do what they ask before I cause any problems.
—
"Here... If it's not enough, I can bring more if needed."
I placed the firewood I had taken from the bag in front of them.
With just a slight touch, they used magic on the pile of wood and created a bonfire in an instant.
T-that looks so warm—
I quickly turned around and returned to my spot. It felt like they were staring at me sharply... Did I bring low-quality wood?
My back pressed against the cave wall as I slowly slid down until I was sitting again beside my bag.
I buried my head in the space between my bent knees and my chest, curling up like someone freezing.
So many memories of my mother flashed through my mind... They all felt so warm, as if they had just happened yesterday.
...
... Why have I become this weak? Mom... won't you accompany me on this journey?