The morning arrived slowly, like a warm blanket just pulled up from the tips of one's toes. The sun's golden light filtered through the tree leaves, dancing through the gaps and falling directly onto the small, still-deserted campsite. Thick dew hung from the tips of the leaves, glistening like silver droplets every time the morning breeze blew gently. The scent of damp earth mingled with the woody aroma of last night's campfire, which was nearly extinguished.
Amidst it all, Kyle was still fast asleep, wrapped in a thin blanket that somehow remained draped over his body despite his constant wriggling like a restless caterpillar all night long.
Someone crouched in front of his face.
"Hey… wake up," the voice was soft but clearly tinged with irritation.
Kyle just grumbled.
"Ugh… five more minutes…"
He rolled over and covered his head with his arm.
"Hey. Wake up, you idiot."
This time the voice was louder.
But Kyle still didn't react. He just took a deep breath and curled up even tighter in his bed. Seeing that, the person in front of him clicked their tongue softly.
A small object then touched his cheek.
Kyle swatted it away carelessly without opening his eyes.
"I told you… five more minutes…"
THWACK!
Something hit his forehead.
Not too hard, but enough to shatter his drowsiness.
"OUCH!"
Kyle sat up immediately, clutching his forehead.
"HEY! What's going on?!"
His eyes, still half-closed, immediately scanned the area for the culprit. Standing beside him was a vague figure, as his vision hadn't fully focused yet.
But as his vision began to clear, Kyle's body froze.
"…Lisa?"
For a moment, he even thought he was still dreaming.
The figure before him was indeed Lisa, but not the Lisa he usually knew—the one in a loose hoodie, with slightly messy hair, and a laid-back appearance that almost always made her look like she'd just woken up.
The Lisa standing before him now looked like someone who had stepped straight out of another world.
A lavender-colored cloak gracefully enveloped her body. The fabric looked smooth and softly reflected the morning light. Silver magnolia embroidery adorned the sleeves and hem of the cloak, shimmering every time it caught the sunlight.
The deep purple and jade green lining on the inside made her look like an elegant noblewoman.
Even her hair, which was usually left untamed, was styled differently now. The hair on both sides of her face was neatly twisted back, while the rest fell softly over her shoulders. That simple style made her face stand out more clearly and gave her an air of elegance he had never seen before.
Kyle could only stare.
Several seconds passed without a single word coming out of his mouth.
"...What's with that dress?
His voice finally came out softly, almost like a mumble.
Lisa immediately turned her face away.
"Um... yeah... it's kind of a long story."
Kyle still hadn't looked away.
For some reason, the longer he looked at her, the harder it became to say what was on his mind.
Lisa, noticing his gaze, began to feel a little embarrassed.
"So... what do you think?"
Kyle blinked a few times.
"Huh?"
"I mean, the Dress."
"Oh."
Kyle instinctively scratched his cheek and then looked away.
"Well... that..."
For the first time that morning, he looked a little nervous.
"You look like..."
He paused for a moment, searching for the right words.
"I don't know."
"A princess of a dynasty or the main character of a fantasy novel or something."
"A princess?"
Those words made Lisa's face flush instantly.
"Yeah, something like that."
Kyle chuckled softly.
Lisa snorted softly. Even though she looked nervous, she still wasn't satisfied with that answer.
"Hmph… What's so hard about just saying whether this dress is nice or not?"
"It's nice."
Kyle nodded quickly.
"Actually, I think it suits you perfectly. Especially that jade pendant hanging from your waist."
He pointed to the small jade pendant at Lisa's waist.
"It makes you look more… cool."
Lisa looked down in annoyance for a moment, then looked back at Kyle.
"Hey, don't even try to change the subject."
"Huh?"
"All you've been complimenting is the Clothes."
Before Kyle could react, Lisa leaned in a little closer.
Kyle immediately tensed up.
"Lisa… Isn't this a little too close?"
"Then answer honestly."
Lisa's face was right in front of him. Her gaze seemed to pin Kyle in place, leaving him no way to look away and forcing him to focus entirely on her.
"I'm not leaving until you tell me."
Kyle blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong with you this early in the morning? Did you eat something bad?"
"Ugh... you're really clueless."
Lisa immediately pulled away and turned her face away.
"I just wanted a little feedback."
Her tone sounded annoyed, even though the blush on her cheeks hadn't completely faded.
Kyle scratched the back of his head, which wasn't itchy.
"Well… I just woke up, and then suddenly saw you like this. So I didn't know how to respond."
"Hmph."
Lisa turned her face away.
"Then just forget it."
She turned to leave.
"Sorry for wasting your time. Just go back to sleep."
Kyle just stared at her back for a few seconds.
"Lisa."
The girl stopped.
"What now?"
Her tone still carried a hint of irritation.
Slowly, she turned her head. Only half her body faced Kyle, as if she didn't really want to hear anything else.
Kyle looked at her for a moment before finally giving a small smile.
"You look beautiful in that outfit."
Lisa's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she seemed surprised to hear such a simple answer.
"Really?"
Kyle nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
A wide smile spread across her still-sleepy face.
"You're really beautiful. And cool, too."
He even gave her a thumbs-up.
"That dress really suits you."
Her already flushed face grew even hotter. Within seconds, the redness spread all the way to the tips of her ears.
Without saying a word, she quickly turned her back to Kyle, trying to hide her expression.
"Huh... whatever..."
Her shoulders shrugged slightly.
"You're always so annoying."
Kyle blinked in confusion.
"Annoying?"
"Weren't you the one asking for a compliment?"
"It's up to me!"
Lisa snapped back too quickly.
She immediately turned around and pointed at Kyle's face with her index finger.
"You take forever to wake up! Everyone else has been eating breakfast for ages! You're the only one left!"
The sudden change of topic left Kyle staring at her for a few seconds.
"Oh..."
He yawned widely while stretching his body.
"Well, it's my fault for sleeping without an alarm..."
Lisa immediately clicked her tongue.
"You're such an idiot. Do you think this is your house?"
"Well, not really."
Kyle shrugged casually. After stretching his back once more, he looked back at Lisa.
"But speaking of which..."
"Hm?"
"Why did you come to wake me up?"
Lisa blinked.
"Huh?"
Kyle watched her reaction for a moment, then a mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.
"Oohh..."
Lisa's eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"What?"
"You woke me up first because you were worried, right?"
"No!" Lisa replied spontaneously.
"Liar."
"No!"
"You were worried."
"I wasn't worried!"
"Worried."
"I said no!"
"Worried—"
Lisa leaned in and smacked his forehead again.
SMACK!
"Don't even think about it!" Lisa snapped. "Who said I was worried? I just didn't want you to miss breakfast and then start complaining because we ate without waiting for you!"
Kyle chuckled softly as he rubbed his forehead. "So you do care?"
"SHUT UP, KYLE!"
Lisa turned away immediately.
The hem of her lavender robe swayed as she walked quickly away, as if she didn't want to give Kyle a chance to say anything else.
Kyle could only chuckle softly as he watched the girl's back grow increasingly distant.