After a while, we passed by the cliff where we stopped last time, but to my surprise, Rin didn't even glance at it. Instead, he kept walking ahead with a small smile on his face like he had something planned. I was curious, of course, but I didn't ask and just stayed quiet.
We headed much further down the forest path, the trees growing thinner the deeper we went. After what felt like forever, we finally stopped.
What I saw before me was something out of a fairy tale. A beautiful lake stretched out under the moonlight, its clear water sparkling like a thousand tiny crystals. The moon's reflection shimmered across the surface so perfectly, it was as if the night sky itself had descended into the water.
I couldn't help but stare in awe, completely mesmerized by the scene in front of me.
The lake was small, surrounded by a field of wildflowers that danced gently in the breeze. The air felt cooler here, with a soft, fresh scent of earth and flowers mixing together. It was the kind of place you'd only imagine existing in old storybooks.
"No one really comes here,"
Rin said, finally breaking the silence. He gently put me down, and I stepped onto the soft grass, still unable to tear my eyes away from the view.
"But I like this place. It's good for boating, too."
"It's… beautiful,"
I managed to say, still staring at the water.
Rin smiled and nodded.
"Come, follow me."
Without waiting for my reply, he started walking ahead again. I quickly hurried after him. After a minute or so, we reached a small wooden dock that stretched out over the lake. A little boat was tied to it, floating quietly in the calm water.
Rin knelt by the dock, untied the rope holding the boat, and hopped inside with ease. Then he turned to me and stretched out his hand.
"Come on," he said.
I hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. His grip was warm and firm, and he helped me into the boat without any trouble. I sat down carefully while Rin grabbed the oars and started rowing.
The boat moved smoothly, the water barely making a sound as we glided across its surface. I looked around, taking in the tranquil scene. The moon's reflection on the water, the soft rustling of leaves, and the gentle ripple of the lake made it feel like we were the only two people left in the world.
It was peaceful, and for a moment, all my worries faded.
As we reached the center of the lake, something magical happened. Fireflies began to appear, one by one, their tiny lights flickering like stars that had come down to greet us. They floated gently through the air, surrounding the boat in a soft, golden glow.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It felt unreal, like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale.
I leaned forward, watching the fireflies dance. Their lights reflected in the water, making it look like the stars had fallen from the sky to join us. I knew it was just nature, but it felt like a dream. I didn't even notice Rin watching me in silence, his gaze soft and quiet, as if he didn't want to disturb the moment.
After a while, he reached for a small basket inside the boat that I hadn't noticed before.
"What's inside that basket?" I asked, curious.
"This wouldn't be a proper date without food, right?"
he grinned as he opened the lid.
Inside was a charcuterie board filled with all kinds of things, different cheeses, slices of cured meat, fresh fruits, crackers, and even a bottle of wine with two glasses. It looked almost too perfect.
"What's with all this? And stop calling it a date! Are you trying to court me or something?"
I asked, my face heating up.
"Wasn't it obvious?"
Rin replied casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Who wouldn't fall for a kind and beautiful lady like you? And you saved my life. Isn't that reason enough for me to like you?"
I felt my cheeks turn bright red at his words. No one had ever confessed to me like this before, so direct and shameless. I didn't know how to respond. I was so overwhelmed I probably looked like a tomato.
"You-you can't just say things like that without getting embarrassed!"
I stammered.
Rin burst into laughter.
"Seriously, why are you so cute?"
That did it. I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up in the boat, intending to scold him properly for teasing me like this.
But then the boat suddenly rocked to the side.
Before I could react, my foot slipped, and I felt myself falling forward. I didn't have time to cast a spell or activate my aura. Everything happened too quickly, and in that instant, my heart skipped a beat.
Just as I was about to tumble into the water, a pair of strong arms caught me.