Chapter 16: Bond Between Rivals

As they ventured deeper into Oxford Forest, Shiro couldn't help but notice the erratic behavior of his companion, Tasukeru. One moment, Tasukeru would be friendly and jovial, cracking jokes and engaging in light-hearted banter. But the next, his demeanor would shift, his tone turning cold and hostile, as if he were a completely different person.

Shiro couldn't quite understand the reason behind Tasukeru's mood swings, but he chose to ignore them for the time being, focusing instead on the task at hand.

As they walked, Shiro's keen eyes scanned their surroundings, taking note of the subtle changes in the forest's landscape. The trees grew denser, their branches intertwined like a web of shadows, and the air grew heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.

Suddenly, Tasukeru's voice broke the silence, pulling Shiro from his thoughts. "Look, Shiro, a monkey!" Tasukeru exclaimed, pointing excitedly at a small creature swinging from branch to branch overhead.

Shiro followed Tasukeru's gaze, his lips curling into a smile at the sight of the playful primate. "It is cute," he agreed, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Tasukeru's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing in anger. "I am not the monkey, you damn noble!" he snapped, his voice dripping with venom.

Taken aback by Tasukeru's sudden outburst, Shiro couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't mean to offend you," he replied, his tone light and apologetic. "I just thought it was amusing, that's all."

Tasukeru's scowl deepened, his fists clenched at his sides. "Don't patronize me, noble," he growled, his voice laced with bitterness. "You may have grown up in luxury, but that doesn't mean you can look down on others."

Shiro raised his hands in a placating gesture, his smile faltering slightly. "I'm sorry if I gave you that impression," he said sincerely. "I don't see you as any less than me, Tasukeru. We're all just trying to survive in this world."

Tasukeru's anger seemed to wane at Shiro's words, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. He glanced away, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I… I didn't mean to lash out," he admitted grudgingly. "It's just… I have my own struggles, you know? And sometimes it's hard to keep them in check."

Shiro nodded understandingly, his empathy for Tasukeru growing. "We all have our demons to face," he said softly. "But that doesn't mean we have to face them alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, Tasukeru."

For a moment, Tasukeru seemed taken aback by Shiro's offer of support. But then, to Shiro's surprise, a small smile tugged at the corners of Tasukeru's lips. "Thanks, Shiro," he said, his voice tinged with genuine gratitude. "I… I appreciate it."

With that, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of camaraderie. As they continued their journey through Oxford Forest, Shiro and Tasukeru walked side by side, their bond stronger than ever before. And though they faced many challenges ahead, they knew that together, they could overcome anything that stood in their way.

As they continued their journey through the dense foliage of Oxford Forest, Shiro couldn't shake off the nagging thought that Tasukeru's mood swings might be rooted in something deeper. Could it be that Tasukeru harbored feelings for Mizu? It seemed like a plausible explanation, given the way Tasukeru's demeanor changed whenever Mizu was around.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Shiro decided to confront Tasukeru about his suspicions. With a deep breath, he lifted the white mask from his face and turned to his companion.

"Tasukeru, can I ask you something?" Shiro's voice was hesitant, his eyes searching Tasukeru's face for any hint of the truth.

Tasukeru glanced at him, his expression guarded. "Sure, what is it?" he replied, his tone neutral.

Shiro hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to phrase his question. Finally, he spoke. "Do you… do you have feelings for Mizu?"

Tasukeru's reaction was immediate. He looked at Shiro as if he had been caught off guard, his eyes widening in surprise. Then, to Shiro's surprise, Tasukeru burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the forest like a devil's cackle.

"Why on earth would you think that?" Tasukeru managed to choke out between fits of laughter.

Shiro's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Tasukeru's reaction. "I just… I noticed how you act around her sometimes," he muttered, feeling foolish for even bringing it up.

Tasukeru's laughter slowly died down, and he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. "Trust me, Shiro, Mizu is not my type," he said, his voice still tinged with amusement.

Shiro frowned, confused by Tasukeru's response. "Then… what is your type?" he asked tentatively.

Tasukeru grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret," he said, lowering his voice to a seductive whisper. "I like men, not women."

Shiro's eyes widened in shock at Tasukeru's revelation. He felt his heart skip a beat, his mind reeling with the unexpected turn of events. But before he could process what Tasukeru had just said, Tasukeru burst into laughter once again, the sound echoing through the forest like a chorus of mocking birds.

"Gotcha, Shiro!" Tasukeru exclaimed, his laughter infectious. "I was just messing with you."

Relief flooded through Shiro as he realized Tasukeru had been joking. He couldn't help but chuckle at his own gullibility, feeling grateful that the tension between them had been diffused.

"Very funny, Tasukeru," Shiro said, rolling his eyes playfully. "You had me going there for a moment."

Tasukeru grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, what can I say? I do love a good prank," he replied, his laughter finally subsiding.

With the air between them now light and easy, Shiro and Tasukeru continued their journey through Oxford Forest, their friendship stronger than ever before. And though Shiro couldn't help but wonder about Tasukeru's true feelings, he knew that some mysteries were best left unsolved.

As the day wore on and the sun dipped lower in the sky, Shiro and Tasukeru pressed deeper into the heart of Oxford Forest. The dense canopy overhead cast dappled shadows on the forest floor, and the air was filled with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves.

Suddenly, without warning, Tasukeru's sharp eyes caught sight of movement ahead. He instinctively pushed Shiro behind him, just as an arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself in Tasukeru's golden armor with a resounding thud.

Shiro's heart skipped a beat as he watched Tasukeru take the hit, his breath catching in his throat. "Tasukeru!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with concern.

Tasukeru winced as he felt the impact of the arrow, but his expression hardened with determination. He turned to Shiro, his eyes flashing with anger. "Keep your guard up, Shiro," he growled, his voice laced with frustration. "We're not alone out here."

Shiro nodded, his heart racing with adrenaline as he scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger. His senses were on high alert, every nerve in his body tingling with anticipation.

Suddenly, from the depths of the forest, emerged a group of women clad in rugged hunting attire. Their faces were set in grim determination, their eyes fixed on Shiro and Tasukeru with a mixture of suspicion and hostility.

Tasukeru's jaw clenched as he regarded the women with narrowed eyes. "Looks like we've stumbled upon a group of hunters," he muttered, his voice heavy with disdain.

Shiro frowned, unsure of what to make of the situation. "Are they… are they going to attack us?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Tasukeru shook his head, his expression grim. "No, not yet anyway," he replied, his voice low. "But we can't let our guard down. These women may be hunters, but they're still a threat."

As the tension in the air thickened, Tasukeru took a step forward, his posture tense and alert. "Listen here, ladies," he called out, his voice ringing out with authority. "I don't know what you're doing out here in the forest, but I suggest you turn back now before things get ugly."

The leader of the group, a tall woman with steely eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward to meet Tasukeru's gaze. "And who do you think you are, telling us what to do?" she shot back, her voice sharp with defiance.

Tasukeru's eyes flashed with irritation at the woman's defiant tone. "I am Tasukeru Hinata, and I suggest you show some respect," he replied, his voice cold and authoritative. "Now, tell me, what are you doing here in Oxford Forest?"

The woman's expression hardened, and she crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "We're hunters, searching for game to bring back to our village," she replied, her voice tinged with defiance. "And we don't take kindly to strangers interfering in our business."

Tasukeru's eyes narrowed as he regarded the woman with suspicion. "Is that so?" he replied, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Well, I suggest you leave now, before things escalate any further."

The tension between the two groups hung heavy in the air, the forest eerily silent save for the rustling of leaves and the distant call of a bird. Shiro watched with bated breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited to see how the situation would unfold.