Leaving the Camp: A Journey for Two with Airi

"..."

Chang Yuan fell silent.

It seemed Airi had taken a dislike to him.

"Hehe, Chang Yuan, go wash without worry. Little White and I will keep watch for you."

Airi said this while sitting on the grass and playing with the little white rabbit.

What else could Chang Yuan say? He might as well wash.

After finding a relatively shallow stretch of water, Chang Yuan began bathing.

He had to admit, Airi's soap smelled wonderful and worked well.

After washing up, Chang Yuan finally felt comfortable all over.

Before this, simply rinsing himself with water had always left him feeling a little uncomfortable afterward.

"Here, Airi. Your soap."

After returning the soap to Airi, Chang Yuan stretched lazily.

Sniff...

"Mm, Chang Yuan finally smells a little nicer now."

As though admiring her own handiwork, Airi nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's go. We should head back, or Uncle Tok and the others will worry."

Taking Chang Yuan's hand again, Airi pulled him back toward the camp like a little adult.

Chang Yuan, being led along like this, felt rather helpless.

Who was the adult here, him or Airi? He was clearly the adult who had crossed over, so why did it always feel like she was the one taking care of him?

A few days later...

"Uncle Tok, I plan to leave today and travel elsewhere. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

Outside the camp, Airi gave a slight bow to thank the burly men.

Her journey would not end here. She wanted to travel across the entire world and witness everything.

"Hahaha, no need to be so polite. Your arrival brought so much joy to our camp. We should be the ones thanking you."

Tock threw back his head and laughed.

Before Airi arrived, everyone in the camp had only thought about how to get through tomorrow, then the day after that. There had been no vitality at all.

But after she came, many people were influenced by her lively personality and found a reason to keep living.

"Goodbye, Chang Yuan. I was very happy spending these past few days with you. It's just a pity that no one got to hear the endings of those stories you told. And now that I mention it, I'm a little angry."

With her hands on her hips, Airi puffed out her cheeks, looking just like a little steamed bun.

"You clearly told me it was a bright and cheerful story, but I started crying as I listened. You big liar."

Watching the pink-haired little ball, several heads shorter than him, put on the airs of a little adult while accusing him, Chang Yuan merely chuckled without answering.

"Forget it. Chang Yuan, take good care of yourself too. Don't faint in the forest again like before, or you might not run into me next time."

"...Airi."

"Hm?"

Hearing Chang Yuan call her, Airi tilted her head slightly and looked at him.

"I want to travel with you. Is that okay?"

"...Eh! Chang Yuan, are you saying you want to leave with me?"

Airi looked slightly surprised at his words.

"Yes. I just don't know whether you would welcome me. I don't have a home anymore either, so following you may be the best choice."

Seeing Airi ask again to make sure, Chang Yuan nodded to confirm it and explained his reason.

"Um, traveling together..."

Airi lowered her head and thought as she looked at Chang Yuan.

Then, when she saw his eyes, she found a complicated emotion within them that she could not understand.

"If it's Chang Yuan, then sure. Traveling alone is pretty boring anyway."

Airi narrowed her eyes in a smile and nodded in agreement.

Chang Yuan felt a little excited when Airi gave her permission.

After all, in the original story, Airi had already encountered quite a few Flame-Chasers when she was young, though none of it had been confirmed.

Of course, there was one person he could confirm with absolute certainty: Qianjie.

After all, he was the only one tied up and bled in the snowfield.

As for the others, Chang Yuan would have to witness them himself before he knew.

"Hahaha, Chang Yuan, since you're leaving with little Airi too, you have to protect her well. You're the older brother, after all."

As he spoke, Tock took several scattered banknotes from his pocket.

"Take these. Traveling is difficult without money."

"No, no. This belongs to you, Uncle Tok. We can't take it."

Before Chang Yuan could say anything, Airi refused first.

"Take it. My wife and the others died in the disaster, but you gave me hope to live again.

"Besides, we can earn money by making charcoal here at the camp. It's not like you two little ones."

Ignoring Airi's refusal, Tock immediately forced the money into her hands.

But with Tock insisting so firmly, Airi could only accept the money.

Witnessing all this, Chang Yuan finally understood why Airi would have that kind of personality in the future.

Humanity's kindness had created a Herrscher with humanity.

If Airi had encountered nothing but injustice, misfortune, and humanity's ugliness during her travels, then perhaps this civilization, and even those that came after it, would not have had the slightest hope of defeating the Honkai.

"Little Chang Yuan, remember to take good care of little Airi. If I ever find out you've bullied her, don't blame me when my fist comes down on your head."

"Yes, yes. I'll definitely protect Airi." Even if it costs me everything.

Chang Yuan did not say the latter half aloud.

After all, the atmosphere was not suited for such solemn words.

"Then, Uncle Tok, goodbye."

Airi took Chang Yuan's hand and waved farewell to the people who had helped her.

Chang Yuan copied her gesture with equal seriousness.

Then the two of them set off on foot in the direction Tock had mentioned, where there was a city.

"Chang Yuan, you'd better protect me from now on, or Uncle Tok will beat you up."

"Hehe, he has to find me first. Besides, I believe Airi will protect me when the time comes."

"Mm-hm, who knows? Maybe. But only if Chang Yuan stops lying to me."

As she said this, Airi gave Chang Yuan's hand a hard squeeze.

But her fair little hand had hardly any strength at all.

Chang Yuan did not feel any pain. Instead, he rather enjoyed the massage-like kneading.

"Don't worry, I won't lie to you. Besides, that story really was bright, cheerful, and uplifting."

"Liar. Teacher Himeko died. How is that bright, cheerful, or uplifting?"

As she said this, Airi's eyes misted over again, as though she might start crying at any moment.

"That happens later on. Don't worry, Himeko will return."