The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

The next day...

Raye woke up early as usual. He slept very well, lying down on his own bed for the first time in a very long time.

"Haaaaa..."

He stretched his body and yawned, and after that—he stood up and started doing his morning routines.

Cooking, cleaning, and light exercises.

After making breakfast, he woke up Zephyrus and Pyro, then the three of them ate together.

And following that, they went into the northern forest to hunt some animals and store their meat.

They caught a gazelle and two boars. They quickly came back to the cabin and Raye processed their bodies and stored them away.

Then with that—he took a bath in the nearby river.

That was his morning routine.

"Hmm, it feels kind of weird doing this after a long time."

He mumbled as he cleaned himself.

*****

(Raye's POV)

I came back to the cabin after thoroughly cleaning my body in the river.

And there, just as I was getting close—

"Hmm?"

I saw Zephyrus and Pyro sparring up in the sky.

FWIIISH—

B O O M—!

They were both flying at a terrifying speed and explosions could be heard from time to time. Looks like they're having serious training.

'Good for them, I guess.'

I just ignored them and walked toward the cabin.

"..."

Though, I felt a presence inside before I could even enter. I silently walked through the entrance.

And upon doing so—

"Ah, you're back."

I saw Jerusha waiting for me, blushing as she said that.

A smile came up on my face unconsciously as I opened my mouth.

"You're early, huh."

"W-Well, I really have nothing to do today."

She said.

"How about you?"

"Hmm?"

I thought for myself for a second, then after a small pause...

"I'll just train today... Yeah..."

I replied, muttering.

"Huh? Don't you want to rest even for a day?"

Jerusha mumbled in surprise after hearing my answer.

"Well, even if I want to... I really have nothing to do except that."

I scratched the back of my head, smiling awkwardly.

"T-Then..."

"Huh?"

I looked at Jerusha properly. Face red, unable to look me in the eyes, and fidgeting.

Fwish~

She turned to me, and even embarrassed, she forcefully opened her mouth.

"W-Why don't we go on... a date...?"

Her voice became really small at the end of her words. She stuttered out of nervousness, and at the end—she averted her eyes, unable to look me in the face as she said that.

"Haha..."

A small laugh escaped my mouth.

"W-What's funny?!"

She exclaimed as her head violently turned back to me. I just smiled at her, then I opened my mouth.

"Nothing, I just thought you're really cute."

"...!"

Her eyes widened and she quickly looked away. She became even redder, now like a tomato.

But shrugging with a smile—

"Can you wait for me for a while?"

I asked her that.

"Huh? I can... Why?"

She shot back.

"I'll just change my outfit to something better then let's go out."

And I replied with a smile.

Jerusha was wearing a purple sundress with flower prints on it. It was simple and casual—but it looked good on her.

Meanwhile, I'm just wearing shorts and a white shirt. It'll be embarrassing to go out with her like this.

"...!"

I saw Jerusha's eyes widen when she heard my words. She opened her mouth, but she didn't say anything.

I just smiled and walked toward my room.

"I won't take long."

I said to her, winking too.

*****

It only took me a minute or so to change. I put on a dark blue polo long-sleeve and black slacks.

Along with some accessories—silver earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet.

I'm doing extra because I want to look good.

"I'm good to go."

I mumbled after getting dressed. And then I put a bag of gold coins in my spatial storage.

I don't know how much it was, but whatever.

'I have lots of them anyway.'

So with that, I went out of my room to meet with Jerusha.

Creak—

Thud-

And just waiting outside, not far away...

Jerusha looked in my direction when she heard the door.

"..."

She just stared at me silently... For a long time.

"Ehem... How is it?"

I asked, faking a cough.

"Ah...! I-It fits you very well... You look good."

Then I smiled at her response. And without further ado—

"Let's go?"

"Okay."

We left the cabin. Jerusha couldn't look at me straight, but I kept seeing her glancing at me.

I just know I did well with my outfit. It made me happy.

*****

When we got out of the cabin, Zephyrus and Pyro stopped sparring in the sky and approached us.

They asked where we were going, and I told them it was a date.

Zephyrus immediately understood and shut his mouth, but Pyro—he tried to ask if he could come.

Zephyrus just stopped him and pulled him away, saying they'll go back to training.

'Sorry, Pyro. I'll bring back a gift for you two.'

I thought to myself with an awkward smile.

Anyway, currently—Jerusha and I are in a cafe under Kyle and Devin's name, sitting at a VIP table for two.

(In a short amount of time, Devin continuously brought in connections while Kyle used his genius mind in business to expand non-stop. They are now one of the biggest merchants in Zion Academy.)

"Do you want anything?"

I asked Jerusha with a smile. We're both looking at the menu.

"Hmm... I'll take a hot chocolate milk and the purple yam cake!"

She said excitedly.

"Then I'll take the same drink and a chocolate cake."

I followed. I called for a waiter and told them our order. They bowed their heads and immediately worked on our drinks and cake.

"..."

"..."

Jerusha and I looked at each other as we had nothing else to do but wait.

She was just smiling at me.

"You look good today. I mean... You always do."

I muttered. She became embarrassed and all, but this time, instead of looking away...

"You too, you're so handsome."

Jerusha responded with that.

I smiled ear to ear.

"I love you."

Then I said that.

"I love you more."

She followed.

I frowned and shook my head.

"I love you the mostestness."

I added.

But she frowned too and shook her head.

"I love you more than you love me."

"Nuh uh."

"Yes uh."

"No way."

"Yes way."

We continued back and forth, not backing down.

...

...

Anyway... Our orders arrived not long after so we had to stop our silly argument and started eating.

"It's so good!"

Jerusha exclaimed as she bit into her cake, her eyes shining.

I smiled and just watched her enjoy the whole thing while I ate too.