3rd Person POV

[Maverick and Koharu walk back to Diavel]

Diavel: Good work. Now we can freely travel to the labyrinth! We should have everyone together soon. They're a fiery lot ready for battle, but I'm not sure we're ready with our healing items. We're working on procuring some more but some extra help would be appreciated. Think you can go out there and get us some more?

Maverick: (Thoughts) Why do I feel like we're just being used?

Koharu: (Thoughts) More time with, Maverick! Sign me up!

Maverick: (Thoughts) Please say "no."

Koharu: We should be able to handle that!

Maverick: (Thoughts) Damn it!

Koharu: Where can we find them?

Diavel: The Fruit Nepenthes and Flower Nepenthes out in Horunka Woods drop Nepenthes Leaf. There's a certain NPC that will trade healing items for those. It's faster than saving up Col. You should ask the Dungeon Guide in Central Tolbana about going to Horunka Woods. If you can get 15, that'll do. Good luck!

Maverick: (Thoughts) Yeah, good luck not getting killed by me by "accident."

Koharu: (Thoughts) More time with Maverick? Can we do this all day?

[Maverick and Koharu go off and do their task. They quickly return]

Maverick: (Thoughts) If someone asks me one more time to do a favor, they're dead!

Koharu: (Thoughts) Please have another task!

Diavel: That should do the trick. Great work! Here's your share! Well the time has come. Tomorrow I'll hold our meeting out in the Amphitheatre. Ah yes. I suppose you never did decide if you'd join or not. What do you say?

[Maverick looks at Koharu who nods with twinkles in her eyes. He sighs]

Maverick: We're in.

Diavel: Wonderful! I'll see you there then. Go get a good night's sleep and prepare for tomorrow. I've got faith in our members here. I may not look it but I've got a sense for these things. Now then, catch you later!

[Maverick and Koharu walk away to an inn]

Maverick POV

[Okay. All we have to do is rest up at an inn. Not a problem. We walk over to the help desk and ask for two rooms]

Help Desk: I'm sorry but we only have one room available.

[I look at Koharu. She's had a long day. I sigh]

Maverick: Go ahead. I'll sleep outside.

[I turn to leave when she grabs my sleeve]

Koharu: Don't go. I'm okay with sharing a room.

[I was shocked. I mean...do girls normally do this?]

Maverick: You sure?

[She has to be joking]

Koharu: Yes.

[I can't believe what I'm hearing]

Maverick: We'll take the room.

[The Help Desk gives us the key and we head to our room. We entered. It looked cozy but there was only one problem: one bed. What were we going to do? We can't share it! We're not a couple!]

Maverick: One bed, huh?

Koharu: Yeah.

[We look at each other]

Maverick/Koharu: You can have it!

[We just laugh since we said the same thing at the same time]

Maverick: No, seriously. It's okay.

Koharu: Where will you sleep?

Maverick: On the floor.

Koharu: No.

[I was surprised by this response]

Koharu: You're an important member. You need sleep. You can't get good sleep on the floor We will share the bed. That's final.

[I sigh. There is no arguing with her]

Koharu: So do we have normal clothes?

Maverick: I guess we can go shopping tomorrow before the meeting.

[She looks at me with a big smile]

Koharu: Okay!

[That smile could kill any boss monster. I will do anything to protect it and keep it there. I lie down on the bed. Koharu turns away from me on her side. I turn off the light and fall asleep]

Koharu POV

[Before I fall asleep, I watch him sleep. He looks so innocent like a child. But I know he's a warrior who will protect me. I've never felt so safe in my life. I lean over him and kiss his cheek]

Koharu: (Whispers) You have no idea how much you mean to me.

[I then lie down and fall asleep]

Maverick POV

[You have no idea how much you mean to me, Koharu. I'll protect you until we get out of here. I promise]