He inadvertently averted his gaze.
“But I have a condition,” he said.
“Condition?”
Lupus looked at him with teary eyes and an upward glance that tugged at his heartstrings. The fact that she had done it without any ulterior motives made it even worse for him.
To hide himself from her gaze, Tsushima raised his hand and held up a finger.
“I’ll protect you, but in exchange, you need to learn the bare minimum of Code execution as an Informationist.”
“Like what, for example?” Lupus asked, correcting her posture after leaning forward. She tilted her head questioningly.
“You won’t need to fight. But you knowing how to use a few Codes will give me more ways to protect you. So at least study the ones I’m about to teach you,” Tsushima said, finally facing Lupus directly.
He turned his glowing blue eyes toward the darkness and executed the Code for a heat ray.
This particular Code was smaller and much simpler than the one he usually used, but it still packed plenty of firepower.
Lupus let out a small cheer when she saw it.
Then she realized something.
“But this is a Code you created, isn’t it? Is it all right for you to teach it to me?”
Her question hit the mark perfectly. An Informationist’s unique Codes encompassed both their strengths and weaknesses, and each was an asset in itself. Teaching a Code to someone else would mean literally exposing aspects of oneself.
However, Tsushima gave her an indifferent look, as if telling her not to worry about it.
“It’s easier to teach Codes I’m used to. But more importantly, we’re short on time,” Tsushima said, speaking as though he had simply chosen the most rational course of action. Lupus, however, was moved by his kindness and self-sacrifice.
“You really are a good person, huh? I misjudged you,” Lupus said, her eyes softening with heartfelt kindness. After hearing her say whatever she wanted to him up until then, Tsushima seemed unsure of how he should respond.
“Enough flattery,” he eventually said. “Listen carefully while I teach you these Codes. I’m not going over them again.”
“I got it. I might not look it, but I actually pick up things pretty fast. You can count on me.”
“Says the girl who can’t even read a map,” Tsushima retorted sharply to hide his embarrassment. Lupus leaned closer beside him and shyly listened to his lecture on Codes.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, they got up early and walked continuously, making steady progress toward their destination. It was just after seven AM, and there were signs that the temperature was rising.
Wiping away the sweat streaming from his forehead, Tsushima finally stopped; he had been moving so nimbly this whole time that it was difficult to believe he was injured. Behind him, Lupus was gasping for breath and struggling to lift her heavy legs.
“You all right?” Tsushima asked her.
“I might need to take a little break.”
“We just rested a moment ago. There’s still a long way to go. We need to gain distance before the temperature rises. Otherwise, the afternoon is going to be tough.”
“I know, I know. But this path is too difficult!” Lupus plopped herself down on a tree stump beside Tsushima as if she were giving up. She was drenched in sweat, with beads streaming down her forehead and dripping down her neck.
Lupus tilted her head back and looked at the sky, gasping for breath in an unguarded pose that made it hard to believe she was a princess. Her shirt collar was wide open, revealing large drops of sweat running down her pale skin.
Tsushima averted his gaze from Lupus and checked the hands of his wristwatch. Considering the journey ahead, it would likely take them longer than anticipated to reach their destination.
“You’re surprisingly out of shape, huh?” Tsushima remarked as he checked the injury on his side. Even compared to his injured state, Lupus’s physical endurance was certainly low. She directed a damp, emotional gaze at Tsushima and gave a sarcastic response.
“Princesses don’t have the strength to walk long distances around here.”
“The fact that you’re a princess is exactly why you should build up your stamina. As you are now, you won’t be able to cope if anything happens.”
“The people around me make sure those emergencies don’t happen. This time is just a fluke.”
“Well then, my apologies for not meeting your expectations.”
“I’m not blaming you. It’s partly due to my own lack of foresight.”
Lupus sighed as she gazed at the ridge of the mountain they would soon have to climb, her eyes filled with various regrets.
Tsushima snorted smugly, laughing at her gaze. In response, she scrunched up her face like a child, baring her teeth and going “Grrrrr!” as if trying to intimidate him.
Once Tsushima confirmed her breathing had returned to normal, he clapped his hands to hurry her.
“Okay, it’s time to go now. Stand up.”
“Whaaat?! Let me rest a bit more.”
“No can do. I want to at least get past this mountain this morning.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. My legs can’t hold me up anymore. And where are we even going? Can’t you at least tell me that?!” Lupus shouted at Tsushima as he walked off ahead of her.
“I have an acquaintance up ahead,” he answered. “The fastest way for us to get out of these mountains is to ask him for help.”
“You have an acquaintance this deep in the wilderness? How in the world do you know him? I’m impressed with how wide your network is.”
“I guess that’s why I’ve also gained an acquaintance in the imperial family. Stop grumbling and pick up the pace. The sun’s going to go down.”
“You really are a demon, Tsushima. What happened to the nice guy from yesterday?” Despite uttering those weak-spirited words, Lupus slowly rose to her feet. Adjusting their pace slightly, the two started walking again.