NOVEL NEXT Chapter 323: A Fine Dine
She nodded in acknowledgment. "Sorry, I just didn't expect there to be a full meal and everything. It was Lt Daemon's idea to come here, and I just agreed out of respect."
Ty understood the underlying intention. "I see. To be honest, you'll have to forgive him," he began, "He knows the best way I have a chance at surviving is by being popular or well-liked. He sees you as something for me to use," Ty explained, finishing his meal.
JJ's expression fell slightly as she processed his words. "Oh," she murmured, her gaze lowering.
"Don't let that depress you too much. He is, overall, a good person, but like everyone else, he has his own goals and aspirations... Not even I know them fully, but I'm being used by him to some degree. It's a mutual benefit situation," Ty attempted to reassure her.
Her curiosity piqued, JJ inquired further. "I see. And are you also using me to achieve the goals you have for yourself?"
After a brief moment of reflection, Ty responded earnestly, "No, I can't say I did. When I saw you for the first time, it was about much more than what I could use you for and who you reminded me of."
Ty's candidness brought a hint of complexity to the conversation. "Though I did think about how you might help me get back to Earth a few times, everything I've done for you was because I wanted to. Personally, I am no hero, and I would probably do anything for those I love, regardless of the consequences. And as far as I can tell, you're someone special worth cherishing."
JJ's cheeks warmed with a blush at his words. "Well, it all happened so suddenly, but I am glad he told me to go to the arena after all."
Curious, Ty stretched a bit and asked, "Who told you to come? The butler guy or the fiancé guy from your family's house?"
"Oh no, it was some stranger of all things who came to visit. He brought flowers for my parents' grave and told me he would get retribution for what he did if I went to watch him fight,"
Ty's muscles tensed momentarily, a wave of concern washing over him as he inquired, "Wait, what color was his hair, if you remember?"
"It was black, with some curls to it, I believe," JJ replied, recalling the details.
Relief briefly washed over Ty as he exhaled. "Never mind, I was thinking it might have been the guy responsible for bringing me here."
He then added a cautionary note, "Do let me know if you run into Erebos at all. He's a powerful vampire with orange hair, so it's usually hard to miss him. And he usually tries to attack with gold and red coins."
JJ, connecting some dots, mentioned, "Now that you do mention it, the guy was flipping a coin of the same color, but he definitely didn't have any orange hair."
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted as the door swung open. Lt Daemon entered, carrying a few bags, and announced, "Hey, are you done eating? We have to get back to the training grounds for your next sparring match with the pink-headed girl you like."
"Yeah, I think so, unless you had anything else you wanted to discuss, JJ?" Ty inquired, ready to conclude their meeting if JJ had no further topics to cover.
She shook her head, indicating there was nothing more at the moment. "No, but I will plan another meeting once I've done some more research with all of the information you gave me. I promise to find something of value," JJ assured him, her determination evident. Then, curiosity piqued, she added, "Also, who is this girl that you like?"
Ty immediately dismissed the notion. "Oh, it's no one. I really don't like her; if anything, I think she actually annoys me more than anything else."
Lt Daemon, seizing the moment to tease, walked up behind Ty, placed his hands on Ty's shoulders, and chimed in with a mischievous grin. "That's not what you were saying when you two were smacking lips," he said, his smile broadening with amusement.
"You were doing what with who now?!" JJ asked, her confusion quickly turning to surprise.
Ty, visibly embarrassed, covered his face with his hand. "We were sparring, and we crashed into each other. I promise it's nothing like he's making it seem."
JJ, attempting to maintain her composure, responded in a measured tone, "I see. Well, let's go ahead and pack things up," while quietly managing her emotions stirred by the unexpected revelation.
As they gathered their belongings and stood up, Ty and JJ made their way toward the door, with Lt Daemon lagging behind by about 15 feet, giving them some privacy.
JJ broke the silence between them, her voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and resolve. "Listen, I don't understand my feelings right now, Ty. Everything has just been happening so fast, and I really want to trust you, even regardless of you being a demon or whatever. It's just... I can't afford to lose anyone I care about, but I also don't want to be so afraid that I lose everything anyway."
Their steps took them outside, into the fading light of day, the suns casting long shadows as they began to set.
Ty's thoughts momentarily drifted to Nana, remembering the time she confessed her feelings to him and his rejection. A poignant memory surfaced, the weight of Nana's parting words pressing upon him.
"You know, the funniest thing is, the most important person in my life... As I told you, I got to see her face to face and hug her, and her last words were to use anyone and everyone to get back home. She told me not to let my loyalty to her stop me from forming bonds that could get me back home."
JJ's determination shone through her words, "She must really miss you as well, and is doing everything she can to get back. I will choose to believe you, but I also can't let anyone win over me. Above all else, I will prove to be your best ally."