Chapter 6: Sunny is not a pervert
All of them had climbed the hill, its ruined peak serving as a vantage point over the bleak landscape. As the gray sun bled out behind the horizon, they lit a campfire, the flames struggling against the chill creeping in.
Amon, sitting cross-legged on a broken slab of stone like a self-crowned king, cheerfully offered, "Shall I cook for us tonight?"
Sunny didn't even look up from his pile of crab meat. "No. Absolutely not."
Cassie blinked. "Why not?"
"He'll add sugar all over," Sunny said flatly.
Cassie gave a confused little frown but didn't press.
Before Sunny could start roasting the meat himself, Nephis's calm, level voice cut through. "I'll cook."
She didn't sound like she was offering. She sounded like a verdict had been reached.
Sunny, sensing tension, wisely stepped back. "Sure. Be my guest."
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As they ate in silence, a golden ripple shimmered beside Amon. From the portal—barely the size of a human head—he pulled out a pristine bag labeled Sugar in flowing script.
Sunny, unfazed, didn't even flinch. He was used to this nonsense.
Nephis, on the other hand, watched as Amon dipped a piece of crab meat into the sugar and popped it into his mouth with an expression of pure bliss.
Noticing Nephis's stare, Amon held out the bag toward her. "Want to try? It's revolutionary."
Nephis glanced at the sugar, then back at Amon. She didn't take it.
Unbothered, Amon turned his golden-eyed gaze to Cassie. "Hey, Cassie."
Startled, she almost dropped her food but quickly recomposed herself. "Yes, Amon?"
"Would you like some sugar with your crab meat?"
Cassie hesitated, then smiled politely. "Um… sure? If you wouldn't mind."
"Not at all." Amon walked over, sprinkling sugar generously onto her food. "There. Don't worry, I don't double-dip. Eat without hesitation."
"Thank you, Amon," Cassie said, her smile stiff but sincere.
"Anytime, Cassie." He sauntered back to his spot, the campfire glow catching in his platinum-blue hair. Not a trace of grime clung to him, as if the ruins themselves respected his cleanliness.
Curious, Nephis asked, "How does it taste, Cassie?"
Cassie chewed awkwardly. "It's… crunchy. And sweet."
Sunny smirked. "You don't have to lie. Just say it tastes weird and bad. He wouldn't mind."
Cassie's eyes widened as the bitter-sweet-salty combo hit her tongue like a betrayal. She quickly turned and spat the food discreetly to the side.
"You're right. It's… it's awful. I'm sorry, Amon."
Amon, unoffended, waved her off. "You, my dear Palestine, don't understand my culinary genius."
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Later, as the embers dimmed and the Gray sun was gone, darkness swallowed the world. Nephis and Cassie sat together, sharing a quiet warmth. A little further off, Sunny and Amon sat side by side—though Sunny seemed less pleased about it.
Breaking the silence, Sunny spoke up. "Since we're traveling together, let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Sunless, but call me Sunny. I have three attributes: high shadow affinity, slight divinity affinity, and one that… makes unlikely events happen around me."
Amon yawned, while Nephis and Cassie remained unreadable.
Undeterred, Sunny went on. "My aspect lets me control shadows. I can use them for scouting—sharing vision with them—or augment myself, or even store memories."
Instead of intrigue, grim expressions met him.
Nephis's voice was pointed. "Sunny… did you ever use your ability in the Academy?"
"Yeah," Sunny answered absentmindedly.
A choked laugh erupted from Amon.
Sunny frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing." Amon was now openly laughing, clutching his sides.
Realization struck Sunny like a slap. "Wait—I never used it for that purpose!"
Amon laughed harder. Nephis and Cassie shared skeptical glances.
Trying to salvage his dignity, Sunny sputtered, "I'm not—! It's not like that!"
Amon, wiping a tear of mirth, said with too much sympathy, "Nephis, Cassie—relax. Sunny's not a pervert."
Sunny felt relieved, but it did not last long
Amon continued, " And even if he is one, you don't need to worry, because Sunny is gay."
Silence fell like a hammer.
Cassie blinked rapidly, then looked down. "Oh… I didn't know. I'm sorry, Sunny."
"I'M NOT GAY!" Sunny hissed, careful not to yell. "Don't call me gay, you narcissistic bastard!"
Amon truly believed that Sunny was gay, because of the incident when Sunny looked at Amon's back and couldn't control his thoughts.
Amon's expression softened. "It's okay, Sunny. You don't have to hide it. I won't make fun of you."
"I said I'm NOT!" Sunny's face was crimson.
"You don't have to lie. After all, I heard what you thought when you saw my back that day…"
Sunny paled. "That doesn't prove anything!"
Out of nowhere, Nephis, with a blank expression, didn't waver and asked, "Sunny… are you attracted to Amon?"
Cassie stiffened. She didn't expect Nephis to ask Sunny such a direct question
Sunny gritted his teeth, desperate to dodge the question, but because of his flaw, was forced to answer. But before Sunny could speak, Amon suddenly said, "Nephis, maybe don't put him on the spot like—"
"Yes! But I'm STILL NOT GAY!" Sunny shouted, interrupting Amon; he could not stop himself.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Amon blinked. "Oh. I see." He sighed dramatically. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sunny, but I have to reject you. I'm not gay. I value our friendship too much to give you false hope."
Sunny looked like he might implode. "There was no confession! I NEVER confessed! And I! AM! NOT! GAY!"
As if realizing something, Amon asked, "Really?". Sunny, still with a fierce expression, said, "YES!"
Amon, realizing his mistake, said, "Ohh!, You were telling the truth, but I thought--never mind. I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Sunny."
Not wanting to drag the conversation on any further, Sunny let out a sharp sigh and muttered, "Think whatever you want."
He could already imagine Amon spilling the humiliating thought he'd had back when they first met—and if the girls heard that, his already tattered reputation would hit rock bottom.
Trying to shift the topic, Sunny cleared his throat. "Anyway… moving on. As for memories, I have four: two swords of Awakened rank II, an armor of Awakened rank V that gives some protection against mental attacks, and a loud silver bell."
He paused, then added dryly, "Oh, and I can see in the dark."
The others simply nodded, their expressions unreadable.