The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After taking a bath and dressing up, Raye went back to the cabin.

And there—

"Huh?"

He was surprised to see Jerusha and the others already waiting for him.

"How did you guys know I was awake? Or did you just go here without knowing?"

He asked.

Then, Jerusha pointed up. Raye looked in the sky... He saw Zephyrus and Pyro flying in circles, playing.

’Oh, those two must’ve sensed that I’m awake and told them about it.’

He thought as he brought his attention back to the others. He smiled, and opening his mouth...

"I’m going to cook for dinner, wait for a bit."

He said that.

"Okay!"

Jerusha happily replied.

Then Lycus, Devin, Kyle, Lena, Sofia, Alec, and Allen just nodded their heads as a response.

*****

(Raye’s POV)

I’m currently cooking.

Nothing special, just a rabbit stew enough for everyone and a whole boar.

Lycus and Devin took out a big table from the cabin and placed it outside so we could all fit in it later.

And after setting it up, everyone sat there—they were all talking to each other, gossiping and stuff.

Zephyrus and Pyro were with them, they’re exhausted from training and playing so the two of them just sat on the table.

I smiled at that sight.

Then suddenly—

"Let me help you."

I heard that from my right, and when I looked toward it... I saw Jerusha looking at me.

She’s smiling.

’She’s really cute.’

"You sure you don’t want to join the others?"

I asked her.

She just shook her head and helped me stir the stew, and after that—she opened her mouth.

"I missed you. I want to be with you right now."

"..."

I went totally silent after hearing that. But as a small smile crept up my face—

"I missed you more, really."

I muttered that.

I remembered my time back in the rift dungeon... Especially when Zephyrus and Pyro were meditating for a month and I was left all alone.

I often thought of how much I was missing the cabin—Old Man Rey and the others.

And of course... Jerusha.

I missed her presence, her voice, her bright smile, her lovely eyes... I missed her so much it’s actually ridiculous.

And during those times, I came to realize just how much I love her.

Though... I still didn’t expect myself to confess as soon as I came back. Thinking back earlier—my face cringed up a bit.

’Ugh...’

I groaned internally. But then—

"Hmm, you okay?"

I saw Jerusha, she was looking at me, tilting her head when she asked that.

’Cute.’

"I’m okay."

Then, as she was just about to turn her attention back to the stew—

"Hey."

I called for her.

"What?"

I glanced at Jerusha, then looking back in front of me—to the big pot with the stew in it.

"I love you."

I whispered that.

"..."

I saw her face redden when I said that from the corner of my eyes.

"I love you too."

She whispered back. Her voice was soft and sweet.

And hearing her words—

"..."

A full-on smile appeared on my face. I was smiling from ear to ear.

"Haha..."

A small laugh escaped my mouth, I don’t know why. But right now, I don’t really care.

*****

"..."

"..."

"..."

Lycus and the others became silent. They were looking at Jerusha and Raye cooking not far away from them, being chummy and all with each other.

"Don’t they know we can hear them?"

Sofia asked, blushing.

"I think they forgot we’re here."

Lena said.

"Erm... Let’s just not disturb them."

Lycus muttered while scratching his cheek. And at his words... Kyle, Leon, and Allen nodded their heads in unison—agreeing.

"We’re going to have a sweet stew, guys."

Devin jokingly said, looking at Jerusha and Raye still. The others didn’t reply to him, but they agreed with him too.

The group then looked at each other, smiling awkwardly and not knowing what to do. Even without looking and trying... They could hear the two whispering to each other!

"I’m really glad I confessed, you know."

They heard Raye say.

"I’m glad too, I was so happy when you did. The whole world stopped for me and my heart ran wild."

Then Jerusha responded in a low voice.

"..."

Sofia and the others were trying not to smile when they heard them. They were feeling all giddy and butterflies.

-I’m hungry... meep!

Then they all looked down on the table.

They saw Zephyrus lying down, resting. Pyro was on top of his body, sitting cutely.

-Me too.

Zephyrus simply said.

And without stuttering—

-meep! mama and papa are taking too long to cook.

Pyro mumbled that.

"..."

Lycus and the others looked at each other again. They all smiled awkwardly.

They knew Pyro could speak just earlier, but they didn’t know he calls Raye and Jerusha his papa and mama!

This surprised the group.

Their faces were asking like—"You guys heard that too, right?"

*****

Anyway, not long after that...

Raye and Jerusha finished cooking.

A big pot of stew and a whole lechon was made.

Lycus and Leon carried the roasted boar and placed it on the middle of the table they got. The rabbit stew pot remained on the stone stove they used.

Lena and Sofia prepared dishes for everyone.

Kyle, Devin, and Allen fixed the table and all.

Zephyrus and Pyro didn’t do anything, they’re still resting...

And once everything was ready—

They all sat back down.

Jerusha and Raye were sitting side by side.

And looking at them... The others secretly glanced at each other with meaningful eyes.

’They’re inseparable now.’

They all thought in unison, slightly nodding their heads.

"Let’s eat, guys."

Raye then said that. And with smiles on their faces—

"Thanks for the food."

-thankies! meep!

-The leg part is mine!

The group said that before taking a bite of the roasted boar—the lechon. They all went with that first.

They happily talked and stuff, like they were in a festival.

They laughed, gossiped, joked, and many more. It was a good time.

But then, after a while—when the atmosphere was really light...

"So, what happened to you, Raye?"

Lycus asked that. Curiosity got the best of him and everyone else.

"..."

Raye felt everyone’s gazes on him, so with a smile on his face...

"So, after I left—"

He opened his mouth and started telling his story to the others.

...

...

...

Raye told them everything, from start to finish.