Starfell Prompt : (5) Caves

Prompt: The Caves (5)

Hanako was only an adventurer that required specific rewards. Every curious explorer had their own unique reasons. To solve a mystery. To be the first to find something new by searching. To impress a girl. Hanako’s reasons were more similar to the 3rd reason. His boots trudged across the sandy beaches first. Every few steps he wonders why he’s here and not on his couch. But he told himself everytime he found his mind wandering to urge him to take a turn and head back to his apartment, this was for the greater good. Something his future self would thank for. And what he would certainly be rewarded in the future if he just put in the effort now.

Make out spots

Caves. It’s perfect. It's away, secluded, and a perfect place to go to if he ever had another date at the beach. He was certain he wasn’t the only one who thought this. But that was the good part about this plan. If the caves were popular due to the festival going on right now, he knew which spots others already had decided was good enough for a make out spot and move on to find another that's way better. Now, he wasn't looking forward to accidentally interupting someones private moment so that's what the headphones and big chunky glasses were for. Headphones to cancel out any unwanted noises, and to play innocent if he was just passing through, and the glasses for identity concealment. Or if worse case scenario, he’ll just pretend to drop the glasses and wail about not being able to see. Perfect plan. Perfect opportunity to waste time doing something so ridiculous.

But hey, he knew others may not understand the utmost importance of finding a good make out spot. Which is why he only came alone, and not with someone. And ideally, if he were to take someone here, he could just brag saying he knew connections and had someone tell him about this place. Or if he was feeling cheesy - ‘ I dont know. Probably fate guided us here ~’, would be his main line. Shameless, he knows. But once shamelessness is accepted from within, there wasn’t really a lot of things to complain about. Especially if he was benefitting from it.

He walked in slowly, minding his steps, not eager to get an embarrassing injury during this short journey. Using his torchlight first, vaguely noticing the bits of light that moved in the cave but felt too hasty to find that perfect make out spot to really stop to pay attention to them. He dwelled deeper and deeper, occasionally pulling out his sketchbook to make a vague map of the cave from his perspective. The map looking more like an 8 year olds drawing during art class. Hanako wasn’t an artist. But you know what he was? Motivated.

Even as he was horribly reminded that he forgot to change the batteries in his torchlight before his journey started, he managed to use those weird caterpillars to guide his way. Though now knowing they were caterpillars are not random blinding gems in the caves made him more even slower. A disgusted face etched on his face if a light got too close to him.

With his attention more to the caterpillars, he wasn’t exactly paying attention to where he was stepping. Next thing he knew he stepped on something, a chill running down his spine. Relaxing only when he realised the item was far too solid to be a squished caterpillar. He took a step back and picked up the item. Star shaped thingy with the colour of blood, almost velvety. Crimson, maybe, was the better word to describe it. Hanako pondered for a moment before putting it in his pocket.

w/c: 627