Umichi listened to Paka. He could understand the concerns. [i]I never once expected people to blindly follow me. But, I've thought things through.[/i] he thought to himself. But as he continued and started to talk about Suki, he felt that Paka didn't truly understand as much as he thought. Before Umichi could wait to tell Paka what was on his mind, Suki had an outburst.

[quote=Suki]
"No" Suki said, her voice filling with anger as she spoke. "No, Paka. Its nothing like that, and I'm sick of people assuming that it is! I've been working my way into a more supportive role, yes, with potions and more quick striking attacks, sure. Because that's what I'm good at. Umichi helped me when everyone else was panicking. He got me moving, got me wanting to survive in this world, and do more then sit on my butt waiting to be rescued. You, my father, my brothers, you've never let me try, never let me be a real kid, with broken bones, and scars, and heart break. I understand why, but here, I'm not that girl. And I have Umichi to thank for that" 

She took a deep breath, keeping her gaze on Paka's somewhat shocked face. "You maybe right with your opinions about danger, and all that, but don't ever presume to think I only went with Umichi because I wanted protection. I have a weapon. I can protect myself" She started to walk, to head out of town. "I like Umichi, and that's why I stayed with him" She continued to walk.
[/quote]

[i]She just makes me fall for her more and more. [/i] Umichi silently smiled to himself, blushing a little as she told Paka that she liked Umichi. He turned and saw Paka's stunned expression. Starting to walk out to catch up to Suki, he paused to speak. "You know, I don't expect people to follow me at all. I expect them to make their own judgements. I just tell them my own and see if they agree. I have my reasons for having Fujiwara and Ayame not participate. But that can come later." He breathed in deeply. "Suki is a stronger girl than you give her credit for. Especially her heart. I would like to be the hero to protect her. She keeps me going in this world. So let me tell you this." He turned around, "I like her just like she likes me." Turning back to start running to catch up to Suki, he could hear Yui ask to go back to the inn. "The quest flag might reset that way. Anyway, we are just getting the materials first, we aren't fighting the Dire Werewolf yet." Umichi called out, his call gradually getting softer as he was running towards the outskirts to catch up to Suki.

Seeing Suki waiting, he smiled. "Sorry, I just had to say a few things to Paka first, before trying to catch up to you." Standing by her side, he looked away for a moment, kind of scratching his face with one finger, thinking of the most appropriate way to say what he was thinking. "You know ... What you said about coming along with me because you like me. It made me real happy, and fall for you even more." Letting her hear how he was just loving her more and more, he blushed a bit, still not looking at her.

"Um... should we wait for the others to catch up? Or just start a bit before them?" Umichi asked Suki.