The path leading to the town soon became thicker with all kinds of plants obscuring the way. Leaves the size of an umbrella, curtains of vines, vividly colorful plants, sickly sweet fragrant flowers, logs of mossy trees underneath, you name it - a real jungle. Juto wasn’t sure if that really was the way they were supposed to take or if Jun was messing with him by purposefully taking the worst one. Maybe even leading him in circles. Now that he thought of it, it was pretty bold of that little man to venture here all by himself, especially with the wildlife roaming around. A shame, since the beach was pretty neat, could even be a good tourist spot.

"So… How come you were already there when I reached the beach?" Juto broke the tense silence between them. He didn't bother holding Jun at gunpoint, the weapon worked better as a tool to move the greenery away.

"I saw you fighting with that other mech.” Jun responded without breaking his pace nor looking back. “Commotion in the sky hardly goes unnoticed, really. It was quite a spectacle to locals, considering we’re in a zone far away from the battlefield. I snuck out and reached the top of the cliff when that other guy shot you down. That fight seemed one-sided if you ask me. Do you suck at combat that much?"

"I see. Well, first of all I didn't mean to venture here, not on purpose at least. I tried to shake him off, but my systems were malfunctioning, so I pretty much went blindly in a random direction. I was an easy target from the start. Sorry about disturbing the peace of your people."

"Mhmm. If you say so."

Despite having his hands tied behind his back, Jun didn’t have trouble treading through the flora. If anything, he made it harder for Juto by pushing against leaves and branches that then smacked into the soldier, nor did he warn him about the tripping hazards hidden in the grass. He must’ve sneak out here often enough to know every root, rock and leaf like the back of his palm. Luckily he didn’t try to escape or else Juto would have a hard time following him.

“Can you stop that?” Juto grew impatient when another branch smacked his shin.

“So, why do you need a radio station?” Jun ignored the question. “Can’t you just borrow a smartphone?”

“They’re banned in our army.”

“Oh? Let me guess, was it because of TipTop?” Jun sounded amused if not slightly mocking.

“Eh, it was for security purposes, but the app certainly contributed to it. Now we’re only allowed to use government issued radio communicators and my spare one ended up at the bottom of the sea with my mech, so…”

"Say, what is it like to pilot a mech?" The self proclaimed guerilla asked with a hint of fascination in his voice.

"Hm? What exactly do you want to know?"

"I've never been in one before, but I'm curious on how they work. Is it true that your whole body is paralyzed while you're hooked and all the neural input from the brain goes directly to the robot instead? Does it feel like you'd switch bodies? Does it hurt? Can you feel it when the mech suffers damage?"

The short man stopped at a clearing in the jungle and looked up at Juto, for once his face actually beaming with sincere curiosity. It took the soldier by surprise, but he found it kind of adorable. It reminded him of the new recruits with a sparkle in their eyes when they looked forward to boarding a mech for the first time.

"Uhh... well no, you can't feel the damage or else it would be unbearable to sit in that thing... And you keep control over your body when you're linked in, it's just that the mech works like an extension if that makes sense… It takes a while to get used to, especially if there's lags in feedback." Juto scratched his head trying to reply as best as he could. "Sorry if that's not the answer you were hoping for. Personally I'm not really fond of them..."

"Why not?" Jun furrowed his brows.

"They're war machines, they're designed to destroy. And sometimes the confined space feels claustrophobic. Each time you get in the machine, it may be your last, might as well call it a glorified coffin. And it almost became one for me today." He shivered at the thought. He could still feel the taste of salt water in his mouth.

"Ok, then why do you fight?"

"To protect. Not just the side I'm on, but all the parties involved on the battlefield, including the enemy. We're all just people, there's no need for pointless deaths. If piloting a mech gives me an opportunity to reduce casualties, then I will go for it."

"Hmm..." Jun hummed, pondering.

He didn't expect an answer like that. It could’ve been a lie, but judging by the serious expression staring back at him, it didn't seem like Juto was bluffing. Naturally what he said made him sound like a decent guy, but Jun couldn't - or more likely refused to believe it. It went against the very teachings of the town’s elders - to never trust the enemy war dog, especially a high ranked one. For all he knew, good soldiers simply didn't exist beyond the border. Exceptions applied, but he was yet to determine whether the one in front of him belonged to the “good ones”.

"You don't believe me, huh?" Juto asked as if reading his mind.

"Nope." He shook his head to which the tall man just sighed.

They resumed the walk.

“Did you already forget that I saved you from that tiger? Despite you holding me at gunpoint?”

“Nobody saves an enemy without an ulterior motive.” Jun shrugged.

“It was a split second decision, how-”

“Shh! Did you hear that?” He stopped abruptly, looking somewhere in the distance. “I think there’s something there.” He lowered his voice.

“Please don’t tell me there’s another tiger…” Juto hunched over, matching the tone.

He moved to the front, senses sharp, rifle at the ready. “Where is it?” He made a step forward and let out a surprised yelp as something suddenly pulled at his leg and the world spun before his eyes. Before he knew it he was suspended in the air legs up, while Jun was cackling beneath him. 

“Can’t believe you fell for it!” He could barely contain himself.

“Well played, you little shit.” Juto grumbled with a mix of embarrassment and exasperation showing on his face, while he dangled there like a mistletoe in a doorway. He reached to his side, before remembering that Jun threw his knife away. He whimpered, succumbing to the gravity, feeling utterly exhausted with everything. 

“Don’t you worry, I got this!” Jun finally composed himself.

“How? Your hands are tied…”

Without breaking a sweat, Jun leaned forward and moved his hands underneath from back to the front, squeezing one, then the other leg through the gap. He bit at the fabric to loosen it and soon his wrists were free again. He tucked the bandana in his back pocket and rubbed his wrists, a mischievous smile showing on his face. He picked up the rifle that Juto dropped after stepping in the trap. The soldier realized what his temporary companion was about to do and started to flail frantically.

“No! Nonononono, wai-!”

Jun pointed the rifle somewhere above the knot and pulled the trigger. A couple of last bullets in the magazine whizzed in the air, slitting the rope enough for weight and gravity to take over. Juto fell shoulder first with a thud, legs followed with a delay and he stayed there sprawled, sore and exhausted.

“I give up…” He said with strain in his voice, closing his eyes. “Don’t.” He added as soon as he heard Jun pointing the rifle at him. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just… give me a moment…” He made a vague hand gesture.

“Oh, come on, you big baby. We’re almost there.” Jun kicked him playfully in the side.

Without a word Juto raised his arm for some assistance in getting up. Jun took his hand to pull, but he was pulled down instead and forced to the ground. Before the guerilla could say anything, Juto rolled over on top of him, immobilizing him. 

“Hey, hey, hey! What the fuck!?” He wiggled underneath, flustered.

“I said just give me a moment.” Juto mumbled, unfazed.

“URGH! Get off of me, you beached whale! You’re squishing me! I can’t breathe!” The shortie kept screaming, annoying Juto even more.

The soldier moved his head intending to hush him, but then saw Jun’s neck in full display. Without thinking, he blew on it, sending a shudder through Jun’s body and a high pitched shriek followed. The soldier couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“I could do this all day.”

“OKAY, OKAY, I’ll behave, I promise!” He wailed, one free hand tapping the ground like a yelding wrestler.

The soldier rolled off to the side without a word. Jun immediately scooted away, rubbing his neck and trying to calm his racing heart. “At least buy me dinner first, geez.” 

Juto made a kissing sound in response, followed by a smirk.

Jun pulled the bandana out of his pocket and tied it around his neck where it belonged. He hung the rifle over his shoulder, then sat on a nearby log one leg over the other and propped his head in his palm, watching the soldier.

The tree leaves rustled above accompanied by birds chirping. A butterfly circled Jun two times before flying over and landing on Juto’s forehead, lured by the sweat. Soon after, two more joined the party landing on his nose and cheek, but the soldier didn’t budge.

“Are you dead…?” Jun grew a little worried. “They eat corpses, you know? And poop.”

“Shut up.”

The butterflies scattered for a moment, before going back to their spots. Another couple started to circle the soldier, then a tiny frog jumped on his chest. A curious parakeet took a seat on his foot. The more Jun watched, the more critters gathered around the man in front of him. It made him think he’s some sort of fairytale princess. All that bothered to sit on Jun was mosquitoes. 

The magic eventually broke when Juto sneezed and the wildlife party scattered in all directions.

A good five minutes passed before Jun grew impatient.

“Are you done yet?” He sighed, his foot fidgeting.

“I could really use a smoke right now…” The soldier mumbled to himself as if he was on the verge of passing out.

Jun pondered for a moment, when an idea hit him.

“The gatekeeper is a smoker.”

“Let’s go!” He immediately sprung up, as if he wasn’t deflated just a moment ago.