“So, what do we do now?” I ask hesitantly. Claire simply stands there, arms crossed and a concerned look on her face, before she opens her mouth.
“We’re not going to do anything. The village should be safe now, and since the story played out differently than it should have, there’s no reason for those three to take us with them. We’ll say our goodbyes and go our separate ways. The end.”
She suddenly grabs me by both shoulders, her eyes wide. Claire’s gaze is deadly serious.
“I will always protect you, Miku! But, just in case… If that Ektor guy approached you on purpose, then there’s a chance this was all a trap. Don’t be taken in by him, okay? Don’t fall in love! Say it!”
“D-Don’t fall…in love…!”
“Good!”
Everything’s getting a little too complicated for me, though I can’t help but laugh at how serious she is. And like that, the tension between us is gone!
“It seems like they’re finishing up…” she says.
“Huh? N-No way… The three of them, alone, were able to vanquish all those monsters that quickly?!”
“Based on their stats, it’s not that surprising. Oh, look. Here they come.”
Completely taken aback by her deduction, I can’t help but blurt out: “How would you know something like that?!”
“I’m well versed in the game’s mechanics!”
Oh, of course. Not like that makes any sense whatsoever…
Claire said she would always protect me, and I believe her. That’s why I trust her and put my confusion aside for now.
“Hey, you girls okay?” Ektor asks as he steps forward, away from his companions. The wind ruffles his blonde hair, the golden strands sparkling underneath the rays of the setting sun. He looks breathtakingly gorgeous…
“Yeah, we’re fine,” Claire says. “Thanks for the help. Um, you guys… I’m pretty sure I saw you earlier at the village, right?”
“That’s right. I had a brief chat with Miku there. I’m pretty sure you were accompanying her.”
“Miku is my younger twin. I’m Claire.”
“Claire, huh? I’m Ektor. But for now…nice to meet you?”
Upon saying that, he extends his hand out toward her, and Claire grasps it with a smile. Actually, they’re both smiling, and yet…am I imagining things, or do I see sparks flying from both of them?!
“I could’ve sworn you were heading toward the Northern Wood, so why are you here?” Claire asks.
“I had a bad feeling. Call it a hunch. Besides, I could ask the same of you two. Why are you here instead of preparing for tonight’s festival?”
“Call it the same hunch.”
They spoke while locked in their handshake, big smiles plastered on their faces. It was kind of creepy, actually.
“What’s their deal?”
“Beats me.”
Rinny, watching on in exasperation, and Macro, with a look of pure, unadulterated boredom on his face, stood just behind Ektor, refusing to get involved.
U-Um… What should I do?
This is awkward. With their conversation at a standstill, silence descends on all of us, when suddenly…
Grrrumble…
Unable to read the room, my stomach lets out a loud grumble. I’m mortified, my tail and ears drooping in sheer embarrassment. I quickly grab my stomach with both arms, trying to stifle the sound, but it’s too late. Everyone is staring at me.
My cheeks are probably just as bright as Claire’s hair!
“S-Sorry…! I guess I’m hungry.”
At the sound of my straightforward confession, Ektor bursts into laughter.
Aww! Now he’s laughing at me!
I want to curl into a ball, but instead, Claire hugs me tight.
“You did so good, Miku. Thank you for saving my life,” she whispers, and my heart fills with love.
That was my line!
I hug her back and speak quietly enough so only she can hear. “You, too. Nice job.”
“So, you’re hungry?”
“Hee-hee. Yes.”
My stomach gave the perfect lead, and she followed it amazingly. That’s why I love her! We giggle together before a sudden loud harumph interrupts us. We turn to see Ektor watching us, a wry smile on his face.
Oh, I forgot about him. Oops?
“At any rate…let’s head back to the village together, shall we?” he suggests.
“…Sure, let’s do that,” Claire says.
Why was their supposed first meeting so fraught with clear disdain? Are they simply incompatible? Is it like the opposite of falling in love at first sight? Of course, I know about Claire’s suspicions, but if she continues acting so openly distrustful, I worry he might put his guard up and act suspicious of us too.
“U-Um! With the festival tonight, there will be tons of food…so please stick around and enjoy yourself!” I pipe up, hoping desperately to lighten the mood.
“Are you sure?” Ektor quickly responds.
“Of course!” Claire says in my stead while pushing him lightly toward the village.
Is she pushing him away from me? I already told her I wasn’t in love with him! She’s such a worrywart.
“Uhhh? Are we allowed to come, too?” The muscular, red-headed Rinny speaks up awkwardly…
That reminds me!
“We owe our lives to you! And the continued safety of our village. I wish to thank you formally!” I say.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“That’s right. We don’t need thanks!”
I hurried to stand in front of them to offer my formal thanks for what they had done, but the short, black-haired Macro interrupts me, speaking without hesitation, before turning away. As if in agreement, Rinny waves his hand as if shooing my thanks away… Hmph!
“That’s not right!” I protest.
I can’t stand it!
I puff my cheeks out, clearly annoyed, the fur on my tail sticking out in all directions. I wasn’t really angry, though. I just want them to take my feelings into consideration.
“PLEASE accept my thanks. I know what you did was insignificant to you, but you saved our lives and the lives of everyone in our village. You saved all of us. I have to say SOMETHING!”
“Ngh…”
“Ugh…”
They seem taken aback by my words.
“To not say anything…it just seems…” I trail off. I don’t blame them. When it comes to apologies, it’s up to the recipient whether they want to listen and accept those words or not. But I want to thank them, somehow… “…Wrong. And rude.”
I lower my head, dejected. I guess I’m kind of forcing my thanks onto them, which is pretty rude in itself, thinking about it. I immediately feel bad for what I’ve done. I’ve gone too far.
“I’m r-really sorry. I forced my feelings onto you and that was not my intention,” I apologize right away, and immediately worry that might make them feel bad!
Argh! Why am I so frustratingly annoying sometimes?! Claire never worries about silly stuff like this! Ugh! There’s no way I can look them in the eye now!
As I fall deeper inside my head, my anxiety swirling in circles, I feel something soft on the top of my head.
“Hey, come on. We were in the wrong, too. But we accept your apology and your gratitude.”
Hesitantly, I look up, only to see it was Rinny who patted my head. His eyes are focused on something far off in the sky, clearly feeling awkward.
“Mm…fine. I’m sorry as well. It was just a little embarrassing, is all. And you’re welcome.”
Macro crosses his arms over his chest with a scowl and quickly averts his gaze… What’s this? These guys are actually pretty nice. I guess I shouldn’t be so quick to judge people by the way they look. But to be fair, they look pretty intimidating!