CHAPTER 74………………………………..
Huh, this is the kind of reaction you get from someone who’s never been properly thanked before.
Should I tease him a little more?
I can’t be the one getting flustered all the time.
I smirked quietly and spoke again.
“Thanks. Really.”
“……”
“If it weren’t for you, things might’ve gotten difficult.”
“……”
“Because of you, I got over a huge mountain. Meeting you was honestly such a bit of good luck—”
“Enough.”
In the end, Per cut me off and slowly shook his head.
“I get it, so that’s enough.”
I snorted a laugh.
Jeez, look at him getting all embarrassed.
“Anyway—”
I wonder how long passed after that.
Having regained his composure, Per opened his mouth again.
A calm, relaxed smile—his usual one—had returned to his lips.
“You’re talking like you already know this isn’t over yet, huh?”
I planted my fists on my hips and spoke proudly.
“Of course I know.”
From the moment you slap a number on a side story, it’s basically decided already!
“I’m not letting my guard down.”
“Hm.”
Per snorted softly.
“As expected, that’s what I like about you.”
His eyes curved placidly.
I froze, my mouth hanging open.
W-What kind of smile is that, coming from a kid the same age as me!?
“Whew…”
Only after taking a few deep breaths could I speak again.
“Sometimes I wonder how you can say things like that without blinking.”
“It’s the same thing as you teasing me.”
Per gave another smile with those red eyes narrowed.
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”
“I doubt it…”
He laughed aloud again at my response, then changed the subject.
“Anyway, good to know you haven’t let your guard down.”
“Why?”
“I was a little worried that you might’ve gotten careless after everything ended.”
“What do you take me for!”
…Okay, maybe I did think it’d be fine to rest just a little, but I was still being prepared, okay!
“Right.”
Per rested his chin in his palm and spoke evenly.
“I shouldn’t have worried.”
I puffed out my lips as I looked at him.
What’s with that face—like a parent about to let their grown kid move out.
So he really came all this way just because he was worried about me?
“…You didn’t have to worry.”
I grumbled bluntly.
“Would you not have come if I didn’t?”
Per blinked round eyes at me, staring quietly.
He even lifted the chin he’d been resting.
Flustered, I lowered my head and let my hair fall over my eyes.
Why did I say that!?
I should’ve just bragged like usual about how I can handle anything alone.
Why did that get stuck in my head out of nowhere!?
“…Hearing that from you is surprising.”
Per spoke in a teasing tone.
“I guess you really missed me a lot.”
I let my hair fall back as I took a long breath.
At this point, what’s the point in hiding when I’ve already been caught?
“Since I came here, you’re the only friend my age.”
I finally admitted.
“Playing with Mom and Dads is fun and all, but…”
“Yeah?”
“I still need time to play with a friend.”
It’s just… different.
No matter how much my dads play with me, it always feels more like they’re entertaining me, not playing with me.
“Aha.”
Per slowly nodded, then gave a bright smile.
“That makes me kind of happy.”
I mean, happy? Really?
“I’ll try to find more ways for us to meet and play.”
He added with a sunny smile.
Find ways for us to meet, huh.
“Not like sneaking out like this?”
“Yeah. Next time I’ll visit openly. That’ll work, right?”
“Mm-hm.”
Not that I understand how he’s planning to do that.
But seeing how confidently he said it… maybe he really is the sole heir of some high-ranking noble family?
—Wait, no.
If he were the only child, they wouldn’t let him sneak out at night. So maybe he’s the youngest troublemaker who slipped out without his father noticing?
Like, maybe shoved aside by older brothers and out of Dad’s good graces—
…Wait, that’s Harzen–Dad’s story.
“Anyway, you brought something pretty interesting with you.”
While I was lost in thought, Per casually changed the topic again.
I turned my head to look at Yepi perched on my arm.
“Oh, this is Yepi.”
A child born today.
“Say hello, Yepi. This is my friend Per.”
I held Yepi out toward him.
And immediately, Yepi screeched fiercely at Per.
“Squeak! Squeak-squeak! Squeee—!”
Not pi, but pik?
“I’ve never heard him go ‘pik pik.’ He normally cries ‘pi.’”
“Is that… a good sign?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think so.”
He looks angry at a glance.
I watched the angry Yepi with curiosity.
He didn’t even do this to Dad Kyle.
I thought Yepi liked anyone with mana, but maybe not.
“He must really hate you.”
It’d be nice if they could at least get along…
“Really?”
Per smirked and brought a finger toward Yepi.
He’s gonna get bitten!
What if he ends up with a hole in his finger like Kyle-Dad!?
Startled, I reached out to grab Per’s hand, but—
“Squeak! Squee!”
Yepi, trembling furiously at first, flinched the moment Per touched him.
“Squeak? Squee?”
Looking lost, he soon started rubbing his body against Per’s finger.
Even while doing that, he kept tilting his head in confusion.
“What the?”
He definitely looked like he hated him earlier.
I stared, confused too.
He still looked angry, but whenever Per touched him, he relaxed weirdly.
“See?”
Per grinned triumphantly.
“He doesn’t hate me.”
I tilted my head just like Yepi and blinked.
…Maybe?
“Cute.”
Per muttered, then withdrew his hand.
Yepi shook himself a few times in lingering confusion.
“Squeee—!”
Letting out a strangely frustrated cry, he fluttered up onto my head.
I looked up at him in surprise.
“You can fly already?”
And here I was wondering how I’d teach him the technique!
“Where’d you get him?”
While I glanced at Yepi, now nested in my hair, Per asked again.
I stiffened my neck and answered carefully.
“Oh, well…”
From the Imperial Beast Kennel.
“I got him as a gift!”
Even with a close friend, a secret is a secret.
I laughed awkwardly, giving a vague answer.
Per raised a brow.
“A gift like that?”
A gift like… what?
“You’re telling me someone gave you a divine beast as a present?”
