—–

Agua felt quite surprised she was called; it was obvious she wasn’t going to be included in her mind. After all, they had just met her for at most, half a day… this cute and emotional moment… She didn’t belong to it. She was a bit jealous though, of such a strong and cute friendship, one where friends could joke around, act casual, hug and love one another like a family.

Something se desired deep down, which her friends from the village couldn’t give to her due to her position in the village, and also, well, their customs and social culture. The Oasis Tribe were very serious, calm people. Things such as hugging one another, laughing, joking around, were quite rare.

They lived through a doctrine of discipline and inner peace, of meditation of the mind and the soul, and of unifying with nature and the Oasis itself… Therefore, times like these were quite rare. Although this didn’t mean she didn’t love her family, as they have always still shown affection to her.

But something like this, true friendship? It was… nothing but a dream.

“Maybe if I had met them sooner…” She thought for a moment, sighing. “Ah, well, forget it. I should be glad the heroine allowed me to accompany her. It has been an honor to-“

“Agua! Come here too!” Silvia called her, interrupting her train of thoughts, making Agua quite surprised.

“E-Eh? Me?” Agua was surprised. “Why?”

“You’re our friend too, right?” Aquarina asked, crossing her arms while smiling gently. “Don’t you want a hug or something? We’re giving them for free.”

“I-I…” Agua grew redder, feeling embarrassed. “Um. I… Am your friend? But… We’ve just met today.”

“So what?” Asked Aquarina.

“I… it’s a thing of time, isn’t it? To make good friends…” Agua sighed, looking down. “I couldn’t possibly be your true friend with so little time together…”

“We’ve risked our lives together, we’ve adventured, we’ve eaten delicious food together cooked together, and laughed together, what else do you need to do to become our friend then?” Aquarina asked with a confident smile.

“Yeah!” Silvia nodded. “Agua, you’re our pal!”

“I suppose so,” Justicio nodded. “We’re never short for another companion. Thanks for everything so far too, you’ve been of great help, seriously.”

“I-I… I don’t know what to say… I mean…!” Agua felt overwhelmed. “I…”

Aquarina and Silvia walked to her side, helping the girl stand up.

She looked a bit awkward, being so tall and slender, yet she was very shy and meek sometimes.

“Do you truly mean it, heroine?” Agua wondered. “I-I don’t know what to say… I feel so honored…”

“Yeah come here!” Silvia said hugging Agua. “Thanks for your help and everything so far, Agua!”

“Of course I mean, it, you’re our friend now,” Aquarina nodded, hugging Agua as well.

It was a lethal double hug, Agua couldn’t handle it, growing as red as a tomato while becoming very flustered, she had never quite hugged people on this way before! The skin contact was too much.

“G-Girls, this is… a bit too much… Aaahhh…” Agua couldn’t handle it, she was melting.

“Come on, spare her…” Justicio sighed, dragging Aquarina and Silvia away, they liked hugginh Agua because of how slender she was.

“Ah! S-Sorry, was that too weird?” Silvia wondered.

“We thought you needed one because you looked kind of down,” Aquarina said.

“N-No! I mean… I… Uh, thanks…” Agua nodded, looking a bit nervous but also happy. “Um… This is the first time I was hugged by someone that isn’t my mother. So I was… s-surprised, a bit.”

“Sorry… we got carried away,” Silvia apologized again. “Anyway, I guess we’re done then, Agua! You’re part of the gang, right?”

“T-The gang?” Agua was surprised.

“We were wondering if you would like to come along with us to Everstone? You know, check the place around… Hang out with us a bit more?” Aquarina wondered.

“E-Everstone? I’ve never been there before…” Agua was surprised. “H-How is it?”

“It’s huge compared to your village! I think you’re going to like it!” Silvia said. “Aaah, of course, we’re not forcing you or anything, and we’re not asking you to stay either! I know you’ve got your family there and everything and-“

“I wanna go…” Agua suddenly said. “Yes, if you would really be kind enough to invite me… I-I would gladly go!”

“Oh?” Aquarina giggled. “I guess you’re more eager than we imagined… Have you lived at the Oasis your entire life?”

“Yes… I was never allowed to step out of the jungle around the Oasis. Although I’ve explored almost every corner, so I know a lot of it, the border of the Oasis… Well, I’ve never gone beyond that,” said Agua. “I’ve had opportunities but… I felt afraid, to go out there, alone… Nobody else was really interested in going into the wilderness beyond the border.”

“Huh…” Justicio nodded. “I mean, makes sense, you guys got pretty much a paradise there, the jungle full of life, the Oasis, the fish, fruit, everything you could ever ask. It’s a little paradise that your village and family protect.”

“Hmm…” Agua nodded. “I do love it, everything. I love my home a lot… but… yeah…”

“Well!” Khepri suddenly said. “We cold discuss and solve that once we get back to the surface, don’t you think boys and girls?”

“I agree, it’s really cute,” Pyuku smiled. “But we should get going.”

“Aah, Pyuku! Sorry, you’re also my friend!” Silvia ran towards Pyuku, hugging him, but suddenly feeling her arms slowly sliding into his body. “Uwaah?!”

“Hahah, sorry,” Pyuku giggled, letting her arms out. “Don’t hug me too carelessly or that’ll happen quite a lot…”

“S-Sorry…” Silvia sighed. “But you’re our friend too!”

“Thanks,” Pyuku nodded. “I appreciate it. I also consider you guys my friends… Sorry if I’m quite… well, awkward sometimes too. I have a hard time… showing my emotions and stuff.”

“Ah, so like Justicio, eh?” Khepri wondered.

“W-Why am I being used as an example now? I can show my emotions just fine!” Justicio complained.

“Hahaha!” Silvia laughed, and Aquarina followed.

“Aaah, you’re laughing again…” Justicio facepalmed. “At least Pyuku here gets me.”

“Hahahah!”

However, Pyuku was also laughing.

“Ah, never mind…”

Undine glanced from the distance, smiling.

“Well, Pyuku, don’t you feel more welcomed now?”

—–

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!

Report chapter

Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter