Ch. 4: Have Courage
Afterwards…-.
I went after the puppy with Shigure and entered the forest.
OO: "I wonder where it ran off to."
We looked around and around when…
Puppy: "Woof!"
In between Shigure and me, the puppy ran out of the forest with its tail wagging.
OO: "Oh good, we found you. Now, where is Shigure's dagger? It's very important to him."
Shigure: "…"
The puppy barked and looked at us for a moment, then ran off again.
OO: "Where are you going?"
Puppy: "Woof!"
The puppy once again turned to look back at us and gave us an encouraging look…
Before long, it had gone deep into the forest.
OO: "It's like it's telling us to follow it."
Shigure: "Yeah…"
OO: "Let's go!"
As we chased after the puppy…
Shigure: "H-hey. Why does getting my dagger back worry you so much OO?"
[CHOICE]
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Because you're worried (SUN)
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Because it's important to you (MOON)
And so Shigure and I went after the puppy, deep into the forest.
…
……
Deeper in the forest, we came to a small hole that looked like the puppy had dug it.
A flower, nuts from a tree, a broken toy…
It seemed this was the place the puppy hid all of its treasures.
The puppy raced around the area, as if boasting to us.
I wonder if it's bragging…hm…?
OO: "Ah…!"
Inside the hole, I could see Shigure's dagger.
Shigure: "You hid it here…"
OO: "Isn't it great, we found it!"
Shigure: "Yeah, thanks to you OO."
Saying so, Shigure moved to pick up the dagger and…
A low growl came from the puppy.
Shigure: "…"
Shigure quivered in surprise and started to back away from the puppy.
OO: "You can do it Shigure!"
Shigure: "Y-yeah…"
Shigure nodded vigorously as if trying to comfort himself.
Shigure: "Would you…give it back?"
Shigure gazed intently at the puppy, a kind look on his face.
Puppy: "…"
Then the puppy made a small noise and sat down.
Shigure: "OK…?"
As if in answer, the puppy licked his hand.
Shigure: "…th-thanks!"
Shigure looked delighted as he turned to me, and I blushed.
OO: "I'm glad for you Shigure."
Shigure: "Yeah…"
Shigure had gotten back his dagger, and I felt relief wash over me when…-.
Shigure: "…!?"
Shigure started to look around.
Is something wrong?
Suddenly, Shigure grabbed my shoulder and pulled me closer.
OO: "…!"
My heart sped up, and I could feel my cheeks starting to get warmer.
Shigure…?
I saw restlessness in Shigure's eyes.
I followed his gaze and…-.
OO: "…!"
From the thick, dense shadows of the forest, I could hear a beast growling.
Shigure: "Wolf…!"
OO: "A wolf!?"
The growling steadily grew louder.
Is it coming this way? I'm scared…
I unintentionally gripped Shigure's sleeve tightly…
Shigure: "…"
He was shaking more than I was.
Shigure: "D-don't leave my side."
Even so, Shigure made absolutely no move to take his hand away from my shoulder.
OO: "Why?... Because you look worried about it."
Shigure's eyes went wide, but in the end…-.
Shigure: "…I see. Thanks. And sorry."
Shigure smiled kindly at me.
OO: "Ah, please don't apologize."
Shigure: "…sorry."
OO: "See, you did it again."
The two of us smiled at each other.
OO: "Why?…Because it's important to you Shigure."
Shigure: "…but I said it was fine."
OO: "You can't just give up."
I smiled as I said it.
Shigure: "…I guess you're right."
Shigure gave a gentle smile.