Perona stared at Mercer, dumbfounded. "Looks like I don't have one."
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it. When you do, I'll teach you how to fight. It'll definitely hurt more than getting your blood drawn."
"Think of this as an early practice run. Don't be scared. Here, I'll hold it down for you."
As he spoke, Mercer held the cotton ball against the puncture with his hand.
With Mercer comforting her,
Perona reluctantly agreed.
Robin watched them, lips pursed. Looking at the cotton ball on her own arm, she had no choice but to hold it down herself.
She couldn't help feeling as if there were some kind of barrier between her and the others.
But that was only natural. After all, she was a boy's captive now.
Once everything was taken care of, Mercer took the two girls downstairs. The moment they reached the bottom, Perona threw herself into Bear Cub's arms.
"Horohorohoro! Bear Cub, Bear Cub, you're a real, living panda!"
Bear Cub looked at Perona, then at Mercer, and ground his teeth. Mercer smiled. "Why don't you play with her? Her ability's pretty fun, too."
The next moment, Bear Cub's eyes lit up. He looked at Perona clinging to him and wrapped both arms around her tiny waist.
Perona's eyes lit up, too. Thinking Bear Cub liked her, she excitedly lifted her head.
The next second, a huge, dark mouth lunged at her.
Everything went black.
Kureha came downstairs just then and saw the whole thing: Perona's slender legs dangling from the corner of Bear Cub's mouth before he swallowed the rest of her.
Kureha looked completely unfazed.
But then, with a clatter,
Mercer turned around. Robin was staring at the scene with constricted pupils, and a chair had toppled behind her.
Robin looked at Mercer,