Xiao Xiao smiled, not calling Spirit Maple out on its "saying one thing and meaning another."
"Ling Yao is a friend of yours. It asked me to thank you."
"It's very grateful that you took it in."
"I didn't take it in."
Spirit Maple corrected Xiao Xiao. "It's the one that insists on staying here."
But you haven't driven it away, either.
Of course, Xiao Xiao didn't say that aloud.
He didn't want the monster to disappear again out of embarrassment.
He still had questions to ask.
"Spirit Maple."
Xiao Xiao could feel Uncle Xu's gaze moving back and forth between him and the maple tree nearby. "Uncle Xu has a question for you."
"...Qingzhu?"
Spirit Maple murmured softly, a trace of barely perceptible confusion on its face.
"He's thinking..."
Xiao Xiao repeated to Spirit Maple what Uncle Xu had told him earlier.
Spirit Maple pressed its lips together. "...He's overthinking it."
"Is that so?"
Xiao Xiao smiled. "All right, I'll tell Uncle Xu that."
"Then—"
"Spirit Maple, I'm leaving."
He turned around and started to walk away.
"...I don't like being around a lot of people."
Spirit Maple's voice came from behind him.
It was as ethereal as ever, but the slight stir of emotion made it feel less uncanny.
"And I don't like being disturbed."
"If there are other people..."
"Qingzhu won't be able to keep talking to me."
Xiao Xiao turned around.
A gust of wind passed, and the maple branches brushed against one another with a soft rustling, making quite a commotion.
The monster that had been hiding among them had already disappeared.
He smiled and turned toward Uncle Xu, who was waiting nearby.
"Master Xiao."
Xu Qingzhu came forward, looking somewhat hesitant.
Xiao Xiao smiled. He wasn't surprised by Uncle Xu's reaction.
Without