"Thinking about it now, when I first found Big Ox, it was only because his silhouette was so distinctive."
"He was so big, and he had those huge horns on his head."
"I recognized him right away and connected him with the Big Ox in my memories."
"My attention was all on the blood on Big Ox."
"I didn't even notice whether I'd gotten a clear look at what he looked like."
Now that he tried to remember, he wasn't even sure whether Big Ox had looked like the monsters Eldest Brother had summoned—just a dark shadow.
A shadow stained with blood.
Suddenly, he was a little scared. "Will I stop being able to see Big Ox in the future?"
He had finally found Big Ox, whom he'd thought he would never see again...
He'd found him...
But was there a chance he'd never see him again?
What... kind of awful turn of events was this?!
"You're about to see Big Ox."
"You can still see him right now."
Xiao Xiao's answer was an indirect confirmation of the boy's guess.
"Or do you think it would've been better not to know that Big Ox was looking for you in the first place?"
Then Big Ox could have remained a special friend in his memories.
And he wouldn't have to face another parting.
"...No."
The boy was silent for a while, then shook his head hard. "Even if I only get to see him once, I still want to see Big Ox."
"Even if I can never see him again after this."
"But I'll know that Big Ox wasn't just a childhood fantasy."
"He really exists."
"I have a monster friend."
"That's good enough."
"Actually, I'm pretty lucky."
The boy smiled. "At least I found Big Ox before