The boy shook his head, not answering Xiao Xiao's question directly. "What difference does it make whether I know?"
"No matter what kind of monster it is, all I need to know is that it's Little One."
"It's a parasitic vine monster."
Xiao Xiao looked straight at the boy's lowered face.
"As its name suggests,"
"its way of surviving... is through parasitism."
"Do you understand what that means?"
"It absorbs things from its host—"
"I know!"
The boy cut Xiao Xiao off, a little roughly.
Then he seemed to realize he'd overreacted, and took a deep breath.
"I know."
He repeated himself.
"I don't know what kind of monster Little One is."
"But I've lived with Little One for a long time. I know..."
The boy pressed his lips together.
He seemed to be having trouble expressing himself.
"I know what it needs to get from me..."
"I know..."
"But you don't mind?"
Xiao Xiao's words helped the boy gather his thoughts.
He nodded.
"Mm."
"I don't mind."
"I'm willing to keep Little One with me."
"Are you sure?"
Xiao Xiao sighed quietly to himself.
Why were all the boys he'd met lately so strong-willed?
"The parasitic vine monster—"
"I'm sure!"
The boy once again cut Xiao Xiao off, a little roughly.
"I'm sorry."
"But Little One is my friend."
"I know it better than you do."
The boy's firm attitude made Xiao Xiao's brows lift slightly.
They were all so strong-willed...
And all so stubborn, too.
The boy took a deep breath.
"Little One is dangerous."
"I know."
"But Little One won't hurt me."
"Little One needs me."
"And I need Little One."
Their conversation drew Little Blue's curious gaze.
What was going on?
Xiao Xiao turned his face toward Little Blue. Its friend, the