Pecharunt Appears, Akari Falls Under the Ogre's Control (Please Vote)

Days later, Akari returned to Carmine's home.

Tucked away in the most remote corner of Verdant Town, the place was as quiet as ever.

Snow lay piled by the entrance. Beside it stood two snowmen, one large and one small, both wearing scarves. The larger snowman rested a branch arm on the smaller one's head, as if gently patting it.

"Kieran and I made these a few days ago. Cute, aren't they?"

Carmine introduced them proudly. After looking them over, Akari gave a small nod. Ever since the siblings had talked things through, they really had been getting along well.

Just then, a kindly old woman came walking over from the house, slightly bent at the waist. Akari went up to her at once and greeted her with a polite smile. "Happy New Year, Grandma Shuzi! I was busy at the start of the year and couldn't come by to say hello."

Shuzi was Carmine and Kieran's grandmother, as well as Xuezhong's wife. According to village gossip, she had been one of its fiercest bullies in her youth, beating up anyone who rubbed her the wrong way. Marriage had finally mellowed her out, though Xuezhong remained firmly under her thumb.

Shuzi nodded when she saw Akari. "I know. Word's gone all around the village. Your little boyfriend caused trouble at Kitakami Center, didn't he?"

"We're not like that..."

Akari answered helplessly. She was growing numb to it. Everyone she met said the same thing, and no one listened when she tried to explain.

Sure enough, Shuzi just smiled. "I understand. I've been young too!"

"..."

"Come inside first. It's cold out here."

"Okay."

Akari followed them in. Carmine's house was decorated in a traditional Japanese style, with wood-like finishes throughout. Guests changed shoes at the entrance, and every room had