Barn could only groan inwardly at what he heard. Perhaps Lia had been too well behaved. Having never known the destructive power of a brat, Barn had finally gotten a taste of it...
"All right, all right, Jig. This is for animals. If you eat it, you'll turn into a gorilla!"
The sparkle in Jig's eyes dimmed a little, but his next question left Barn even more speechless.
"Can I turn back?"
Feeling as though his exasperation was practically blocking his vision, Barn spoke through gritted teeth.
"No!"
Barn and Jig sat fishing inside the evolved Laboon's stomach. Ayusa had wanted to come along, but Lia had firmly made her stay behind. Barn could tell that Ayusa seemed very attached to Jig. Although he knew about the difference in their species, he hadn't stopped her. Jig, on the other hand, was a blockhead with no clue about romance...
"Master Barn, are there really fish here?"
Barn had lost count of how many times Jig had asked him that question. Ever since he had caught Ayusa last time, Jig had gained tremendous confidence in his fishing skills. Now that he couldn't catch anything, he had started blaming the sea for having no fish.
Of course, there were no fish in Laboon's stomach. Barn had only let Jig fish here to keep him quiet for a while.
"There are fish here. You just can't catch them. You still have a lot to learn, Jig."
But Jig turned his little head aside at those words and said,
"You haven't caught any either..."
Jig finally quieted down, and Barn sank into thought with his fishing rod in his arms...
"There isn't much time left..."
After thinking for a while, Barn murmured to himself.
"Awooo!"
Laboon's cry traveled from his throat into his stomach. Barn