Walking alongside her idol was truly a happy occasion worth celebrating.
Diona had always been a little childish and rather tsundere, but none of that mattered in front of her idol.
In front of her idol, she always wanted to show her best side-or at least avoid making her idol dislike her.
So she put aside her prickly pride and stayed beside Ellin the whole way, letting Ellin lead her by the hand.
She chatted and laughed with Ellin, looking utterly delighted.
"Miss Ellin, you're a little different from what the rumors say..."
Diona suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm? What makes you say that?" Ellin looked down at Diona.
There was a little ring of pink paw pads on Diona's small hand. Holding it felt soft and squishy, a sensation Ellin had never experienced before.
"Hmm... how should I put it?"
Diona scratched her head. "In the rumors, you're always surrounded by a Hero's radiance, Miss Ellin. You seem so lofty and a little out of reach."
"I used to think that was how a Hero and a top idol should be. After all, aren't Heroes and idols supposed to stand above everyone else?"
"But the Miss Ellin I see now is different from the one I imagined."
"You're not lofty and distant like the rumors say. You're actually very kind and approachable."
"Is that so?"
Ellin smiled gently and looked down at Diona. "Then do you prefer the me from the stories, or the me right here?"
"I..."
Diona lowered her head, tightening her grip slightly on Ellin's hand.
She knew it wasn't nice to judge others so freely.
But she still gathered her courage and said, "I... prefer the Miss Ellin I see now. I can't really explain why."
"It's just... it feels so comfortable being with you now,