Then Enju Aihara and Kohina Hiruko bounded out one after another, full of energy, their eyes sparkling, without the slightest shyness around strangers.
Instead, they opened their big eyes wide and stared curiously at the bear behind Hanabishi Warabi.
"So this is a bear?"
"It's huge!"
"Can I touch it?"
After all, for Enju Aihara and Kohina Hiruko,
they had seen plenty of Gastrea, but a normal, fluffy giant bear that looked rather good-natured was a real novelty.
Both girls completely ignored Fierce Man's enormous size and vicious fangs, even approaching excitedly, eager to try.
This actually startled Hanabishi Warabi. She instinctively stepped back half a pace, shielding Little Bear in her arms as she stammered:
"Huh? Y-you can... but Fierce Man has a bit of a temper... and usually doesn't let people touch him..."
"It's fine, it's fine!"
By the time Hanabishi Warabi finished speaking,
Enju Aihara had already boldly reached out and quickly poked Fierce Man's thick belly.
Soft.
Warm.
It felt so nice.
"Wow! He's actually warm!"
Enju Aihara turned back and shouted excitedly.
Fierce Man looked down at the audacious little girl and snorted. He did not get angry, merely shifting lazily into another position and letting her poke him.
Perhaps he had sensed that she meant no harm.
"Looks like some very interesting little girls have joined us."
Watching this, Nemumeno Satori smiled, her narrowed eyes curving into crescents.
This familia
probably would not have a quiet moment from now on.
After a round of introductions,
although the atmosphere was still somewhat unfamiliar, with some distance and tentative probing between them,
at least everyone now knew one another and had become familiar with each other's faces.
The ice separating them was slowly melting.
"All right."
"Now that everyone knows each other, let's not stand