"Grandpa River God is gone too. If I leave, you'll be all alone. No one will be there to talk to you. Won't you be lonely?"
"Because of you, I turned down Oto and Seele's invitation, and you're still being mean to me. You stinky cat."
"..."
Kanou looked at the Zashiki-warashi before her in surprise. She had never expected that to be the reason. Kazuko had never said anything like this to her before.
Was their relationship... really that good?
Although they had known each other for over a decade, to Kanou... Kazuko had just been a little brat constantly messing around by her side. She had never imagined that the little brat cared about her so much.
But... her surprise lasted only an instant. Kanou quickly returned to normal, as though nothing had happened.
"I don't want or need you to keep me company. For me... it would be better if you weren't around making such a racket! Understand, brat?"
Even though she was somewhat moved inside, for some reason, when the words reached her lips, Kanou replied without any courtesy.
"You stinky cat..."
Kazuko's eyes widened dramatically at Kanou's words. She stared at Kanou in disbelief, never expecting her to say something like that.
"I hate you! I'll never come see you again! You're the stinkiest, most horrible cat!"
"Waaah..."
Kazuko burst into tears. She had cared so much about her, yet this was how that stinky cat repaid her.
Since Kanou didn't want to see her, why should she care about her? She had even worried that Kanou would be lonely, but not only did Kanou fail to appreciate it, she practically wished Kazuko would go as far away as possible.
If that was the case, then she would never see her again.
Feeling wronged, Kazuko