"But... where should I look?" Mitsuri tilted her head slightly, her jewel-green eyes filled with confusion.
"Try another street? You've probably only tried making friends with a few people your age near your house, right? Why not broaden your search? But if you go a little farther away, remember to have your parents come with you, or you might run into bad people."
"For example, you're talking to me, a complete stranger, without any caution at all. That's very dangerous."
"Then... are you a bad person, big brother?" Mitsuri blinked at Kanzaki Kumo, seemingly only realizing this after his reminder. She drew her neck back a little without even moving her body.
As far as Mitsuri was concerned, this handsome big brother before her didn't mind any of her flaws and had even praised her hair color as cute. How could he be a bad person? Before this, only her family had ever managed that.
Watching Mitsuri's reaction, Kanzaki Kumo didn't know what to say for a moment. Why did it feel as though Mitsuri had less sense than Kanao, who had only just finished learning to listen, speak, read, and write? She clearly looked about the same age as Shinobu Kocho.
"Of course I'm not a bad person... All right, you don't seem so sad anymore. I should get going."
"Oh..."
Seeing Kanzaki Kumo about to stand up and leave, Mitsuri hesitated briefly before speaking. "Um, my name is Mitsuri, Mitsuri Kanroji. Could you tell me your name, big brother?"
"My name is Kanzaki Kumo." Kanzaki Kumo paused in the middle of getting up.
"Can I... call you Kanzaki-oniisan?"
"Of course, little Kanroji."
"Just call me Mitsuri, Big Brother Kanzaki. Will we... meet again? I mean, are we... friends now?" After repeatedly being rejected when trying to make friends