Chapter 1862: Friends
Chapter 1862: Friends
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“Oohhh?!” Esmeralda quickly grabbed the cookie I offered her, eating it happily. “Nom, nom! Nam! Nam! Namnam!”
It looked like she loved it—she ate the cookie without hesitation.
Heh, well, I’m happy for her.
“Wait, wait! That’s not fair! I also want to eat my Sylphy’s cooking!” Aquarina complained.
“Hehe, really?” I asked her. “Here.”
I quickly handed her some cookies from the bag I had prepared. They were still warm, and Aquarina gasped, grabbing them and eating them.
She looked like such a kid in that moment. It felt like all the development she’d gone through had vanished…
Or maybe that’s just how she acts with me, which I don’t mind. I love spoiling her.
“Are they good?”
“I love them! I missed your cooking so much! I love you!”
Aquarina cried as she kissed me, leaving cookie crumbs on my face.
“Ha ha ha, calm down! Eat first before kissing me, dummy,” I giggled, cleaning her with a handkerchief. “Look, you’re already a mess!”
“Sorry…” she sighed. “I’m just… really going through a lot of stuff… seeing you right here makes me… nom… vewy happy…”
“Okay, I get it. Don’t talk while your mouth is full, geez!” I sighed. “What am I going to do with you, huh?”
“I even missed being reprimanded… Sniff…” she cried a little.
As I dealt with my crybaby girlfriend, I looked over at Master Felicia, who was happily interacting with Shade and Nepheline. It had been years for her, and I could tell.
Despite how she seemed annoyed at Nepheline, it was pretty clear she was really happy. That big old smile of hers couldn’t be easily hidden, after all.
“So you’ve been raising that kid of yours and already got another… Wow, just like Allan with Faylen,” Felicia sighed, crossing her arms. “I guess I’m still the only loser without a family…”
“Aw, come on, don’t say that! You’re an incredible catch. If you wanted to have a family, you would’ve already done it, right?” said Nepheline. “Don’t act like you don’t know.”
“Uuh, I mean, I want someone that isn’t just a mere simpleton. Someone who knows where they’re standing… Also someone smart, and good at Alchemy and Forging, hopefully. Or at least good at fighting. They should be able to slay Tier 9 Monsters to bring me materials,” Felicia rolled her eyes. “Is that too much to ask?”
“I believe your standards are pretty high…” Shade muttered, patting Esmeralda’s head. “I mean, it’s not easy to find someone who can casually slay Tier 9 monsters…”
“I guess that’s how she is! Nothing to do about it,” Nepheline shrugged. “I see you’ve been taking good care of the kids though. Thanks a lot! Do you mind if my Aquarina joins you? She’s got her own Alchemy and stuff.”
“You mean your daughter has developed her own unique methods? Interesting… I’ll have to see that first before making any decisions though,” Felicia said. “However, even then, my house has plenty of rooms, so come along. If you want, you can stay at my place.”
“Really? Thanks a lot, Felicia!” Nepheline celebrated. “Alright! We got a nice cozy place to stay!”
“Just what happened to her?” Felicia asked Shade. “Isn’t she even crazier now?”
“Leave her be. She’s very happy about a lot of things. After all, we defeated that Spirit God we told you about in the letter, and then Aquarina completed her Trial and all,” Shade said.
“Oh, yeah, I guess a lot happened with you guys, huh? Well, not like we didn’t have our fair share of crazy stuff happening…” Felicia glared at me intensely.
I quickly tried to ignore her gaze and act like I didn’t know what she was talking about.
“Right! Hey girls, come here already! What’s gotten into you? It’s Aquarina!” I called for Celeste, Celica, and Ruby, who were a little further away chatting with one another.
They looked a little flustered, like they really didn’t want to intervene… did we really give off that vibe?
However, in the end, they still came running over.
“Aquarina! Hi!” Celica greeted her first, running to her side.
“Celica?! Is that you? You’ve grown up!” Aquarina said, crossing her arms. “Nice to meet you again! I missed you.”
“Y-You did? Oh wow… Turns out I also missed you, hehe! Mister Teddy as well!” Celica said, as her teddy waved its paw at Aquarina.
“I bet you didn’t miss me,” Celeste raised an eyebrow while walking forward. “Hey.”
“Celeste, nice to meet you again… and why wouldn’t I miss you? We’re friends, right?” Aquarina wondered, tilting her head. “You two come here~!”
“Uwah?!”
“Wait, what?!”
Celica and Celeste were both shocked as Aquarina lovingly hugged them and let them know she actually missed them and loved them as friends.
“I’m sorry if I was mean before… but to me, you’ve always been my friends,” Aquarina sighed. “A-A lot happened to me and yeah… I’ve gotten a little less dumb, haha.”
“What?!” Celeste was shocked. “That’s… holy shit, you’re really different! Are you really the same Aquarina as before? Hey Sylphy, maybe you got the wrong girl.”
“Listen here you piece of…!” Aquarina suddenly got angrier.
“A-Aquarina, calm down! She’s joking!” I patted her arms.
“Right, right… ha ha ha…” Aquarina giggled. “Sorry…”
“It’s fine! I like the new you!” Celeste smiled viciously. “I feel like I’m going to enjoy it.”
I guess this rivalry they had was still around.
Or this was just Celeste being a jerk as always, but that’s just how she is…
We still love her for who she is, deep, deep, very deep down.
“He he he! You two are always so funny together! I’m glad you’re back, Aquarina! I want to hug you too!” Celica hugged Aquarina. “Let’s go eat something at a café. I’m kind of hungry right now! How about it?”
“Celica… you’re so nice in comparison, like an angel…” Aquarina smiled, patting Celica’s fluffy hair. “Of course! Sylphy, shall we?”
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