“He found it easy to give me away, probably because he felt it would be easier to have me fall for you than for him to muster the courage to tell me the truth… that he doesn’t have feelings for me.”

Kuzon’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing that last part.

“Ah…”

“I mean, that’s just pathetic, isn’t it? For someone who has done an outstanding job so far, he’s just such a letdown!”

“… I see.”

“Yeah. Despite my dissatisfactions, though, I have to admit… he is truly something else. I know you’re strong Kuzon, and I know you beat him, but… Jared has done so much—and is still doing so much for the world.”

From the event of Ainzlark Academy, to the War, and now the Nether Cult, Jared’s acts were for the world as a whole.

Kuzon understood this very much.

Unlike him, who was simply acting on his own selfish impulses, Jared’s plans were far more encompassing.

“And for that, I respect him… even though he still pisses me off!” Ana gritted her teeth once more.

“You’re a kind girl.”

“Where is that coming from?” Ana barked, glaring at Kuzon.

“Relax. That’s meant to be a compliment, right?”

“Yeah? Well, it doesn’t feel much like one, coming from you.”

“I figured…” Kuzon murmured.

Another moment of silence greeted the two and Kuzon decided to stand from his sofa.

He walked toward Ana and squatted so they could at least be on the same level in terms of height.

This embarrassed the girl slightly, causing her face to turn beet red once more.

‘I didn’t ask to be like this, you know?’ She covered her reddened as those thoughts swirled in her head.

“I’m sorry.”

Upon hearing those words, Ana’s hand slowly dropped her face, revealing a surprised expression from the girl.

“E-eh?”

“I said… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you abruptly. I also shouldn’t have called you dead weight. As for the kiss… it’s not what you think.”

“What?”

“It’s true that the kiss is something similar to a farewell or greeting—used especially when you won’t be meeting in a long while…” Kuzon’s face softened a bit while speaking.

“… But it’s exchanged between close friends and family. I obviously considered you special when I kissed you.”

Ana’s memory flashed to both events when their lips touched, and her cheeks turned red once again.

“I didn’t mean to give the wrong impression, though. That was my bad.”

“So, which is it?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Which do you consider me as? Friend or family?”

For the first time, Kuzon’s cheeks, especially his ears, turned pink. It was hardly noticeable, though, and it only appeared for a moment.

“A friend, obviously. I consider you my friend, Ana.”

“I see. Thank you for being honest with me, at the very least.” Ana smiled at the golden haired boy.

“Well, thanks for being honest with me too.” Their smiles greeted each other, and for a moment, all either of them could notice was the other’s face.

“So, am I forgiven?”

“Nope.”

“Dang it.”

Both of them instantly burst into laughter, and they found their hearts leaping. It was a strange feeling for Ana, seeing as she hadn’t felt this way in a while.

For Kuzon, it was a pleasant emotion that he could only feel around Ana.

‘This is why I need you by my side…’ He kept laughing with the girl.

He adored her tiny frame and found himself unable to look away.

Her flat chest, her tint body, her adorable glasses, everything about her made him happy for some reason.

Most of all, her expressions.

Unlike him, she couldn’t keep her composure and would often move from being annoyed, to bashful, to happy.

These fluctuations in emotions and expressions—Ana’s reactions—always amazed him.

‘I like this girl.’ He smiled.

Kuzon gulped slightly and found his hands moving on their own.

Before he could stop himself, his hand reached the top of Ana’s hair and he stroked them.

‘I’ve always wanted to do this!’ With his mission complete, Kuzon laughed even more.

Unfortunately, he found out it was only his voice that echoed across the vast room.

“What are you doing?” A voice rang out.

Kuzon’s body shivered a bit, but, of course, he maintained his composure.

“This is another custom among my people…”

It was a lie, of course.

Kuzon couldn’t simply tell Ana he had a thing for short girls like her—especially patting their heads.

That would be… weird.

“Is that so…?” Ana’s voice didn’t indicate any form of understanding.

In fact, she was actually giving a very deep glare that made Kuzon immediately retract his hand.

‘I got carried away!’ He thought to himself in worry.

What had he done? If he offended Ana, she wouldn’t talk to him again.

Inasmuch as watching her sulk was a pleasure all on its own, Kuzon liked it more when they talked.

That way, he had access to way more reactions.

“… I see you have chosen death.”

Kuzon found it funny that Ana was threatening him with something like that, but he was yet to realize… that there was a lot more to the concept than he realized.

“A-arh!”

A kick to his groin was enough for that reality to set in.

His body swayed backward, recoiling from the shock of having his milkshake maker squashed by a girl’s legs.

Pain and pleasure courses through his body—mostly pain though.

“Haa… haaa…” He made small sounds as he fell to the ground.

“Don’t you ever pat my head. I’m not a child, you know? I’m. Not. A. Child!”

“D-duly… noted…” Kuzon managed to leak out as his body shuddered.

“Hmph!”

The young Midas once again got to see another of Annabelle’s expression, for which he was plenty grateful.

Unfortunately for him, his body was still acclimating to the sensation he was feeling.

‘This girl…’ He smiled as Ana’s face magnified in his blurry vision.

However, before he could complete his thought, Kuzon felt something approach the Magic House—something very dangerous.

“Ana, look out!”

His words were a little too late, though.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!<