I don't know if it's a surprise or expected, but it's unlocked.
The room was small and uniform, so I quickly spotted the suit's original form: a tiny dark-blue metal square covered in complex lines.
"Thank goodness."
I smiled, touching the cracks on my visor. There's nothing wrong with it yet, but it really makes me worried. Because what if—
If we're using it for its intended purpose as an underwater suit, and it cracks while I'm in open ocean, wouldn't that be doom for me?
So now that there's a chance to replace it, I didn't hesitate and took one for myself.
Meanwhile, Serein looks at me sideways before taking two for herself and Asylia, just in case.
There's no time to waste. The dark-blue suit around her body quickly retracts and condenses back into a small dark-blue material on her hand.
Without the suit on, her azure hair falls lightly like a wave, smooth and silky. Her tight, perfect clothing shows off her figure without trying to.
Exhaling a breath of fresh air, she tugs the corner of my clothing.
"Hey, Ren..."
She spoke it like a whisper.
I've taken off the suit as it gathered back into the same tiny dark-blue metal square, now with a slight scratch on its surface.
Feeling the gentle pull on my clothes, "What is it?"
My eyes meet her gaze, but I quickly look past her and focus on her ears so I wouldn't feel awkward.
I don't know why, but her gaze is just so intense. So real and steady that it gives me a sting. Like she was really looking at me, in the present. A gaze so vivid, especially with her clear eyes, as if the sky were looking at you. Vast enough to accommodate your entirety, but also vast enough to uncover all your secrets and leave you no room to hide.
"It's just... um..."
She seems to have something to say, a surprising emotion appearing on her otherwise calm expression. A hint of hesitation, like she wants to tell me something but doesn't know how, or whether she should.
But looking at his expression and the blood on his forehead, she encourages herself.
"Come on... you can do it."
Her voice slowly grows steadier and calmer.
"I want to say thanks for earlier. I would really be in trouble if you hadn't helped me."
So she just wants to thank me, huh? I really appreciate it.
"It's nothing, really. I believe you'd also save me if I were in trouble... right?"
I smiled at her.
"Hmm... I would." Serein nodded in affirmation, her expression serious, as if she'd really do it even with her life on the line.
"It's a promise?"
I joked to lighten the mood, remembering something, and stretched out my pinky finger to her.
"Promise?..."
She murmured, looking at the pinky finger in the air like it was something rare and easily broken. Although she didn't know what it was, she instinctively guessed what it meant, and something in her expression softened at the guess.
"Then... it's a promise! Right!"
She got it right, and even Ren was surprised.
But that's not all.
"Then... um... can I... I mean, do you want a hug?"
When she finally said it, her head lowered slightly, as if shy, but she quickly stared at him again, like a sunflower raising its head to welcome the sun.
"Isn't it normal for friends to hug each other? Especially at times like these, supporting each other is crucial."
She thought, and the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
"I don't need to be shy or anything."
So she opened her arms, as if waiting for his hug.
We're alone here, just the two of us. Asylia is waiting outside, saying she wants to talk with the orbs to gather information and watch for danger.
Ren was stunned, his mind struggling to process what was happening.
"H-hug? You want a hug?"
He confirmed if what he'd heard was true.
"Mmm." She paused, seemingly thinking, before nodding slowly. "Is it not possible?"
Her originally cold voice now feels so pleasant, like the sound of ice plunging into water. It gives off a strange feeling of comfort and relaxation, as if the voice were cooling off the hidden worry and anxiety in his mind.
"Then... um... it's okay."
I want to question why, but that doesn't seem like a smart thing to say.
And I could tell by her expression that she seems shy, but even so, her bright, beautiful eyes didn't look away, instead staying fixed on me, her gaze roaming all over my face as if observing my reaction.
"Just this once, okay?"
I took a brief look at the door and found it still closed, so I didn't hesitate anymore. I opened up my arms.
Welcome.
A clear, melodious laugh rang out as I did it, her expression lighting up as she took a step forward.
A soft sensation met me first as her body's smooth curves molded over me, careful, like she was still deciding how close was too close. I could feel a soft pressure, like jelly, her hair falling silently over my skin, and for a moment neither of us moved, as if moving might end it.
"She's huge..."
The thought couldn't help but appear in my mind. Confirming the sensation again, I didn't dare move too much, feeling a slight shyness.
I can't remember the last time I got a hug from a girl my age, so I'm unsure how she compares to them. What's the difference?
"She almost looks like a human girl. Even the way she moves and talks feels like it."
At least on the surface, except for the obvious difference in her eyes and hair, other things like skin tone, fingers, and face structure look almost identical to a human girl. Though feeling the strange coolness of her skin, I know it might only be on the surface. Inside, there might be a world of difference.
"Smell good. But why is he hot?"
Serein was puzzled, but she didn't think much of it, figuring he was just unique. Wrapped in his scent, she really wanted to sleep.
She just pressed on, her hands silently hugging gently under my shoulder. I don't know if it's my imagination, but she seems to be trembling slightly.
Her scent wafts through my nose like flowers. Now up close, her scent seems to come not from perfume but really from her body, a natural scent unique to her. It's hard to explain what it was, but I'm sure I wouldn't forget it.
"Do you like it?"
I don't know exactly what she meant by that, but I nodded anyway.
"Yes."
Her smile in that moment dispels the gloom in the surroundings.
And through the small crack of her eyelids, I could see her beautiful, bright, pale-blue pupils looking, awaiting my reaction.
"Hey, be careful. We're both injured."
I pretend not to hear her question and instead adjust my grip so it wouldn't press on her injured spot.
"Okay."
Seeing that I avoided the question, she just pouts slightly and murmurs through my clothing. Meanwhile, her hand is perfectly placed on my back, avoiding the obvious bruises and bloody wounds.
"Does your wound still hurt?"
When she touches a bruised spot, her fingers freeze before gently avoiding it, retracing the same path more carefully the second time. She lifts her head from my chest and looks at me, this time at the wound and blood on my forehead.
"Can I take a closer look at it?"
It takes me a second to understand what she means, so I lower my head slightly.
"Oh dear... this must have hurt a lot."
She lowers her eyelids slightly, staring at the dried blood on my skin. When she exhales, her breath is cold, like icy mist touching the skin.
"It's nothing now. I don't know what happened, but earlier this hurt a lot and made me feel weak. Now it's bearable."
Speaking of which, I touch the spot on my forehead. It feels weird, hurts a little, but is also tingling.
I see. She seems to understand what's happening and just nods slowly. After a while of looking at my wound, she comes back for a hug, seeming to enjoy it, especially with her eyes closed.
"Eat plenty of healthy food after this. I'll buy it for you. I promise."
She murmurs while comfortably resting her head at a better angle.
"But for now, just take this to refresh your vitality. Your body isn't okay, it's just holding on."
She takes out something the size of a thumb. Inside it I see something like Azure Sustain, but the color seems deeper and more condensed. She doesn't bother to explain what it is, maybe expecting me to already know.
"Thanks... um, should we go? Asylia's waiting outside, you know?"
"Wait. A little more."
When she lets go, she pats and fixes my crumpled shirt.
"That feels better." She looks up and smiles slightly, the smile lingering a beat longer than it needs to. "Thanks, Ren."
Her expression slowly calms, and in no time she's back to her usual blank face. But her slightly lively movements give her away, and I catch myself watching for them.
In no time her figure is once again wrapped in the suit.
"Maybe she just wants to release the pressure through an act like hugging?"
Though I have to admit, even I feel better because of it. Unconsciously relaxing from the tense environment, a short mental recovery so we wouldn't give in to despair.
"It's no wonder they say hugs and kisses can extend your lifespan."
"Are you finished?"
I ask to confirm while finishing checking my new suit. My visor isn't cracked anymore.
"Um. Then let's go?"
With that, we opened the door. Outside, I saw Asylia crouching on the ground while an orb hung over her line of sight. They seemed to be discussing something.
When Asylia saw us come out, she stood up.
"Is everything fixed now?"
"We've changed into new suits," I replied first.
"I see. Then let's keep going. I already have a new route to follow."
Looking at the closed door behind me, I inevitably made eye contact with Serein.
"Let's go follow her," she said lightly.
"Okay."
I took a deep breath and followed the group. One boy, two girls, and four floating orbs made their way toward the left.