Chapter 60


    Joanie’s prediction turned out to be…pletely off the mark.


    No, it was worse than just off.


    “Kana, dinner…?”


    “Not hungry.”


    “Ah, you’re not eating…? Okay, got it.”


    Even during dinnertime…


    “Kana… I want to lie down, can you scoot over a little…?”


    “….”


    “…Ahaha, I suddenly feel like sleeping in a sleeping bag. I’ll just sleep in the sleeping bag!”And even at bedtime.


    “Good morning, both of you! …Huh? Is Kana still asleep?”


    “Looks like it….”


    Even when Celine came by in the morning.


    Kana kept herself buried under the nket, refusing to show her face.


    It’s already been two days since Joanie started waiting for her, thinking, she’ll get over it eventually.


    She thought it would only take a few hours, or at most a day for Kana to calm down. But now, two nights have passed, and there’s still no sign of her mood clearing up—just like a never-ending rainy season in the middle of summer.


    If it was only a bad mood, that would’ve been fine.


    But Kana hadn’t eaten in two days, hadn’t gone to the bathroom, and hadn’t even poked her head out from under the nket.


    If not for the asional rise and fall of the nket, Joanie would have started to worry that Kana might actually be dead.


    How can someone be like this?


    How can someone stay still like that under a nket for several days without moving?


    Joanie’s concern had now turned into amazement.


    In fact, she had already tried to lift the nket off Kana once.


    “Kana-ya~”


    “Don’t.”


    “…Okay.”


    But Kana, like a ghost sensing her movements, had coldly shut down the attempt with a chilling warning.


    “What in the world happened to make her act like this?”


    The audience of Joanie’s broadcast started to lean more and more towards the theory that Kana was going through adolescence.


    “Even if it’s adolescence, staying like that for days doesn’t make sense, does it?”


    — “Adolescence can be different for everyone.”


    — “Maybe she’s going through a rough phase.”


    “A rough phase…?”


    — “Shouldn’t you at least try to get her to eat something…? She hasn’t eaten in days.”


    — “I want to feed her, too… but what can I do when she’s like this?”


    Joanie’s gaze drifted to Kana, buried under the nket.


    At this point, she wondered if the nket was like a turtle shell that had be part of her body.


    Kana… Canaria… Turtle….


    With a thoughtful hum, Joanie propped her chin on her hand.


    Should she call her “Ka-bok” (Kana + turtle) or “Kana-bok”? <i>(Turtle in korean is </i><i>???</i><i> pronounced ‘Geobok-ee’ therefore the ‘bok’)</i>


    — “Both sound awful.”


    — “LMAO.”


    — “Joanie, if you ever have a kid, make sure to go to a naming center to get help, okay?”


    “Hey, let’s see how good you guys are at naming things!”


    — “We’re not going to name anything.”


    — “Us? Name something? Why?”


    — “Legendary naming skills right here.”


    “…These annoying little brats!”


    …Wasn’t that a good name, though?


    “Kana-bok”… it sounds kinda cute.


    Imagining Kana with just her head and arms sticking out from under the nket, Joanie’s lips curved into a smile.


    — “Look at her having strange thoughts again.”


    — “Officer! There’s a pervert over here!”


    — “The pr bear cries again today.”


    “…No, it’s not like that! Stop making the pr bear cry!”


    Joanie thought of Kana only as a little sister, someone she cherished—not in any weird way.


    A ban would be too harsh, so she decided just to mute the environmental activist worrying about the pr bear’s wellbeing.


    — “Someone died!”


    — “Waaaahhh!!!”


    — “Give me back my friend!!!”


    “If you guys don’t want the same fate, you better behave.”


    Joanie waved her fingers in a threatening manner.


    But, I really do need to do something….


    She felt like Kana would hiss at her like a defensive cat the moment she tried to do anything.


    Just moments ago, she was thinking of Kana as a turtle, but now she found herself picturing her as a wary cat.


    Hmm, a cat, huh?


    Joanie pped her hands.


    “What about ‘Ka-nyang’? Like Kana plus cat! It’s not that different from her original name, and it sounds kinda cute, don’t you think?”


    <i>(Cat in korean is </i><i>???</i><i> pronounced ‘khoyang-ee or Goyang-ee’ therefore the ‘nyang’, also referring to the sounds cat make written as ‘Nyang’ in Korean)</i>


    This time, the viewers didn’t react too negatively.


    — “Kana-nyang sounds pretty good. If you say it fast, it kind of sounds like ‘Ka-nyang-nyang’.”


    — “Whatever it is, it’s better than ‘Ka-bok’ lol.”


    — “It sounds good, but your exnation is kinda cringy.”


    — “Anyway, so what are you gonna do about it?”


    “Oh, right.”


    Joanie snapped back to reality, her thoughts about turtles and cats fading into the background. That wasn’t the issue right now.


    Thinking that maybe Celine might know something, she asked her for help.


    “I’m afraid I don’t know what happened in the prayer room….”


    With Celine bowing her head in apology, Joanie found herself bowing in return, feeling the need to apologize too.


    There were no good ideas, no one to help, and even when relying on collective wisdom, the ideas were unsatisfactory. Joanie could only sigh in frustration.


    …Did she really meet a god?


    She was so desperate that such an absurd thought crossed her mind.


    Of course, it was quickly dismissed as nonsense.


    The room was bustling with activity.


    Joanie turned her gaze to the window.


    Unlike her troubled thoughts, the faces of the people outside were filled with excitement and joy. The usually quiet atmosphere of the convent seemed unusually lively today.


    And for good reason.


    “This looks like fun….”


    The grand festival of the Ardina Continent, spanning across the sacred kingdom, had begun—the Descent Festival.


    Joanie had been looking forward to this day ever since she first heard about the festival.


    She had eagerly anticipated wandering the festival hand-in-hand with Kana.


    But now, Joanie’s disappointment was palpable as she stared out the window, watching the festivities.


    Suddenly, she shouted out loud.


    “…No! It’s too early to give up!”


    Back when Kana was still known as the Gravekeeper, Joanie never expected to get this close to the small girl.


    Sure, she had climbed up that hill to befriend her, but there was no guarantee it would work. She could have easily given up once Kana stopped responding.


    If she had settled for just being satisfied with basicmunication, she wouldn’t have experienced traveling with Kana or sharing a room together as they did now.


    Persistence and sticking it out had led to sess.


    “I’ve endured far worse since I was young… I can do this!”


    With determination zing in her eyes, Joanie clenched her fists.


    Sometimes it’s helpful to leave people alone to sort out their emotions, but there are times when having someone pull you out can be even more helpful.


    Resolving to be that someone, Joanie took a step toward the bed.


    “…Kana, I’m sorry in advance.”


    With those brief words, Joanie lifted the nket.


    <i>Swoosh!</i>


    In an instant, a chilling sensation swept over her, and she turned sharply.


    That quick movement saved her life.


    <i>Rustle—</i>


    <i>Whoosh!</i>


    “…!”


    The nket pieces fluttered through the air, and a hot, stinging sensation burned across her cheek.


    It wasn’t until she saw the trickling blood that Joanie fully grasped what had happened.


    The nket she had dropped hit the ground, and Kana, who had been curled up underneath it, was now pointing a sword at her, eyes cold.


    “I told you… not to do that.”


    Her voice was colder than it had ever been, colder even than when they first met.


    Had Joanie not turned in time, the sword’s path would’ve been unmistakably lethal.


    As Joanie traced the imagined trajectory of the de, her hair stood on end.


    Until now, no matter how much Joanie annoyed Kana, she had only ever been met with verbal threats or yful, harmless attacks.


    But this time, Kana’s attack was filled with actual intent to kill.


    “Anyway, you…───.”


    “…Huh?”


    Kana’s small lips kept moving, but no sound was reaching Joanie.


    No, it wasn’t that there was no sound—it was that she couldn’t understand it.


    Confused and wide-eyed, Joanie nced at the chat.


    — “Damn….”


    — “Kana’s out of control.”


    — “Did she almost die for real just now?”


    — “I didn’t even see the attacking.”


    — “This is giving me PTSD from raids.”


    But the chat was only discussing the recent attack from Kana, with no mention of her words.


    Enough time had passed for Kana’s voice to be broadcasted, yet there was no response to what she had said.


    “…So that’s how it is.”


    Kana, seemingly frustrated that her words weren’t getting across, stopped speaking, scratched her neck in annoyance, and then lowered her hand upon feeling the choker under her fingers.


    “We’re done ying.”


    “W-what do you mean?”


    Done ying?


    Joanie’s mind went nk from the shock.


    It wasn’t the idea that Kana had thought of their time together as “ying” that stunned her… but something else entirely.


    Joanie felt the weight of Kana’s words, knowing they indicated a severance in their rtionship.


    Thus, she quickly regained herposure after having momentarily lost herself in the conversation.


    Half teasing, half serious about the gravity of the situation, Joanie ignored the contrasting atmosphere in the chat and spoke to Kana.


    If she said this, she might be theughingstock of the year, suffering for years toe.


    Still, she knew from experience that during times like this, it was better to put aside her embarrassment and speak honestly.


    “…If there’s something I’ve done to upset you, could you please tell me? I know it might be embarrassing to say it directly, but I would really appreciate it. I like you so much, Kana, and I don’t want to part ways like this.”


    People often say things they don’t mean when their emotions overflow.


    This phenomenon urs regardless of age, but for children, who are less adept at managing their feelings, it happens more frequently.


    Surely, Kana was feeling that way too.


    “….”


    Did her feelings reach Kana? The girl bit her lip silently.


    If she kept doing that, her lips would surely get chapped…


    Joanie thought to herself absentmindedly.


    After a while of ring silently at Joanie, Kana’s eyes softened, returning to their usual state.


    At the same time, the sword pointed at Joanie dropped toward the floor, and the tense atmosphere surrounding Kana rxed somewhat.


    However, it wasn’tpletely gone.


    —Is she going to do it? Is she going to do it? Is she going to do it? Is she going to do it?


    —Giant Joanie


    —Calming kids is the hardest thing in the world…


    —Even the eptance Association would acknowledge this


    —Does the eptance Association look like Joss?


    —I want to eat Joss Bar


    —Nuh-uh;


    The chat exploded with reactions to Kana’s change.


    “…No. It’s not like that.”


    “…?”


    Kana muttered something iprehensible.


    Before Joanie could express her confusion, Kana’s lips opened.


    “…I’m sorry for saying I was just ying with you.”


    “Um… It’s fine. It’s true that you yed with me. I admit, I must have been a bit annoying.”


    “…”


    Kana looked at Joanie, who wasughing lightly, with aplicated expression.


    But it was only for a moment.


    Kana hardened her expression again.


    “But I really don’t want to hang out anymore.”


    “Even if I ask you what’s wrong—”


    “I can’t tell you.”


    “Um, that makes sense?”


    It wasn’t that she wouldn’t tell her, but that she couldn’t.


    In that moment, Joanie instinctively caught a clue that could help her turn Kana’s heart, tucking it away in her memory box.


    “Well, I guess we have to part ways here then. …I was thinking of wandering around the kingdom like this, but what will you do after we part ways?”


    “…I don’t know.”


    Kana hesitated to answer, as if she truly had nothing in mind.


    “…Maybe I’ll go snake hunting.”


    “Snake hunting?”


    Was she thinking of bing a ground dweller?


    Joanie was dying to ask that, but she instinctively realized that her time with Kana was limited.


    Honestly, just looking into Kana’s vacant eyes was enough for anyone with a decent sense to see that.


    So instead of asking about Kana’s vague response, Joanie spoke up about something else.


    “Then, could we go on a date for thest time? The festival of descent starts today, and I wanted to go with you, but I didn’t make any ns. It feels lonely to wander around alone, and I’d be so disappointed if I didn’t get to see it… So please just apany me today. Okay?”


    “….”


    Joanie watched Kana intently, her heart racing with anticipation.


    Finally, Kana’s small pink lips parted.


    “…Alright.”


    <i>Phew—</i>


    It wasn’t an enthusiastic eptance, but Joanie sighed in relief at having received some form of agreement.