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"NIKORU, SWEETIE," THE MAN CALLED out to the girl, approaching them. Jurine pressed herself against the tree as he knelt down, giving her a warm smile. "Are you going to introduce me to your new friend?"
"This is Jurine," Nikoru answered with a dme, looking to her. "This is my uncle Kosami. He looks sca'y, but he's a teddy bear. He gives warm hugs that magically make booboo's pain go away."
Jurine held the book close to her, avoiding his gaze. So this is the family coming to adopt. She was better off not talking with them. They wouldn't want her, either.But she couldn't bring herself to leave.
"Does that happen often?" The man's question confused her, so he elaborated. "Do the boys do mean things to you?"
Jurine looked at him, to Nikoru, then moved to the other side of the tree where she could see the backs of Mrs. Sato and the three boys. She sighed in relief, turning to go back to the other side of the tree when she came face-to-face with Nikoru. She let out a frightened cry running to the front of the tree. When she peaked around, Nikoru's head popped around the corner, smiling happily.
"I see you, Juri." She giggled.
"Do you want me to help with that?" The man tapped his knee, and it was then she remembered her knees hurt. "I'm sure Mrs. Sato has medicine inside for the scrapes."
Jurine scrunched her nose. "I'm. . .o-okay." She stepped to the side, limping slightly.
Nikoru hopped like a frog towards her once. Twice. Jurine watched in confusion until the weird girl was right in front of her, holding out her dirty hand. "Come on, Juri. I won't let them dumb-dumbs hurt you."
Skeptical hope danced in her eyes as she stared at the hand in front of her. A part of her wanted to run and hide, but another part of her wanted to take the girl's hand and trust her.
After thinking on it for a few moments, Jurine took Nikoru's hand, looking away bashfully.
She allowed them to lead her back to the main building, but with each step closer the more afraid she got. Mrs. Sato would definitely put her in the Prayer Room now. She didn't want to go in there.
Her fear manfiested so clearly, her hand shook in Nikoru's as they went down the hallway to the bathroom to tend to her knees. Nikoru furrowed her brows at Jurine, keeping hold of her hand as her uncle tended to the booboos.
Her uncle planted a kiss on Nikoru's cheek where a green bandaid was. "There. Now it will heal super fast." He tossed the wrappings away in the trash as Nikoru tugged on his sleeve.
"You didn't kiss Jurine's booboos." She pointed to the kneecaps with a bandaid on one and a wrapping on the other.
