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Chapters 16-20

Episode 16: Appointment (III)

'Is she an idiot?'

Judy couldn't believe she was still waiting for him in the garden.

Inexplicable emotions rose from him the moment he witnessed her small figure crouching on the bench.

Judy clenched his fists. He didn't realize his emotions of anger were getting the better of him while he approached Esther. His feet struck harshly against the ground.

"Oh, come on, why are you doing this?"

Judy didn't like seeing her in such a depressed condition, as if she had been left alone in the world. He wanted Esther to be able to raise her head confidently.

As Judy approached Esther, he noticed Happy seated next to her.

"Woof-woof!"

"Uh, Happy? Why are you here?"

Esther lifted her head in response to Happy's sudden barking.

"Brother?"

Esther had thought Judy wouldn't come.

Although he was late, seeing that he arrived filled Esther with delight.

"Are you smiling?"

Judy remained stunned as he witnessed Esther smiling brightly at his presence, rather than being angry at his late arrival.

He approached Esther, a suffocating feeling overwhelming his chest.

"Are you stupid? Why wait for me when I didn't even appear?"

Judy, unable to contain his anger, shot back angrily.

"I was just here because I liked the scenery. I wasn't waiting."

Esther smiled awkwardly and closed her mouth. Then she stepped on the ground to rise from the bench.

"Uh... Huh?"

However, since she had sat down for so long, her legs slackened almost immediately.

Hence, when she attempted to promptly rise, her knees buckled, causing her to lose balance and promptly land flat on the dirt.

It wasn't long after she regained her composure, but Judy couldn't remove the guilt of the whole situation being his fault, and exasperatedly disheveled his hair.

"...Get on my back for now."

"Yes?"

Judy crouched down in front of Esther and pointed to his back, while Esther's big eyes seemed ready to protrude from their place.

"It's my fault, so I'll give you a piggyback ride."

"Th, that's a little..."

"Your feet are asleep."

Judy turned his head and gazed at Esther.

While Esther attempted to refuse, words couldn't seem to leave her mouth, as Judy's strong glare appeared to be forcing her to accept.

"Hurry. It's going to be harder if we stay like this!"

At first, Esther shook her hands in disagreement, but she couldn't overcome Judy's stubbornness in the end and advanced in a hurry.

'I have to get on his back.'

Far from being carried by someone, Esther couldn't even recall being properly embraced. She was scared, she had never been through the feeling of person-to-person contact.

Judy discerned Esther's hesitation and stepped backward. Then he pulled both her arms around his neck and stood up.

"Uh? Ack!"