16 Friend? (1/2)

Entering the gate, Ozul noticed that Grandma Coral was pacing around as she held an umbrella. Clearly, even after explaining to her that he will be late, she could not help but be anxious.

Noticing his arrival, Grandma Coral sweetly smiled at him before she saw that a black-haired girl was following behind him.

As both Ozul and girl neared, Grandma Coral turned her teasing mode,

”Ara ara... Already bringing a girl home. Aren't you too young for it, young man? At least introduce her to your grandma.”- Grandma Coral was certainly not complaining if Ozul could hang out with kids his age.

”She just followed me back.”- Ozul did not mind any of her teasings. Looking back at the girl, Ozul could feel... expectations from the girl. Expectations for what?—He does not know and wouldn't bother to know either.

Ozul shook his head and just went towards his favourite tree before sitting under it and resting his back against it.

It was raining; there was no sunlight, what better time to enjoy himself than now?

Grandma Coral was left standing at the doorsteps. Every time it rains, Ozul will not listen to one bit of her ramblings and spend his day while sitting outside.

She then looked at the girl who just kept standing there looking here and there.

On closer inspection, Grandma Coral noticed that the girl was in bad condition! She had some cuts and scrapes in different places.

Noticing how the girl kept stealing glances at Ozul, Grandma Coral smirked. She had her 72 years of wisdom working and could already guess the gist of the situation.

'Oho... my cold prince saved a girl in distress!'- Grandma Coral suddenly had a light shining in her eyes as she started operating her mind gears.

Looking back at the girl, Grandma Coral asked her name.

”Hm. What is your name, lovely lady?” - Grandma Coral used a polite tone as not to scare the girl away.

”Eeek... M-my n-name is Raven.”- Raven was startled as she kept stuttering after being addressed by the kind-looking old lady.

”Aww... no need to be afraid, little Raven. Why don't you come inside the house so we can do something about your condition?” - Grandma Coral.

”I... I am fine!”- Raven was reluctant to leave Ozul out of her sight. She was afraid that she might lose him if he went outside her vision.

Grandma Coral noticing that the girl was hesitant, came near the girl and said something in her ears.

Immediately afterwards, the girl quietly followed her inside while she kept blushing while looking downwards. It was as if she was a thief caught in the act.

Noticing the act, Ozul was curious as to what Grandma Coral said in her ears, but then he just shook his head and closed his eyes. The waterdrops hitting on the hat did not bother him.

- - - - - - - - -

Inside the house, Grandma Coral was helping Raven clean her injuries as she asked her questions.

”So little Raven, where do you live?” - Grandma Coral.

”... I... live on the streets.” - Raven said in shaming, thinking that it may disgust the old lady.

”Ah, I am so sorry little Raven, Do you not have any relative?” - Grandma Coral was stunned, hearing that the fragile-looking girl lived on the streets!

”N-no. Everyone died when the Monsters attacked the village...” - Raven dejectedly explained that she lived in a village near the town.

Unfortunately, Beasts suddenly attacked the village, and everyone died except for a few who managed to run away. Raven herself was sent away by her parents when they noticed that there was no way out.

No one could figure out why the Beasts would suddenly attack a settlement.

Grandma Coral listened to her story as she cleared away her earlier doubts about her 'plan'.

”So... you have nowhere to go, huh. Why don't you live with us?” - Grandma Coral asked as she had decided to make her stay at all costs.

”Come on! Besides, there is no one else that my grandson spends his time with.” - Grandma Coral urged her when she saw that Raven was hesitating in making a decision.

”Please take care of me!” - Raven shouted as she bowed. The last part that Grandma Coral said was the final hit on the nail for Raven to accept the invitation.

Looking at her still ragged clothes, Grandma Coral smiled kindly before,

”Wait... I only have Ozuls cloth that may fit you...” - Grandma Coral began her ramblings on what clothes to give to Raven.

”...Ano... He... he is still outside. Won't he catch a cold?”- Raven interrupted Grandma Coral as she was genuinely worried about the Big brother that saved her.

Hearing the concern in her sweet voice, Grandma Coral smirked in her mind.

'Hehe... I made the correct decision!' - Grandma Coral was happy that she might achieve her goal with this.

”Don't worry, that boy always remains outside whenever there is no light. Honestly, even I was surprised to find out that he would never get sick even in harsh weather!” - Grandma Coral explained to Raven as it might ease her worries.

Raven went to change into the clothes provided by Grandma Coral.

- - - - - - - - -

Outside the house, Ozul was just lying resting his back against the trunk of the tree. He was not asleep, though.

When he heard the footsteps coming towards him, he opened his eyes to look at the person.