Anyway, could you just give me one ice cream…? I don’t have any money.
“No.”
“Why…?”
The guy folded his hands neatly and begged earnestly.
Honestly, I want to just give it to him. After all, it’s just ice cream, and I can buy another one.
But something about it feels a little annoying, and I’m not so eager to give it to him.
Then admit that I’m more amazing and great! Then I’ll think about it.
“What?”
“The king of kings, Luka, is asked to admit defeat? You’ve got some nerve. Absolutely not!”
No ice cream if I don’t?
He trembled and glanced around, clearly unsure whether to choose ice cream or his pride.
By the way, his name was Luka. A silly name for someone who looks like that.
“Your answer is too late?”
I slowly brought the ice cream to my mouth.
You should decide quickly. Otherwise, this ice cream will disappear into my mouth!
“No, stop!”
Luka shook his fluffy mane, yelling at me to stop.
But it was no use. I moved my hand holding the ice cream even faster.
Eventually, despite Luka’s protest, the delicious and cold ice cream touched the tip of my tongue…
-Lick.
The smooth but slightly tangy vanilla flavor spread from the tip of my tongue.
It was still autumn, but the cool ice cream instantly wiped away the stuffy heat around me.
Hehe, delicious! Ice cream really is the best.
“Ah, fine! I’ll do it, okay? I’ll do it!”
Hehe…
Looks like Luka made a decision after all.
You should’ve said it earlier. Now the poor ice cream is melting slowly.
“Alright, answer!”
I twirled my hand around and put it near my ear.
How’s that, isn’t it totally annoying?
“Ugh, really…”
Luka’s face twisted slightly upon seeing my posture and started turning red.
His face, now red enough to burn if touched, was quite the sight.
But what good is being red? The ice cream is still in my hand, right?
You can’t do anything about it. I’m the king, right?
Hehe.
“I, I’ll admit it…”
“Admit what?”
“You, you…”
What exactly is he admitting?
I really don’t get it. You have to explain it for me to understand!
“You’re more amazing than me… Ugh, ugh…”
“Say it louder, I can’t hear you!”
“I’m more amazing than you! Than you!”
Ugh, that was loud.
Even though Luka was quite far away, it felt like he was yelling right next to me.
He doesn’t look like a lion at all, but I guess he really is the king of animals. The roar was impressive.
Not that he looked like a lion, though.
I said that twice because it’s important.
“Is it enough now? Finally, I can eat the ice cream… Hehe, I can eat it now. Hehe.”
The face that was bright red just moments ago was now replaced with Luka’s usual proud expression.
…Was he that desperate for the ice cream? His eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
But no way.
-Nom.
Chomp.
Huh? Hey! Hey! What are you doing! Hey!!
I only said I was thinking about it, not that I would give it to you.
Hehe, it’s delicious.
Vanilla ice cream really is the best. The cone made of biscuit and the small chocolate chips scattered on the bottom are just perfect.
So happy!
“Ugh, no, I can’t take this. Ughhh…”
Hmm, is this the taste of victory?
It’s very sweet. Very tasty. The best.
-Ugh, sniff.
Huh?
“…I teased him too much?”
Tears started falling from Luka’s little eyes, which were wide open with disbelief.
I just teased him a little because he was so arrogant, but now it feels like I’m the bad guy.
Is this what it’s like now that I’m a girl? Anyway.
“Sis, is there more ice cream left?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I thought Maru might want more, so I bought another one. How did you know?”
Hehe, there’s always a way.
I saw the icebox in the bag she was holding.
Why else would she have bought that? She must’ve packed some cold treats for this hot weather.
Plus, there wasn’t one before, but since she went out to buy ice cream, I knew there’d be some inside!
This is a perfect syllogism.
Of course, it’s me.
Can I give it to that Luka guy over there?”
“Sure, of course. Our Maru has such a kind heart.”
Hehe…
I nodded and closed my eyes. At this timing, I knew Nunu would pet my head.
And just as expected, a big, thick hand gently patted my head.
Though, it didn’t quite feel like Nunu’s hand. But whatever.
“How are you planning to give it to him? The lion’s quite far from here.”
“Oh, right?”
Now that I think about it, I didn’t consider that.
Should I throw it to him?
-No, if I drop it on the ground, it’ll be ruined.
I’d lose the precious ice cream, and Luka’s crying would only get louder. I teased him a lot earlier…
So I’d feel guilty if that happened.
“Ughhh…”
“Hey, Luka!”
“…Huh?”
Before I knew it, the big lions were walking over to Luka, who was sobbing, and licking his mane.
It really looked like they were taking care of him, not the other way around.
…Anyway, I extended the ice cream in my hand toward him.
“Here, there’s one more ice cream, so don’t cry too much!”
“…Really? Are you going to give that to me? You’re not going to eat it?”
“Of course. This one’s yours!”
As I reassured Luka, who had a doubtful expression, a smile gradually spread across his face.
Then, even the lions that had been licking Luka lifted the corners of their mouths and looked pleased.
“So, I can take it, right?”
“Yeah!”
As I nodded, Luka immediately jumped up from his seat and started bouncing around.
“Throw me the ice cream!”
“…Huh? What did you say?”
“Hurry! I’m hungry right now!”
Wait a second, seriously?
Just throw it? This is a cone ice cream, so it’ll just fall straight to the ground.
It seems suspicious, but there must be a way, right? Right?
“Come on, throw it!”
“…Alright, whatever. Here goes!”
I tightly shut my eyes and threw the ice cream forward.
Whoosh—the sound of air resistance could be heard as the ice cream slowly descended…
–Plop.
…Huh?
Wow.
As I cautiously opened my eyes, I saw one of the lions that had been licking Luka just moments ago perform an aerial acrobat, catching the ice cream in mid-air.
Without any unnecessary movements, the lion gracefully and stylishly caught the ice cream, carefully holding it sideways in its mouth as if determined not to spill even a single grain of sugar on the vanilla cone.
Then, it dashed toward Luka.
…That was pretty cool.
“Wow. This looks delicious… Hehe. Nom!”
Regardless of my thoughts, Luka, as if accustomed to this, gently petted the lion before quickly putting the ice cream in his mouth and savoring it.
Honestly, I was thinking this earlier, but… who’s really taking care of whom here?
Well, now that I’ve given him the ice cream and seen the cool lion act, my mission is complete.
“Alright, I’ll be going now!”
“Mmm! Mffmm…!”
“…Swallow before you speak!”
Gulp. “Pwah… Sorry about sticking my tongue out at you earlier. See you later!”
“…Fine, just this once. Luka, take care!”
As I waved and was about to part ways…
“Oh, right. You!”
“Huh?”
Luka suddenly called out to me in his loud voice, and at the same time, a lion approached my side.
Before I could even react, the lion placed a piece of paper in my hand with its mouth and then quickly returned to its enclosure.
Wait… was it really okay for it to leave that easily? Also, it’s really fast.
Almost as fast as Nuna… I guess the king of beasts really is on a different level.
…And what’s this piece of paper?
As I unfolded the crumpled paper, I saw a series of scribbled numbers.
What is this?
“That’s my phone number!”
“…Your phone number? Why all of a sudden?”
“I’m working right now, so I thought we could hang out later. People who give me ice cream are all good people!”
…I have no idea what that has to do with anything, but alright, I’ll save it.
“Great! Let’s hang out later!”
Anyway, after pulling out my phone and saving Luka’s number, I was about to finally leave when—
“Maruya~”
“Hiiik?!”
Out of nowhere, Bada, who had been licking her ice cream beside me, suddenly hugged my back.
With her head resting on my shoulder, she whispered “Maruya~” in my ear, and since she had just eaten ice cream, her breath was ice-cold.
Thanks to that, I felt a strange sensation and shivered uncontrollably.
“Ba-Bada… what are you doing?”
“Hey, what’s your relationship with that lion beastman? You seemed really close.”
“Gah, hiiek?!”
No, if you’re going to ask something, could you move back a little?
The cold air keeps brushing against my ear, and I can’t even control my body…!
It’s tickling me like crazy!
“Hmm? Answer me, Maru~ya!”
“J-just move back a little…”
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“M-move back…”
“Oh, sorry.”
As I barely managed to calm my trembling body and spoke to Bada, she finally realized and let go of me.
Phew. Thank goodness. That was such a weird feeling.
…Just a little breeze on my ear, and I became this weak. My body has way too many weaknesses.
I really want to go back to my original body.
…Not that I know how.
Sigh.
“So, Maruya, what’s your relationship with that Luka guy?”
“Hm? Just… we met in passing. We kind of teased each other.”
“…Huh?”
Bada tilted her head in confusion as if she didn’t understand, but I just shut my mouth.
“Liar. You two looked way too close for that!”
For some reason, Bada puffed up her cheeks in frustration and clung to me again.
That’s really all there was, what else do you want me to say?
I tried explaining that it was really just a passing encounter, but Bada still didn’t seem convinced.
How do I even explain this?
“If you’re not gonna tell me, bad Maru is…”
“W-wait, hiii?!”
“…getting tickled!”
Why?!
“Ahhh!!!”