Suddenly, a wide smile spread across her face, and she threw her arms around Yamika in a crushing embrace, lifting her off the ground as she shouted loudly.
"Cousin!"
Yamika choked from the force of the sudden, crushing hug, glancing between Haruki and Noroi for a moment, unsure how to respond. Yet something inside her skull told her she had to play along with the ogress. She gently patted the ogress's arm in return, forcing a nervous smile as she said.
"Uh… cousin, yes, cousin."
The ogress lowered Yamika back to the ground, letting her regain her balance, though the wide grin never left her green lips. She placed a heavy arm over the girl's shoulders and said.
"I didn't think you'd visit me today. How's Uncle's farm doing?"
The ogress's eyes drifted toward Noroi, scanning him from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze. She hummed in disapproval before turning back to Yamika and shaking her head.
"Your husband's been losing too much weight lately. That's not good, cousin."
"My what?!"
Yamika burst out instinctively, the ogress's words hitting her like a thunderbolt. Haruki pressed his lips tightly beneath his mask, barely able to contain the laughter bubbling inside him as his mind was already conjuring the image of Yamika and Noroi living together as husband and wife.
Meanwhile, disgust twisted Noroi's hidden expression behind his mask ,the last thing he wanted in this world was to be that viking's husband.
Realization struck Yamika suddenly; she straightened quickly, forcing composure to avoid blowing their cover, and replied with a strained tone.
"Ah, yes… you know how the weather's been. The harvest hasn't been great lately."
The ogress sighed loudly, raising her right hand above her head while resting the other on her stomach. Her voice carried a mournful tone as she said.
"Ah, don't remind me… I've lost so much weight this year."
The three of them stared at the ogress's protruding, sagging belly before Haruki muttered absentmindedly under his breath, his eyes drifting across the wide expanse.
"Is that the equator in the middle? I wonder how many people live there…"
Noroi quickly smacked him on the head to shut him up, while Yamika turned to her "cousin," nodding with forced politeness.
"Yes, I've noticed."
The ogress's eyes drifted toward Haruki. She moved from her spot, stepping closer until she bent slightly to bring herself to his level. A confused smile spread across her face as she asked.
"And who's this little one here?"
Before either Haruki or Yamika could answer, Noroi's cold voice cut through the air as usual.
"Our new pet."
The ogress's expression darkened, and her head slowly turned toward Noroi. She repeated his words in a heavy tone that hung over the place like a shadow.
"Did I ask you?"
The atmosphere tensed immediately, silence filling the space for a moment before the ogress suddenly rolled her eyes with a sigh. Her expression flipped in an instant as she threw her heavy green arm around Yamika's shoulders and said enthusiastically.
"Come, cousin! Let's get something to drink!"
Yamika's face lit up at the ogress's words. She wrapped her own arm around the ogress's back as they walked together toward the wooden counter where the ogress had been standing moments ago.
The ogress released Yamika's shoulder for a moment and disappeared behind a brown curtain that led directly to the kitchen. During that brief absence, Yamika turned to Noroi and Haruki, whispering in a low voice.
"Get what you need while I keep her busy."
Just then, the ogress returned…
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Thank you for reading! If this moment touched you even a little , please consider adding it to your library 💐