"Come here, get closer Ren. Me and Nina found out about something yesterday."
Ren looked at the mysterious smile on Jun's face skeptically, but he still humoured Jun. Leaning closer to Jun, Ren held zero anticipation for Jun's plan. After all, what information could Jun have, that he didn't already know?
"You know that stone Olivia has? Monsters are attracted to it!"
Ren's eyes widened, suddenly recalling his first encounter with Olivia. At the time, he didn't think twice about how Olivia encountered the demon dog. If this was true, Ren could win this competition easily. But would Olivia lend Ren the stone? Wouldn't she choose to help Elios, who knew her longer?
While Ren was deep in thought, Jun and Nina watched his dilemma in confusion. Why hasn't he gone to borrow the stone yet? It can't be that hard to borrow it, Olivia is really nice after all. As Ren spent more and more time thinking, Jun and Nina decided to take matters into their own hands.
"Let's go Jun, we'll ask Olivia for big brother."
Jun nodded, feeling exasperated at Ren's behaviour. Convinced that Ren had a crush on Olivia, Jun felt ashamed at his shyness. Could he be more obvious? He's usually so loud and outgoing, but when it comes to Olivia, he becomes as quiet as a mouse. Sighing as he shakes his head, Jun and Nina headed towards Olivia.
"Big sister!"
Stopping what she was doing, Olivia turned around with a big smile. She held out her hands for a hug, ready to catch Nina, who was running towards her.
"Nina! Why're you back so early? I thought you went to check on Ren."
As Nina hugged Olivia, she looked up with puppy eyes, almost blinding Olivia with cuteness.
"Big sis... Can I borrow your stone for today? I promise to return it tonight, I'll even leave fluffy with you."
Feeling like she was being attack by cuteness, Olivia immediately agreed, not even asking why Nina needed the stone. Digging through her bag, Olivia pulled out the repair stone, placing it in Nina's hand.
"No problem Nina! And since you're so cute, you can even borrow it for longer."
Looking at the bright smile on Nina's face, Olivia felt the urge to pinch her cheeks. The big smile on Nina's face made dimples on her cheeks, making them seem extremely soft. Olivia tried to hold back, but she eventually caved, pinching and squishing Nina's cheeks.
"B-big sister...?"
Hearing the confused tone in Nina's voice, Olivia snapped out of her trance. As Olivia remembered the sensation of Nina's chubby cheeks, she felt more and more compelled to continue squeezing.
'No Olivia, Nina would find you weird.'
After overcoming her inner demons, Olivia silently branded Nina's cheeks as a deadly weapon. Letting go of Nina, Olivia waved her goodbye as she ran back towards Jun.
"I got it!"
Nina excitedly held up the stone, showing it to Jun. As the two of them excitedly looked at the stone, they ran back to Ren, who was looking for them.
"You two! Don't run off on your own, what if you got lost from the group?"
Relieved to see the two safe and sound, Ren decided to let them off with only a warning. But when he saw the smiles on their faces, he wondered if he should take away some of their candy as punishment. However, his thoughts of punishment were dispelled, when Nina held the repair stone up to Ren.
"Is that...?"
Ren couldn't believe it, but the proud smile on Nina's face was real. Taking the stone out of Nina's hand, Ren patted Nina's head while examining the stone. After a small handkerchief test, Ren confirmed the legitimacy of the stone.
"I can't believe you guys asked Olivia without me, does she even know what we're using it for?"
Nina shook her head with a slight smile, which caused Ren to feel a sense of unease. It might be him imagining things, but Nina is becoming more and more like Jun. Horrified at the thought, Ren eventually gave up, thinking that this development isn't so bad.
"Thanks Nina, Jun. I promise you I'll definitely win the competition today."