"Today was fun," Fran said.
Nekoru nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Yeah!"
I also felt it was a fun day, and that this must be what having friends is like.
"I had a great time too."
"Really, it was fun. Maybe because it had been a while since I went into town for fun. Though it seems Al doesn't feel the same."
"Wait, what!?" Al exclaimed in surprise.
"I had fun too! I just didn't say it out loud!"
"Enjoying yourself while neglecting work, huh? Must be nice."
I teased him, and Al panicked, stuttering.
After we all had a good laugh, Fran suddenly suggested, "Oh, we can take a shortcut from here."
As Fran started veering off the main road, Al stopped her.
"No, Fran."
The tone of Al's reproachful voice changed the previously light atmosphere into one of tension. It felt as if the temperature dropped a few degrees.
"Why not?"
"It's dangerous."
"I'll protect everyone if something happens."
