After gathering the flowers and reuniting with Mirina, we made our way back to the village. I probably don't need to say this, but I'm utterly exhausted after that fight. If it weren't for the need to leave the forest as fast as possible, I would've probably collapsed by now.
Another thing worth noting is that Mirina isn't exactly… well, after what happened, she's been glued to me more than ever. With her so close, I can feel her body trembling; the encounter with the wolf must have really shaken her. And how could it not? One moment you're out for a stroll, and the next, you're facing a real threat to your life.
"... Sorry," I hear her say beside me.
"Hey, hey, hey. What are you apologizing for?" Caught off guard by the sudden apology, I can't help but look at her. I can see now that not only her body is trembling, but her eyes are too.
"I followed you into the forest, even though I knew it was dangerous..." she says, trying to hide her fear, but I can see her eyes welling up with tears.
"…"
I stay silent for a while. I don't have much experience comforting people, especially not a young child. If you think about it, she's pretty wrong in this situation—what kind of eight-year-old follows a friend into the forest at night? The answer: a dead one by morning. But I doubt that's the right response here. And if we look at it from that perspective, what does that make me? The six-year-old who brought a friend into the forest at night? The way things are going, this is easily becoming a traumatic event!
"... Hey, earlier, you said you wanted to see the sky beyond the window, right?"
"Y-yes, but I don't kn-" she starts, surprised by the randomness of my question.
With some effort, I manage to pry her off me after what felt like hours and take a few steps forward.
"The sky isn't the only thing beyond the window, you know? There's also the ground below it, and the sea below that." I begin gesturing dramatically, pointing first to the sky and then to the ground.
"I still don't understand where you're going with this..." she says, tilting her head to the side.
"The world is a place full of dangers and scary things, and a lot goes wrong."
"…" She pauses for a moment, looking down sadly, and begins fidgeting with her hands.
"But life isn't about the bad moments!" I quickly step in front of her and hold her hands, causing her to lift her face.
"Ah...!" Surprised by the sudden touch, she lets out a tiny jump.
"Think about earlier today, when we were just talking—wasn't that fun? When you almost tripped on those rocks, wasn't that fun?..." I say, looking into her eyes. "Then again, maybe that wasn't the best example… But my point is! You can't let one encounter with a stupid wolf overshadow everything."
"But—" She tries to respond, but I don't give her a chance. In this battle, whoever gives an inch loses.
"And you don't have to worry about anything! After all, I'm here! I'll protect you from anything!" I say, posing with my thumb pointed at my chest.
"You will?"
"Of course, I will! You know, there's a giant world beyond the mountains, full of wonders and dangers—seas of sand, floating islands, diamond rain, and so much more! And we're going to see it all together! I can't let some dumb wolf stop me now."
"I... I didn't understand a single thing you said…"
"That's what I'm saying! You haven't seen anything yet! And you can't stop now!"
Finally, I release her hands and calm down a bit. I don't know why, but this situation seems to have made me a little hysterical.
"So, you don't have to worry yet. I promise..." I take a deep breath and, after a moment, speak with a smile on my face. "This big sister here will always be around to protect you," I finish, spreading my arms.
…
Silence.
…
With each second that passes, an invisible pressure builds on my shoulders, my facial muscles getting tired from holding a smile, and I can feel a cold sweat forming on the back of my hand. But just as my arms are beginning to ache…
"... You do know that I'm older, right?"
…
"But I'm taller."
"But height doesn't mean anything in this situation!"
"Is that so?"
We start staring each other down, neither of us willing to back down.
…
"… Pfft—Hahahahahaha!"
But after just a few moments of silence, Mirina can't hold back her laughter anymore.
"See? I knew you wou—"
I start to celebrate my victory, but before I can finish, I feel a body throw itself hard against me, and my arms, which I'd forgotten were still outstretched, wrap around her as she hugs me back.
"Then, I will take your word for it," she says, rubbing her face against me.
…
Why do I feel like I lost somehow?
.
.
.