Silence fell between Leo and Ariel in the narrow cave.
"...It's unfair," Ariel muttered.
Leo sat in front of the campfire, holding his slightly reddened cheeks, while Ariel glanced at him as if she were uncomfortable.
"Who would even try to… hug me naked…" Ariel stammered, but she had no choice but to cut off her words.
No matter how shameful it was, there was still a sharp point left in her conscience to continue to say anything about his actions to save her own life.
Moreover, after the image of Leo carrying her on his back and struggling through the snow came to mind, the guilt she felt for the slap she had thrown at him as soon as she woke up also continued to rise like a winged shadow.
"Haa… You saved my life, and now you're suddenly treating me like a criminal and slapping me," Leo said, exasperation evident in his voice.
"…" Ariel couldn't meet his gaze.
