Yugo and his friends moved into the petting zoo area, blending in with the families and couples as they enjoyed some time with the adorable creatures.
It was a blissful moment that allowed them to forget their constant battles and the relentless harassment of certain Former Hero Candidates. Interestingly, the three pairs each exhibited a distinct style of interaction.
"There, there! These little guys are so friendly and affectionate. They're seriously cute!" Yugo cheered.
"They're all so darling!" Melt added, her eyes sparkling. "This one's fur is so fluffy! I’m totally smitten!"
Yugo and Melt were both utterly engrossed, doting on the animals with equal enthusiasm. Despite his rugged features, Yugo was still a boy at heart, and Melt had the quintessential charm of an ordinary girl. Both loved animals, and they were clearly having a wonderful time together.
"Look, look, Yugo! Isn't this one just the cutest?"
"You're right! Oh, who's a good boy? There, there!"
"Ah! Pet me too while you’re at it! Woof, woof!"
"Ahahaha! Even you’re turning into an animal now? You're ridiculous! Oh, well, fine then!"
Melt showed off the animal she was cradling while playfully acting spoiled. Normally, Yugo might have been a bit more embarrassed and offered a sharp retort, but his spirits were high. He leaned into her joke and gave her head a few affectionate pats. Melt looked as satisfied as a purring cat, leaning into his touch with a blissful expression.
Nearby, Marcos and Elena were engaged in a very different dynamic.
"Wow! They're so tiny and sweet! I wonder if they're used to people? They aren't scared of me at all!"
"Well, it is a petting zoo," Marcos noted. "They likely interact with humans every day."
Elena’s eyes shone as she was surrounded by her favorite creatures, while Marcos watched over her like a protective guardian. If Yugo and Melt were like children playing together, these two gave off a slightly more parental vibe. However, it wasn't just a matter of one-sided caretaking. Elena gave a bright, mischievous laugh and directed the animals toward Marcos.
"All right! Everyone, charge at Marcos! Go!"
"What!? You tamed them that quickly!? Whoa—!"
"Ahahaha! They’re just like the ones back in Shandia! If you speak to them from the heart, you can become friends with anyone!"
Following Elena’s command, the animals rushed toward Marcos. He was taken aback as the animals he thought were suddenly charging him suddenly swarmed around his feet. He looked at Elena as she puffed out her chest with pride. He felt he was no match for her natural charisma and found himself admiring her talent all over again.
While the first two couples were doing well, there was a third pair exuding a much more complicated atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, that pair was Ryuga and Raiha.
"The animals here are so calm and sweet! They're even coming over to act spoiled with me!"
"I see. That's good."
"Ry-Ryuga-san, why don't you join in? It's very relaxing!"
"No, I'm fine. Enjoy yourself. Don't worry about me."
Raiha tried her best to bridge the gap, calling out to Ryuga as he watched from a short distance away. However, Ryuga’s responses were clipped—barely two or three words at a time. The conversation refused to flow, and the physical distance between them showed no signs of shrinking.
Anyone watching would have likely put their head in their hands and despaired at the man's social ineptitude. Indeed, even Yugo and the others were troubled by Ryuga’s bluntness. Yet, Raiha herself felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
(Yes! He didn't tell me not to ask him questions! He's actually reacting to what I say! I'm really talking with Ryuga-san!)
Whether she was simply quick to adapt or had just grown accustomed to his idiosyncratic way of communicating, Raiha was becoming remarkably resilient. She squeezed her fists with a determined huff. She was learning to navigate the unique challenge of a conversation with Ryuga.
Still, when she glanced at the other two couples, a touch of melancholy flickered in her heart. We can manage a game of conversational catch, but we're a long way from a fun chat... As Raiha’s shoulders slumped, Ryuga—out of her line of sight—was secretly feeding an animal that had wandered up to his feet.
"This is pretty interesting," Elena remarked. "I wonder if these little guys are watching us and having fun, too?"
"Perhaps," Marcos replied. "In that case, we should strive to maintain a dignified appearance so the animals don't laugh at us."
While the humans were there to observe the animals, Marcos mused that the animals might be returning the favor from behind their fences, finding the humans' varied behaviors quite entertaining. Just as he was pondering this, a loud shout suddenly shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the petting zoo.