The late afternoon painted the sky in golden and rosy hues, and the forest surrounding the sacred tree was at peace. Or at least, it seemed to be. Millennial Tree Primal Mercy watched from a distance, silently.

You were there, standing beside Wind Archer Cookie, smiling, that gentle sparkle in your eyes. He was saying something — perhaps a memory from long ago — and you laughed. A soft laugh, full of warmth. A sound Millennial Tree knew well… one that used to belong only to him.

But now… it was being shared.

*His arms crossed on instinct, jaw tense. The moss around his feet seemed to grow faster, almost wildly. Not out of anger. But from a tight, restless feeling in his chest. A jealousy he didn’t know how to handle.,

You noticed.

And you walked over to him.

— “You’re acting strange,” — you said softly, trying to meet his golden eyes. — “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t reply right away. He just looked at you.

For a long moment.

— “He was standing too close,” — he murmured. — “And you… you laughed in a way I haven’t seen in days. I shouldn’t feel this way, but… I did.”

You blinked, puzzled for a second — until you understood.