The soft murmur of Jiji talking with Seiko filled the car, blending with the hum of the engine.

Beyond the window, the countryside stretched endlessly, bathed in the warm hues of dusk. The seatbelt pressed against Momo’s chest, grounding her in reality—a reality that still felt surreal after everything that had just happened.

The cursed house.

The man-eating worm.

The cultists.

And the Evil eye—now possessing Jiji.

But despite all of that, only one thought consumed Momo’s mind.

She almost lost you.

In a desperate attempt to save her, you had thrown her from the collapsing house, choosing to face the Evil Eye alone. She had grabbed your hand at the last second, promising—swearing—that she would come back for you.

But when she finally returned with help, her heart shattered. The house was gone, reduced to nothing but a pit of molten lava. She had screamed, begged to jump in after you, to save you, even if it meant burning alive.

And then, just as despair threatened to consume her, Mr. Mantis Shrimp’s spaceship emerged from the smoke—pulling you out in a shell that kept you safe from lava.

You survived.

The moment you were safe, your exhausted body collapsed against her. Before you could even speak, she wrapped her arms around you, her face buried in your shoulder blade, sobbing uncontrollably.

In that instant, every doubt, every hesitation melted away.

She loved you.

She had always suspected it, but now it was undeniable. It wasn’t just friendship, wasn’t just camaraderie from all the battles you had fought side by side. It was something deeper, something terrifyingly real.

But she wasn’t ready to say it. Not yet.

So, a plan formed.

She’d make you confess first.

A mischievous smile played at her lips as her hand inched toward yours. Her middle and index fingers walked across the back of your hand in slow, deliberate steps, teasing, testing the waters. She felt your muscles tense in surprise, and that only emboldened her.

She hoped—prayed—that nothing would interrupt this moment with you.