Chapter 179-3
[Part 3/4]
"Big brother, I'm sorry! Shirona will apologize a lot!? So please don't say scary things anymore!? Shirona will work hard to help you!? So, so, please stop! I'm begging you, don't be mean anymore...!!?"
Overwhelmed with emotion, tears quickly welled up in her eyes as she confessed. She apologized, sought atonement, and begged for forgiveness with desperate love and pleading.
...Those words were clear proof that she didn't fully understand the situation.
"Shut up! I told you to be quiet, you fox girl...!!?"
"Higuh!?"
At the loud shout, the child trembled and fell silent. She let out small, hiccup-like sounds, sniffling and with her eyes already red and swollen. Her mouth was open in a daze. It seemed like she couldn't fully believe in my presence, as if she couldn't recognize it. She looked like her thoughts had stopped.
"...Shirona? What's wrong?"
My mother woke up sleepily from our conversation. A smile appeared on my sister's face as if she had gained reinforcements. My mother, who had been deeply asleep and seemed a bit grumpy, rubbed her eyes.