A Moment of Peace (I)

Hours passed since the abrupt end of the tournament. Afterwards we looked for a place to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Maria finished healing my wounds and taking advantage of the momentum offered to do the same for the others. Corneria barely had a couple of scratches, Zeke on the other hand was considerably worse with a few broken bones. Although compared to me, I ended up being the most injured of the group... I need to get stronger.

"You have now fully recovered the color in your face Asriel. You look in better condition"

"Yes, thank you for your concern Corneria"

"You're welcome. It was to be expected considering you're a novice at being a Seeker. You still haven't mastered the arts optimally, nor how to maximize the use of determination efficiently"

"Is there really such a thing? With each new piece of information I discover, I find it much more difficult to understand"

"Ha, you must be kidding. You don't even know that?"

"Sorry mister know-it-all. The last time we met was my first day discovering the truth of the Objects"

"That explains it"

"Don't let that get to you. In time you'll learn to become more familiar with your weapon, it's just a matter of practice"

"Okay, I'll take that into consideration"

"Well, it came to my mind that we could take advantage of the moment to exchange information. What do you think?"

"I guess it's not a bad idea"

"I second the motion~"

"I oppose"

So the 3 of us turned to see what reaction I expected from the lone wolf.

"Come on, the rest agree. How does it affect you so much?"

"Why should I join in your talk? We've already finished our fight, there's no reason to-"

"Zeke!"

Maria angrily stood up suddenly from her seat and went to him.

"W, what's wrong with you?"

"Since we're all together, let's talk to get to know each other better. Don't you think that's a good plan?"

"I tell you what-"

"Don't you think so?"

"..."

"Don't, you, think, so?"

"... whatever"

So he finally agreed, reluctantly, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he succumbed to her pressure. Wow, I didn't think her power to control men through her cuteness would work on this guy. That's a good thing to know, it might come in handy in the future.

"Since our last member has decided to participate, let's get started. If it doesn't cause discontent, I'd like to be the first to ask"

"Sure, go ahead"

"Okay. So... Maria, why did you change your clothes?"

"... huh?"

Corneria asked seriously while looking up and down.

"This?" she answered, checking her dress with a twist.

It consisted of a short skirt, a ribbon on her chest and a headband reminiscent of bunny ears, like the ones she used to wear before, although this time they are a bit bigger and black in color.

"Right. It makes me... curious"

"Emm, why do you worry by that? And what does it have to do with information exchange?" I asked him.

"I just want to know, that's all. Would you mind answering me?"

"No problem. It's just that the one I was wearing got a little damaged when I was trapped in the prison dimension with Zeke, and even more so with the fight earlier. I didn't have time to fix it, so I put this one on in the meantime! Asriel mentioned that I looked very pretty in it. My dresses with skirts are his favorite hehe~"

"M, Maria?!?"

Did I really tell her that? I mean, I'm sure she was thinking it.... did I really say it out loud? I'll have to be careful not to let comments like that slip out again.

"... ah" was the only thing that came out of Corneria's mouth.

"So you have those fetishes. I didn't expect it from you" added Zeke.

"Y, you're wrong! I just-"

"Asriel? Are you saying I don't look pretty?"

She immediately looked at me with glowing eyes, no doubt looking like a little pet begging for affection.

"You obviously look cute!" I replied without hesitation. "It's just, it's hard to admit it in public... ahem. Well, let's move on to another question"

"Don't try to change the subject, you're already exposed"

"You shut up! Are you implying that Maria doesn't look resplendent like the sun peeking out in the middle of a cloudy day?"

"A, Asriel?!?"

Her voice sounded exalted, and her cheeks were flushed.

"No, I mean..."

Zeke looked away. Aha, he's between a rock and a hard place. Now is the time to push.

"What's wrong? Where's your answer?"

"..."

"Come on, answer. Don't you think she looks as beautiful as the light of the full moon when it shines on a clear night?"

"..."

"Like a jewel in the middle of the coal? Like a needle in a haystack?"

"A, Asriel! T, that's enough! Y, you don't have to go on!"

"Just a little longer. I'm about to make him admit the truth about your cuteness"

"Stop it already!"

"Ugh"

At that moment her fist hit me in the chest, right in the pit of my stomach. Losing all my strength, I fell to the ground.

"Asriel?!? I'm sorry, did I hit you too hard!?"

"... you're definitely more powerful than before"

[Uff] I heard Zeke sigh in relief.

Damn, he got away from me. You win this time, but for the next one I'll make you admit Maria's sweetness. I promise!

"Well, that's all I wanted to ask" said Corneria. "Thanks for clearing up that doubt"

"S, sure, it was my pleasure"

"If you feel like it, now we could talk about more... important issues"

"O, of course"

"Works for me"

"Ok~"