That weird little Yuuzu has stopped crying when Yuuzu-chan stopped to hug her alot. I wonder why the sunrise made her so upset?

It is funny that they look quite similar. Yuuzu a bigger girl... scary lady assets. If I had to fight her in lady’s battle... might be very hard. But... Rishya is only a bit bigger... might have chance, as Kali started to grow nicely of late. Bigger than other girls interested in Elijah. But does Elijah not prefer it missing? Hard to tell. Seems to like Silver Princess and Green Swords-girl alot.

I am walking with Kurono at the back now. The sun is starting to rise. Kuro seems very sad...

"Eh... is Kuro-chan okays with big skull?" I ask her.

She glares back viciously, more so than usual.

"I'm not talking to a traitor like you." She says, deadpan.

I shrug.

"Kali always like men, Kuro-chan. Just missing one’s worth attention paying to." I clarify.

She sighs.

"Why does Kuro-chan hate men so? Never said." I ask.

She gapes as if I just punched her.

"You... are really insufferable."

I grin back.

"Little brothers often say things same. Hahaha." I laugh.

She sighs.

"My household was robbed. I was kidnapped. My parents were killed. A male bandit group." She grimaces, her teeth audibly grinding.

"Gah! Why I am even saying these things to..."

I grasp her in a hug, following Yuuzu's example, and she gasps. She tries to push me away, but I'm way stronger.

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"It be days for hugs; Kuro-chan. Kali very sorry. Does like Kuro-chan. But not for kisses."

She goes quiet and limp in my grip.

"We fight muchly, but you are still big friend of Kali. Always remember."

I let her go. She is wide eyed.

"You really are insufferable." She crooks a tiny smile.

"Hehehehe" I snicker, rubbing the back of my head.

We carry on walking... we are lagging behind the others now. And is it my imagination or is she closer than before?

"It wasn't even just that. For three days. Left me in a room with my rotting parents while they looted our estate, raped the maids in front of me and killed them too. I screamed and cried so much that they beat me senseless. It was maybe... fortunate. It meant I kept my own chastity for just long enough."

I feel like I shouldn't interrupt her. Kurono-chan's melancholy and dark edge were always quite evident. I guess I was lucky to have such a great father and such a strong mother. I cannot imagine just how terrible it would be to be unable to defend myself.

"And then... just as they were stripping me, barely conscious, about to be broken, I was saved..."

"Kali thinks a lady adventurer came? That right?"

She smirks.

"Yes indeed. Just a middle aged mercenary woman doing an investigation job. Not even that special. But right then... blood and limbs of those men flying around me... she looked more ~beautiful~ than even Yuuzu!"

She jumps in shock and looks around as if she is telling an important secret

"Do not give up, Kuro-chan. Maybe even get big Yuuzu in bed one day. She maybe only tolerant to mens. Kali not sure." I assure her.

"No... it’s a l-lost cause..." she stutters.

"Has Yuuzu-chan ever directly denied Kurono?" I ask.

She halts for a moment and her brows crease. She opens her mouth but no sound emerges.

"Then not lost cause!" I smile, and grasp both her hands in my gauntlets. She blushes.

"Kali has silly cause too. Not many female merchants in desert. Man Kali likes... is surrounded by many lovely girls. Surely much tougher!"

She sniggers.

"Yeah... you're fucked as well."

"Kali hopes so!" I laugh.

She takes in my obvious innuendo and starts laughing as well. I've never heard her laugh so rambunctiously. She is shaking.

It's a loud noise. The others look back, so I shrug at them and they continue.

"Ah... why is life still worth living? I'm a depressive that stinks of death and misfortune enough to get a Void spirit. It whispers to me to die every hour of every day."

"Don't listen, Kuro-chan. You can have happiness."

"Hah! You... you're totally a fucking insufferable, mad Veranian bitch, Kaliasta." She curses.

"Ah! Kuro finally used Kali's name! Happiness!" I exclaim.

She blinks as I grin at her, and then she gives a wry smile back, shaking her head.

I'm a little sorry to be leaving her and Yuuzu behind. But at least left without sour memories.

I think this is good.