I have to admit, I missed eating meat.
While fruit makes me feel full and satisfied, I truly missed cooked food.
Back on Earth, there are so many ways to barbecue. Using a grill, a campfire, or even an underground pit oven.
The one thing they all have in common is that charcoal smell, which I've always hated but I still loved the taste of the meat.
I had sketched a design in my notebook and suddenly, a miniature version of my drawing materialized.
In my excitement to show Lion, I rushed to his usual workroom, but he wasn't there.
Disappointed, I checked the other two workrooms.
Nothing.
I wonder where he is?
Even Ghost was missing.
In my haste, I had forgotten to bring Pinky with me.
Now that I realized I was completely alone, paranoia began to set in.
I still didn't trust Sly.
I went out to the garden, but it was empty. It was nighttime and with the moons out, the nearby planet looked incredibly vivid and slightly larger than usual.
I kept looking over my shoulder. Every time I heard a sound, I spun around.
My panic was spiraling.
I couldn't stop thinking terrible thoughts.
Was I going to be eaten? Would he 'play' with me before finishing me off?
I was so busy looking behind me that I didn't pay any attention to where I was walking.
You can probably guess what happened next.
Yep.
I fell right off the wall.
Since this is a floating castle, I did exactly what you'd expect. I screamed.
I'm such a dummy!
.....
I was falling slower than I expected.
In the movies, when you fall from a high building or a cliff, it happens so fast... unless, of course, it's a romance.
The way I fell felt like a dream where I could see my surroundings with vivid clarity.
I could see the moons, the night sky with stars shining brighter than usual and the planet looking larger and more brilliant than ever. I clutched the miniature grill tightly and closed my eyes, feeling queasy.
I felt sick.
Then, I heard someone calling my name.
Who's calling me?
I opened my eyes.
It was Lion.
Ohh.. it's him...
I smiled as he flew toward me. I felt butterflies in my stomach and for the first time, I understood why so many people on Earth love romance dramas.
My chest felt warm. I wanted to kiss him, but I held back. I don't want to kiss someone without fully understanding my feelings first.
While I suspect Lion might feel something for me, I'm not ready to hear it yet.
There is so much I'm unsure of, especially my own heart. I am attracted to him, but I need to know if it's truly love.
Back on Earth, I always heard horrible love stories. I don't want a love that drains a person's character and personality. I thought of my parents, who were so proud of being together for thirty-seven years, yet I could see they were unhappy and my mother's personal growth had completely stagnated.
I am a stranger in this world.
There is still so much to learn and experience.
If I ended up in a relationship now, what would happen to me?
I'd become too dependent. I want to bring something of value to a partnership, not be a burden. I don't want to be hated and I especially don't want any regrets.
I also want to observe how they form bonds here. Lion and Ghost treat me kindly, but I don't know the depth of their affection.
They might just be intrigued because I'm different.
Everyone wants to feel wanted, which makes the idea of being unwanted even scarier.
Suddenly, my chest began to ache.
....
Lion caught me while I was deep in thought.
He exhaled a long, shaky breath and his eyes were full of relief. Up close, I noticed his eyes seemed more brilliant than usual, shining with an intensity I hadn't seen before.
My hand moved unconsciously to touch his hair, but I managed to stop myself. His hair caressed my face as he looked at me with a certain expression.
I recognized that look and for now, I didn't want to encourage it. I held up the miniature grill I had made and started babbling nonsense to fill the silence.
Lion's face fell, looking crestfallen. He gave me a small, sad smile while I continued trying to divert his attention back to the grill.
I had the sinking feeling that I'd just hurt him.
I'm sorry. I'm just not ready yet and I don't want to assume anything.
Lion mumbled that we should just return, and he flew back toward the castle, still carrying me in his arms.
....
It turned out that Sly had finally opened the ice cream shop quite a distance from the castle, which is why I hadn't seen him.
Ghost had just returned from somewhere and looked puzzled when he saw that Lion and I weren't talking.
I was still embarrassed by what had happened.
Even though I felt a bit regretful, I kept imagining how awkward it would have been if I had blurted out, 'Lion, I don't want to start something right now.' Or worse, what if he had kissed me when I wasn't even sure of my feelings yet?
Now that I think about it, how do people here even start a relationship or confess their feelings?
I'll have to ask someone eventually, though I definitely don't want to ask Ghost or Sly.
Pinky doesn't count since he never talks.
The three of us went to one of the workrooms, where I explained the concept of the grill.
Even though Lion was clearly moody, he managed to act professional, which I silently appreciated.
After my explanation, Lion seemed interested in the grill, though he wasn't as enthusiastic as usual.
He suggested a few modifications and managed to create a magical grill that required no charcoal or fire.
We took some of the meat Sly kept in his room and placed it on the grill. It began to cook magically on its own, sizzling and smelling delicious.
Even though Ghost doesn't like meat, he suggested squeezing the juice from some of the fruits... the names of which I've forgotten.. onto the meat.
I tried it and the aroma became even better. I noticed Lion's excitement growing. His mood improved the moment he tasted the food.
He loved it.
Just then, Sly returned and burst into the room.
He tasted the meat and joyfully let out a giant ROAR.
The grill was a huge success.