After Nanami Aoyama left, Kanna—still perched by the snack shelf—suddenly piped up.
"That lady seems to like you."
"Huh?" Shiro chuckled. "You've barely been around humans for a day and you're already reading romantic cues?"
Kanna nodded with certainty. "Mhm!"
"Then let me ask you, what does it mean to like someone?" Shiro asked, half-amused, half-curious.
"If you get it right, I'll treat you to something delicious tonight."
"Better than lunch?"
"Way better."
"Oooh!"
Kanna clenched her little fists in determination, her face lighting up with excitement. Then she proudly declared,
"Liking someone means… wanting to be close to them, and lick each other's bodies!"
Shiro froze—then burst out laughing.
"Pffft—Kanna-chan, you're way too cute."
"Was that wrong?" she asked, puffing her cheeks.
"Um… not exactly wrong," he said, suddenly unsure. "That might just be your dragon way of expressing affection…"
Originally, he'd wanted to say that humans don't lick each other, but when certain late-night 'educational materials' flashed through his mind, his confidence wavered.
Kanna, sharp-eyed as ever, immediately caught on.
"Shiro's lying!"
"No, I was just… reconfirming," he said, deadpan.
"You are lying! I heard it!"
Shiro: "…"
"Okay, fine. I lost this round," he sighed, patting her head. "I'll take you to eat something extra tasty tonight."
"Yay! Kanna-chan wins!"
With her adorable cheer and energetic little bounce, Kanna's cuteness practically exploded, catching the attention of several passersby.
---
After leaving the supermarket, Kanna was no longer on Shiro's shoulders. She was proudly carrying a small bag of handpicked snacks.
Meanwhile, Shiro was loaded with two full arms of bags—daily necessities, snacks, and everything else he thought Kanna might need.
He'd considered buying her a plush toy too, but one look at the overflowing bags made him give up.
He sighed internally, once again cursing his "cheap system" for lacking a proper space storage function. The system could only hold drawn items—no external goods allowed.
Back home, Shiro dropped the bags with a thud and collapsed onto the lazy sofa.
Kanna, mimicking him, dove onto the beanbag with a soft fwump. Her little body sank into the fabric, and a look of pure bliss spread across her chubby-cheeked face.
"Hey, Kanna-chan," Shiro said lazily, "be honest with me. Why did you decide to follow me?"
"Because I like your aura," she said instantly.
"My aura?"
"Yup!" she nodded hard, serious as ever. "It smells like my power."
"Oh, this?"
Shiro held out his hand, and with a sharp crackle, arcs of electricity began to dance in his palm.
Zzzzt—
Kanna's eyes lit up. "Yes! That!"
"But I'm not the only one who uses lightning-based magic."
Kanna pouted, her voice quieter now. "But Shiro buys me food…"
"…That's your reason?"
Shiro shook his head with a tired smile. But deep down, he didn't mind. If a few snacks were enough to earn the loyalty of a dragon, then he'd gladly restock the pantry every week.
"Alright, Kanna-chan. Come on, let's go check out your room."
He picked up the bags of daily items and headed to the guest bedroom.
Luckily, when he rented the place, he chose one with a spacious layout—this room alone could fit seven or eight people.
There were chairs and a table, a wide window, and a cozy little balcony. Only the bed was still bare.
He made the bed and arranged her things neatly.
"Kanna, this'll be your room from now on, okay?"
"…Huh? You're not living with me?"
"I'm right next door. You're a girl, after all—can't exactly bunk with you, now can I?"
Kanna tilted her head, half-understanding.
Meanwhile, Shiro sighed internally. He still hadn't figured out how to explain Kanna's origins to the others, especially the Nakano sisters.
Nino was the only one who knew the truth. He couldn't exactly tell the others, "Oh yeah, this girl's a literal dragon."
Just as he was lost in thought—
Ding dong~
Ding dong~ Ding dong~ Ding dong~
The doorbell rang. Repeatedly.
Shiro jumped up, telling Kanna, "Stay here for now, okay?" Then he rushed to the front door.
When he opened it, he was greeted by a familiar voice and an even more familiar face.
Standing there, was none other than Ichika Nakano.
"Well, well. Ichika you are really quick to find me," He teased.
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