“I was just thinking to myself. After all, it’s not a huge problem. The real question is why this Forest Elemental is acting this way.”
“Uh, couldn’t it be like the little one said — that it’s just her personality? Isn’t it normal for everyone to have a different personality?”
“Different personalities are normal, but one’s true nature shouldn’t change so easily. A cat might have various temperaments, but at its core, it’s still a cat. It should still follow the basic logic of a cat. You can’t have a cat that doesn’t act like a cat, but acts like a dog instead, right?”
“If it lives long enough, it’s not entirely impossible…”
“Little Fox, are you really going to talk back to me right now?”
“Hehe, I’ll go check on the little one.”
Liuli had actually just been grumbling, or perhaps it was her instinct to argue — a habit developed from long hours surfing the Internet — but occasionally, she felt that joking around like this wasn’t so bad.
“Little one, are you still reading?”
“Ah, yes, Master. These books are very interesting. Are there any others?”
“There aren’t any more here. Once we get back home, there will be plenty of books for you to read.”
“Isn’t this Master’s home?”
“Of course not. This is Elven Territory. Didn’t you notice, little one?”
“I can feel that this is the Forest of Elves, but I thought Master lived here.”
“This is Elven Territory, and I don’t look like an Elf no matter how you look at me, right?”
“So, Master, when can we go back?”
“Don’t you miss this place at all?”
“What’s so good about this place? I can’t read books here. If I go with you, I’ll have books to read, so I would definitely choose to go with you, Master.”
“Well, if there actually weren’t that many books to read, would you still plan on coming back with me?”
Liuli had a sudden whim to see what would happen if she teased the little one.
“Master, you’re teasing me again. Since you already bought me from the pet shop, you have to take responsibility for me. It makes no sense to just abandon me at the drop of a hat.”
Even though the Forest Elemental realized she was being teased, she still provided plenty of emotional value, pouncing on Liuli’s shoulder and acting spoiled.
“Of course I won’t leave you behind. But I’m a bit curious. With your personality, you should be considered quite rare among Forest Elementals. Most customers would probably like your temperament, so why were you left in the shop for so long?”
“Because I didn’t like those people. Every time a customer came, I would act sick and weak so no one would choose me.”
“That really is a good method…”
It seemed that, at its core, it was still a Forest Elemental. No matter how composed she appeared, she would still show her unique, cunning side at moments like this.
“Oh, right, Master, Master! It’s been so long, have you still not thought of a name for me?”
As expected, this question was unavoidable. She had put it off for so long; it was finally time to give the little one a formal name.
However, Liuli had always been terrible at naming things, so she could only look for inspiration elsewhere.
When it came to inspiration, the many games and anime she had seen might help.
Literary girls weren’t rare in 2D culture works. With that in mind, a name appeared in her head.
‘I can’t avoid this question anymore. I’ve put it off for so long; it’s time to give the little one a formal name. But I’ve always been terrible at naming things. Maybe I can find some inspiration from elsewhere. Speaking of inspiration, maybe the games and anime I’ve seen could help. Literary girls aren’t rare in 2D culture. In that case, a certain name has just come to mind.’
“In that case, how about You?”
“That works! From now on, Master has to call me You.”
“Alright, You. Can you understand these books?”
“Um, actually, I don’t really understand them. There’s a lot of content in this book I can’t quite grasp. However, I can understand the ones about Elven history… they’re just a bit boring.”
Bad news: the Forest Elemental’s intelligence was actually high enough to understand books. Good news: You didn’t seem to know what Aili’s “works” were really about. But then again, it was hard to say if that was actually a good thing.
‘Bad news: the Forest Elemental’s intelligence is actually high enough to understand books. Good news: You doesn’t seem to know what Aili’s works are really about. But then again, it’s hard to say if that’s actually a good thing. If You’s curiosity gets the better of her and she starts pointing at specific terms asking what they mean, how am I supposed to answer?’
“Wait until we get back; I’ll have even more books for you to read.”
“When can we go back, Master?”
“In a few days. You haven’t finished the book in your hand yet, have you?”
“But there are many parts of this book I don’t understand. Why are these two people hugging each other? And why is it emphasized that they aren’t wearing clothes? Aren’t they cold?”
“Uh… that’s a way for two people to express their feelings for each other, I guess.”
‘I really regret mentioning that book. Since You didn’t understand it, why did I have to open my mouth?’
“Then, can Master and I express our feelings that way too?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Liuli was genuinely a bit scared now. The little one didn’t know what it meant, so it was fine for her to just say it, but Liuli wasn’t so depraved as to go that far.
“Why? Do Master and I not have feelings for each other?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that these aren’t the same kind of feelings. Do you understand what I mean?”
“I don’t really understand…”
“Let’s put it this way: we can be friends, we can be family, or we can even be closer than that, but that doesn’t mean we can do those things. Those things are reserved for couples and lovers. Does that make sense, You?”
“Couples and lovers? Master, I don’t really get it.”
“Maybe you’ll understand what couples and lovers are once you’ve read more books.”
Liuli only now truly understood why sex education for children was so difficult.
Their curiosity was the biggest challenge. And it was no exaggeration to say their way of thinking was different.
‘I’ve only now truly understood why sex education for children is so difficult. Their curiosity is the biggest challenge. And it’s no exaggeration to say their way of thinking is different. I can’t quite grasp why they ask these kinds of questions, just as they don’t seem to understand why I won’t give them an answer.’
“Okay…”
Clearly, You wasn’t satisfied with the answer. But out of respect for me, she didn’t press further and instead gave me an out.
“Then, Master, do you have one of those couples or lovers you mentioned?”
It seemed Liuli had spoken too soon. You wasn’t giving her an out; she was looking for more trouble.
Looking at You’s innocent gaze, Liuli knew she wasn’t trying to be difficult — she was just genuinely curious.