Farah's POV

I pushed Mashiro away since she kissed me too suddenly. I can feel Mashiro become a little sad because of my action. To relieve the mood, I try to apologize to Mashiro. I pull her clothes and say sorry.

-Mashiro, I'm...sorry. (Farah)

-Fine. (Mashiro)

I don't want to see Mashiro become sad like this. Therefore, I suggest an idea to her.

-Mashiro? (Farah)

-Yes? (Mashiro)

My face becomes hot.

-How about I let you kiss me again, Mashiro? (Farah)

Mashiro tilts her head and asks me.

-Sure...about...that? (Mashiro)

I nod at her question.

-I...will...do...again. (Mashiro)

Mashiro's face once again comes closer to me. I ask myself should I take the lead since I have more experience compared to her. I reach out to Mashiro first and gently kiss her on the lips.

-Eh? (Mashiro)

She becomes surprised since I kiss her on my own.

-Do you like that, Mashiro? (Farah)

Mashiro doesn't seem to pay attention to my question. She somehow being distracted by my kiss and staring into the void.

-Mashiro? (Farah)

Again, there is no response come from her. Mashiro slowly places her hand on her own lips. It seems she is getting lost in her own world.

-... (Mashiro)

I'm waiting patiently for Mashiro to notice me again.

-One...more. (Mashiro)

Mashiro reaches out to me. This time, she takes the initiative to kiss me on the lips.

-Hyaaa~ (Farah)

The kiss between us lasts for a while. Mashiro releases me after she finishes kissing me. I pout and stare at her.

-It's unfair. (Farah)

After the kiss, only I blush while Mashiro has a confused face. It doesn't seem like she understands the action she just did. Mashiro may kiss me because she is curious about the intimate activity of humans.

-What...Do...After? (Mashiro)

Mashiro has a puzzling face. She doesn't seem to know what to do next. Mashiro asks me with an innocent voice.

-Do...you...know? (Mashiro)

I shake my head and tell her.

-I don't know. (Farah)

I don't have any knowledge of anything beyond kissing. I remember Hana told me she would teach me about what comes after kissing later.

-... (Farah)

Both of us have nothing to talk about, and we become silent once again. My stomach suddenly growls and breaks the current atmosphere.

-Hungry? (Mashiro)

-Uhm. (Farah)

Mashiro stands up and takes my hand. She leads me down from the summit to a room inside the world tree. She opens the door and lets me see a tree with many flowers inside.

-Woah, it's so beautiful~ (Farah)

Mashiro walks toward the tree and takes the biggest flower on the tree.

-Eh? (Farah)

After that, Mashiro gives the flower to me.

-What do you want me to do with this flower, Mashiro? (Farah)

She points at the flower and makes an action like drinking.

-Do you want me to drink it? (Farah)

Mashiro nods at my question. I try to open the flower buds.

-Woah~ (Farah)

Inside the flower is the water that looks like honey. I don't hesitate and take a sip of the yellow water.

-It tastes like honey. (Farah)

I glance at Mashiro's side and notice she is watching me with an expected face.

-It's delicious, Mashiro. (Farah)

The moment she heard my compliment, her face showed a little sign of happiness. I can't help but reach my hand to her head and pat her. Mashiro shows no sign of resistance and lets me pat her head.

-Umm~ (Mashiro)

When I finished drinking from the flower, I asked her to take me to anyplace inside the world tree to kill time. This time, Mashiro takes me to a room with a big box inside it.

-What is this room, Mashiro? (Farah)

-Where...I...store...your...gift. (Mashiro)

-Eh! (Farah)

Mashiro goes to the box's place and takes out the pair of shoes. It's the one that I bought for Mashiro when I went on a date with Beleth.

-Why don't you wear it, Mashiro? (Farah)

-Afraid...broke...shoes. (Mashiro)

-You should use them, Mashiro. I bought those shoes to let them protect your feet. (Farah)

Mashiro shakes her head and holds them as something really precious. I reach out and pat her head.

-I won't force you to wear them then. (Farah)

Mashiro formed a faint smile when I told her so. After that, I keep playing around with Mashiro until Stolas arrives at the world tree. After confirming with Stolas that everyone has become normal, I say goodbye to Mashiro and leave the world tree.

Everyone apologized to me the moment they noticed I came back to the camp. Beleth even bends down to the ground to say sorry to me. I forgive her immediately since most of it happens because of the smoke in the first place. Mia, the culprit of this incident, is forbidden from head pat and pudding for one week.

-But Mashiro was really different from usual her that day. Did the smoke affect her a little? (Farah)

While I'm thinking about that issue, I can overhear the conversation between Nina and Ano from afar.

-The potion is so dangerous. (Nina)

-Right, I never believe Mia would dare to make that kind of potion. (Ano)

-Hah. But is there any expectation that can escape the effect of the potion? (Nina)

-The one with high poison resistance can withstand it. Or the people with the absurd amount of mana. (Ano)

-Heh? (Nina)

-Last but not least, the spirit of the world tree is immune to that potion. (Ano)

-Because the main ingredient of the potion is taken from the world tree, right? (Nina)

-Yup! (Ano)

So the smoke did not affect Mashiro after all. I breathed in relief when I heard that statement.

-Hah! Why are you feeling relieved, idiot me? (Farah)