Too Cute!

Blinking, Lily turned around and didn't see anyone. Sticking out her tongue, she turned around to look at Ava only to find. "Shit! When did you two sneak up? Huh!?" In front of her, Ahri was looking at her with a teasing look, while Haley was standing next to Ava, holding up a piece of bread.

Letting out a small smirk, Ava said, "They were coming in from the main building. Lily couldn't help but sit down despondently. Ahhh! She should have known that. How could she have gotten tricked by Ava looking towards the bathhouse? Why would anyone be coming from there at this time of day?

Next to Ava, Lily reached out and took a piece of bread and also held it up to Ava.

Staring at the two girls both shoving bread in her face, Ava didn't know how to feel. Thinking for a moment, she gave up and simply took a bite from one side before swapping to the other.

With an amused expression, Ahri said, "Haley, are you trying to feed Ava three portions of dinner? Lily, put down that ribbon, don't think I can't see you trying to tie up Ava's hair."

Blushing, Haley looked down at her plate and realized that, at some point, she had emptied her own plate of food alongside Ava's and most of Lily's. On the other hand, Lily glared at Ahri before putting down a crimson ribbon that she had been measuring against the nape of Ava's neck and sat down reluctantly.

In the middle, Ava blinked and smacked her lips. Hmm, it was quite a nice feeling getting served like that, although if she had a choice, she'd still prefer to use her own two hands. Turning around and looking at Ahri, Ava couldn't help but ask, "Ahri, how long do I need to keep this on?" Making small circles in the air with her two gauze-covered hands, Ava waved them back and forth before continuing, "I still have another training session in the morning."

Thinking for a moment, Ahri said, "Honestly speaking, I'd prefer it if you didn't go to your session in the morning, but knowing that I can't convince you of that, how about I help you replace the gauze after dinner and see how it's healing if it's healing well, there shouldn't be much to worry about, although I'm afraid your hands will have to get terribly calloused."

Shaking her head, Ava indicated it wasn't a problem. Frowning slightly, Ahri said, "You know that being calloused isn't just about appearance, right? Although you'll feel less pain in your hands, if they become too calloused, it even affects the dexterity of the hand, to the point you can't even clamp it shut anymore."

Stunned, Ava couldn't look at her hands and rub them together. Although they were a little tough, there was no way it could be that exaggerated, right?

Letting out a small chuckle, Ahri said, "Of course, that's mainly for people who work the fields their entire lives and don't have proper tools. As long as you take some proper care, there shouldn't be any problems. You're practicing Archery tomorrow, right?"

Nodding, Ava said, "The Madam set me up to learn archery and maybe some horseback riding, although I don't think that will be tomorrow."

Nodding in understanding, Ahri said, "Then how about this, if you're doing archery, you can wear a pair of gloves? Or, at the very least, some braces on where the string would be cutting into your skin. I know you're strong for your age, but that only means you'll be using a bigger bow, which means more force on your fingers. It wouldn't be good if you cut them, and it stopped you from doing your other activities, right?"

Frowning, Ava couldn't help but nod. If it was just small cuts and bruises, she could ignore them. After all, the pain wasn't something she was unfamiliar with, it was easy enough to grit her teeth and call it a day, but if it was a serious injury that could affect her health, she wasn't so stupid to play around with. She was training for a better future. Why would she want to cripple it in the process?

Seeing Ava agree, Ahri clapped her hands together and looked at the other two girls. "Alright, let's hurry up and eat then. I'll help you check on your hands later and help you apply some softening balm too."

Nodding like chicks, Haley and Lily went to go get another serving, while Ahri also stood up with a smile and went to go get some food. A moment later, they returned, with Ahri carrying an extra banana as she returned. Handing it to Ava, she said, "For your nutrition."

Letting out a small nod, Ava looked at the banana inquisitively and took a bite out of the side.

Her eyelids quivering, Ahri couldn't help but think of another image when she saw Ava roughly biting into the stem of the banana and with a slightly higher pitched tone, she brushed a palm against Ava's hand and said, "Not like that."

Confused, Ava let Ahri take the banana away from her and peel it, only struggling a little on the portion where Ava had taken a bite out of the skin and flesh. A moment later, Ahri broke off half of the banana and handed it to Ava to eat. Biting into it, Ava couldn't help but let out a happy smile. Although the banana was still quite good the way she had eaten it, she had to admit the texture reminded her of some unsavory things. Now that it was peeled, the skin was sweet and tender and melted in her mouth.

Finishing the bit of banana in her mouth, Ava looked at the remaining half in Ahri's hand. Letting out a smile, Ahri took the other half and broke off the bit of seed on the bottom before handing it over to Ava.

Accepting the banana, Ava looked curiously at the part Ahri had removed before ignoring it and enjoying the sweet treat.

From behind, Haley couldn't help but tremble a little as she watched this tough little girl puff up her cheeks and squint in enjoyment.

It was too cute!!!