Drunken Pearl (3)

Ariel trembled when she heard this and she went behind me as if she was trying to hide herself.

It was just that she was taller than me in the first place, so it wasn't as if this was a good way for her to hide herself.

I just calmly looked at Puffer as if I was already expecting her to say this.

After a moment of silence, I said, "Are you scared?"

Puffer slightly knitted her brows when she heard this and she looked at me with this look on her face as if she wasn't happy with what I said.

I could feel the way that Ariel gripped my clothes from behind, but I didn't say anything as I waited for Puffer's response.

Then all of a sudden, Puffer broke out in laughter.

This laughter wasn't angry laughter, but rather it was the laugh of someone who was genuinely amused.

There was a surprised and confused look that appeared on Ariel's face, but I just had a calm smile on mine.