Cheese asked nervously, hoping for a better answer. Lia gave a small smile, as if she knew what Cheese was going through.
"Well, maybe a little. You do look like you gained just a tiny bit of weight."
Although she chose the most appropriate answer with good intentions, it didn't make Cheese feel any better.
"I don't remember how you used to look, so I can't say for sure if you've gained weight or not."
"Want me to show you a pic of how he used to look?
I pulled out my phone and showed everyone an old photo of Cheese. After checking the photo, Ashmir nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you look a bit rounder now. Looks like you've lost that sharpness of wildness you used to have."
"?!"
"Um, Ashmir. Maybe a little more tactful expression"
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Well, not exactly ugh."
At Ashmir's merciless comment, Cheese looked like the sky had fallen.
While it was mostly his own fault, seeing him so shocked and upset was a little heartbreaking.
"No, Cheese didn't get fat. He just became incredibly cute, okay?"
Speranza chimed in, trying to lift Cheese's spirits. She hugged Cheese tightly around the neck, which should have been a heartwarming moment, but Cheese's expression only grew more pained.
Did I make a mistake mentioning the weight gain?
I didn't expect him to be so shocked.
Feeling bad for Cheese, I quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, Cheese, about what we were talking about earlier.
"Nyaa?"
"You mentioned that it might not be a good idea to leave Speranza. Can you tell me more about that?"
At my request, Cheese's sullen face regained some energy.
"You might not know this, but there's some mysterious power building up inside of Speranza right now, nyaa. I don't know what it is, though, nyaa."
"Well, Speranza seems to be doing okay right now. Do we really need to worry about it?"
"It's not that simple, nyaa. As Speranza grows, that power will get stronger and stronger, nyaa. If she only accumulates power without learning how to control it, there will definitely be a problem, nyaa."
Cheese finished speaking with a sad expression once again.
"Like how I only ate snacks all winter without using my power, nyaa."
At least he knows his own mistake.
I thought to myself with a bitter smile as I gently stroked Cheese's neck. Cheese seemed to enjoy the touch, and his face brightened a bit.
After hearing Cheese's explanation, I started to think. I had vaguely noticed that Speranza had some mysterious power. I had also noticed some mysterious things happening around Speranza before.
Yet, I didn't confirm it because I didn't think it was important, and I was worried about Speranza's safety if I carelessly investigated something I knew nothing about.
But now that Cheese insisted that Speranza's power needed to be investigated, I felt even more uncertain.
Being hesitant on this issue so far, I became even more indecisive.
Ashmir stepped up beside me, deep in thought.
"Earlier, you said it might be better to take Speranza to the Vision world. Does that mean her mysterious power is related to that world?"
"From what I've seen, it seems so, nyaa. Speranza's power is definitely affecting that world, nyaa."
Ashmir nodded slightly and looked at me.
"Sihyeon, maybe we should check it out for ourselves?"
"Check it out?"
"Yes, I know you're worried about Speranza, but it's time we investigate this. Cheese's story sounds credible too."
"Um."
After some consideration, I approached Speranza and spoke to her seriously.
Speranza, do you really want to meet the fairies?
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Okay, but you have to stay close to Papa, and if you feel any pain or discomfort, you have to tell me right away. Got it?"
"Un, got it."
Speranza nodded eagerly, already buzzing with excitement.
"So, can we meet the fairies now?"
"Okay, let's go meet the fairies together."
"Umm no, I want to go with Papa. I want to meet the fairies."