While we waited for Cerea to finish whatever task she had been assigned, Kii and I sat outside the Cultural Exchange building. Kii seemed content, her leaves outstretched in the bright sunshine, basking in the warmth. I, on the other hand, leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes, taking the opportunity to rest. I should have been more attentive to ensure that Kii didn't wander off, but I knew that if she wanted to, I could do nothing to stop her.

We both sat silently until Kii's gentle voice gently broke the silence.

"Human," she started, her voice filled with curiosity. One of my eyes slowly opened, and I regarded her calmly. "Why aren't you angry or scared of me?"

"I'm too exhausted to feel much of anything," I responded honestly, shrugging my shoulder lightly. I sighed. "It's not your fault anyway."

Kii continued with a tone of doubt, "You and the human woman kept insisting on that, but I wanted to take your life more than anything. I would have done it too if it weren't for your companions intervening."

And their little dog, too, no doubt. I wondered if I was the dog among that group. My mind wanders to weird places when I'm exhausted.

"Mm," I sighed, standing up, "Yeah. Your hatred towards humans is certainly understandable. Lord knows I'm angry at them too, and I haven't even been subjected to the same atrocities you have... I thought I was making some point, but it's gone from my mind now. I'm not mad at you; we both know it's been a difficult day, and I'm exhausted, so that's that."

Despite not being as eloquent as possible, I gave it my best while operating at only 30% capacity.

Kii wasn't satisfied with that answer. "What made you think it was a good idea to let yourself be captured by me?" she questioned sternly.

"I know it was foolish of me," I acknowledged, "But I thought I could rely on Papi's opinion. She only associates with good people."

"Hm." Kii sighed and rested her chin on a gnarled open palm. "You're odd."

I snorted, slumping back against the wall. "No shit. So is everyone else I've met."

Kii's voice was cold as ice, and her gaze was dark and piercing as she asked me, "Was that an insult, human?"

"I may not have known him for long, Dryad," a proud voice echoed from above, "but I can confidently say that he is more reckless than malicious."

I looked up in surprise to see a familiar figure perched atop a streetlight, towering above us and staring at us with an unreadable expression.

"Hey, Preya," I exclaimed, my eyes widening in astonishment as I beheld the dark-skinned raptor before me, "I can't believe you're still here!"

"I had the same thought," she declared, straightening herself with an air of dignity and nobility, "But I was keen to observe how you were coping, primarily since I had a hand in what many would deem a suicide attempt."

Well, color me even more surprised.

I nodded in acknowledgment. "I understand. By the way, Preya, this is Kii. Kii, this is Preya."

The two primary sources of my stress today gave each other a curt nod in acknowledgment.

Preya asked warily, "Were you the one who attacked us earlier? It seems you have either lost or recovered?"

Kii firmly replied, "I'm no longer polluted, as your human friends have already taken care of that." She crossed her arms in a defensive stance.

"Humans aren't my friends," Preya hastily corrected, her gaze challenging me to protest her words. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

"Well, I understand why you may not have had high expectations of us," I sighed, "But we're not all bad. After all, the adage is true: 'There is no such thing as a bad species, only bad individuals.'"

I may have taken this from another source, but that doesn't make it any less accurate.

Indeed," Preya slowly nodded in agreement, "That is why I have decided to apply for the Cultural Exchange Program once again."

Huh. Now that was surprising.

"Really? What made you decide that?" I asked.

The raptor released its grip on the streetlamp and glided to the ground below. I could see the deep scars her talons had left in the metal, and yet I remained silent. "Your actions today were admirable, even if they were reckless. I've never seen humans put themselves in harm's way for a liminal before."

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I was just trying to help," I said, trying to shrug it off.

Kii stared at the two of us, silent.

Preya stepped up to the Cultural Exchange building, her talons scraping against the concrete as she spoke. "Whatever the reason, I wish to see if there are more humans like you," she said determinedly. Her eyes glinted dangerously as she added, "However, should there be a repeat of before, I will not stand for it and will not allow myself to suffer such indignity again."

"Why would you trust them again after they hurt you?" Kii asked, disbelief etched in her voice. "Humans tend to ruin anything they come in contact with."

Preya fell into a contemplative silence, her mind racing as she searched for the perfect answer. She finally turned to the dryad, her wings unfurling majestically to their full length, their sharp edges menacingly glinting in the morning light.

"As a raptor, I will not allow fear of danger to stand in the way of my curiosity," Preya declared firmly. "As a harpy, I am free to fly wherever I choose. Therefore, little leafling, I will not be dissuaded from exploring the unknown."

Preya folded her wings, and her expression softened. "I sincerely hope you'll stay here," she said, turning away before seeing the effect of her words, "Your beauty shouldn't be hidden in a grove only for the trees to admire."

... Hah.

Kii blinked at her, even more, confused now. "What?"

Preya continued walking, determinedly not paying any attention to Kii. "Counselor, I would still be willing to meet with you at a later time. There would be plenty to talk about depending on who my new host will be."

I grinned up at her. "We definitely would. Good luck, Preya! Keep me posted!"

After a stiff nod, she strode inside, leaving Kii and me alone again.

"Carnivores are odd," Kii decided before huffing and returning to her sunbathing.

I couldn't help but snort at that, but I kept my mouth shut. There was nothing else I could have said at that moment.

Thankfully, Cerea was released soon after that. After introductions had been made, the centaur sternly warned Kii that she would be keeping a close watch on her. I could see Kii was about to disregard her until she spotted the MON logo now prominently displayed on Cerea's shoulder, causing her to turn pale and hastily agree. I wasn't sure if Cerea intended to unnerve the dryad or was giving her a genuine warning. Knowing Cerea, it was likely a mix of both.

The walk back was suitably awkward and silent, but it was still preferable to the outright hostility that had been present before. Eventually, we made it back home, and the awkwardness dissipated.

"We're home!" I exclaimed as the three of us stepped into the house. Kii's eyes widened with awe as she admired the surroundings.

"Welcome back!" came the chorused reply from the living room.

"Hey, Papi!" I shouted out, "I brought a surprise for you!"

"Really?!" The harpy sprinted towards us, a blue feathery ball of energy, "What'd you get, what'd you get...." Papi gasped in awe when she saw the leaf-haired girl at my side. His face lit up with a broad grin, and his amber eyes glistened with tears of joy. "KIIIIIIII!"

"Pa-PI!" Kii yelped, suddenly being tackle-hugged by Papi. For the first time since I'd met her, she allowed herself to have a genuine, complete smile. "I... I missed you."

"I'm so, so, so sorry I forgot to visit you, Kii!" Papi bawled as she clutched her friend tighter and tighter, "I got in the Collateral Change and met Boss and Big Brother and Suu, and lots and lots of stuff happened and-!"

"It's okay," Kii cooed, even as she began to cry, emotions finally catching up with her, "It's okay...."

Feeling slightly out of place, I smiled contentedly and left to give the two friends their space. Cerea then kindly led me into the living room, where the others were waiting. After she directed me to a comfortable chair, I thanked her gratefully and let out a long, relieved sigh as I sank into the cushions.

That's much better.

Mero rolled over to me with Suu in tow, inquiring with an anticipatory look in her eyes, "So, how did your meeting with Smith-dono go?" The slime girl placed herself behind me, her arm snugly around my neck as she rested her chin atop my head.

Memories of what we'd said to each other came rushing back. It hadn't been what I'd expected.

"It was a truly enlightening experience," I replied, my ears filled with the tune Suu was humming. It felt like something from my past, bringing fond memories to the surface. "We managed to get our thoughts and feelings across to one another, and I believe it was for the better."

Namely that she and I would be working together to change the cultural exchange, but only Time would tell whether working more closely together to change the Cultural Exchange would be successful or not.

Whatever Mero's response was about to be, it was quickly cut off by Papi and Kii entering the living room in a confident stride.

"Hey, everyone!" Papi shouted, "Meet my friend, Kii!"

I held back, observing as the other house members welcomed the new dryad. Cerea was also present, her features betraying a battle between whether we should inform them all that Kii had nearly ended my life. Even though I was eager to spill the truth, Papi was beaming with joy, and Kii, though slightly intimidated by the numerous friendly faces, also appeared to be in high spirits. Kurusu, being the most considerate, was doing his best to make Kii feel comfortable amid all this.

I exchanged a glance with Cerea, and she shook her head slowly disapprovingly. I nodded in understanding and stayed silent. Maybe another time, I thought to myself.

"Did she have a part in your current situation?" inquired a gentle yet quiet voice near me.

Heh, I guess if anyone were going to pick up on it, it would be her.

"Yes, she did," I replied to Rachnera, knowing that it would be futile to hide the truth from someone as intelligent as her. "But it was simply a misunderstanding, so there is no need to worry about it."

"Hm," Rachnera murmured thoughtfully, running her fingers along her chin, "Yet again, you appear to be remarkably unperturbed by such extraordinary events occurring in your life."

"Maybe," I admitted reluctantly, not wanting to initiate a long conversation. "It's not something I think merits much thought."

"Of course," she replied with a mischievous smirk, "That doesn't seem like something you would do."

"I'm not sure if that was a dig or not," I said, adjusting my position in the chair to get more comfortable. "In any case, could you give me a few minutes to take a break? I still have a few more things to do today, and I'd like to be able to do them properly."

Three eyebrows shot up in astonishment as Rachnera asked me incredulously, "You still plan on meeting Miia's stalker?! You're more overworked than Honey, for sure." She then shook her head in disbelief.

"I gue - Wait, 'Honey'?!"

I watched as Rachnera scurried away, pondering what had happened at home during my absence. A palm accompanied my sigh of frustration to my face.

Damn it, Kurusu.

To be continued!