The Reason I Keep Avoiding My Childhood Friend

I looked around, as if I was in a festival. On one side, a person dressed as a clown juggled and attracted the children’s attention. People selling goods on stalls, people holding betting games with prizes, and so on. It felt like I was really in the middle of a festival.

Suddenly, someone tapped me on the back. It wasn’t because there were a lot of people bumping into me by mistake, but it was two taps that clearly meant to call me. I looked back and was surprised. A tall man stood close by.

“Are you alone? What about your parents?”

The voice coming from above me sounds young, but what is this kidnapper-like statement? I lifted my head to check the other person’s face and almost stared at it. It was because the other person was younger than a thought, and he’s fine, no, he’s pretty handsome.

Brilliant blonde hair that was as good as Kir’s, dark blue eyes that go well with his light skin, red lips slightly raised, and the corners of his eyes were slightly drooping to give a gentle impression.

Maybe he’s just around twenty? The man doesn’t feel like a big name, but he looks noble. So maybe that’s why? I was more suspicious of him despite his favorable impression of being a good person.

A young man with a friendly smile asking the whereabouts of the parents to a child he has never seen before. I know because I’ve lived as a child, but it was a tough world to live in as a child here. I took a step back and was wary.

“What are you doing?”

The man looked puzzled, perhaps noticing that I would scream out loud if he did something strange.

“I’m asking because you seem lost. Have you lost your parents? I’m worried about a little girl walking around alone.”

Despite the friendly explanation, I was overcome with anger. The man regarded me as a lost child. How old does he think I am to say such a thing! Even though I was not a full-fledged adult, I was not to be treated like a child!

I know that people don’t see me as my age because of my small stature. At worst, I used to get treated as a 10-year-old or younger. Knowing that, my anger flared up like adding fuel to a fire.

“I am not that young. I’m not even lost. You don’t have to worry about it.”

Still, I couldn’t just scold him blindly in anger, so I refused as much as I could. Of course, my emotions were put into it, and my voice was firm and cold. The man smiled even more awkwardly at my sharpness. And he answered in a tone as if he was trying to soothe a child’s tantrum.

“Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m here to help…”

How old do you think I am? I put my hand on my waist.

“How can I believe that you are not a kidnapper?”

“What? How do I look like a kidnapper?”

The man got startled and retorted. It was like he had never been treated like one before. The words that sound like they’re being said sincerely sounded irritating. I guessed he had made a living with that face. This person himself knows that he had privilege from his good physical appearance which had given a favorable impression to others.

“People who show unusual kindness are most suspicious. How does a kidnapper go around with the word kidnapper written on his face? Strangers who show excessive kindness are less trustworthy. I’ll take care of myself, so go on your way.”

Even though I didn’t say it that bitterly, the man had a blank face. Seeing that his reaction was as if he had not expected to hear such words, I made a hng noise and turned around.

Then I noticed that a man selling wood carvings on one side was watching us. When our eyes met, the uncle raised his right thumb. I almost burst out laughing. Even in his eyes, the man must have looked suspicious.

See, talking to a child with such a shiny face in such a chaotic situation was more suspicious. He might be trying to be kind, but if I were a real child, I would have to be careful and cautious.

Would a kidnapper write ‘kidnapper’ on his face and go around kidnapping? Rather, the more likeable the person, the more suspicious and careful I had to be. I left the man behind and tried to walk again when I heard a cry.

“The Taylon delegation is coming!”