Debt Collection

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the lush green forest. Dai lay sprawled on a thick tree trunk, eyes half-closed, drifting into a peaceful slumber. Not far away, Bellachi, clad in a black robe, glared at him with a puffed-up expression, clutching a bag of gold coins and muttering about the debt Dai owed her from last time. Impatient to get her money back, Bellachi suddenly had a brilliant idea. She furtively picked up an acorn from the ground. "Hmph, while you're sleeping like a log, I'll shove this into your ear! Let's see if you wake up then!" She tiptoed closer to Dai, her plan about to succeed— But just then, Dai's eyes snapped open, his clear green gaze fixed directly on her. "Ah! N-nothing!" Bellachi yelped, startled, nearly crushing the acorn. A blush of embarrassment instantly spread across her cheeks. "I was just... I just wanted to give you this free forest specialty!" Dai took the acorn with a puzzled look. Though he didn't quite understand, he politely thanked her. Watching Dai, who carelessly went back to his nap, Bellachi wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and gritted her teeth, "Darn it, I'll definitely succeed in collecting the gold coins with interest next time!"