Pompo and Ripp's Playtime

“Hey~ I’m bored, let’s play!” Ripp nudged the little hippo with his small shoulder, a mischievous grin on his face. “Oh, you rascal!” Before Pompo could even react, Ripp’s little paw slapped onto its cheek with a ‘pat’ sound, starting to vigorously ‘rub-rub’. Pompo wasn't about to lose. It immediately launched a counterattack: “Take this! I’m gonna pinch your cheeks too!” It stretched out its front paws, grabbing Ripp’s cheeks. With a firm squeeze, Ripp’s originally round little face instantly deformed and flattened, as soft and chewy as a gummy candy. “Deformed! So squishy!” Pompo shouted with laughter. This completely ignited the competitive spirit of the two little guys. “Me too~” “Let’s pinch and rub each other! See who’s softer!” The two little animals tangled up in the water. They kneaded each other’s snouts and rubbed each other’s cheeks, their little paws randomly mashing the other’s face, squeezing their eyes into slits. After playing wildly for a while, the two finally let go, exhausted, and floated on the water, catching their breath. Ripp touched his slightly red little cheek and let out a satisfied sigh. “Phew… that was really fun…” Pompo rubbed its sore cheeks and replied with a helpless smile, “But my face feels so skinny now…” The two little guys looked at each other and smiled, floating in the cool water, enjoying the warm afterglow of their nonsensical battle.