Chapter 280: Chapter 280
On a quiet countryside riverbank, Klee and Miyauchi Renge faced each other seriously, while Qiqi was nowhere to be seen.
"Excalibur!"
Wielding a stick she had picked up, Renge swung it through the air with utmost seriousness.
The stick sliced through the air as Renge gazed at the space in front of her with an intense expression.
"Phew~~"
She slowly lowered her holy sword, "Excalibur (fake)," and looked at Klee, who was staring at her in awe.
"Heh, what do you think? Am I amazing or what?!"
Holding up her stick, Renge exclaimed excitedly, "This is my strongest move! Even my sister can't block it."
"Oh~"
Klee's wide eyes sparkled with stars as she gazed at Renge. Reaching into her small backpack, Klee pulled out a plush toy shaped like Dodoco.
"Klee has a strong move too!"
"This is Dodoco, my best friend. Mom gave it to me when she went on a long journey. Dodoco will protect me no matter what."
Raising the plush high, Klee stared earnestly at Renge.
"And it's also my strongest power. It defeats all bad guys!"
"Let Dodoco face off against Renge's Excalibur in a battle!"
Klee bent her arm slightly, readying herself for the showdown as she stared at Renge, who gripped her stick tightly.
"Take this, Renge! Here comes Klee's Jumpy Dumpty!"
With a swift throw, the soft Dodoco plush hit Renge squarely in the face.
"Ah~! I've been defeated!"
Clutching Dodoco on her forehead, Renge stumbled back dramatically. She dropped to one knee, supporting herself on the ground with her "Excalibur (fake)."
"It seems I'm no longer worthy of wielding Excalibur (fake)," Renge said with a mix of regret and determination. She handed the stick to Klee with both hands.
"Here, Klee. Take it and use it well!"
With solemnity, Klee accepted the stick and carefully placed it into her backpack.
Reaching out her hand, she helped Renge to her feet and brushed the dust off Renge's knees.
"Here's Dodoco back," Renge said, holding out the plush toy she had been clutching. Her eyes sparkled with fondness.
"Thanks," Klee said, taking Dodoco. Then, unexpectedly, she placed it back in Renge's hands.
"I want you to have Dodoco. It will protect you now," Klee said earnestly. "Take good care of it."
"I will! Thank you, Klee!" Renge hugged Dodoco to her chest with great care.
At that moment, Qiqi emerged from below the riverbank, holding a small icy blue orb in her hands.
"This is 'Cold Illness Spirit,'" Qiqi explained. "It has been with me for a long time, and I've learned to create new ones. This one is for you, Renge."
Placing the orb in Renge's palm, Qiqi added, "It will protect you and make sure you never get hurt."
"Thank you, Qiqi. I'll treasure it."
Renge carefully tucked both Dodoco and the icy orb into her pocket. Then, she untied a pale yellow ribbon from her hair and handed it to Qiqi.
"This ribbon is very important to me. I want you to have it," Renge said earnestly.
"It's a symbol of our friendship. I'll cherish it," Qiqi said softly.
"Me too!" Klee added.
The three clasped hands, sharing a moment of warmth and laughter.
"Hehehe, this is the first time I've exchanged gifts with friends. I'm so happy!" Klee exclaimed, bouncing excitedly.
"Me too," Qiqi said, tightening her grip slightly on their hands.
Meanwhile, the small crabs Qiqi had been holding earlier crawled out and climbed onto Klee's arm. Klee stared at the tiny creatures with curiosity and delight.
"Wow~! Little crabs!" she exclaimed, holding one up. "Qiqi-neechan, where did you catch them? I want to go bomb…"
"No," Qiqi interjected firmly.
"You can't use Jumpy Dumpty here. It's too powerful," she reminded Klee.
"What if I make it less powerful?" Klee asked, her eyes lighting up with an idea.
Qiqi considered this, tilting her head before nodding slowly.
"Alright, but you must be very careful."
Leading Klee and Renge to the riverbank, Qiqi pointed to the crystal-clear water teeming with fish, crabs, and even red crayfish.
"Wow, look at that red one with big pincers! I've never seen anything like it. I wonder how it tastes!" Klee said, her eyes wide with excitement.
Before anyone could stop her, she raised her modified Jumpy Dumpty and tossed it into the river with a gleeful shout.
"Boom!"