I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

Actually, as early as this afternoon, Dai'e noticed that her friend seemed to have something on her mind.

She didn't like prying into her friends' affairs, but...

Maria seemed clearly "troubled," and she felt it was necessary to inquire about it.

But to everyone's surprise, before Bianca could even ask, Maria directly invited her to go shopping that evening.

So she didn't ask in the afternoon, since there were other people present, and this was just enough time to leave it until the evening.

"..."

Maria, who was being led to take the initiative by Biancara, did not resist at all, but a hint of guilt flashed quickly in her golden eyes.

Actually, she had felt before that Bianca seemed to have noticed something, but hadn't said anything. And now she was even more convinced that someone probably already knew what she wanted to do tonight.

'well……'

After letting out a soft sigh, Maria shook her head to clear her mind of the jumbled thoughts before revealing a determined expression.

After all, she had already made the appointment, and at this point, she had no way out...

……

Finally, the two found a quiet spot with a nice view and sat down.

Bianca looked at Maria sitting beside her, who had a conflicted expression and opened her mouth several times but ultimately didn't say anything. A hint of helplessness flashed in her azure eyes before she spoke:

"Maria, just tell me what's on your mind. I'll keep it a secret. Keeping it inside will only make you feel bad."

“Hey, Bianca, you figured it out after all.” Bianca’s sudden words startled Maria, who then said with an expression of certainty.

After saying that, he seemed deflated and continued to mutter, "But...but...maybe we should just forget about it!"

"Ha~"

Seeing her friend's expression, Bianca simply chuckled and didn't press the matter. She then changed the subject, saying, "Did you finish the ointment I gave you last time? I still have some left, and I also prepared a set of protective gear for you."

After speaking, the silly goose picked up a large bag from the pile of things it was carrying and put it in Maria's arms.

Bianca had actually wanted to prepare protective gear for Maria for a while, but unlike ointment, it took some time to make. It was only finished this afternoon, and Maria only received it near evening.

As for why Bianca gave Maria these things, the reason is simple... because the little pony, as an apprentice craftsman, was far too prone to injury when learning and practicing these skills.

So from the moment she first discovered the injury, Dai'e started sending her medicine and also had a brand new set of protective gear custom-made.

"...Hey, why did Bianca suddenly think of giving us protective gear?"

Maria stood there dumbfounded, clutching the thing in her arms. It took her a moment to realize what was happening before she let out a soft gasp of surprise.

Clearly, she hadn't realized how the topic had jumped to this point, and the protective gear... subconsciously, she glanced at her slender arms hidden by the sleeves.

"It was ordered a long time ago, but it was only finished today. Although there are some unavoidable risks when working as a craftsman, we still have to be careful." Hearing this, Bianca smiled and reached out to pat Maria's head before explaining.

"Ugh, really. Bianca always does this..."

Bianca's "friendly concern" only made Maria, who was already feeling conflicted and ashamed, even more conflicted...

Actually, she had prepared a gift for a friend, but she had been a little embarrassed to take it out, especially after this incident, she felt even more embarrassed, and she was a little afraid that Bianca would dislike it...

Chapter 43 Bianca's Anger

"Ugh, really. Bianca always does this..."

"...?"

After hearing Maria's words, a question mark slowly appeared above Bianca's head. She blinked gently and looked at the person next to her with a puzzled expression.

"..."

"Bianca, you're such a big idiot!"

Upon meeting someone's questioning gaze, Maria's chaotic and conflicted thoughts vanished in an instant, and she whispered with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.

Looking at Maria, who was somewhat embarrassed and angry, Bianca's doubts deepened. However, she wisely refrained from asking, and instead gently reached out to pat the little head of the person beside her, soothingly saying:

"I don't know what I did before, but um... I'm sorry, don't be angry."

Although the silly goose didn't know what had happened, that didn't stop her from apologizing and comforting her friend.

"..."

As Maria listened to the comforting words in her ear and felt the touch on her head, she suddenly became speechless.

Then, when she met Bianca's beautiful, sincere, and caring blue eyes, her embarrassment and annoyance gradually disappeared, replaced by helplessness and a bit of amusement.

Because Maria only now belatedly realized something: she probably had gotten herself into a rut.

She had impulsively and enthusiastically made a gift because she thought Bianca might need it and wanted to thank people for their encouragement. However, after it was finished, she hesitated to give it to them because she was afraid people would dislike it and because of her own overthinking.

But now, when Maria met those sincere and caring eyes, she finally realized that she had been overthinking things. Bianca was not that kind of person at all, and was so carefree that she wouldn't even think that much.

On the contrary, it was because I cared too much that I kept overthinking, which made me feel uneasy and nervous.

"Ha~"

After thinking it through,

Maria chuckled softly, a relaxed laugh tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

Although the little pony has come to her senses now, she absolutely will not tell anyone about this! And she absolutely will not let that blockhead find out! It was so embarrassing…

"..."

Bianca looked at Maria, whose mood had improved, blinked gently again, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the goose still doesn't understand the pony's series of mood changes, it doesn't matter anymore... as long as her friend is in a better mood now.

"Hmph~ Since Bianca gave me a gift, then come with me. You can't refuse. Otherwise, I won't accept this gift." With that, Maria stood up, carrying what she was holding, and then extended her hand to Bianca, who was still sitting.

Now that she had figured it out, Maria naturally had no more hesitation or entanglement. She had realized that with her sincere friend, who was also emotionally clueless, she had to be a little "tough" and direct.

Otherwise, her friend might actually tilt his head and look at her with a puzzled expression...

Maria is now increasingly realizing how foolish she was before. She could have simply pulled the person over "forcefully," like when she borrowed the armor... Why did she hesitate and overthink things?

Looking back now, she really wants to travel back in time and punch her past self who was having wild thoughts a couple of times to bring her back to her senses.

"Heh~ okay."

Bianca was taken aback when she saw the hand suddenly extended in front of her. Then she chuckled and grabbed it, standing up as well.

Although she didn't know exactly what Maria was planning, Dai'e still trusted her, after all, she was her friend, and besides, she was the one who initiated and led the shopping trip tonight.

After Bianca agreed, Maria did not hesitate at all and led her home.

The gift she prepared was too big to carry around, so it's still at home.

--------------

Soon, led by Maria, Bianca arrived at Nearl's house again.

"Bianca, please come in. Please sit here for a while. I'll go get something and be right back." After inviting her into her home, Maria didn't hesitate and rushed into her room.

"Ha~"

Bianca watched someone's retreating figure, then shook her head and chuckled softly. She was becoming increasingly curious.

However, Bianca was completely stunned when she saw what Maria was carrying out of her room.

"Surprised? Hehe~ This is my first piece as a craftsman." Maria smiled sheepishly and scratched her head as she explained, seeing her stunned friend.

"This is also a gift for you, Bianca. This is the first time I've made a gift for a friend. I hope you won't mind."

After she finished speaking, Maria, who had said she was no longer nervous, still had a hint of nervousness resurfacing in her golden eyes.

"..."

After listening to Maria's explanation, Bianca frowned at first, then quickly stood up and walked towards her.

When Maria noticed Bianca's slightly furrowed brow, her heart skipped a beat. She slowly lowered her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong, not daring to look at Bianca's expression any longer.

At the same time, she whispered, "If you don't really like it..."

However, before Maria could finish speaking, a helpless "blame" interrupted her.

"Actually, Maria is the idiot. You got all injured while making me a gift lately?"

Bianca approached, picked up the heavy spear from Maria's arms, and leaned it against the wall. Then, she looked at her friend with a hint of anger and disapproval.

Well, if Maria was injured because she wanted to learn the craft, then Bianca has nothing to say, nor is she in a position to say anything. At most, she can only offer some advice and prepare medicine and protective gear.

After all, everyone has their own pursuits, and growth requires trials. However, since the real reason my friend got hurt was because of me, I definitely can't allow it and I won't approve of it.

Does Bianca need this gift?

She definitely lacks it. This means she could complete the mission by chance and obtain the powerful weapon, the Black Abyss White Flower.

However, in a similar sense, she also has something to offer; she doesn't lack gifts that come at the cost of her friends' injuries.

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P.S.: One more chapter to come.

Chapter 44 Mission Completed, Gabianca's Awareness

"Maria is the real idiot. You got all these injuries while making me a gift, didn't you?"

"Eh……"

Maria was stunned by the unexpected words in her ear, and then looked up at the angry blonde girl in front of her with a surprised expression.

Clearly, the little pony hadn't yet realized that the reason Bianca was angry was actually here.

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"Why are you so surprised? Did I say something wrong?" Looking at the surprised Maria in front of her, Bianca pretended to be serious, then tapped her on the head and said "fiercely".

"Oh dear... yes, yes, Bianca is absolutely right! There will definitely not be a next time."

Watching

Seeing the "serious" girl before her and the concern in her azure eyes, Maria couldn't help but smile slightly in her golden eyes before answering earnestly.

This wasn't the first time Bianca had focused on her during their chat. She should have realized it sooner... more than random gifts, her friend cared about her safety.

But it was precisely because of this, precisely because of Bianca's concern, that Maria wanted to do something for her, that she wanted to help her...

"What are you laughing at? Be serious and remember what I said."