CHAPTER 343: MORNING CONFUSION

As the morning rolled in, the sun streamed through the window of Coco’s room, casting its golden rays into the room, bathing the surroundings in a soft, warm glow.

The air became fresh and crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew and nature as birds chirped outside the window, their cheerful calls filling the air with sweet melodies while calling for their young ones.

With the morning light creeping into the room, its gentle touch coaxing Coco out of slumber, her eyes fluttered open, but the effort seemed almost too much to bear.

Her body felt heavy beneath the black covers, the weight of exhaustion still clinging to her form with each movement being slow and labored, like she was swimming through a thick, viscous liquid.

The events of the previous day came rushing back, the memories of her taking down the tough crocodile and the rock monster.

Coco groaned softly as she shifted in her bed, her body still sore and weary from the previous day’s battle, and as she moved, she felt a heavy and vibrating presence against her chest, causing her to glance down.

Laying there, snuggled against her chest was Konoha, the white, fluffy cat purring softly as it nuzzled against her, its body exerting a comforting weight.

Coco let out a deep sigh from her nose, the weight of her exhaustion still evident in the sound.

Then, she turned her head to the left— in hopes of going back to sleep, but her gaze fell upon Zaque, who was sleeping soundly with one arm looped around her hip.

Coco’s body tensed momentarily, her eyes widening ever so slightly at the unexpected proximity.

The fact that Zaque was sleeping beside her, breathing slowly and steadily, face relaxed and relieved from any tension, his body weight slightly leaning against her arm, had taken her by surprise.

What could possibly have happened last night for Zaque to let himself lay down beside her— their abuser and a stranger?

Coco shifted away from Zaque’s arm, wriggling her way out of his grasp until she felt his hand squeeze her hip.

"Where are you going?" Zaque asked, grumbling and voice hoarse with sleep, "It’s still early.. We all agreed to let you sleep in until lunch, remember?"

Coco hesitated, her body going momentarily still as she turned her head to face Zaque, her voice was soft as she responded, a small white lie slipping past her lips, making the mediator furrow his eyebrows.

"I’m hungry." She said, hoping that the excuse would suffice.

Her body remained tense, half-expecting Zaque to see through her little lie, and honestly, she thought that he actually did.

However, Zaque paused for a moment, studying Coco closely, trying to discern the truth behind her words.

After a beat, he nodded his head, respecting and understanding her answer as he loosened his grip on her hip, shifting in his spot.

"Okay, I’ll make something to eat." He said, his tone resigned, but understanding.

Zaque got up from the bed, his movements slow and sluggish with sleep as he stifled a yawn, the remnants of drowsiness still clinging to him. "Stay here, okay?"

"Why?" Coco croaked out, eyebrows furrowing.

"I’ll bring the food up here." He answered, his words spoken with a soft gruffness in his voice, and without waiting for a response, Zaque made his way towards the door, leaving Coco alone in the bed.

Coco blinked at the closed door, her mind briefly blank.

She lay there, still and silent, as if contemplating something then, a moment later, she rolled over, disregarding the presence of the fluffy creature on her chest.

As she moved, Konoha let out a soft meow of protest as she lost her perch on Coco’s warm body, the cat’s body sliding off her chest and onto the soft mattress instead which made the cat hiss in discontentment.

Coco rolled onto her stomach, her head propped up in her hands, a troubled expression on her face.

She muttered to herself, disbelief evident in her words. "Just what happened last night after Zaque sent me to the bathroom? What did I do to be in the same bed with Zaque?"

Questions swirled through her mind like a tornado, her memory hazy and fragmented due to the exhaustion she felt last night.

The events of the previous day were hazy, but the battle against the monsters that happened in the arena was clear enough for her to remember, but what happened after that was blurry, leaving her unsure of how she ended up sharing a bed with Zaque.

Coco let out a frustrated groan and grabbed a fistful of her messy bed hair, pulling on it in frustration.

The weight of the situation was starting to get to her and the memories of the previous day were still nothing, but a hazy blur.

She slumped against her pillow, her head spinning with confusion and uncertainty.

Konoha, sensing that there was tension and unease in the air, slowly stood up from her spot, her ears perked in attention.

She flexed her right paw forward and stretched her body, her glossy coat shimmering in the soft morning light.

Then, with a graceful motion, she placed the outstretched paw on Coco’s head, giving it a gentle nudge as if to offer comfort or reassurance.

"Meow." The feline let out a soft sound, her eyes fixed on the back of Coco’s head.

Coco perked up when she felt something nudge her head, her expression softened when she saw Konoha’s paw making contact, slowly sliding down to her cheek as she turned her head.

Now, her attention is on the fluffy creature, her voice low and weary as she murmured, "Do you know what happened last night, pretty baby?"

Konoha blinked her pretty eyes, staring at Coco.

"Meow." The feline mewled and nodded her head, walking closer to Coco’s face before slumping her whole weight down on Coco’s arm.

"Well, aren’t you a smart cat?" Coco mumbled and sighed weakly, "Guess I have to ask him—"