[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/M5i4w53.png[/img]
[color=FE93EC][h3][b]✫✫ Nico ✫✫[/b][/h3][/color][/center][hr]

[color=FE93EC]"F-... Forward?"[/color]

Nico blinked a few times as she processed the meaning behind both the words she'd spoken and the meaning given to them by Nari. The catgirl turned red as a beet, frantically waving her arms in front of her as she tried to stammer out a reply. [color=FE93EC]"N-no, wait, not like that! I-I, I didn't mean it like that, I swear!!"[/color] was the best she could muster. Nico buried her face in her hands as the tail behind her quickly tucked between her legs. [color=FE93EC]"Ooooh... that's so embarrassing..."[/color] she muttered, alongside similar sentiments, to herself for a short while. Then both the young lady and the tail jumped up like they'd realised something.

[color=FE93EC]"Oh my gosh I totally forgot! I was looking for my friend before I got roped into this,"[/color] Nico quickly rambled off, looking around the area as if she was suddenly expecting to find someone. [color=FE93EC]"She should be around this area... I have to go! I hope none of the shades got to her before they arrived here,"[/color] she informed Nari. The girl quickly climbed back into a tree, but turned around in it and gave a friendly wave to her new friend.

[color=FE93EC]"It's a promise, okay Nari-chan? If I ever see you in trouble, I'll jump in and help right away! So let's meet again, okay?!"[/color]

And with that, the catgirl jumped from branch to branch and, eventually, out of the whole park. She'd continue to find a safe spot and transform back, then searched for the shrine maiden around town.