Chapter 347 Love, Laughter, and Secrets

Anna leaned forward in the tub, her eyes sparkling with excitement, the earlier heaviness of their conversation forgotten.

“And? You can’t just drop a bombshell like that and not tell me anything! Who is he? What’s he like? Is he tall, dark, and handsome? Come on, Suzuka, spill the tea! I’m dying to know!”

Suzuka chuckled at Anna’s eagerness, her heart warming at the sight of her friend so animated.

“Alright, alright! You’re worse than a child on a sugar rush!”

She put her hands up in mock surrender, laughing at Anna's enthusiasm.

“But fine, I’ll share a bit.”

She leaned back, relaxing in the warm water, reveling in the moment.

“Her name’s Olivia,” she said, a playful smile spreading across her face.

“And let me tell you, she is fierce! Smart, quick-witted, and has this laugh that can light up a whole room. I mean, she has this aura about her that just draws me in.”

Anna gasped, “Olivia? I’ve heard you mention her before! She’s the one who fought alongside you, right? But... she is a woman. Wait, what? As in, you’re in love with another woman?! I mean, I knew you were open-minded, but I never expected that!”

With an incredulous laugh, she added, “This is like something out of a storybook! I can’t believe my best friend is falling for a girl! And not just any girl, but a badass warrior too! Wow!”

She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So, does that mean you’re, like, a couple now? How serious is it? Tell me everything!”

The surprise quickly morphed into enthusiasm, and Anna practically bounced in the tub, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

“I can’t wait to meet her! You have to bring her around! We can have a girls’ night, and I’ll make her feel welcome!”

“Oh, Anna, you’re going to love her!” Suzuka replied, her heart swelling with happiness.

“And yes, we’re definitely a couple! I can’t believe I didn’t mention it sooner! She makes me so incredibly happy!”

Anna’s playful excitement faltered for a second, her cheeks flushing even deeper as the realization hit her. She blinked and quickly glanced away, biting her lip, suddenly aware of the fact that she was sharing a bath with Suzuka, a woman who liked other women.

“Oh…” she mumbled, shifting a little uncomfortably in the water. Her teasing smile turned into an embarrassed grin, her fingers twirling a lock of her wet hair.

 “So, uh… you really like girls, huh?” She glanced down at herself, then back at Suzuka, her tone half-teasing, half-nervous.

“Does that mean I should, like, be… I don’t know, covering up more or something?” she asked with a flustered giggle, crossing her arms over her chest and sinking a little deeper into the water. 

“I mean, not that I’m worried or anything. It's just… you know, suddenly feels a bit… different?”

Anna let out a laugh, trying to shake off her awkwardness, her eyes darting back to Suzuka with a playful but self-conscious look.

 “Here I am, all naked in the bath with my best friend, and now I’m realizing I’ve been showing off way more than I thought!”

Suzuka burst into giggles at Anna’s flustered reaction, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She waved her hand dismissively and leaned back in the bath, still laughing.

“Ew, Anna!” Suzuka teased with an exaggerated grimace.

 “You’re like family to me! Come on, don’t flatter yourself too much. I’m not some wild predator going after every cute girl or boy I see.” 

She gave Anna a playful wink.

 “Trust me, you’re safe. Besides, you’re like a little sister to me.”

Suzuka reached over, splashing some water playfully in Anna’s direction.

 “So, relax! I’m not secretly eyeing you up or anything.” She grinned, the teasing in her voice melting into something softer. 

“You’re my family, Anna. You don’t have to worry about anything like that.”

She gave Anna a reassuring smile before leaning in with mock seriousness. 

“Now, if you were Olivia, then you might need to watch out,” she added with a wink before laughing again.

Anna’s initial embarrassment quickly melted away, and she couldn’t help but laugh along with Suzuka. She gave her a playful nudge, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"Okay, okay, I get it!" Anna giggled, flicking some water back at Suzuka in retaliation.

 “You’re not after every girl you see, especially not me, thank goodness!” She flashed a teasing grin. 

“Though, I mean, who wouldn’t want all of this?" Anna struck a silly pose, puffing out her chest and wiggling her eyebrows, clearly joking.

“But hey, Suzu,” she added with a warm smile, “I’m glad you’re still the same. Feels like nothing’s really changed between us, even after all this time... I missed you.”

Anna’s playful demeanor faded as her energy seemed to drain away. She hugged her legs, pulling them close to her chest, her face suddenly filled with worry and sadness. Her voice was soft, almost trembling, as she looked at Suzuka with big, sad puppy eyes.

“Hey, Suzu… do you think things will be alright for us? I mean, Antonio… and Nick?” She paused, her gaze dropping to the water as her voice wavered.

 “I was so scared when they took Nick. I barely held it together, but I only cried when no one was looking. I acted tough, but... they cut his poor fingers off, Suzu. And if it wasn’t for Antonio, I don’t even want to think about what they would’ve done.”

Anna hugged her knees tighter, her voice cracking as she spoke.

 “A month ago, they came for me. They dragged me out when no one was home, and I was terrified. I thought… I thought that was it. I realized then how helpless Nick must’ve felt. It was the worst feeling. And now, even though we’re safe for now… I don’t know if I can shake it off.”

She swallowed hard, looking up at Suzuka with teary eyes.

 “Sorry for ruining the mood with my sobbing. I didn’t mean to. I just… I’ve been holding this in for so long.” Her voice trailed off into a whisper, her usual brave front finally giving way to her deepest fears.

Suzuka, seeing the deep sadness in Anna’s eyes, gently moved closer in the bath, taking her into a comforting embrace. She gave her a reassuring, playful smile.

"Hey, hey, none of that sad talk now! You’ve got nothing to fear anymore. Antonio’s debt? Gone. Paid in full. And as for those goons who dared to mess with you and Nick? Let’s just say they got the beating of a lifetime."

 She winked, leaning in with a mock whisper, "Trust me, they won’t be bothering anyone again, especially you and your brothers."

Suzuka splashed a bit of water playfully towards Anna, trying to lighten the mood.

 "So, no more tears, okay? You’ve got a bright, better tomorrow to look forward to. You all do. The worst is behind you, and now it's time to focus on the fun stuff, like getting through life without embarrassing ourselves in card games, right?"

Her grin widened as she gently poked Anna's cheek. 

"You’ve been through a lot, I know, but Antonio’s got your back. You’re stronger than you think, Anna. And from here on, it’s smooth sailing." 

Anna let out a soft sigh, her posture relaxing a bit as Suzuka's words brought her some comfort. She wiped the last trace of tears from her cheeks and gave a small, appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Suzu," she murmured, her voice a little steadier now.

 "I needed to hear that."

 She let her legs unfold, sinking back into the warm water, the tension finally easing out of her body. After a brief pause, Anna shifted the topic, and her curiosity sparked.

"So… the forest," Anna said, tilting her head slightly, her eyes widening with intrigue.

 "What’s it really like out there? Is it as dangerous and terrifying as everyone says? I mean, I’ve heard all these stories, but I’ve never been anywhere near it. Is it all just exaggerated, or is it really that bad?"

Suzuka’s usual playful expression faded as she leaned back against the edge of the tub, her face unusually serious. She gazed at Anna, her eyes reflecting a hint of the weight she carried from her time in the wild.

“The forest... It’s not like the stories people tell to scare kids,” she began, her voice soft but grave.

 "It’s real, Anna. Really dangerous. The moment you step in, it feels like the world changed. The trees are so thick you can barely see the sky, and the sounds... they echo all around you. You hear things that aren’t there, but they are. Always. It’s like a jungle. Dense, quiet at first, but that’s the trap."

She paused, glancing at Anna to make sure she understood the seriousness of what she was saying.

 "The beasts, the monsters, even the monster plants - they all hide. The forest might seem calm, even peaceful, but that’s just a lie. They know how to stay out of sight, to blend into the shadows, waiting for you to let your guard down. You might not see anything all day, and then suddenly, they’re on you. They’re smart, Anna. They hunt you without you even knowing it.”

The flicker of fear that crossed Anna’s face didn’t escape Suzuka. She continued, her tone calm but firm. 

“And at night? That's when it gets worse. That’s when they’re the most active, when they come out of their dens, searching. It’s not like they just roam around in the open, no, they wait for you to slip, to make a single wrong step, and then...”

Suzuka didn’t finish the sentence, letting the silence speak for itself.

“Listen to me,” she said, leaning closer to Anna, her voice carrying a mix of care and caution.

 "Don’t even think about going near it. You’re curious, I know that very well. You’ve always been. But trust me, it’s no place for curiosity. One mistake could cost you everything."

 After a moment of silence, Suzuka’s lips curled into a faint, teasing smile, breaking the tension.

"But hey... if you really want to know more, I’ve got plenty of stories that’ll make your skin crawl. Ever heard of a plant that swallows you whole if you touch it? Or a frog that can mimic your voice so perfectly, you might think you’re hearing yourself call for help?”