Sweet as Sugar

"Want me ta beat 'im up?" Mu asked. "I'll do it if you want me to. All you have to do is say so"

Curtis raised an eyebrow. "If you think you can punch through his armor, be my guest. He'll get a good laugh out of it."

Mu's tail fluffed up and he raised himself to his full height, trying to look tough. "I'd do anything for Melly!" He stated in determination.

Raizin watched Mu's display with amusement.

"You're not the first to say that," said Curtis.

"I mean it! Melly's my special!" Mu stated with a scowl, embracing her tightly.

Melly blushed at the sudden hug. "U-Uh yeah."

Curtis just chuckled. "Bit off a little more than you can chew, Melly?"

Melly's face grew even redder.

"Oh well, we need to get going," Curtis replied, as he started to walk away. "If you see Barrett tell him to meet us at the bakery. And don't be too rough on him. Otherwise he might get rough on you."

Mu snorted. "I can take care of Melly!"

"Uh, thanks," Melly replied with a nervous smile. "Um, can you let go now? People are looking at us funny."

Mu let her go. "Sorry" He mumbled.

"It's okay," Melly replied. "Don't worry about Barrett. He's just a jerk."

"Okay..." Mu murmured. His tail curled around himself as if he did something wrong

Melly gave him a reassuring pat on the head. "C'mon, let's go."

Mu followed her faithfully, like a puppy. "Okay..."

Melly paused to look back him. "What? I said don't worry. If there's any trouble I've got you, right?"

Mu grinned suddenly and nodded. "Yeah! I'll take care of you!"

"Alright then!" said Melly with a smile. "Next we'll...where were we going again?"

"Artist Ally. To see some of your friends" Mu smiled

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Melly chirped. "I swear I'm going senile sometimes."

"What's senile?" Mu asked.

"...I knew you were going to ask that," Melly replied with a laugh. "It's when you start forgetting simple things. But it doesn't usually happen until you're old."

"Oh." Mu stated. "But Melly isn't old"

"I know. That's why it's silly," Melly replied, sticking out her tongue at him. "Kinda like a freshwater fish liking salt."

"Kail isn't silly. He's very serious. All the time" Mu stated

"Sometimes those people are the easiest to make fun of," Melly remarked lightly.

Mu giggled. "I guess so."