CHAPTER 342: FUSSES

Coco’s protests won against the hybrids’.

She managed to force Alithe and Sinclair to take her home instead of getting her checked by their family physician.

Their journey brought them to Zaque’s house, the sight of the familiar surroundings providing some sense of ease and comfort to Coco’s empty heart.

After a long day, I’m finally home. Coco thought, her body relaxing in Alithe’s arms.

"Here." Alithe spoke up as he gently set Coco down on her feet, his hand lingering on her arm to ensure she wouldn’t stumble on her foot.

The three stood in front of the house, a moment of silence filling the air as they took in the sight of the residence.

Alithe cleared her throat and turned to Coco, his expression softening, taking a moment to take a look at her overall appearance.

"Should we walk you inside?" He suggested, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

Coco blinked, the exhaustion and fatigue creeping in, making her feel sleepy, and just shook her head slightly, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes.

"I can manage." She replied, her voice hoarse, but firm.

Alithe hesitated for a moment, his concern visible in his gaze, but he eventually nodded his head, reluctantly respecting her decision.

"If you say so.." Alithe murmured, letting go of Coco’s arm.

"I’ll be fine." Coco assured them for the nth time, already knowing that all she needs is to sleep it off.

Then, Coco reached out towards the doorknob, only for her hand to freeze on the handle as the door suddenly swung open, revealing Quizen who rushed out in a state of excitement.

Though, Quizen’s eyes widened in shock when his gaze landed on her, taking in the sight of Coco, his expression morphing into shock and worry.

"Coco?" Quizen asked, dumbfounded.

From what he could remember based on what Heiren told them, Coco was wearing a clean and pristine white linen shirt partnered with comfortable looking pants and boots.

However, Coco’s figure that stood before him, covered in blood, the red liquid staining her skin, her clothes, said otherwise to what the second husband described to them this morning.

Splotches of dirt, blood, and scratches littered Coco’s face which was a rare sight because if she got injured, it was usually hidden.

"Quizen!" A familiar smooth voice called out from behind the blue haired mediator, "Who’s at the door? Is it Coco?"

Zaque, clad in a green apron with bold letters that can be read as LOVE THE COOK on it, emerged from the kitchen, asking in a cheerful and preppy tone. "Who are you talking to? Is that Coco? Is she home yet—"

His words came to a sudden halt, replaced by a gasp of horror when he saw Coco.

Zaque’s eyes widened at the sight of Coco’s dirty and bloody figure, the blood staining her clothes and skin was a sight he wasn’t expecting to see tonight.

"Oh dear goodness! Coco!" Zaque cried out and hurried out of the house, alarmed and concerned as he quickly reached out to take Coco from Alithe and Sinclair, his heart dropping to his stomach.

He took a moment to search her body for any serious injuries and asked in a panicked tone. "What happened?! Why are you covered in blood?!"

Zaque’s hands carefully supported her, his touch gentle, but firm as he examined her body.

Coco blinked, confused as to why everyone around her looked like they had seen a ghost, like her gut was on display— does she look that bad for them to act like this?

Sinclair stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Coco, eyebrows furrowed in silent resignation.

"Today was the second stage of the hunter license examination." He began to explain, a hint of guilt in his voice. "And.. Well, one of the monsters she fought today was surprisingly big."

Zaque froze, his hold on Coco’s arms tightening slightly as the words slowly sunk in.

"Big?" Coco croaked out with her face contorting into a frown, "That motherfucker was more than big. I seriously would have died if I was a second too late to counter its attack."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait—" Zaque inhaled sharply and pulled Coco closer to him, his eyes narrowing into a disapproving glare. "The second stage of the examination happened today.. And you didn’t tell me? Or Heiren? Or any of us?"

Sinclair and Alithe immediately sensed that something was about to happen so the red eyed hybrid cleared his throat. "Here is my master’s weapon."

Sinclair handed the unbreakable hoe to Quizen and grabbed Alithe by the wrist. "Well then, please excuse us."

The two hybrids didn’t waste any time to flee the scene, leaving Coco and her husbands out of the house as they made their way back to the carriage.

"Bring her inside, Zaque." Quizen stated, turning around and walking back inside the house.

Zaque stared at Coco, his hands sliding down as he gently scooped Coco into his arms, easily lifting her smaller frame and carrying her to the house.

Coco instinctively tensed in Zaque’s arms as he carried her because normally, she would have protested, fought against him to maintain her independence, but her current state protested against her.

So, reluctantly, she allowed Zaque to carry her.

Once the three of them got inside, Quizen shut the door behind them, the sound echoing across the hall.

The sound of the door closing must have alarmed the others inside the kitchen because as soon as Zaque started walking towards the staircase, Heiren, Konoha, and Lala came rushing out.

"Cocoooo!"

"Meow!"

"Wife—"

The three living beings stopped in their tracks when they saw Zaque carrying a bloody and dirty Coco in his arms, looking exhausted and sleepy.

"Hi." Coco murmured, her voice barely above whisper.

For some reason, being in Zaque’s arms seems more comfortable compared to being in Alithe’s arms.

"What happened to you, Coco?!" The garden fairy shrieked, flying over to her human friend who could only offer a grumble as she buried her face in Zaque’s neck.