Kojirō noticed someone approaching and immediately looked up, his blue eyes widening in surprise.

“Huh? Someone's coming?” he murmured, clearly not expecting any visitors.

For a moment, he simply stared at Selena. Then, as if suddenly remembering his manners, his expression softened into a friendly smile.

“Hey! Want a cookie?” he asked cheerfully, holding one out toward her.

Selena froze for a second, completely caught off guard by the unexpected offer.

“A cookie? Seriously?” she thought.

She had approached him expecting something suspicious, perhaps even dangerous. Instead, this strange boy was offering her a snack as if they were old friends.

After a brief hesitation, she accepted.

“...Sure. Thanks,” Selena replied, taking the cookie.

Kojirō smiled happily, seeming pleased that she had accepted. He gestured toward the empty space beside him, inviting her to sit down.

Surprisingly, Selena agreed. Before long, the two were sitting together under the starry sky, chatting casually while the penguins waddled around them.

The atmosphere was strangely peaceful. For a little while, Selena almost forgot that she was supposed to be on a mission.

Then Kojirō tilted his head and looked at her curiously.

“Hey, aren't you cold?”

Selena glanced at him and shook her head.

“No, I'm fine,” she answered confidently, taking another bite of her cookie.