I suddenly spoke to Su Ya in a soft, earnest voice, “I’m going to check inside the tree hollow, but there might be a sleepy bear in there.”
Seeing Su Ya’s worried look, just as she was about to speak, I raised a finger to my lips, signaling her to be quiet, and continued, “If there is, hide behind the tree hollow. I’ll lure it away. It won’t be able to see you behind the tree, and it’ll chase after me.”
With that, I left Su Ya where she stood and walked towards the tree hollow.
“Phillip! Even if the bear chases you, do you think I can live without you? You promised to protect me! You have to stay alive for me!” Su Ya cried, tears streaming down her face, shouting at me in anguish.
“Su Ya, don’t cry. I only said there *might* be a bear. There might also be pine nuts hidden by squirrels
