Chapter Text
Many things happen in Sooga Island that’s beyond impossible or even comprehensible, and one of them is Pucca falling for anyone except Garu. That’s almost on par with the end of everything, and the village folks can’t really explain why. It’s just… out of the ordinary, like aliens existing and whatnot (which, they do exist, so...). Granted, she did fall for a clone version of Garu, and that alternate universe of his who was much more charming and definitely attracted to her, but hey, they were still variants of Garu, so they don’t really count as “others”.
So when news (actually reported by Su Da, their local reporter) drops about Pucca pestering Tobe instead of Garu in a romantic manner, everyone becomes shocked, to say the least. The cameraman pans to a Pucca kissing a very confused and flustered Tobe on the cheek, her uncles just behind the pair, looking worried and baffled.
Garu spits the food he’s eating at home for breakfast and takes a double look at his TV. There really was no mistaking it: Pucca was kissing Tobe much like how she usually kisses him. With the frequency of her kisses, Garu, at some point, has learned to feel her lips on his skin without the need for her presence which… well, he doesn’t know what to think about that, really.
He smirks however, at the predicament his rival is in; Tobe is now running away and Pucca is chasing him the way she always does to Garu, the cameraman zooming in on their trail as Su Da starts to close in her report. Garu sees the situation as an opportunity more than a problem.
About time. Garu thinks.
-
Of course, it’s an event that’s beyond impossible and is classified as bizarre by everyone, so questions are asked about how it happened.
Apparently, Cupid had accidentally shot Pucca while doing his daily rounds of making people fall in love, and it just so happened that Tobe was around for her to notice and fall in love immediately. Garu, Ching, and Abyo raise their eyebrows in incredulity. They’re all sat in Goh-Rong with Pucca’s uncles who are listening intently, worry still plastered on their faces.
“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience, especially for you, Garu! But rest assured, taking off the arrow will return her to normal immediately, like what happened to Tobe before! So just do that!” Cupid cheerfully says with a smile, albeit clearly nervous. The trio nod in understanding, the uncles look at each other and quietly deliberate if they should intervene or not, and Garu’s tempted to not do anything just to have the day off from Pucca. He thinks a day or two should be fine, a week preferably, but it would be morally wrong or whatever.
He does, however, do the bare minimum in removing the arrow by standing around, hanging by a roof or a branch, and just… pretending Pucca and Tobe aren’t there when they’re literally right in front of him.
This earns him a smack from Abyo because he’s an airhead but not blind, and he’s getting bothered by Garu’s nonchalance.
“Garu, you’re not even trying! The arrow was right in front of you, and you didn’t even try to remove it! What the heck!” Abyo complains, mostly because he’s tired of the chase and the fact that Pucca fights them should they touch the arrow stuck on her waist. Ching arrives from the chase, panting and looking worried.
“You don’t seem to want her back to normal, don’t you, Garu?” She asks sadly, Won on top of her head making a sound of support, as though asking the same question. Garu flinches at the accusation (because it’s spot on) but shakes his head to reassure her. Ching’s a sweet girl who wants the best for Pucca, and she currently looks like she’s about to tear up from being unable to help her friend, and Garu doesn’t have the heart to further her worries.
Abyo sighs, looks over at Tobe who’s being cuddled by Pucca near a pillar, looking spent.
“Well, at least Tobe gets most of the brunt this time.” He snorts.
-
Night comes and they’re not making much progress, mainly because Pucca’s too powerful to be stopped. She’s tried convincing the trio that she truly loves Tobe (by wordless, cheerful noises) but has become annoyed that they “aren’t listening” to her wants (and needs). The odd part is, Tobe seems to start liking the attention, much to the horror of the trio and his ninjas (who tried helping the trio by the way, but to no success).
“You WHAT?” Ching and Abyo express, Garu raising an eyebrow to mimic their concern. In front of them is Tobe scratching his head in slight embarrassment, Pucca beside him, beaming, holding his hand. They have their hands interlocked.
It makes Garu’s stomach flip uncomfortably.
“Well, you see… it’s- uhm… it’s just- ARGH I mean it’s just nice, okay?! Pucca’s a sweet and nice girl and I think her goodness has rubbed off on me. Garu’s very lucky.” Tobe responds, looking at the boy with a huff. Garu gives him a glare, as though opposing his statement.
“But I realized as well that having Pucca with me will break Garu’s heart… which is exactly what I need to defeat him! So, I see this as an absolute win!” Tobe continues proudly, laughing villainously while raising his interlocked hand with Pucca, who gives him a peck on the cheek. He blushes, but he’s delighted, much to the trio’s displeasure.
Then, Won flies away from Ching and smacks the arrow away from Pucca’s waist before returning, resetting the girl who now looked perplexed at her interlocked hands with Tobe. She lets go, much to Tobe’s disheartened face, looks over to her friends, and smiles at Garu’s presence, who gets a flip in his stomach that’s better than before. He blushes lightly.
“Good job Won! Pucca! You’re finally back! You were in love with Tobe here since morning!” Ching happily exclaims as Pucca walks over to the trio, leaving a broken-hearted Tobe behind. For a moment, Garu thinks she’s about to do her usual love bombs on him, but she doesn’t do anything. He’s a bit disappointed.
Pucca sighs heavily, and Ching says, “She seems tired. I’ll get her home and have her rest. You boys can go on home. Thanks for the help you guys!” before walking the girl towards Goh-Rong, hand-in-hand. Abyo and Garu wave goodbye to the retreating duo, a moment of silence in the air.
“Well, glad that’s over!” Abyo exclaims to Garu, who nods in response.