Nkne continued listening attentively to Tails' narration.

--- The first time I saw him, I was fascinated by his speed... Even though I couldn't see him clearly, I knew that he didn't belong on the island, and since it was rare for visitors to arrive, I decided to follow him to see him more than once. near ---.

[...]

I walked around the island all day, following in the footsteps of that curious stranger, keeping a safe distance between us, mainly due to my shyness.

Even though he had saved me from my bullies, I still wasn't confident enough to approach him like a normal person.

I could only admire it from a distance.

--- (Wow... That hedgehog is very fast, and very cool... Who is it?) ---. Little Tails thought, as he admired that mysterious guy from the safety of some bushes. --- (Look at those big spikes... And those shoes he's wearing, they're great!... I wish I looked as cool as he does) ---.

--- Hmh? ---. The hedgehog looked around strangely, but he didn't see anyone. --- ... ---. Without thinking too much about it, he continued walking to see what other wonders this island could offer him.

--- (Chaos, that was very close) ---. Little Tails thought, resuming his stealthy walk after the hedgehog.

Yes, I admit it, I acted like a stalker.

Anyway, I continued following him, attentive to each of his movements, until I accidentally stepped on a small branch, leaving my position exposed. Back then, my past self thought that, while I had obviously heard him, the hedgehog couldn't see him due to being "camouflaged" by several plants, so I simply opted to lie down on the ground in the hope that he wouldn't notice me. .

Nothing could be further from reality.

Not only had Sonic seen me perfectly, but he also witnessed my foolish evasive tactic.

Honestly to this day I maintain that he felt embarrassed when he saw that, even though he denies it.

[...]

Nine laughed upon hearing that. The mental image he had was very funny.

--- I can literally see you covering yourself with leaves and dirt pretending to be a plant asking to be swallowed by the earth, and Sonic looking at him with an uncomfortable face ---. The little boy laughed.

Despite not understanding it, simply making Nine laugh was a huge accomplishment for Tails.

--- Don't judge me... I was a little boy ---. Tails also laughed a little before continuing with the story.

[...]

To prevent the situation from being more awkward than it already was, Sonic ran somewhere. I immediately followed him.

Using my tails as thrusters I began to fly after him, despite knowin

g that I couldn't reach him even if I wanted to, especially considering that I had barely practiced, my goal was never to surpass him, just to stay as close as possible. him as possibe.

It didn't take long for him to notice my presence and turn to see me.

He didn't tell me exactly how he felt the first time he saw me, but he thought I was challenging him to a friendly race, so he decided to humor me.

So he just kept going and I followed him.

🎶Sometimes I ask myself🎶

🎶What am I doing here🎶

🎶I think of all the reasons🎶

🎶But it's still not clear🎶

The feeling was strange but interesting,

It was exciting to see him running doing all kinds of crazy stunts to avoid obstacles.

So much so that I decided to try it.

Once I gained enough speed, I stopped the movement of my tails and jumped as high as I could, doing a few turns on myself to get that ball shape and gain more speed, just as he had done. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to do it right, so I went back to the ground, again using my tails to gain speed again.

🎶I look at places to go🎶

🎶There's nothing near🎶

🎶So take me away from this🎶

🎶'Cause this place I'll hardly miss🎶

That was the first time I genuinely had a moment of real fun.

For the first time, I didn't feel like my tails were a hindrance.

That was enough motivation to try again.

After a light jog, I jumped again as high as I could and began to spin around. This time, managing to do the movement almost perfectly.

🎶So take me back in time🎶

🎶To another world🎶

🎶Then you can be mine🎶

🎶We don't have to worry🎶

I admit, doing a Spindash for the first time is very dizzying, but that was the least of it.

The important thing was that I had achieved it.

Now, I just had to see if I was able to get through the loop I was heading towards.

It was difficult, and required a lot of physical effort on both of our parts, although Sonic was more used to those demands than I was, but we managed to cross it almost without problems.

When you're by my side🎶

🎶There's nothing I don't know🎶

🎶There's nothing to decide🎶

🎶Apart from where we want to go🎶

After passing that loop, Sonic bounced on a trampoline, flying upward doing some pirouettes in the air while I followed him in flight.

It was there that our eyes met.

It was probably a few seconds of eye contact but I could see how he stared at how I used my tails to fly.

I didn't think much of it when it happened, but years later, Sonic told me that he was really surprised when he first saw it, he thought it was cool.

Honestly, my past self would never have thought of that.

I only managed to see him give a small smile before rolling down into a ball to cushion the blow.

Once he was on the ground, he undid his ball shape, returning to the road, crossing the obstacles he came across.

Of course, I stayed as close to him as possible, although I admit it was somewhat difficult. Back then, I wasn't used to wearing my tails, I just tried to hide them to avoid getting in trouble with other kids.

It was the first time I had used them in something more productive.

He continued on his way, disappearing from sight among some bushes.

Of course, simple bushes didn't pose much of a challenge to me. I don't know if it was overconfidence or the strange feeling of security I had but, in that moment, I felt capable of toderizoo. So I imitated his action again of curling up into a ball and rolling to increase my speed.

However, by the time I got through those bushes.

He was already gone.

🎶Take me there🎶

🎶Take me anywhere you want to go🎶

🎶To a place that we both know🎶