You sigh once more, and scratch at the back of your head. "Look, Amy," you start, "I don't think you're horrible at all. You're a sweet, friendly girl. But you just need to back off a bit…"
Amy pouts slightly. "Back off..?"
"A bit," you repeat, "I do like you, Amy. But you tend to take the idea of a potential romance way too far. I know you want to reel me in, but sometimes it has the opposite effect."
Amy turns her head, closing her eyes solemnly. "Oh… I see…"
You place a hand on her shoulder. "Truthfully, Amy," you continue, "You're at your best when you're focused on the main issue. When you aren't ogling over me, you really come in handy." You smirk and wink, "I couldn't have defeated Ix AND save the Master Emerald without your help, y'know."
"You mean it?" Amy clenches her fists in glee.
You give a thumbs-up. "Wouldn't say it if I didn't."
"Oh Sonic!" Amy grabs you around the waist once more and gives a tight squeeze. But she quickly lets go and steps back. "Oh, right, sorry."
"No big," you chuckle, while rubbing your now aching belly.
Amy winks at you. "At least I got you to open up to me," she says, "I'll take it as a good sign." She steps around you and heads off down the hall. "I promise, Sonic!" she calls back, "I'll work hard and really impress you!"
You nod and wave her off before heading the opposite direction.
Continue to Chapter 32