When Angel stepped out of the Silver Crown Restaurant, the last sliver of sunlight had already sunk below the western horizon, and crimson moonlight had replaced the dusky yellow at the edge of the sky.
Melissa and Benson had already said goodbye to Klein and left early. It seemed they had planned to attend morning Mass at Saint Selena Cathedral on the weekend and needed to prepare in advance.
Before leaving, Melissa had even made a face at Klein, making his expression turn slightly awkward.
Mr. Azik had seemed to want to say something more to Klein, but when he saw the Moretti siblings hurrying away, he lowered his head in thought for a moment. Remembering that he had to return to Khoy University to retrieve an important book, he actually hailed a hired carriage and left as well.
Only Angel and Klein were left staring at each other.
"Are we... heading back directly now?"
After staring wide-eyed at each other for a while, Klein asked hesitantly.
"Mm, let's walk back. It isn't that far anyway."
Angel glanced at the roadside. Mr. Azik had just taken the last hired carriage nearby, and their homes were at the other end of Daffodil Street, not far away.
Under the dim glow of the kerosene lamps lining the street, the two walked side by side.
"Thank you for coming today."
Amid the rhythmic sound of leather shoes striking the ground, Klein suddenly turned his head and spoke.
"Hm? Didn't I promise you before? Besides, because I had something to do on Monday afternoon, I made you postpone the housewarming dinner. And before that, because I had to go to Enmat Harbor..."
Angel counted the times she had "stood him up" for dinner.
"Monday afternoon... that was because..."
Klein instead seemed at a loss,