In the courtyard, a crescent moon hung like a hook. The bamboo grove by the wall swayed in the breeze, its branches and leaves brushing together with a soft rustle.
On the stone table in the center sat beer from a vending machine, ice-cold and refreshing, along with peanuts and tempura bought from the convenience store. Samael had also personally prepared several hot and cold dishes, all simple home cooking.
Rie Miyojo, the little girl invited inside, was playing a game of Pictionary with Ritsuka Shirose. Their cheerful laughter occasionally drifted out from the inner room.
Within the spacious mansion, the young man and middle-aged man seated at the table had no divide of status or position between them. Like drinking companions who shared the same interests, they chatted as they drank.
Through their brief conversation, Samael learned that the man had come to thank him for his daughter's recovery.
As for why, some things did not need to be spelled out too clearly.
After a few drinks, Samael shook the can in his hand and casually asked,
"How did you find this place?"
"We went to the coffee shop you visited. Miss Shirose told us that you would probably be staying at the Kuonji residence these next few days."
The middle-aged man glanced at Ritsuka Shirose, who was playing with his daughter, and smiled ruefully.
"You weren't here during the day. Your family said you would probably only be free at night. We also didn't know how long you would be staying in Misaki City, so I'm very sorry for disturbing you so late."
Though the man put it simply, the ancient serpent could roughly guess that locating his address in the crowded shopping district had taken quite some effort.
"I'm happy enough that someone came over to drink