The outline of South Wantina Territory's lord city gradually became clearer in the deepening dusk, as if by tacit agreement before nightfall descended.
Lanchi, Hughberlian, and Talia were still sitting on a bench in Heart Meridian Plaza, gazing from afar at this city-state with its clearly tiered terrain.
They chatted leisurely here, and before they knew it, dinnertime was almost upon them.
"We'll set out when we hear the six o'clock bells. We should be able to start eating as soon as we get home."
Lanchi turned back to glance at the clock tower in the plaza and spoke to Hughberlian and Talia.
"I feel like staying with you really does turn me into a good-for-nothing before I know it."
Hughberlian leaned against the bench, tilted her head back, and gazed at the sky, which had been dyed golden orange with hints of purplish red. She looked as though she did not want to move and muttered to herself.
Back at Iketerite Academy, she could get a lot done in one afternoon. But after Lanchi led her into slacking off, the whole afternoon had passed before she knew it.
Talia continued sitting quietly.
Although her expression still revealed nothing of her mood, she seemed quite calm.
Hughberlian tilted her head and looked at Talia's face. She really wanted to tell her that she already knew about the relationship between the two of them.
Then Hughberlian gave a slight shake of her head. She would wait until they returned to the Wilford Family tonight and were alone together with Tata before explaining everything to her properly.
As Hughberlian thought about it, she turned her head to look at Lanchi on the other side.
For some reason, she noticed that Lanchi had stopped moving a while ago.
She had been staring at