At dusk, Ron returned to the Flower Shop in Chaos City.
Nora was cooking in the kitchen. Ron walked in and gently embraced her from behind, discussing the spring hunt they would be setting off for the day after tomorrow.
"I can go, and I do want to go with the shopkeeper. But the Flower Shop and the battle hall usually need managing, and the competition venue over on Moonview Street is nearly finished too. I might not be able to get away..."
Leaning against Ron's embrace as she stir-fried, Nora was able to talk at the same time. She had already grown accustomed to this way of speaking between them, no longer as shy and awkward as she had been at first.
Ron held her in his arms, his hands folded over her lower belly and his chin resting atop Nora's head. He softly suggested, "When the time comes, put two Dolls in the Flower Shop and battle hall. If anything urgent comes up, I'll handle it."
"As for Moonview Street, Gil and Guy can help keep watch over it. There basically won't be any slipups."
"You've worked hard lately too. Think of it as going out together to clear our heads and relax."
"Otherwise, starting in late March, we'll probably be completely busy again. We can't let you work yourself sick."
Hearing Ron say that, Nora naturally stopped insisting. Her heart brimming with joy and sweetness, she nodded in agreement.
When he returned to the living-room sofa, Husky was studying Legendary Kill on the coffee table.
The resin water he had drunk at noon had let Husky glimpse a sliver of light.
Yet not long after that faint dawn had appeared, the power ran out.
It left him itching with unbearable impatience.
In the end, he could only