The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps around the wooden house's window.
Cui Ciyou and Roxy sprang up from their respective "beds" almost simultaneously, like startled rabbits.
The embarrassment of the previous night still had not faded.
Their bodies stiff, they washed and dressed in an utterly unnatural silence.
They avoided meeting each other's eyes as much as possible. Whenever their gazes accidentally crossed, they jerked away as if shocked, and their cheeks began to burn.
At breakfast, they kept their heads down the entire time, shoveling in the oatmeal and brown bread Lilia had prepared.
Neither of them could even take in Paul's jokes.
Sigh... this is so unbearably awkward...
Cui Ciyou chewed mechanically, inwardly lamenting the "background music" from next door that had continued, on and off, for nearly an hour last night.
It had truly been torture for both mind and body.
Embarrassment aside, there was still business to attend to.
However irritated he felt, he still had to work.
After breakfast, Roxy took an eager-looking Rudeus into the yard and began her first magic lesson.
Cui Ciyou, meanwhile, discussed the specific duties of an "Auxiliary Defense Knight" with Buena Village's lordly knight, Paul Greyrat.
In the main room of the Greyrat family's wooden house, Paul was polishing his prized longsword.
When he saw Cui Ciyou, Paul grinned, showing his white teeth.
He seemed completely unaware of what had happened last night-or rather, even if he knew, he would act as though it did not matter.
If he found out, he might even ask his buddy Ciyou to rate his stamina.
Paul wore a hearty smile.
"Hey, Ciyou, my friend... did you... sleep well last night?"
Dark circles under his eyes, Cui Ciyou fought back the urge to roll them. Keeping his expression