"Ahem... Caesar really does wear her heart on her sleeve."
Belle coughed twice, feeling guilty, and stole a glance at Griseo.
If she had heard right, the comic magazine Lucy had just mentioned was the one Griseo drew, wasn't it?
"She's all boobs and no brains! Just thinking about it makes me mad!"
Lucy drained her drink, then slammed her cup onto the table with a bang and let out a long breath.
"Ah, that felt good!"
Across from her, Belle and Griseo both jumped.
"Huh? What's wrong with you two?"
Lucy eyed them suspiciously, her gaze darting back and forth between their faces.
Belle was so nervous she was about to confess.
"Oh, look at me!"
Lucy slapped her helmet. "I got so caught up talking, I forgot to order food."
Belle quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Griseo silently lowered the cup she had raised to her lips.
"Kasha, bring us some Outer Ring specialties!" Lucy called toward the bar.
"Coming right up!" came a cheerful answer from behind the counter.
Before long, steaming dishes arrived.
The Outer Ring had little in the way of fancy food. What it did have was hearty: grilled meat skewers, flatbread, stew, and three glasses of a peculiar bubbling drink.
"Don't worry. It's a special recipe, and there's no alcohol."
Lucy picked up a glass and dug in first, without a trace of a young lady's reserve.
"That's how it is in the Outer Ring. The food's rough, but it fills you up."
Belle and Griseo each picked up a skewer and took a bite. Their eyes lit up at once. It might not have looked like much, but it was delicious!
So the three ate while Lucy continued her story.
When Lucy had roared out of the camp on her