Bai Yu looked at Annie a short distance away in mild surprise and walked over. Before he could get close, however, she raised her head as though she had sensed something. As she watched him approach, some emotion seemed to vanish from her eyes.
"Finished?"
"It's all taken care of. Let's head back."
Bai Yu held out a hand to Annie, who was crouching on the ground.
Annie took his hand and stood, then brushed some dust or whatever it was off her clothes as though nothing had happened.
"Mm."
A few hours later, Bai Yu had finished training and eaten dinner, but something puzzled him. Why hadn't he seen Christa?
She hadn't even come to training.
"Where's Christa?"
At Bai Yu's question, Xiate spoke calmly.
"Didn't you tell her to reflect on things in the warehouse, dear brother?"
Bai Yu was a little confused.
"Then why didn't she even come to training?"
"Didn't you give her a key, dear brother?"
Bai Yu understood instantly.
"Oh~ so you're saying she's still locked in that warehouse?"
Just then, Ymir walked over, looking rather irritated. She noticed Bai Yu standing there too.
"Bai Yu, have you seen Christa? Damn it, where did she run off to? I haven't seen her all day!"
Bai Yu immediately felt awkward. He looked up at the sky and spoke guiltily.
"W-well, I remember she said she was going out to buy something. Didn't she tell you? She should be back tonight."
After sending Ymir on her way, Bai Yu hurried to the warehouse door. The warehouse really was in a secluded spot. He swallowed, then knocked gently on the door.
"Christa? Are you still there?"
The next instant-
"Bai Yu, you bastard!!!"
Christa's somewhat hoarse voice came from inside. It wasn't hard to imagine how