Richie had originally planned to make Yor and Twilight kiss, but Yor was too agile and Twilight too well trained. What should have been an embrace and a kiss had somehow turned into a four-person pileup.
Just moments earlier, Richie had dashed over, about to crash into Anya as she held out her short little arms.
Yor and Twilight shouted "Watch out!" in unison, then both sprang into action, each catching one of the two children before they could fall.
In his panic, Twilight moved like a swallow gliding through the air. His outstretched hands were its pointed beak, snatching up the little bug named Anya just before her head hit the floor.
Yor instinctively vaulted over the counter and came up behind Richie to catch him, only to lose her balance and land with him on Twilight's back a second after Twilight fell.
Neither child felt the slightest fear from their narrow escape. They simply found the sight of Yor sprawled on top of Twilight very entertaining.
Anya heard Twilight thinking, Thank goodness no one got hurt. But I couldn't even catch both children in a situation like this. I've been letting myself relax too much lately. Even my skills have deteriorated.
Yor felt no pain from the fall, but her face grew even redder. I only met this gentleman today, and I've already landed on top of him. Honestly, what if he doesn't like me? What if he already hates me?
Richie snickered to himself and wriggled out of Yor's arms. Anya freed herself from Twilight's grasp as well. "Father, hurry and get up! Father, you haven't died again, have you?"
With his hands on his hips, Richie looked down at the two adults piled on the floor, then clapped. "Elegant, elegant, simply too elegant."
Yor scrambled to her feet and stood primly, her head lowered in utter embarrassment. "I'm sorry. Are you all right?"
Twilight stood up as well and straightened his clothes. "I'm fine, Miss Yor. I should be thanking you for saving Richie."
Twilight bent down and said to Richie, "Go on, thank the nice lady."
Richie flashed his little pointed teeth in a sweet smile. "Thank you, ma'am. To repay you, I'd like to invite you to be my and Anya's mother."
Twilight looked deeply apologetic. "I'm sorry. Children always say such strange things."
Yor was embarrassed too. After making a fool of herself today, her image as a gentle, poised, gracious woman had nearly fallen apart.
The four left the tailor's shop and stood outside, ready to part ways.
Looking shy, Yor kept her head lowered. "I lied to my younger brother and told him I already had a boyfriend. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I was hoping you could attend a party with me.
"Um, please don't misunderstand. I really don't have any strange intentions. Of course, I'll return the favor. I'm only doing this so my brother won't worry about me."
Twilight gave her a gentlemanly smile. "All right, I understand. I'll help you."
Yor was stunned. "Oh, would you really?"
Twilight said casually, "There's just one condition I'd like to ask in return...
"Here's the situation... and that's why... I need someone to play the role of these two children's mother."
Yor asked in confusion, "Play the role of their mother?"
Twilight gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, silently steeling his resolve. "The future is so uncertain in these times, so I have to get my children into a good school, no matter what. It was my late wife's dying wish, too."
Yor thought, He's such a good person.
Twilight thought, I'll start by getting her to agree to small favors. I have to gradually lead her into marrying me.
Anya thought, Father's such a big liar.
Richie desperately covered his mouth, afraid he would burst out laughing. Marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage...
Yor happily agreed. After Twilight thanked her, they parted ways.
Twilight took Richie and Anya along on the way home, planning to stop at the supermarket for some household supplies and snacks:
The supermarket was packed with all sorts of goods, and Anya gazed at the peanuts with a lovestruck expression.
"I've hired a babysitter to look after you two on Saturday, so be good and stay home. Anya, play with your big brother. And Richie, don't spend the whole day sleeping in bed."
Twilight pushed the shopping cart as he reminded the two children.
Anya readily agreed, while Richie obediently played along. "Okay."
Anya looked up at Twilight with her big eyes and said sweetly, "I want to stock up on peanuts."
Not to be outdone, Richie wheedled, "I want to stock up on sunflower seeds."
Their doting father Twilight answered the two children in an indulgent voice, "All right, all right."
Richie bared his pearly whites and chuckled inwardly. I'm not staying home like a good boy. I'm going to find some fun in life and chase some thrills.
On the way home, Twilight Dad kept fiddling with a coin. Richie remembered that it should contain the details of his latest mission: recover the stolen artwork from Vidalys at six o'clock on Saturday evening.
During checkout at the supermarket, the cashier had kept making frog noises. Richie guessed it was their internal code, probably the F Code, since the English word for the animal was "frog."
Richie's most pressing concern now was figuring out how to keep Anya occupied on Saturday so she wouldn't tag along with him on Dad Twilight's mission.
He also had to sneak out of the house and follow his dad to the mission site without being noticed by Twilight Dad.
He would prepare some extra bombs, chili powder, and things like that for Twilight Dad, then help him fight the smugglers if necessary.
Richie rubbed his head. He really was worrying himself sick just to witness that iconic proposal amid the explosions.
Emmmmmmmm, the author was about to start school too, so there wouldn't be time for so many updates anymore.
Still, the author could promise to sneak in one chapter late each night, and try hard to update two chapters when things weren't too busy.
Although there weren't many sweethearts reading the author's book yet, the author would work hard to bring everyone joy.
Sending hearts (ﾉ*･ω･)ﾉ
Before you continue