As dusk began to settle, Ray leaned back in his seat at an open-air restaurant by the coast, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
Well, maybe "rare" wasn't quite the right word.
Ever since he'd officially fallen under the Second Young Miss's spell, his days had completely transformed.
Now, with nothing much to do each day and the occasional date with the Second Young Miss, this had somehow become his main job.
Not only was it relaxing and enjoyable, it even came with a generous reward.
Ray gazed at the shimmering light on the sea and suddenly had an epiphany: this was living. The days before had, at best, been mere survival.
Anby was sprawled on the table, head down, attacking a large plate of fragrant roasted meat, its cheeks stuffed to bursting.
This was Ray's reward to it.
A reward for not revealing anything about Cantarella's invitation, or about that "date" with Phoebe, to the Second Young Miss.
This was their unspoken understanding.
Though Anby understood nothing of the complexities of human emotions, it could still read the room. It knew when to speak and, more importantly, when to keep quiet.
Thus, Ray felt no discomfort at all about Anby's presence.
He still didn't know about Anby's origins, true.
But so what?
At least for now, apart from being a bit greedy, this little guy was practically all advantages.
"Slow down, no one's going to take it from you."
Watching Anby wolf down its food, Ray couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
Anby used its little paws to lift a cup of juice and downed it in one gulp, then turned its head. "Meat tastes best when you eat it in big mouthfuls!"
"That's true, but aren't you afraid of choking?"
"Hmph, don't you know what I'm capable of?"
That was true.
After all, this was a creature that could snack on the Dark Tide, something that made others pale just hearing about it. This little bit of roasted meat was nothing.
Ray studied the little creature with interest.
Though he knew it was an Echo, he always felt there was something else hidden within Anby.
Maybe... Anby's true form is a beautiful young girl?
So, curious, Ray asked.
"Anby."
"What?" The little guy didn't look up.
"Do you... have a gender?"
Abby paused mid-motion, turned its little head, and looked at him with a baffled expression. "Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"Just curious."
"How would I know?" Anby shot him a dismissive glance and turned back to the meat. "I'm just an Echo."
"...Yeah, I guess." Ray rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So, can you evolve?"
"Evolve? What's that?"
"I mean, go from being a little guy to a big guy."
"...?"
"Never mind, forget I said anything." Seeing Anby's blank little stare, Ray waved his hand helplessly. "Go back to eating."
Anby didn't quite understand, but the lure of food was clearly stronger. It shook its head and dove back into its meal with renewed focus.
Ray swiped open his terminal, looked at Zani's reply, and let out a soft sigh.
He'd originally wanted to invite her to dinner tonight.
The result...
Zani: [Sorry, can't get away right now. Have to work overtime again. Let's catch up another time.]
Classic overtime again.
Seems Zani's workload was still the same as ever, unchanged.
Oh well, looks like he'd have to wander around alone today.
Until, a flash of crimson caught his eye once more.
"Phrolova?"
The young woman had clearly seen him too.
Her cool, composed face still revealed no emotion. She simply stood there quietly, as if waiting for his next move.
"Want to... sit for a bit?"
As he spoke, Ray casually moved the plate of roasted meat, along with Anby, who was still obliviously devouring it to the empty table beside them.
Phrolova hesitated for a moment, then finally gave a slight nod and sat down quietly across from him.
It had been a long time since he'd last seen her, after their parting in Septimont.
"When did you get back to Ragunna?"
"The day before yesterday."
Her tone was still flat, impossible to read.
"I see."
The conversation came to an abrupt halt. The air itself seemed to freeze.
Honestly, Ray never really knew how to talk to Phrolova.
She seemed indifferent to everything around her. Apart from deep, heavy gloom, no other color had ever reflected in those eyes.
She was completely different from anyone he knew.
And Phrolova?
She seemed to enjoy the silence. She ordered a drink and sat motionless across from him, quietly gazing into the distance.
Until, finally, the young woman drained the last drop from her glass.
She turned her head. In her wine-red eyes, his figure was clearly reflected, sharply distinct from the gloomy world behind her.
Her lips trembled almost imperceptibly, as if words were on the tip of her tongue. But in the end, she silently swallowed them back.
She simply stood up quietly and said softly.
"I'm leaving."
Ray was taken aback. "Leaving so soon?"
The young woman gave a slight nod, then turned and walked away. Her crimson figure slowly dissolved into the dusk at the end of the street.
This kind of ordinary day... is enough.
She no longer dared to hope, nor should she cling to his present gentleness.
She had fantasized countless times that perhaps, one day, that man would remember the past.
But... even if that day came, they could probably never return to the closeness they once shared.
Everything from the past was gone.
"Stop right there."
A cold voice from behind made Phrolova halt.
She turned and met Carlotta's gaze.
Phrolova frowned slightly, confusion in her eyes.
Though they had crossed paths before due to the concert arrangements, they were essentially strangers.
But now, Carlotta's eyes held undisguised hostility.
Why?
Could it be... because of 'him'?
What other answer could there be?
"Miss Phrolova." Carlotta's voice was cold as frost. "I deeply sympathize with your past experiences. But you shouldn't project your emotions onto Ray. Our collaboration is over. You have no reason to keep entangling him."
So it was for him after all.
It seemed that brief "tryst" with Ray just now had been fully observed by the Montelli family's Second Young Miss.
"So, you're warning me?" Phrolova's eyes remained calm. Faced with Carlotta's aggression, she showed no sign of timidity. "Even if you are the Montelli heiress, trying to interfere in someone else's life is overstepping."
Carlotta stepped forward. "As his lover, I'm asking you, in the politest way possible to stay away from him."
"Lover?" Phrolova repeated the word softly, a faint, barely-there sneer curling at her lips. "How amusing, Carlotta Montelli. Yes, perhaps you are his lover now. But... what about the past?"
"The past?" Carlotta looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like." The corner of Phrolova's mouth lifted slightly. "Miss Carlotta, you don't really think you're the first, do you?"
Carlotta paused, seemingly not grasping the deeper meaning behind the words. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Perhaps soon... you'll understand."
Phrolova turned gracefully, deliberately drawing out her last words as her figure melted into the deeper shadows of the street.
"The 'traces' he left inside me... are far more than you imagine."
"Besides, I'm not the only one he's been involved with."
"Your rival has never been just me nor will it be only me."
"And the most troublesome one... you'll meet very soon."