Chapter 162 – Luan is playing with Ais.
I walked downstairs to et Ais. The inn also served food, so she sat at a table, waiting for her al. I approached her and sat down next to her.
When I sat, Ais turned to . "I haven't seen Tione anywhere. Are you sure she ca down?" I paused montarily, thinking about what to say, and quickly made up a plausible lie.
"Tione was in the bathroom the entire ti. I didn't notice her." I didn't laugh or make prolonged eye contact.
"Hmm…" Ais thought for a mont and believed in . "I didn't order enough food for her since I thought she'd already eaten."
"Don't worry," I called the innkeeper to order food for Tione. I thought about ordering sothing for Luan, but I dismissed the idea.
A few minutes later, Tione slowly ca down the stairs.
She wasn't acting naturally. She was scared Ais would figure out what happened last night; she couldn't even et her eyes. Tione glanced at , and I signaled for her to stay calm.
Tione took a deep breath and sat down at the table.
"What's wrong? You seem worried about sothing," Ais asked her. Tione looked at , but I stayed silent. It was her problem. I wasn't going to get involved.
"It's nothing. I was thinking about Luan. I wonder if he managed to get a room last night." I looked at Tione in disbelief. She had brought up Luan's na unnecessarily.
"I don't know if he found a place to sleep either. But I'm sure he's fine. There are inns around here that stay open nearly all day." Ais smiled, and soon after, our food arrived.
We began eating silently, and Tione gradually cald down and started acting normally.
Thankfully for her, Ais didn't suspect a thing.
However, when Luan ca down the stairs and walked over to the table, Tione almost stood up and left.
I held her hand and asked her to stay and act normal. Ais didn't notice because her attention was entirely on Luan.
"I'm sad you didn't order food for ."
"I didn't know you were staying here! You can have so of mine if you want."
"It's fine... Excuse !" Luan called the innkeeper and sat down beside Tione across from Ais. Tione still couldn't et his eyes.
Her legs bounced restlessly under the table; her anxiety was painfully obvious.
Ais finally noticed and asked her again what was wrong.
"It's nothing. I'm fine. I think I'll step out for so fresh air." Tione stood and left the inn before even finishing her al. Luan then took her plate and began eating.
"What's wrong with her? Why is she acting like that?" Ais started to worry about Tione. But Luan reassured her.
"She's fine, she's just tired of being inside the dungeon. Let's eat and head out," Luan said.
"Alright," Ais agreed with a smile.
I glanced at the two of them, and the events of last night wouldn't leave my mind. I started to feel a bit irritated.
I want to tell Ais what happened. But that would hurt Tione.
Seeing Luan play with Ais like this irritates
intensely.
####
*Luan's POV*
After we finished eating, it was ti to return to the surface. Ais and I stayed in front of the group while Tione and Tiona followed.
Tiona and Tione were having a conversation, and I could hear everything. I glanced at Ais, but she didn't seem to hear; her focus remained on the path ahead. Their conversation was about .
Tiona insisted that Tione tell Ais what had happened and repeatedly asked how we ended up in this kind of relationship. Tione refused to say anything to Ais and didn't want to go into details about our relationship.
It was amusing.
We passed the 17th, 16th, and 15th floors without encountering a Minotaur. Eventually, we reached the dungeon's surface.
Thankfully, it was still morning. That ant I still had ti to find Mikoto.
"Luan? Aren't you leaving?" Ais asked.
"I have sothing to take care of. I'll see you later," I replied, glancing at Tione. She turned her face away and started walking off.
Tiona gave
a judgntal look and followed her sister.
"Got it. See you tonight."
"Oh, right, the dinner."
"Don't tell
you forgot again."
"Of course not. I'll be waiting for you."
"... Alright, until tonight then."
Ais walked away.
I'll admit I almost forgot about the dinner. I also nearly forgot about my training with Mikoto.
Fortunately, since I slept inside the dungeon, I feel great.
I have food and water with , too. The only issue is that I won't be ho for an entire day, and Hestia might start to worry about .
I began walking to look for Mikoto. After about ten minutes, I finally saw her. She was also searching for . When I got closer, her face lit up with a big smile.
But as we approached, her smile faded.
She cleared her throat and said, "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Mikoto. Did you rest well? Our training will be exhausting," I smiled.
"I'm always prepared!"
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