"Hmm? What's the matter?"
Banning halted as well, his deanor maintaining an unruffled tranquility. In contrast, Avril was so agitated that she found breathing difficult.
"I an...that is...I...I..."
The words were clearly on the tip of her tongue, but Avril could not bring herself to utter the crucial two words.
She was uncertain about the nature of her own fear, her mind a blank canvas.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"I..."
If regrets could be redied by a potion, Avril would've swallowed a ton by now. Unfortunately, no such elixir existed in the world; she had no option but to summon courage to confront herself.
"I..."
"Go on, I'm listening."
"I...I..."
"Hmm?"
"I...I thank you!"
"Huh?"
Banning was dumbfounded. So was Avril.
Was this the statent that she'd been stamring about all this ti?
Nevertheless, Avril's nimble mind swiftly regained its footing.
"Back...back when a column had toppled over...you saved , Banning. I...I haven't properly expressed my gratitude yet..."
"In addition...I want to thank you for the kebab you gave at the barbecue party...and for all the fresh at you've provided since...I'm extrely grateful for all of it, so...thank you, Banning."
Avril's words were sowhat disjointed, but she managed to express her sentints. She was profoundly frustrated with herself for not being able to articulate the words she ant to say, while these expressions of gratitude flowed effortlessly.
"Haha, I thought it was sothing serious. These are trivial matters, don't mind them."
Banning's hearty laughter sowhat eased Avril's tension. Although she failed to confess her feelings, at least she was able to express her gratitude, which in itself was a significant progress.
"By the way, Avril, did you eat enough just now? Three pieces of sweet sauce potato per person is insufficient for . Would you like to eat so more at my place?"
"Eh, eh, how could I...If it's about eating..."
Banning's sudden invitation took Avril by surprise. Moreover, speaking of having a al at ho, Avril actually...
"If it's about eating, then...then I should be the one treating you...as a token of gratitude...and such..."
Avril's voice dwindled to a whisper, barely audible by the end.
The idea of inviting Banning over for dinner was not a spur-of-the-mont decision. She had been contemplating it for quite so ti, but had never mustered the courage to propose it. Since Banning brought it up, she seized the opportunity, and then started worrying whether he would accept or not.
However, the apprehensive Avril did not realize that what she considered a "coincidence" was actually the result of Banning's ticulous calculation.
Upon discerning Avril's near confession through his telepathy, Banning resolved to employ the ambiance of this evening's Rain Praise Festival to further encourage her. Since the confession was unsuccessful during the festival, he chose to propose dining together as a ans to extend their exclusive ti.
The atmosphere of solitude at ho would surely afford Avril a greater sense of security than under the public gaze at the base of the Floral Fire Tower, as individuals are bolder when they feel safe.
"Dine at your place? That's feasible, but only if you promise one thing before I co over for dinner."
To Avril's surprise, Banning agreed readily, but what could this stipulation be before he could co over for dinner? Avril had never heard of soone making a request before accepting a dinner invitation.
"What is it?" Avril asked, sowhat unsettled.
Banning first offered a mysterious smile before saying, "After the al, I insist on washing the dishes and cleaning up, or else I won't co."
"....Eh? What??"
Avril, despite her best guesses, hadn't expected Banning's condition to be such. This was clearly a voluntary offer of help; how could it be construed as a demand?
"So, do you agree? If not, I won't go."
Banning assud a child-like, petulant deanor that successfully amused Avril.
"Yes, yes, I agree."
"Ha ha! Then let's go! I'm starved."
At that mont, Avril felt an unprecedented harmony in the atmosphere between Banning and herself, her previous nervousness vanished into thin air.
Banning truly was capable, approachable, and amusing.
---(I... I truly am fond of you, Banning...)
---(I hope this sentint... soday... I will have the courage to convey it to you...)
·
Tonight marked Tyler's second visit to Avril's residence, or the third if his stealthy infiltration was included.
Upon entering, Avril was still sowhat reserved, but already much more natural than before.
Tyler observed these changes, which were exactly what he had been deliberately leading.
In order to attract Avril earlier, Tyler had deliberately created a "distance" between them, but now, for the introverted and shy Avril, this "distance" had beco a major impedint to confession. Therefore, Tyler began to gradually bridge this distance, letting Avril unwittingly relax further.
"Let assist you in cooking, Avril."
"No, there's no need... I... I'm pretty quick."
Although Avril claid to be quick, in reality, the dishes had been prepared beforehand. She certainly didn't want Banning to discover this. Inviting Banning to dinner was a preditated act - no, a well-prepared one. All she had to do now was to light the firewood and toss the dishes into the pot.
Avril moved with deft certainty within the kitchen, Banning engaging in a sowhat desultory conversation by her side. In no ti at all, dinner was prepared, ready to be served.
"I'll help serve the dishes."
Banning sprung into action with a level of skill comparable to Avril's, efficiently setting the table in a flash.
Avril's dining table was a small square one, overlaid with a linen-colored tablecloth. Tonight, two candles adorned the table - not as an attempt at creating a romantic candlelit dinner by Banning, but because the villagers typically used candles for illumination in the evenings. The luxury of luminous magic stones was solely within the purview of city dwellers.
"These dishes are quite basic, I'm not sure... if they'll suit your taste..."
As the two sat opposite each other under the candlelight, there was a warm coziness unique to familial settings.
"Avril, you've already added the world's best seasoning, how could it not suit my taste?"
"The world's best seasoning...? I-I haven't added anything that special, just so ordinary..."
"You have, the world's best seasoning, that is your heartfelt effort, Avril."
Such words, if used between a man and woman who'd only recently beco acquainted, would be considered a pri example of cringe-worthy romantic lines. However, Banning and Avril's current atmosphere was perfect for it, successfully stirring up Avril's emotions, and shifting the ambiance from "familial warmth" to a "youthful ambiguity."
Avril, who had relaxed, now felt her heartbeat quicken once again.
— (My heartfelt effort, what does he an by that? Gratitude? Or is it...?)
— (Could it be, has he... noticed?... No, surely not...?!)
Tonight's dinner table was destined to be the final battleground of Banning's campaign.
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