[Glenn]
When I ca to my senses, sunlight was beginning to stream through the gap in the curtains. It seed morning had already arrived.
Disappointed in my own immaturity, I rose from the sofa and stood up.
I should wash my face and get my head working.
Just as I thought that, a knock on the door echoed from outside.
"Good morning. It's Aoi."
Hearing that voice, I beca aware that I had unintentionally grimaced. Pathetic as it was, she's the last person I wanted to see right now.
"...This is troubleso. What face should I make to et her?"
Letting out a sigh, I scratched my head with one hand. Co to think of it, I hadn't bathed last night.
Thinking such thoughts and aiming to at least change my outerwear, I hurriedly got dressed.
"I'm coming in."
"Wai…, wait a mont!"
I unintentionally called for a halt at Aoi's words. In Aoi's case, if I didn't respond, she might really force the door open. To avoid the worst-case scenario, I quickly moved to the front of the door.
"Wha-, what is it?"
I timidly asked through the door, and Aoi answered without hesitation.
"I have sothing I wanted to ask about your grandson. There might be things that are difficult to speak of, but..."
"...Could you please leave?"
I couldn't hold back. Knowing Aoi, she likely hasn't approached the matter of Solare lightly.
However, even considering that, I simply could not talk about it.
Solare's matter was that delicate…
"I cannot leave, so may I open the door from this side?"
"Why not!?"
You could leave, couldn't you?
I replied out of sheer astonishnt. I'm telling you to leave, so why won't you back down?
As I was bewildered, Aoi knocked on the door again.
"I truly apologize, but I want you to open it."
"N-no, I'd like you to at least wait until tomorrow..."
"They say, 'strike while the iron is hot.' First and foremost, action is required."
"'Iron'... Is this really a good deed...?"
I feared Aoi, who showed absolutely no sign of backing down. There was no helping it. Yielding to Aoi's forceful deanor, I opened the door.
As it opened, Aoi's figure stood before , looking straight up at . Looking down into her utterly clear eyes, I let out a deep sigh.
"...You may enter."
"Thank you."
Reluctantly granting permission to enter, Aoi promptly thanked and stepped inside.
"Sit there."
"Yes. Excuse ."
Despite her polite reply, I sohow felt pressure. With a feeling as if I were being intimidated, I sat on the sofa facing her. Aoi sat with her back straight, placed both her hands on her knees, and looked at .
"...Let at least brew so tea."
"Thank you."
Returning a wry smile to Aoi, who bowed her head deeply while seated, I quickly brewed tea using water and fire magic.
The gentle, pleasant aroma of tea spread through the room. It was a calming, good scent. But, why was it? As I poured tea into Aoi's cup sitting directly opposite , I felt like a prisoner awaiting execution.
Carrying the heavy feeling with , I sat down on my sofa again.
"...It's a favored brand. I hope it suits your taste."
"I'll have so."
Saying this, Aoi picked up the cup and sipped at the freshly brewed tea. Just watching soone drink, I felt the taste of my familiar tea blooming in my mouth.
Maybe I should have so of my own too. Thinking that, I took the cup before and brought it to my lips. As the tea flowed into my mouth, warmth and a slightly sweet aroma passed through my nose. Hmm, it was soothing.
"...The last supper, is it?"
"Isn't this teati, not supper?"
"...Indeed, it is."
Engaging in a sowhat unsettling conversation, we both enjoyed the tea. Then, I thought Aoi's expression softened a little too.
"...It's truly delicious. The taste is close to fruit tea. The aroma resembles Assam tea."
"Oh, you like it?"
Watching Aoi's reaction, I replied while patting my chest in relief. Nodding in agreent, Aoi narrowed her eyes.
"...Now then, let get to the main point."
"So there is a main point after all."
I asked back with a sigh, and Aoi nodded deeply.
"It may be a difficult topic to broach, but please tell about your grandson."
"...You ask so imposingly, despite calling it 'difficult to broach.'"
It's the usual Aoi. With a wry smile at her imposing, dignified attitude, my shoulders slumped.
"...So, what do you intend to do after hearing about Solare?"
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