“Right now? I think I’ll pass.”
Faon shook his head; he had never been much of a drinker.
He only occasionally had sparkling wine when the atmosphere called for it, usually after an adventure ended or his party completed a mission.
This was because someone had told him when he was a rookie that drinks after an adventure were meant to celebrate today and welcome tomorrow.
It wasn’t as if he had just finished an adventure, and he had two members of the opposite sex with him.
The only time he had ever drunk freely was at the festival after the war ended, and many misunderstandings had occurred during that event.
“Hehe… but Brother Ang didn’t deny the thought of wanting to drink.”
Night Lei finished the water in her glass, her finger tracing the rim before she propped her face in her hands and stared at Faon with a smile.
“I just miss the atmosphere of my past adventures. However, life after marrying Ailin is the best for me now… it’s stable, and the person I love is by my side.”
Faon smiled and shook his head.
He could sense Night Lei’s seductive movements at every moment now, and it felt strange.
To prevent further misunderstandings, he decided it was best to avoid alcohol.
“I think this is for the best, too. If Brother Ang were still out adventuring, not only would Ms. Ailin be pining for a love she couldn’t reach… but Night Night and I wouldn’t have been able to become partners with a man like you.”
Night Lei returned to her original posture and spoke with a smile.
“A man like me…”
Faon paused.
“I feel like you’re constantly praising me, Ms. Night Lei. Since you’re friends with Ailin and me, there’s no need for such formalities.”
“Does Brother Ang think these are just formalities? Or do you want me to praise Ms. Ailin more?”
Night Lei chuckled.
She then changed her tone.
“I don’t think these are formalities. Someone like Brother Ang deserves to be praised more. If you aren’t praised, wouldn’t that mean I can’t prove what a good person you are?”
“Ms. Night Lei, anyone who can say such things is a good person herself.”
Faon had indeed treated her praise as empty politeness before.
But now he felt she was a good person with principles who wouldn’t just praise someone for the sake of it.
This strange feeling forced him to notice the changes in her tone and movements.
It made Faon realize that Night Lei’s expressions and gestures were actually quite rich.
He had never noticed these things before.
To ease his own bashfulness, Faon added, “Of course, Ms. Night Night is also a good person. You truly are sisters.”
Night Night, who had been learning how to converse from her sister, suddenly blushed upon hearing Faon’s praise.
She gave a soft hum of agreement, but then felt it wasn’t enough.
“Thank you, Mr. Faon. I feel the same as my sister. I think Mr. Faon… deserves to be praised by others.”
However, after saying that, she felt a slight pang of bitterness at being compared to her sister.
“In that case… just as Brother Ang said, we were destined to become partners.”
Night Lei chuckled. Suddenly, she asked, “By the way, it seems my Night Night hasn’t had alcohol before. Do you want to take away Night Night’s first time, Brother Ang?”
“Cough… ‘first time’ is a bit much,” Faon coughed lightly, pointing out her strange choice of words.
“But because of that, she shouldn’t drink here. It’s quite terrifying for a first-timer to drink in public.”
And from what Night Lei said, she seemed to have drunk before?
Faon caught that detail. There wasn’t an Adventurers Guild in their town, so where would she have tried it?
“I… I’ll be fine. Mr. Faon and my sister are both with me. I also want to feel the atmosphere Mr. Faon had during his adventures. And… I’m an adult.”
Night Night spoke up suddenly, but she instinctively avoided Faon’s gaze.
She had heard from her sister that people would do things they didn’t dare do while sober after they had been drinking.
She wanted to try.
‘Maybe I can extend my time with Mr. Faon…’
“In that case… why don’t we take some home to try?”
Night Lei suggested.
“Actually… I have something, a secret I suppose, that I want to tell Brother Ang with the help of a little alcohol.”
Her phrasing was incredibly ambiguous.
Faon didn’t know how to respond. After a moment of silence, he asked, “What kind of secret is it?”
“It’s about me and Night Night… Brother Ang must have noticed something, right? But a secret like this requires a bit of liquid courage to tell, even to a friend.”
Night Lei winked.
Faon knew what she was talking about.
He hadn’t hidden his wariness before, so it was no surprise she noticed.”Then I can wait until you and Ms. Night Night are willing to speak of it yourselves.”
“Hehe… it’s not just that — “
Night Lei spoke meaningfully.
Night Night, already feeling bitter, sensed the hidden meanings in her sister’s words.
Her sister was too cunning…
But speaking of cunning… perhaps she would be even more so?
The topic ended with Night Lei’s last sentence, and the dishes they ordered arrived.
Faon had ordered like an adventurer — mostly large, filling portions like fried cutlets.
The sisters didn’t need to order more.
The three of them began their lunch, and the conversation gradually shifted to light, everyday topics.
Unlike previous meals, Ailin — the usual conversation starter — was absent.
However, the atmosphere wasn’t affected, perhaps due to Night Lei’s conversational skills or the shift in their status.
The meal ended with the three of them laughing and talking.
“Brother Ang really insisted on paying. You already take such good care of us; I should have handled it this time.”
After Faon paid and they walked out of the Adventurers Guild, Night Lei complained slightly.
Night Night chimed in, “That’s… that’s right. Mr. Faon already looks after us so much… at least let us handle things like this.”
“Didn’t we agree on this from the start? Besides, I have the Adventurer discount. But from now on, I’ll be following your lead. I’ve already bought the ingredients for dinner at the market, so I don’t know where to go next.”
Faon smiled, carrying the bags.
“Then follow my lead,” Night Lei’s complaints turned into a smile instantly.
“But… if we have the chance to come out again, it’ll be on Night Night and me. No arguments allowed, it’s a promise.”
“Sure, no problem. Though, this is the first time I’ve seen Ms. Night Lei complain.”
Faon sounded curious.
“Hehe… of course I complain, I even get angry.”
Seeing Faon’s interest in her, Night Lei’s heart stirred.
“Of course, some emotions can only be seen by Brother Ang as a partner. You’re very special to me.”
“Special?”
Faon felt something was off.
It was fine for partners to say that… other adventuring partners had told him he was special among adventurers before.
But this felt different.
Yet her relaxed tone and habit of joking made it impossible for him to be sure.
Just as he was about to change the subject, Night Night suddenly grabbed her sister’s hand and complained, “Sister, what… what about me?”
“Oh? Is Night Night jealous of Brother Ang? I’m so touched…”
Night Lei pretended to wipe a tear, but after seeing her sister’s eyes, she smiled.
“Night Night is also special to me, and so is Ms. Ailin.”
“I’m not jealous of Mr. Faon… I just feel… very annoyed.”
Night Night’s voice was muffled, as if implying something else.
“Hehe… is that so? Well, I need to go back to the Guild for a moment… Night Night, stay here with Brother Ang for a while.”
Night Lei patted her head.
Night Night lowered her head and gave a soft hum of agreement.
“It seems my wife was right. Ms. Night Lei and Ms. Night Night really do have a good relationship.”
Faon followed up. “What are you going to buy?”
“Wine.”
Night Lei left behind that brief answer, winked at Faon, and re-entered the Adventurers Guild.
She didn’t give him a chance to ask more.
“Now only Night Night and Faon were left.”
The time after lunch was the quietest period for the Adventurers Guild.
Faon didn’t mind, but Night Night kept her head down, her heart pounding.
‘I’m alone with Mr. Faon again…’
Feeling the silence, Faon asked, “Is Ms. Night Night very interested in… Adventurers? I saw you looking around as soon as we entered, and you even want to try the sparkling wine sold here.”
Night Night was startled.
She hadn’t expected him to notice her so much.
“I-I’m sorry! I was just curious… did I cause trouble for Mr. Faon?”
“Not at all. If anything, the Guild welcomes curious people like you.”
Faon shook his head.
“That’s… that’s good. I just… remember Mr. Faon saying I had a talent for Magic Power, so… maybe I’ll become an Adventurer in the future.”
Night Night sighed in relief, secretly happy she could chat with him.
“Is that so? It’s definitely possible… just try to choose the Mage class. That way, you can slowly resolve the Mana Conflict in your body.”
Faon shared everything he knew.
“I-is that true? Then… if…”
Night Night became hesitant.
“It’s okay. Take your time. As partners, there’s nothing we can’t talk about,” Faon said encouragingly.
Hearing his words, Night Night mustered her courage.
“It’s… well, if I’m going to register as an Adventurer, can Mr. Faon be the one to bring me here when the time comes?”