Time flowed on quickly. Ten o'clock arrived.
At the beachfront villa, Bokue—having finished dealing with Rias and the rest of the old school building group until everyone was, at minimum, satisfied and calm—walked to Ravel's new door and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
Soft movement rustled from inside.
A moment later, the handle turned. The door opened, and Ravel peeked out. The instant she recognized him, she froze—then her face softened into visible delight.
"Bokue-sama… you came?"
"Good evening, Ravel."
Bokue nodded.
He still didn't love being addressed so formally, but he'd long since stopped trying to force people to change habits. Some things just didn't stick no matter how close you got—he had learned that the hard way.
"I—I was wondering if you'd really come tonight," Ravel said quickly, then opened the door wider and stepped aside. "Please, come in!"
"…Okay."
Bokue had only intended to check if she had settled in comfortably, but with an invitation like that, turning around at the door would've been awkward.
So he stepped inside.
Ravel felt a wave of relief—followed immediately by excitement that climbed fast enough to make her chest feel tight.
Because Rossweisse's earlier "warning" kept replaying in her head.
If he comes at night… does that mean…?
"Bokue-sama, please wait! I'll make tea!"
Ravel moved instinctively toward the tea set, but Bokue stopped her.
"Tea can wait," he said, glancing at the clock. "It's late. And you only just recovered from a cold today—you should rest."
Then his voice cut off slightly, as if he'd noticed something belatedly.
"…Ravel. You haven't even changed yet?"
Only now did he realize she was still in her school uniform.
Normally, by this hour, most people had already bathed and switched into something comfortable.
"Ah… yes," Ravel admitted.
She looked down at herself, then faced him again with a small smile. Her legs pressed together neatly, posture refined in a way that screamed "noble upbringing." She clasped her hands in front of her and bowed at a precise angle.
"Since Bokue-sama said you might visit tonight, I felt I should greet you properly."
Bokue stared for a second, then spoke deadpan. "I really don't think that's necessary."
"Eh? Not necessary?"
Ravel straightened and tilted her head, thinking hard.
"So… Bokue-sama prefers something more casual? Like sleepwear?" Her expression brightened as if she'd discovered a secret weakness. "Mm. Then I'll pay more attention to choosing my sleepwear from now on."
"…Should I be worried that you sound serious?"
Bokue walked over and gently pinched her cheek between his fingers.
"I came to check if you're settling in okay," he said. "If anything feels uncomfortable, tell me."
"N-not at all!"
Ravel's face warmed under his touch. She shook her head quickly, then began listing things with earnest intensity.
"The room is very comfortable. The bed is soft and big. The drinks in the refrigerator are great. And Lady Venelana's dinner was… um… delicious."
She hesitated briefly on Venelana's name, then continued as if nothing happened.
The villa wasn't as grand as her family's estate, of course—but "big" wasn't the point.
The point was that she could see Bokue more often.
That alone felt priceless.
"I'm glad," Bokue said, releasing her cheek.
"Still—if something bothers you, tell me immediately. Okay?"
"Understood," Ravel said, voice small but firm. "I will."
Bokue nodded. "Then I'm leaving. You've just recovered, so go to bed early. I'll see you tomorrow."
As he spoke, he placed a hand on her head and rubbed gently.
Ravel's ears turned pink. She stood perfectly still, as if moving might break the moment.
"Good night," Bokue said.
"G-good night," Ravel answered.
Only after the exchange did Bokue step out and close the door behind him.
He walked down the hall—past Rossweisse's room, past the next door—and stopped in front of Venelana's.
He knocked.
Almost immediately, the door opened.
"Good evening, Bokue-kun," a mature woman's voice greeted, warm and amused. "You're finally here."
"Sheila—?"
Bokue lifted an eyebrow.
Tonight, Sheila had changed into elegant black lace nightwear, and she'd styled her hair differently—neat enough that, for a split second, she resembled a younger version of Maria.
Bokue's gaze slipped past her shoulder into the room.
Venelana was further inside, phone in hand, as if she'd just finished a call.
Seeing Bokue still lingering at the threshold, Sheila tilted her head with a sweet, coaxing smile.
"Come in," she urged. "Venelana-neesan just finished talking with Serafall-san... Serafall-san will come by tonight too—she's still out shopping with her sister, so it'll be about an hour."
She stepped back slightly, making space.
"And she said we don't have to wait. We can start first."
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