"Since it's already late today, let's just swing by the bar alley on our way back and then head to the quarters. Of course, we're still too young to go inside… but when I grow up, I'm definitely going in someday."
Curio's eyes sparkled.
Inside that shining curiosity, there was a faint hint of excitement he himself couldn't explain. A forbidden place, the world of adults—just the thought of it made his heart grow a little warmer.
Ali, too, didn't know why, but something in Curio's words made his own heart thump strangely.
Just the idea of catching a glimpse of that air, those glances, that forbidden world made every part of his body tense up.
The two of them left the restaurant and began walking toward the bar district.
The air was unmistakably different there. The smell of alcohol, low rolling laughter, and shadows lurking with a secretive air…
From afar, faint red and blue lights brushed across Ali's eyes.
He couldn't clearly see the people dancing yet, but those lights and movements stirred something in his curiosity.
"Ah… so this is the place the captain said helps people feel better…"
Ali murmured to himself.
And in the dark alley they casually passed by—
a different incident, one not yet revealed to the world, quietly began to unfold.
---
Before they realized it, night had grown deep, and the two returned to the quarters that also served as a shop. Makinohr was there, quietly drinking tea.
"You're back."
"Yes, haha. I was showing Ali around all the delivery spots, every nook and cranny. Whew, I walked so much I'm sweating. I'll go take a shower~~"
Curio went upstairs first.
"You seem to have gotten close."
Makinohr said to Ali.
Ali quietly nodded. Yet the faint afterimage of red and blue light still lingered somewhere inside him.
"Becoming close is a good thing. But remember this—someone who values excitement may show a completely different face once that excitement fades."
It didn't take Ali very long to understand what those words meant.
And starting the very next day, Ali began his delivery work in earnest.