The pitch-black sedan pulled up smoothly right in front of the faded white wooden fence. Vwuum... Its mana-engine purred softly, leaving almost no sound besides the friction of tires against asphalt.
Raphael opened the door and stepped out of the car.
The small wooden house stood peacefully, bathed in the morning sunlight.
And right in the middle of the front yard... Elodie was busy watering her plants with a copper watering can. Her brown hair was tied up in a messy bun. The girl was wearing nothing but a simple, slightly oversized home shirt.
Hearing the sound of the car door, Elodie reflexively looked up.
Instantly, her round eyes bulged wide. Slip! The watering can nearly slipped from her grasp and crashed to the ground.
"R-Raphael?!"
"Morning," Raphael greeted awkwardly. He stopped right outside the fence, shoving both hands deep into his trouser pockets. "Are you busy?"
