As dusk settled, the ferry slowly docked at Ragunna's port.
Ray stretched his limbs, picked up his luggage, and stepped down the gangplank full of energy. "Finally back in Ragunna! I'm starving. I really want to indulge at Margherita's restaurant. Second Young Miss, want to join?"
Behind him, Carlotta bit her silver teeth lightly and stepped onto the dock with slightly unsteady steps, her lips still tingling from the salty aftermath, jaw sore from the effort, faint stickiness lingering on her skin beneath her hastily buttoned blouse.
Just before disembarking, she couldn't help but turn back and glare at someone, her mouth was numb from all the fussing during the trip. How could she possibly be in the mood to eat?
"I'll pass." She elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, her tone casual. "I need to report the details of the Vulcan Mining collaboration to my grandfather. So go ahead and eat by yourself."
"I see... alright then." Ray sighed softly. "I was planning to properly thank the Second Young Miss. After all, you worked hard on the boat earlier. Though your technique was a bit inexperienced, the tenderness between your lips was truly intoxicating."
"You—"
"Alright, just teasing." Carlotta turned her face away, her ears flushed red, but he gently caught her wrist. The moment their fingers intertwined, warmth flickered in his eyes. "I'm truly grateful for everything the Second Young Miss has done for me, and I'll never forget what happened today. No matter what the future holds, I'll be by your side."
Carlotta's lips parted slightly but in the end, she simply rubbed her fingertips and melted a thousand words into a faint, clear smile.
"In that case, I'll accept your promise. If you ever break your word in the future, even if I become a tacet discord, I will never forgive you!"
"Such a terrible curse?" Ray laughed. "Alright, Second Young Miss, as long as you're happy."
"I'll head back to the family now." She raised a hand in a light wave, her skirt swirling in an elegant arc as she walked toward the black car by the roadside.
Only after the taillights merged into the neon river did Ray turn and step onto the stone path, heading toward Margherita's restaurant.
Suddenly, his terminal buzzed, a message from Lupa.
Lupa: [Partner, how'd it go? Smooth sailing? Already back in Ragunna?]
Ray: [Yeah, just arrived.]
Lupa: [Good to hear. Ms. Julia found me a new teammate, so I'm about to start competing again.]
Ray: [Good luck! You've got to win!]
Lupa: [Don't worry, I've never lost. It's just a shame my teammate isn't you...]
Ray: [Maybe someday we'll be teammates?]
Lupa: [Someday? Mm, I look forward to that day! Alright, partner, I'm about to start training. Gotta go.]
Ray: [Okay, I'll be waiting for news of your victory.]
Lupa...
Always so full of energy, like an eternal, unquenchable sun.
An unconscious smile tugged at Ray's lips, being with her always left him infected by her pure enthusiasm, as if all gloom could be dispelled by her laughter.
It's just a shame... who knows when they'll meet again.
Probably... not too long, right?
Margherita's restaurant was still bustling with business.
Luckily, the busiest dinner rush had passed. Though there were still plenty of customers, a few empty seats remained in the corner.
Just as Ray was about to order, his gaze shifted and caught a familiar golden figure at the counter, it was Phoebe.
She was quietly talking to Margherita, her profile soft, her expression focused.
Wasn't she at the Order?
What was she doing in the restaurant?
Curious, he quietly walked up behind Phoebe and gently tapped her shoulder.
Phoebe jumped, startled. But the moment she recognized him, her eyes curved into crescents and a sweet smile lifted her lips.
"Ah, Mr. Ray! You're back already? I thought... you'd be arriving a bit later."
"Yeah, I just got here not long ago." Ray looked at Phoebe, his gaze falling on the menu in her hands. "Haven't had dinner yet? I'm hungry too. Want to grab a bite together?"
"No, that's not it." Phoebe shook her head gently, her golden hair swaying with the movement. "I already had dinner at the Order, a Green Branch and Laurel Salad, and a few small desserts. I'm not hungry yet." As she spoke, she hugged the menu closer to her chest. "I came to pre-order tomorrow's pizza."
Tomorrow's pizza?
Oh, right. Almost forgot.
Phoebe's self-imposed, once-a-month pizza day.
"It's pizza day, right?"
"Mm!" Phoebe's eyes lit up as she held the menu out to him. "Perfect timing, Mr. Ray is here too. Want to see if there's a flavor you like? We can try it together tomorrow."
"Let me pick? Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Ray hesitated. "How about I—"
"No way!" Phoebe shook her head firmly, unconsciously gripping the menu tighter. "I just got my order stipend yesterday, and there's plenty left! It's just a few pizzas, it's totally fine. If I let you pay again... I'd feel really bad about it!"
Looking at Phoebe's determined little round face, Ray couldn't help but smile helplessly. He obediently took the menu and picked a few signature pizzas.
He originally thought about ordering the Tropical Queen pizza, but the image of Phoebe wrinkling her little nose and shaking her head immediately popped into his mind, better not put her through that.
"Just these?" Phoebe carefully looked over the menu, then turned and handed it to Margherita behind the counter. "Thank you, Miss Margherita. I'll come pick it up at the agreed time."
"Okay, chirp~" Margherita responded cheerfully, carefully jotting down the order in her little notebook. "Please look forward to it, chirp!"
"Thank you for your trouble." Phoebe smiled faintly, taking out a small money pouch and placing it on the counter. "This is for the pizza."
With that, she turned to Ray and gently waved. "Mr. Ray, I still have some matters to attend to at the Order, so I'll take my leave now. Tomorrow... be sure to meet me at the agreed place!"
"Of course," Ray replied with a smile. "I've always looked forward to your invitations, Phoebe."
Just as the young woman was about to turn and leave, he suddenly seemed to remember something. "Wait, Phoebe."
"What is it, Mr. Ray?" The young woman stopped and turned back, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Could you help me look into someone? Her name is 'Cartethyia.'"
"Cartethyia..." Phoebe repeated softly, her lashes fluttering slightly. "I've never heard that name before. But since it's a request from Mr. Ray, I'll check the archives when I get back to the Church."
"I'm counting on you, Phoebe."