Ashrik blinked, as if still digesting Lucille's unexpected request. "...a bicycle? You wanna go biking?"
"Yes!" She pushed herself upright, looking too energized for someone who had nearly fainted just now. She pushed her hair away, smiling. "So, you have one, right? Can I borrow it?"
Ashrik let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head slightly. The dappled lights from the leaves swayed on his relaxed countenance, as if encasing him in a soft, golden glow.
"Not tired anymore, en?"
She answered him with giggles, evidently getting more excited.
Ashrik chuckled, a helpless fondness flickering in his eyes. He asked, "Wanna see our garage? You haven't been there, right?"
Lucille perked up. "I want!"
She had only heard about the underground garage, which was a part of it that lay under the second cottage[01]. Because its entrance was near the forest's edge, she hadn't had a chance to check it out.
"Come on. I'll bring you there."
