Tick Tock Tick Tock

  The hands of a clock, long and short, clicked and turned, pointing at numbers from ohrough twelve all day long. The clock struck six and the bells rang throughout the whole city, greeting the new m with chimes and chatters.

  The birds tweeted and chirped flying freely above the rooftops, perg from pce to pce. The eys bellowed and the birds were startled, taking off to the skies once again, only to per another building. It eaceful m.

  "Mmn～ Hmmn～ Humm～ Mmnー!" ［Helen］

  And in such a wonderful m, a cheerful humming could be heard, drifting in the air as a beautiful young girl with silky walnut hair and sparkling lime eyes greeted the m with a smile. It was Helen who was in a very good mood, watg over the reception ter.

  She has always been cheerful, but something about her today was different. She was much happier and smiling brightly much more often, even doing her hair and clothes more carefully and properly, clearly looking forward to something, daydreaming in broad daylight.

  g g g

  The chimes rang and the doors opened soon after. Two figures entered, a young dy with silver hair and a young man with the color of the night sky resting on his head. It was then that Helen snapped back to reality, quickly switg to work mode, wearing her professional smile.

  "Wele to the Rabbit'sー Ah! Grey! Yuna! Are you eating here again?" ［Helen］

  Of course, those two youths were her than Grey and Yuna. Though people still look at them, it wasn't as intense as before. They could finally go out like they used to, only receiving a couple warm greetings from time to time.

  It has been a few days since Grey and Yuuro Galderia, and ever siheir life has returo their usual routine, spending most of their time together and doing whatever they usually do.

  They have also beeing breakfast most of the time at the Rabbit's Den sihen. While it is true that they missed their cooking, another reason was that they wake up really te from time to time. As for the reasons... Well, let's keep it to our imagination. Leave it to the readers, I say.

  "Un! That's right! Good m～!" ［Yuna］

  "M, Helen. We'll be having the usual." ［Grey］

  "Okay! Thenー Ah! Wait! That's right! Mom and Dad told me you should go meet them first before ." ［Helen］

  "They did?" ［Grey］

  Helen slowly nodding to Grey's question, Grey and Yuna could only tilt their heads in fusion as they thought of reasons Gerd and Selia would call upon them. Even then, nothing came to their minds.

  "Did they tell you why?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Of course! But I won't tell you! No, no, no! Otherwise, the surprise would be ruined!" ［Helen］

  Now, they were even more fused. If they were thinking what they did which could warrant their attention, now, they were thinking what the situation was for there to be a surprise. It was not how they thought their m would go.

  Still in the dark about what Helen was talking about, Grey and Yuna were led by the former towards the kit which was still ri both smell and sight. Just the mere st of the freshly cooked dishes was enough to make them hungry.

  Of course, there was Gerd and Selia cooking some unfamiliar dishes, ones not found in the menu. Strangely enough, all of which were made from seafood. Fish, shrimps, and cms were all present.

  "Dad! Mom! Grey and Yuna are here!" ［Helen］

  "Oh, just in time! We've just finished cooking." ［Gerd］

  The mystery was now gone. With the new dishes in front of them, it was obvious what Helen was talking about. It was a tasting party! Yuna's eyes were already sparkling with glee as she looked at the dishes ever so happily.

  "Mister Gerd! Missus Selia! Good m! Are these new dishes going to be added to the menu?" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu. That's the pn. Would you care to have a taste?" ［Selia］

  "Un! Of course!" ［Yuna］

  There was ation in Yuna's eyes as she replied to Selia's question, skipping steps with enthusiasm towards the utensil rack to get a couple pairs of spoon and fork for everyoo use.

  Well, it wasn't only her who was excited, Grey also was. Since Yuna headed towards the utensil rack, he went ahead to get a few ptes for their use. Though he usually isn't as enthusiastic as Yuna, it was a tasting party they were talking about. There was no way he assing up on su opportunity.

  Tables were ed, chairs were moved, and dishes were dispyed. There was seared tuna steaks, citrus shrimp sad, grilled cod, potato and cod stew, cm soup, and many more. It was a seafood heaven.

  """Thank you for the meal!!"""

  There was o wait. As soon as the tables were ready, everyoook a bite of the dishes before them, rushes of fvor flooding their mouths like the wavy seas. The umami of the seafood and the strength of spices blending ever so harmoniously.

  Well, it wasn't just those fvors. There was also the sourness of the citric juices, the sweetness of honey and sugar, and also the spice of chilis and some herbs. Ead every dish offered different experiences. heless, everything was delicious. As one would expect from seasoned cooks.

  "Mmn～! So delicious! I could eat these all day!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha! It's good that you like it. How about you, Grey? Any opinions?" ［Gerd］

  "No... Just like Yuna said, they're all delicious. They have a pleasant aftertaste too and very minimal fishiness. Did you use ground ginger?" ［Grey］

  "Haha, that's right. Garlid some lime helped too." ［Gerd］

  Following the tasting, a somewhat lengthy discussion, only interrupted by the regur of ers which they took turns tending to. It was a healthy discussion over some delicious breakfast.

  Grey had already expected that seafood dishes would beore on with the opening of rade routes with the coastliories Eliza and Elise mentioned some time ago, but he hought it would reach Galderia so quickly. Well, it leasant surprise.

  The discussion tinued and a couple dishes were selected. Though it would have been perfect if they could serve everything, they are sadly limited by time and the amount of seafood they could purchase. In the end, it was decided they would rotate the dishes for everyone's best i.

  "Alright, that should be everything... Thank you for that." ［Gerd］

  "No worries, it's only natural that we help! And we'd also love to eat the new dishes as soon as possible! I 't wait!" ［Yuna］

  "Me too... Ah, speaking of which, we'd like to order breakfast now, please." ［Grey］

  "Haha, of course!" ［Gerd］

  Well, even if they have eaten a few dishes already, it still wasn't enough to fill their stomach. In fact, they were barely filled after eating so much. It was Grey and Yuna, after all. It was only to be expected.

  Everything finally done aled, Grey and Yuna immediately ordered a number of dishes directly from the kit, bringing a couple trays towards their own table. A self-service of some sorts, several eyes looking at them not because of their identities but because of the amount of food they were carrying.

  ""Thank you for the meal!""

  A sed time, the prayers were said. Soon, Grey and Yuna dug into their meals, enjoying ead every bit of the dishes they ordered, flirting a little bit from time to time. Such a peaceful day tinued, smiles blooming on their faces.

  Time quickly passed and more than an hour had epsed. With the breakfast rush over and only a few ers left in the dio be served, Helen and family could finally rex and take a breather.

  Gerd and Selia were i, reviewing a couple things and having their te breakfasts while Helen stayed with Grey and Yuna, chatting like they usually would in their free time as if nothing else mattered.

  "And you know what the male lead said to the heroine? He said he'll protect her with his life! Isn't that romantic?" ［Helen］

  "Un! It is! It makes your heart pound, doesn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Right?! I also wish I had a prince charming like that!" ［Helen］

  And as one would expect with Helen around, the topic was her than romance. She was sharing with Yuna the couple things she read in the boom she just bought, chatting with muergy ahusiasm.

  Well, though me as open in engaging in such talks, Grey found no problem going with the flow and listening to the two girls squealing and giggling. There was just osy-bitsy problem...

  "Grey～! How about it? Why don't you say those lio Yuna?" ［Helen］

  ... He always gets dragged to Helen's, the romance maniatics afterwards. The worst thing was that there were also other people around. There are times they get some weird stares when they arrive at such a topic.

  "No, that's... Yuna already knows the answer anyway... There's o say it out loud, is there?" ［Grey］

  "Ehh～? That's no fun..." ［Helen］

  "Shut up... And it's not like many people or things which could harm Yuna anyway. The ones who should worry are those that try to assault her." ［Grey］

  "Ah, right..." ［Helen］

  It was a fair point, one Helen couldn't argue with. She always sees Yuna as a delicate aiful Yuna everyday that she fot who was one of Alfrione's heroes. Such a realization made her feel silly for a quient.

  Grey and Yuna had decided to take the day off adventuring and so, the romaalks tio ensue, c a wide range of topid Grey always getting caught up in Helen's whims.

  g g g

  Just as they were chatting their time away, another set of chiming melodies danced in the air, reag everyone's ears as they looked at the door's dire with Helen switg up to a more professional impression once again.

  "Wele to the Rabbit's Den! How may... I... help... you..." ［Helen］

  But such a professional look didn't even st a couple seds. As soon as she saw who ehe inn, the tone of her voice became higher, volume l down as she started to shy away, very mulike her.

  It was a bespectacled man in his early twenties wearing a long, bck coat who entered. His hair was messy, coat was unbuttoned, a journal in hand, and seemed like he had just woken up. He reminded Grey of the stereotypical researchers he saw in many fial works way ba Earth.

  "Good m, Miss Receptionist. I'd love a serving of gold-spotted boar stew and two loaves of white bread please." ［???］

  "A-Ah, yes! Tws of stew and a loaf of bread ing right up!" ［Helen］

  "Wait, no... It's the other way around..." ［???］

  "A-Ah, s-sorry! An order of stew and two loaves of white bread! G-Got it!" ［Helen］

  Jittering and stuttering, Helen ran back towards the kit after receiving the man's payment and got the dishes he ordered. It didn't just end there. She tiensing and fumbling as she chatted and talked with the er.

  It was very obvious. The way she dressed up more prettily and the way she's ag ever so shyly, Grey and Yuna could clearly tell what . It was as clear as day that Hele something for the man.

  They may have been oblivious to each other's feelings before but it has been several months sihen. Their personal experiences along with the romaories Helen shared with them has improved them. They were noer than daggers wheing such things.

  It didn't take long before Heleuro where Grey and Yuna were, face clearly flustered and eyes lookied, sighing every so often. It was only when she raised her head that she noticed the two's suspicious stares.

  "Anyway... Where were we again?" ［Helen］

  "On the part you fessed to the mahere." ［Grey］

  "Ah, right... fessー No! What are you talking about?!" ［Helen］

  It was only a slight provocation but Helen's reas couldn't be any more obvious. She easily flinched as soon as she realized what Grey was talking about, face red as once be. Now, they were certain.

  "Helen... Do you like that mahere?" ［Yuna］

  "N-No... That's... That's not true... Not at all..." ［Helen］

  Yup, she likes him alright. She couldn't even maintain eye tact as she answered Yuna's question, ag strangely shyly just like the tter wheries to lie in such situations. It was very unlike her.

  "Helen... It's okay! We support you!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna..." ［Helen］

  There was an angel in the inn, a bright smile illuminating the pce as Yuna ched her fist, cheering Helen up. She ractically glowing in the eyes of the tter.

  It didn't take long before Helen fessed and started talking about the events or the past month and a half Grey and Yuna had been away. From how they met to how she fell for him and her daily iions with him.

  Acc to her, the man was named Owen, a tier-3 enter who just arrived in Galderia a couple days after Grey and Yu. He's 21 years old, only three years older than Helen and is also si the moment. A man who's very dedicated and passionate about enting.

  The way they met retty simple. Owen just happeo pass the inn on ay stomad decided to e in for breakfast. He fell in love with the dishes as soon as he tasted him and has been a regur er ever since.

  At first, Helen just treated Owen like she would any other er. But one day, she handed him his order while he was ing his gsses. The man thanked her, but not only that, he also happeo beam a smile on her, one sht, it was blinding to the eyes a.

  Though he looks really messy at a first ghe moment he smiled, he looked like a pletely different person. Hidden behind the gsses was a handsome face as if he was an art sculpture. Helen's heart raced the fastest it had been at that moment and the rest is history.

  "So it was a smile, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Hmm... A smile..." ［Yuna］

  "Stop analyzing it... It's embarrassing..." ［Helen］

  Helen was ag shy and flustered, but it wasn't only her. As Grey and Yuna thought of one another's smile, their hearts also started rag and faces started blushing. A magnifit self-destru. They could both rete to it very well.

  "So... What are you going to do now?" ［Grey］

  "That's... I don't know... I haven't really thought that far..." ［Helen］

  It was a plete tradi. Though she had read tless romanovels and gave advice tless times, when it came to her own situation, she was pletely and utterly useless. For some reason, she just freezes when in front of him.

  Well, it's not like Grey could really bme her. He was also in the same situation as her when he first tried to fess his feelings to Yuna. Though it was already a distant memory, he could still relive eaent very clearly.

  "Then, Helen, should we help you out?" ［Yuna］

  "Really?! Is that alright?!" ［Helen］

  "Of course! You've already helped me many times before. So this time, I'll be the one helping! We're friends, after all!" ［Yuna］

  What a proud decration. There was ivity in Yuna's heart, only fidend optimism, thinking about repaying the favor. In fact, she looks too optimistic that Grey couldn't help but worry about what she'll be doing.

  "Waah～! I'll be in your care, Miss Yuna!" ［Helen］

  "Fufufu! You t on me!" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! I'll be in your caー" ［Helen］

  "Excuse me, Miss." ［Owen］

  "Hyaa!" ［Helen］

  So much for enthusiasm aermination. As soon as Owen called put to her, she immediately flinched, a high-pitched squeal following afterwards. Just like that, her determination was shattered to pieces.

  "Ah, sorry... Did I scare you...?" ［Owen］

  "N-No... Not at all... H-How could I help you?" ［Helen］

  "Ah, right... I'd like another order of stew and another loaf of bread, please. It seems like what I ordered wasn't enough..." ［Owen］

  "O-Of course! ing right up!" ［Helen］

  The bziermination was o be seen. There was only nervousness and embarrassment in Helen's heart as she hastily escaped towards the kit, eyes swirling a panig. It was only then that Yuna realized just what kind of task she signed up for.

  Time passed once more and the diner was cleared of people. It was then that Helen's training started, Yuna ag like a demonic teacher as one would expect. Of course, it wasn't just Yuna, Grey also helped out, doubling the difficulty.

  Though Helen and Owen barely talked with one ahere was one important information Helen mao get. And that was the man's love for enting. It was an important piece if she wao strike a versation with him.

  It also just so happehat she was before twious talents in the field. One was at tier-6 and the other at tier-4, possessing already admirable knowledge. With it, she could learn a couple things which she could use as their on i. A simple yet perfe.

  But of course, as one would expect from Grey and Yuna, the training was not so easy. For a couple of days, basiowledge about enting was drilled into her head whilst she kept w as a receptionist. It was hell.

  g g g

  Time passed and it was finally time for the moment of truth. Helen had suffered some hell many college students went through just to strike a simple versation. It was finally time to head to battle.

  "Helen, you do it!" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! Thank you!" ［Helen］

  Shouti whispering, Helen waved her hand goodbye as she headed towards Owen's dire ro get his order. It was fortuhat he always arrives te when it isn't very busy anymore. Now, Helen could go there without much disturbance.

  Everything was normal at first. Helen simply took his order, headed back to the kit, and brought food back to her, not stuttering as much as before. But the moment the man opened his journal, it was time to strike.

  "Oh my, isn't that the rune of 'Alfi'? There's 'Ral' too." ［Helen］

  Oer another, Helen named several ruo be found in the man's journal with retive ease. It was all too sudden that the man was at a loss for words as she listeo the young dy before him.

  "Ah, sorry! I peeked at your journal! I'm really sorry!" ［Helen］

  "N... No... It's alright... Actually, Miss, I didn't expect you to know enting so I was a bit surprised. Are you an enter too?" ［Owen］

  "Fufufu. No, I'm not. As you see, I'm a receptionist! I just read about it some time bad thought it was iing. It's like pying a puzzle!" ［Helen］

  The man was quickly frozen at Helen's words. It was the first time he saw someoake i in ruher than enters such as himself. It was like a breath of fresh wind, a bright smile blooming on his face.

  "Ah! But I don't know plex runes like this one and this one." ［Helen］

  "If it's this o's called 'Galtra'. As for this o's....." ［Owen］

  The man started rambling and Helen took a seat beside him as casually as she could, fshing a thumbs up and a smile over at Grey and Yuna's dire before tinuing her chat with Owen, falling into a rabbit hole of runes and enting.

  Well, it wasn't only Owen's ihat they talked about. They also talked about the Rabbit's Den's dishes and how delicious they were, sharing their is with one another with smiles painted on their faces. Everyone was happyー or so how it should have been.

  "Helen...?" ［Gerd］

  But there was one in the diner wearing a pletely different expression. One of shock, fusion, distraught, and ay, all mixed together as gloom loomed over him. It was her than Helen's father, Gerd.

  An explicable anger surged inside his heart as he watched his daughter smile towards the man before her. A stare so intehat Owen couldn't help but feel a freezing chill run down his spine, making him jolt.

  "Is... There something wrong?" ［Helen］

  "No... I suddenly felt cold all of the sudden..." ［Owen］

  "D-Do you have a fever?!" ［Helen］

  "Not that I know off..." ［Owen］

  It was sweet that Helen was worried for Owen's health, but Grey and Yuna could only smile wryly as they watched the se unfold. After all, they could clearly see Gerd's expressions as he gred at the man.

  A orm is brewing.

  CHAPTER 201 END