I walked downstairs to meet Ais. The inn also served food, so she sat at a table, waiting for her meal. I approached her and sat dowo her.

  When I sat, Ais turo me. "I haven't seen Tione anywhere. Are you sure she came down?" I paused momentarily, thinking about what to say, and quickly made up a pusible lie.

  "Tione was ihroom the eime. I didn't notice her." I didn't ugh or make prolonged eye tact.

  "Hmm…" Ais thought for a moment and believed in me. "I didn't order enough food for her sihought she'd already eaten."

  "Don't worry," I called the innkeeper to order food for Tione. I thought about something for Luan, but I dismissed the idea.

  A few mier, Tione slowly came dowairs.

  She wasn't ag naturally. She was scared Ais would figure out what happe night; she couldn't eve her eyes. Tione g me, and I signaled for her to stay calm.

  Tioook a deep breath and sat down at the table.

  "What's wrong? You seem worried about something," Ais asked her. Tione looked at me, but I stayed silent. It was her problem. I wasn't going to get involved.

  "It's nothing. I was thinking about Luan. I wonder if he mao get a room st night." I looked at Tione in disbelief. She had brought up Luan's name unnecessarily.

  "I don't know if he found a pce to sleep either. But I'm sure he's fihere are inns arouhat stay open nearly all day." Ais smiled, and soon after, our food arrived.

  We begaing silently, and Tione gradually calmed down and started ag normally.

  Thankfully for her, Ais didn't suspect a thing.

  However, when Luan came dowairs and walked over to the table, Tione almost stood up a.

  I held her hand and asked her to stay and aal. Ais didn't notice because her attention was entirely on Luan.

  "I'm sad you didn't order food for me."

  "I didn't know you were staying here! You have some of mine if you want."

  "It's fine... Excuse me!" Luan called the innkeeper and sat down beside Tione across from Ais. Tioill couldn't meet his eyes.

  Her legs bounced restlessly uhe table; her ay ainfully obvious.

  Ais finally noticed and asked her again what was wrong.

  "It's nothing. I'm fine. I think I'll step out for some fresh air." Tioood ahe inn before even finishing her meal. Luaook her pte and begaing.

  "What's wrong with her? Why is she ag like that?" Ais started to worry about Tione. But Luan reassured her.

  "She's fine, she's just tired of being ihe dungeo's eat and head out," Luan said.

  "Alright," Ais agreed with a smile.

  I g the two of them, and the events of st night wouldn't leave my mind. I started to feel a bit irritated.

  I want to tell Ais what happened. But that would hurt Tione.

  Seeing Luan py with Ais like this irritates me intensely.

  ####

  *Luan's POV*

  After we finished eating, it was time to return to the surface. Ais and I stayed in front of the group while Tione and Tiona followed.

  Tiona and Tione were having a versation, and I could hear everything. I g Ais, but she didn't seem to hear; her focus remained oh ahead. Their versation was about me.

  Tiona insisted that Tioell Ais what had happened aedly asked how we ended up in this kind of retionship. Tione refused to say anything to Ais and didn't want to go into details about our retionship.

  It was amusing.

  We passed the 17th, 16th, and 15th floors without entering a Minotaur. Eventually, we reached the dungeon's surface.

  Thankfully, it was still m. That meant I still had time to find Mikoto.

  "Luan? Aren't you leaving?" Ais asked.

  "I have something to take care of. I'll see you ter," I replied, gng at Tione. She turned her face away and started walking off.

  Tiona gave me a judgmental look and followed her sister.

  "Got it. See you tonight."

  "ht, the dinner."

  "Don't tell me you fot again."

  "Of course not. I'll be waiting for you."

  "... Alright, until tonight then."

  Ais walked away.

  I'll admit I almost fot about the dinner. I also nearly fot about my training with Mikoto.

  Fortunately, since I slept ihe dungeon, I feel great.

  I have food and water with me, too. The only issue is that I won't be home for aire day, aia might start to worry about me.

  I began walking to look for Mikoto. After about ten minutes, I finally saw her. She was also searg for me. When I got closer, her face lit up with a big smile.

  But as roached, her smile faded.

  She cleared her throat and said, "It's good to see you."

  "It's good to see you too, Mikoto. Did you rest well? Our training will be exhausting," I smiled.

  "I'm alrepared!"

  ParodyGirl