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"Hmm? What\'s the matter?"

Banning halted as well, his demeanor maintaining an unruffled tranquility. In contrast, Avril was so agitated that she found breathing difficult.

"I mean...that is...I...I..."

The words were clearly on the tip of her tongue, but Avril could not bring herself to utter the crucial two words.

She was uncertain about the nature of her own fear, her mind a blank canvas.

"Hmm? What\'s wrong?"

"I..."

If regrets could be remedied by a potion, Avril would\'ve swallowed a ton by now. Unfortunately, no such elixir existed in the world; she had no option but to summon courage to confront herself.

"I..."

"Go on, I\'m listening."

"I...I..."

"Hmm?"

"I...I thank you!"

"Huh?"

Banning was dumbfounded. So was Avril.

Was this the statement that she\'d been stammering about all this time?

Nevertheless, Avril\'s nimble mind swiftly regained its footing.

"Back...back when a column had toppled over...you saved me, Banning. I...I haven\'t properly expressed my gratitude yet..."

"In addition...I want to thank you for the kebab you gave me at the barbecue party...and for all the fresh meat you\'ve provided me since...I\'m extremely grateful for all of it, so...thank you, Banning."

Avril\'s words were somewhat disjointed, but she managed to express her sentiments. She was profoundly frustrated with herself for not being able to articulate the words she meant to say, while these expressions of gratitude flowed effortlessly.

"Haha, I thought it was something serious. These are trivial matters, don\'t mind them."

Banning\'s hearty laughter somewhat eased Avril\'s tension. Although she failed to confess her feelings, at least she was able to express her gratitude, which in itself was a significant progress.

"By the way, Avril, did you eat enough just now? Three pieces of sweet sauce potato per person is insufficient for me. Would you like to eat some more at my place?"

"Eh, eh, how could I...If it\'s about eating..."

Banning\'s sudden invitation took Avril by surprise. Moreover, speaking of having a meal at home, Avril actually...

"If it\'s about eating, then...then I should be the one treating you...as a token of gratitude...and such..."

Avril\'s voice dwindled to a whisper, barely audible by the end.

The idea of inviting Banning over for dinner was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. She had been contemplating it for quite some time, but had never mustered the courage to propose it. Since Banning brought it up, she seized the opportunity, and then started worrying whether he would accept or not.

However, the apprehensive Avril did not realize that what she considered a "coincidence" was actually the result of Banning\'s meticulous calculation.

Upon discerning Avril\'s near confession through his telepathy, Banning resolved to employ the ambiance of this evening\'s Rain Praise Festival to further encourage her. Since the confession was unsuccessful during the festival, he chose to propose dining together as a means to extend their exclusive time.

The atmosphere of solitude at home would surely afford Avril a greater sense of security than under the public gaze at the base of the Floral Fire Tower, as individuals are bolder when they feel safe.

"Dine at your place? That\'s feasible, but only if you promise me one thing before I come over for dinner."

To Avril\'s surprise, Banning agreed readily, but what could this stipulation be before he could come over for dinner? Avril had never heard of someone making a request before accepting a dinner invitation.

"What is it?" Avril asked, somewhat unsettled.

Banning first offered a mysterious smile before saying, "After the meal, I insist on washing the dishes and cleaning up, or else I won\'t come."

"....Eh? What??"

Avril, despite her best guesses, hadn\'t expected Banning\'s condition to be such. This was clearly a voluntary offer of help; how could it be construed as a demand?

"So, do you agree? If not, I won\'t go."

Banning assumed a child-like, petulant demeanor that successfully amused Avril.

"Yes, yes, I agree."

"Ha ha! Then let\'s go! I\'m starved."

At that moment, Avril felt an unprecedented harmony in the atmosphere between Banning and herself, her previous nervousness vanished into thin air.

Banning truly was capable, approachable, and amusing.

---(I... I truly am fond of you, Banning...)

---(I hope this sentiment... someday... I will have the courage to convey it to you...)

·

Tonight marked Tyler\'s second visit to Avril\'s residence, or the third if his stealthy infiltration was included.

Upon entering, Avril was still somewhat reserved, but already much more natural than before.

Tyler observed these changes, which were exactly what he had been deliberately leading.

In order to attract Avril earlier, Tyler had deliberately created a "distance" between them, but now, for the introverted and shy Avril, this "distance" had become a major impediment to confession. Therefore, Tyler began to gradually bridge this distance, letting Avril unwittingly relax further.

"Let me assist you in cooking, Avril."

"No, there\'s no need... I... I\'m pretty quick."

Although Avril claimed to be quick, in reality, the dishes had been prepared beforehand. She certainly didn\'t want Banning to discover this. Inviting Banning to dinner was a premeditated act - no, a well-prepared one. All she had to do now was to light the firewood and toss the dishes into the pot.

Avril moved with deft certainty within the kitchen, Banning engaging in a somewhat desultory conversation by her side. In no time at all, dinner was prepared, ready to be served.

"I\'ll help serve the dishes."

Banning sprung into action with a level of skill comparable to Avril\'s, efficiently setting the table in a flash.

Avril\'s dining table was a small square one, overlaid with a linen-colored tablecloth. Tonight, two candles adorned the table - not as an attempt at creating a romantic candlelit dinner by Banning, but because the villagers typically used candles for illumination in the evenings. The luxury of luminous magic stones was solely within the purview of city dwellers.

"These dishes are quite basic, I\'m not sure... if they\'ll suit your taste..."

As the two sat opposite each other under the candlelight, there was a warm coziness unique to familial settings.

"Avril, you\'ve already added the world\'s best seasoning, how could it not suit my taste?"

"The world\'s best seasoning...? I-I haven\'t added anything that special, just some ordinary..."

"You have, the world\'s best seasoning, that is your heartfelt effort, Avril."

Such words, if used between a man and woman who\'d only recently become acquainted, would be considered a prime example of cringe-worthy romantic lines. However, Banning and Avril\'s current atmosphere was perfect for it, successfully stirring up Avril\'s emotions, and shifting the ambiance from "familial warmth" to a "youthful ambiguity."

Avril, who had relaxed, now felt her heartbeat quicken once again.

— (My heartfelt effort, what does he mean by that? Gratitude? Or is it...?)

— (Could it be, has he... noticed?... No, surely not...?!)

Tonight\'s dinner table was destined to be the final battleground of Banning\'s campaign.