[Glenn]
When I came to my senses, sunlight was beginning to stream through the gap in the curtains. It seemed morning had already arrived.
Disappointed in my own immaturity, I rose from the sofa and stood up.
I should wash my face and get my head working.
Just as I thought that, a knock on the door echoed from outside.
"Good morning. It's Aoi."
Hearing that voice, I became aware that I had unintentionally grimaced. Pathetic as it was, she's the last person I wanted to see right now.
"...This is troublesome. What face should I make to meet her?"
Letting out a sigh, I scratched my head with one hand. Come to think of it, I hadn't bathed last night.
Thinking such thoughts and aiming to at least change my outerwear, I hurriedly got dressed.
"I'm coming in."
"Wai…, wait a moment!"
I unintentionally called for a halt at Aoi's words. In Aoi's case, if I didn't respond, she might really force the door open. To avoid the worst-case scenario, I quickly moved to the front of the door.
"Wha-, what is it?"
I timidly asked through the door, and Aoi answered without hesitation.
"I have something I wanted to ask about your grandson. There might be things that are difficult to speak of, but..."
"...Could you please leave?"
I couldn't hold back. Knowing Aoi, she likely hasn't approached the matter of Solare lightly.
However, even considering that, I simply could not talk about it.
Solare's matter was that delicate…
"I cannot leave, so may I open the door from this side?"
"Why not!?"
You could leave, couldn't you?
I replied out of sheer astonishment. I'm telling you to leave, so why won't you back down?
As I was bewildered, Aoi knocked on the door again.
"I truly apologize, but I want you to open it."
"N-no, I'd like you to at least wait until tomorrow..."
"They say, 'strike while the iron is hot.' First and foremost, action is required."
"'Iron'... Is this really a good deed...?"
I feared Aoi, who showed absolutely no sign of backing down. There was no helping it. Yielding to Aoi's forceful demeanor, I opened the door.
As it opened, Aoi's figure stood before me, looking straight up at me. Looking down into her utterly clear eyes, I let out a deep sigh.
"...You may enter."
"Thank you."
Reluctantly granting permission to enter, Aoi promptly thanked me and stepped inside.
"Sit there."
"Yes. Excuse me."
Despite her polite reply, I somehow felt pressure. With a feeling as if I were being intimidated, I sat on the sofa facing her. Aoi sat with her back straight, placed both her hands on her knees, and looked at me.
"...Let me at least brew some tea."
"Thank you."
Returning a wry smile to Aoi, who bowed her head deeply while seated, I quickly brewed tea using water and fire magic.
The gentle, pleasant aroma of tea spread through the room. It was a calming, good scent. But, why was it? As I poured tea into Aoi's cup sitting directly opposite me, I felt like a prisoner awaiting execution.
Carrying the heavy feeling with me, I sat down on my sofa again.
"...It's a favored brand. I hope it suits your taste."
"I'll have some."
Saying this, Aoi picked up the cup and sipped at the freshly brewed tea. Just watching someone drink, I felt the taste of my familiar tea blooming in my mouth.
Maybe I should have some of my own too. Thinking that, I took the cup before me and brought it to my lips. As the tea flowed into my mouth, warmth and a slightly sweet aroma passed through my nose. Hmm, it was soothing.
"...The last supper, is it?"
"Isn't this teatime, not supper?"
"...Indeed, it is."
Engaging in a somewhat unsettling conversation, we both enjoyed the tea. Then, I thought Aoi's expression softened a little too.
"...It's truly delicious. The taste is close to fruit tea. The aroma resembles Assam tea."
"Oh, you like it?"
Watching Aoi's reaction, I replied while patting my chest in relief. Nodding in agreement, Aoi narrowed her eyes.
"...Now then, let me get to the main point."
"So there is a main point after all."
I asked back with a sigh, and Aoi nodded deeply.
"It may be a difficult topic to broach, but please tell me about your grandson."
"...You ask so imposingly, despite calling it 'difficult to broach.'"
It's the usual Aoi. With a wry smile at her imposing, dignified attitude, my shoulders slumped.
"...So, what do you intend to do after hearing about Solare?"