Chatter Chatter Chatter

  The sun was high on the sky and the third bell had just rang loudly. Lunch had arrived and the town was busier than ever, people flog to stalls and inns as they tried to sate their rumbling stomachs with all sorts of delicious goodness.

  Skewers, sandwiches, stew, wieners, vegetable soups, and many more. A harmony of different appetizing fragrances dahroughout the whole city as thin pilrs of smoke rose from the stalls and kit, the taste of food in the air.

  The tral market was especially busy. With the amount of wonderful stalls and stores present there, there was an equally amazing amount of people gathering, all wearing rge, bright smiles on their faces as they savored the fvors rushing in their mouths, chugging beverages at the same time.

  "It sure is crowded, huh..." ［Yuna］

  "Mmn... I wonder if we still find a spot for ourselves..." ［Aria］

  And amongst such a busy crowd were two elves of gold and silver, eyes blue like the deep o. They were great beauties as well, garnering attention as they walked around the streets, yet unfazed by such stares.

  "Ah! There's some empty spot... over... there..." ［Aria］

  Aria pointed in a certain dire, but before she could even her words, her voices quickly started to die down as the spot she poi was suddenly occupied by a party of hungry people. She was out of luck.

  "Ah... It got taken over..." ［Aria］

  "Don't be too sad, Miss Aria. We just eat as we shop around. I think it's fun in its own way, right?" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu. You're right. Shall we get started then?" ［Aria］

  "U's go shopping～!" ［Yuna］

  There was no time to feel down. If they were out of luck, they simply go another route and enjoy their meal as they take a stroll. Bright smiles were blooming on their faces as they headed from stall to stall, what they fancied.

  From meat dishes all the way to desserts, Yuna and Aria hopped from pce to pce, trying out their specialties and enjoying their time to the fullest. Yuna was especially

  happy, eyes sparkling brightly as she got to taste new dishes Aria introduced to her.

  And as one would expect from the two, they received freebies here and there. Not only are they known as heroes, they were also great beauties. Both men and women alike are ensnared by their geousness.

  So much freebies, in fact, that Yuna was now carrying dozens upon dozens of food they bought from the stalls. It was actually pretty amazing how she could hold so much food in her arms without much difficulty. She ro.

  "We've known each other for more than a year already, but no matter how many times I see it... You really are amazing, huh, Yuna..." ［Aria］

  "Mou... I'm still growing, you know..." ［Yuna］

  Or so she says, but not even people in puberty could e as much as she could. She was grumbling and puffing her cheeks, all the while chewing on the skewers, a delighted expression soon blooming on her face.

  "And, Miss Aria, I wasn't always like this. I ate the normal amount other people did, or rather, I didn't evehat much." ［Yuna］

  "Eh～? That's iing... So, what happened?" ［Aria］

  "Well, that's... I met Grey..." ［Yuna］

  "Ah..." ［Aria］

  There is no need for further expnation. It may have been short, but Aria had seen first hand how Grey and Yuna lived their daily lives. She knew full well how overprotective Grey was. He wasn't oo let Yuna go if she does a proper amount.

  "Kugh... It's because of his food... I couldn't resist it..." ［Yuna］

  And bi with the fact that Grey's cooking was out of the world, Yuna couldn't eve his invitation if he wao. After all, it was also one of the reasons she fell in love with Grey. Her heart was captured by his cooking.

  There was a time Yuna tried to resist the temptation, but Grey annoyed her to no end until she finally took a bite. A bite turned into a few bites, soon to a whole pte, and a couple more ptes after that. She failed very spectacurly.

  Thankfully, due to her always moving during training and her high metabolism, she didn't gain a. And not gaini, she ate some more, trained some more, and maintained her weight. An endless cycle. It was all Grey's fault.

  "I see... So you fell frey because of his cooking, huh..." ［Aria］

  "A-Ah! No, that's not it! I mean! There's that, but that's not it at all!" ［Yuna］

  "Is it? Or is it not? Whie is it?" ［Aria］

  "It's... It's because Grey is kind... gentle... and sweet... And though he's strict during training, he's also very g... It's not just one reason..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna ended her words, feet soon ing to a halt. Her face was now beet red, face feeling hot and feverish as her heart raced like a galloping stallion. She just realized how embarrassing her words were, flustered as one be.

  "Miss Aria... Please fet everything I said..." ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! I'm afraid I 't do that～!" ［Aria］

  "Geez! Miss Aria!" ［Yuna］

  Embarrassment in the air, the two dies tiheir stroll with Yuna chasing after Aria. They went from stall to stall, buying all sorts of things with bright smiles on their faces. And it wasn't just because they wao taste a lot of things, they also waheir beloved to have a taste as well.

  After the market, Aria and Yuna headed to the boutiques , buying all sorts and styles of clothing. Eae of them beautifully suited the two of them, garnering all eyes as they showed off their grace. A two-person fashion show.

  Aria grabbed a dress of red and bck, and draped herself with it. The dress fitted as if it was tailored for her, atuating her figure and ad her with a seductive and mature allure. Stars sparkled as she twirled her dress around.

  "Yuna, what do you think of this? Does it suit me?" ［Aria］

  "Un! It really does! Miss Aria looks so beautiful!" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! I could say the same. White really does suit you perfectly, Yuna." ［Aria］

  Well, it wasn't just Aria. Yuna was wearing a white and tight sleeveless frill blouse on top, and a short, checked knee-length skirt below. She also wore high heels for a ge, further enhang ess by several folds.

  "Miss Aria, do you think Grey will like it?" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! What sort of question is that? It's Grey we're talking about. I'm sure he'll say you're cute no matter what you wear." ［Aria］

  "That's true..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna couldn't even deny Aria's words. Be it a dress, a blouse, or even a jacket, Grey would surely call her the most beautiful in the world, eyes filled with hearts. Well, it's not just Grey, Kris was also the same case. Both men were head over heels for the two, powerless against their beloved.

  Still, Aria and Yuna want to put some effort in choosing their clothes, not only for their men, but for themselves as well. After all, what kind of woma want to pretty themselves up? It's the nature of people to seek beauty and to want to be beautiful themselves.

  "Then, Miss, we'd like to buy all of these, please. How much are they? I will be paying right up." ［Aria］

  "Ah! Miss Aria, I'll pay for myself!" ［Yuna］

  "Don't worry about it, silly. As the one who invited you, I should at least do this much, right? Just rex and leave it to me, okay?" ［Aria］

  Yuna wants tue back, but with Aria putting it in such a way, there was no way she could reject her offer. The tter was already like an older sister to her, after all. It's not a bad idea relying on her from time to time.

  "Okay... And, thank you..." ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! You're wele." ［Aria］

  And like an older sister, as Aria ended her words, she then gave Yuna a ge on her head as she giggled ever so softly. She then tinued her talk with one of the clerks, cheg out their items and paying it up front.

  The total cost her several thousand kiels, but with pockets as deep as Aria's, su amount barely made a dent on her money. In fact, she brought so much that they could still buy a couple dozen clothes and dresses, no problem.

  "Then, shall we head to our destination?" ［Aria］

  "U's go!" ［Yuna］

  Of course, as one would expect from women, their shopping spree wouldn't just end with oore alohey then headed store after store, buying all sorts of apparels which they fancied, even buying underwear while they're at it.

  From boutiques to the theaters, our two elvehen watched a py to eain themselves, admiring the py silently as various expressions unfolded on their faces. Though they've already seen what was being pyed, watg it again wasn't so bad.

  "I've e to see you, my dearest princess."

  "Nooo! How could you do this?!"

  "You dare challenge me, mortal?!"

  The py was all about the quest of a legendary hero filled with love, tragedies, and challenges. Silened over the pce as the actors poured their hearts and souls into their ag, everyone captured by their skills and passion.

  There were tears, there were smiles, there were screams and shrieks, and there puse at the end. A pandemonium of loud noises rang throughout the air as the curtains rose and fell, acts pyed oer another.

  "Waah～! That was a good py!" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. I especially like the part where the hero fought a dragon." ［Aria］

  "Un! I also want to fight a dragon someday. I wonder where I find one." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, please don't say such scary things." ［Aria］

  And their py reviews were... quite iing. Though it was normal at first, talking about what happened and chatting normally like any other, their versatioook a weird turo Yuna's ent.

  Rather than simply admiring the py, she was now w how powerful a dragon is and where she could find one. Not only would it be good for training, there was also the fact that drago is said to be an exquisite delicacy. She was all for it.

  Well, not that Aria could really bme her too much. She was also quite curious and ied about what fighting dragons would be like, wanting to see one for herself. In the end, adventurers are all the same in the core.

  "Then, now that we're doh the theater... Where should we head ?" ［Aria］

  "Ah! Miss Aria, I knoce!" ［Yuna］

  There was no time to dilly-dally. After the theater, Aria and Yuna then headed to the gamier Yuna and Grey once visited, a merry and lively atmosphere ringing in their ears the moment they stepped inside.

  pared to when Yuna st visited, there were much mames and attras around, the gamier growing more and more as their ers grew in number, slowly being more and more like gamiers ba Earth.

  And as it wouldn't be fun if Yuna and Aria simply used their full strength, the two decided to limit it to match that of F-rankers. That way, they could use their skills without going overboard. The perfect bance.

  The first game Yuna and Aria pyed was one where goblins would pop out of holes in the mae and the pyer had to hit them with the light wooden bat given to them. Each successful hit is a point, with a rare iving 5 points with every hit.

  Of course, in sideration t people who may py the game and their absurd reflexes, the speed at which the goblins pop in and stay out was much shorter, with the orc being the shortest of them all. It was Merusian-style whack-a-mole!

  "Are you ready, Miss Aria?" ［Yuna］

  "Ready when you are." ［Aria］

  Beep Beep Beep Ting

  The mae beeped and bopped, and when the bell rang, the game finally started. A flurry of strikes rained down upon the maes and struck the popping goblins oer another, scores rising by the minute.

  They may have limited their strengths to F-rank, but their reflexes were that of High-Rankers. Not a single goblin or orc were spared, eae hit with brute force which would make one shiver at the sheer sight of it.

  The timer went down sed by sed and the flurry of strikes tinued. More than half the time had epsed and both of them still hadn't missed a single shot. Such a streak tinued until the bell rang once again. The game has finished

  "A tie, huh..." ［Yuna］

  "So it's a tie..." ［Aria］

  No, it wasn't just a simple tie. Both Yuna and Aria got perfect scores, the whack-a-monster mae ringing with a sweet melody as the little mascot on top shook and wiggled as if it was dang. A spectacle which garhe eyes of many.

  "Well, it 't be helped. Should we try out aname?" ［Aria］

  "U's go over there, Miss Aria! I haven't seen that one!" ［Yuna］

  "That's fine by me, but I'll pick the one, okay?" ［Aria］

  "U's take turns pig games!" ［Yuna］

  Setting a record on the whack-a-monster mae, Aria and Yuna hopped from game to game and pyed eae with skill and grace. They garhe attention of many, kids admiring them with sparkling eyes.

  There were even times that they blindfolded themselves to make the challenges much harder, but as one would expect from the two, they got high scores in all the games, achieving perfe in a lot of them. New legends were born.

  After the gamier, Yuna and Aria then headed to a lot more venues, from the ever so colorful gardens all the way to the peaceful city sides, basking in the sun as they y down the soft, green grass, chatting peacefully.

  "Right, that reminds me. Miss Aria, have you heard the news already?" ［Yuna］

  "News? What news?" ［Aria］

  "You know... About Missus Valka..." ［Yuna］

  "Ah... That..." ［Aria］

  Amongst the topic they discussed, there was Valka's pregnancy. A mix of emotions dwelled on Aria's face as she pondered. She was happy, but also a little fused. After all, who would have thought she'll get a younger sibling at su age.

  In fact, the very first time she heard about the news over the telephone, she froze into a statue, miied like that of outer space. As her family tihe call, her mind was elsewhere, drifting afloat iiness.

  Thankfully, Kris was around to take note of what they said. He was also in shock, but not as much as Aria was. It took her a few hours to prehend what she just heard, still a little fused even now.

  "But, Yuna, how did you know about it? Did Mom and Dad tell you?" ［Aria］

  "Ah, no... Actually, me and Grey went to Malus vilge a couple days ago, and he heard the here... It was really shog to say the least." ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! I could imagine." ［Aria］

  It wasn't just shog, it was extremely shog. Especially with Falroe and Valka treating it as if it was something natural, ag carefree as ever. But such was much better than them getting worried. Much, much better.

  "But well, though I say I'm surprised, I'm also a little excited. It's been so long since Zeke was born. I've almost fotten what holding a baby feels like." ［Aria］

  "Ah! Speaking of which, I've just held a baby just retly, and she was extremely light! And she looked sile too, so I was a little bit scared to hold her. Thankfully, Big Sis Vanessa was there." ［Yuna］

  "Oh, that's right. Vanessa did just give birth retly. How was the baby?" ［Aria］

  "She's been well. Her name's Antoie and she was extremely cute!" ［Yuna］

  Like aed child telling her mother what happe school, Yuna bbbered on about how adorable Antoie was. Her smile, her little hand movements, and her surprisingly strong grip. She didn't leave a siail behind.

  Of course, Aria also didn't simply listen. Like a proud older sister, she talked about how cute Reina and Zeke were when they were still kids. She was surprisingly chatty, delving into the past as she shared them with Yuna.

  "Ahh～! I want to hold Anne again... I wonder when she'll start crawling." ［Yuna］

  "It is fun seeing them grow. I'm also curious about my new little sibling." ［Aria］

  "Then, Miss Aria, would you like a little brother or a little sister?" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... I'm nor sure... But a little sister would be nice. Boys are a lot of work, after all. Zeke is more than enough for me." ［Aria］

  Said Aria as she reminisced about when Zeke was but a young boy. There wasn't a single day where he would not get in trouble because of his mischievous behavior, always getting home with dirt all over his clothes.

  And perhaps, the worst of all, was when he drags Reina to his shenanigans, the tter also getting home covered in dirt because of Zeke's mischief. And with their parents the way they are, Aria would always be the oo reprimand him. Suostalgia.

  "Speaking of babies... When do you pn on having one, Miss Aria?" ［Yuna］

  Cough Cough Cough

  It was all too sudden, Yuna's face looking as nont as one be. Thankfully, Aria wasing or drinking anything, otherwise, things would have been coughed out here and there, littering on the viridest pins.

  "Yu... Yuna... What kind of question was that?" ［Aria］

  "Eh? You aren't going to have any?" ［Yuna］

  "That's not it! It's just that there's a right time and pce for everything. You 't just spring that up on me! Geez!" ［Aria］

  Aria was a little mad, but even more so, she was flustered. She wao pinch the young elf's cheeks so badly but held herself back, looking a distance away for the tter to not see her embarrassed face.

  It wasn't that Aria hadn't thought of such things, but rather, she doesn't know yet when would be the right time. For now, she just wants to enjoy her time with Kris, moving things along only when they're both ready.

  But just as she thought of their future together, a crumpling sound suddenly eg in the air. And as she turned her head around, she saw a certain silver-haired elf opening a bag of sweets, a bright smile on her face.

  "Miss Aria, snack time! Here, have some!" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah... Yes... Thank you..." ［Aria］

  It was futile. No matter how much Aria tried to uand the young elf before her, she just couldn't get a firm grasp on what's going on in her brain. All she could do t her invitation. The snacks were delicious.

  Time passed some more and the curtain of the afternoon had almost closed. The sky was now turning amber, plenty of streetlights lighting up oer another as the city slowly drifted to rest, the people heading back to their homes.

  "Waah～! That was a lot of fun!" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! I'm gd you e. Should we hang out again someday?" ［Aria］

  "Un! I'd love to!" ［Yuna］

  Slowly and surely, the su over the horizon. Subtle and monotonous footsteps resounded in the air, apanying the slight bustle of the city. As the dies walked back, two familiar figures appeared before them. They were Kris and Grey.

  "Looks like this is where we part ways. See you again tomorrow, Yuna." ［Aria］

  "Un! See you ime～!" ［Yuna］

  There wasn't much to talk about. Everyone only greeted each other shortly and had a brief chat. Before long, they then split ways, both parties heading back to their own homes as the sky tio darken.

  Grey and Yuna were now aloogether, a stramosphere in the air. There was only silen the air, eae stealing a g each other as they held their hands together, tightly as they could.

  "Did you enjoy your day with Miss Aria?" ［Grey］

  "Un! It was really fun! We did a lot of things and also fouuff!" ［Yuna］

  "Oh? Then, would you care telling me about your exploits, Midy?" ［Grey］

  Grey broke the id the versation flowed as smoothly as it usually does. There were smiles and ughter in the air as Yuna shared her experiences, still as excited as one be, Grey chug by her side.

  Several steps after and several minutes passed, and the sun had finally set. The stars had taken its pce, gleaming brightly like diamonds in the sky. The cold wind started to blow as moonlight and starlight alike illumihe world.

  "Right! By the way... What did you and Mister Kris talk about?" ［Grey］

  "Mmm... Well... That's a secret." ［Yuna］

  "Ehh～?! Tell me! Tell me!" ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 258 END