In response to the deeply penetrating words, Carlos abruptly stopped. About two steps apart, the two men faced each other, and the late autumn wind embraced the space between them with a subtle chill. At first glance, they looked similar, but their pairs of violet eyes radiated different warmth.

Amidst the profound stillness, almost to the extent of hearing the chirping of fireflies, Carlos was the first to speak.

“…How do you know that fact?”

Abel smiled in response.

“I don’t have the only eyes and ears that see the world.”

As Abel finished speaking, the surrounding air chillingly dropped in temperature. Abel had used his ability to lower the temperature of the water vapor. Now that he thought about it, Abel could freely manipulate water.

Just like Carlos could see and hear the world through shadows, Abel could also see and hear through water.

“…”

Only then did Carlos realize this fact, and he sighed deeply, covering his forehead with his palm.

“Why are you sighing like that? It’s annoying.”

“…”

Already agitated, and with Abel adding annoying remarks, Carlos glared at Abel. If his gaze could pierce someone like a fierce look, he might have done it several times.

“Ahem.”

Feeling like he might really get hit if he kept complaining, Abel cleared his throat and redirected the conversation back to its original topic.

“Anyway, if you’re worried that I’ll fight with the pigeons, it’s okay. There won’t be any fighting with those pigeon fellows this time.”

The statement that a cat would just pass by a fish store felt unbelievably untrustworthy.

Abel had an overwhelming number of enemies among the priests, and it wasn’t just once or twice that he had conflicts. Seeing Carlos giving a very skeptical look, Abel looked disappointed and lowered his shoulders as if to say that it was too much.

“Really, that’s too much. Can’t you believe a friend’s words?”

“Aren’t we friends? But why don’t you believe my words, Dale?”

“…”

Seeing Abel’s expression reminiscent of when he complained to Dale for understanding, Carlos closed his eyes tightly. Knowing well how painful and sad it was not to be believed by someone he considered a friend, he couldn’t just let it slide.

Approaching Carlos gently, Abel grabbed his arm and spoke as if pleading.

“It’s been a long time since I came to the human world. I want to look around a bit more. Huh? I won’t fight with the pigeons this time, and I’ll spend it quietly, so please allow it.”

Although Abel was the lord of the underground, he didn’t need Carlos’s permission to stay in the human world. Nevertheless, when he asked like this, looking at Carlos, who was looking for his approval, Carlos couldn’t ignore it.

Carlos, exhaling a deep sigh from the depths of his chest, asked without holding back.

“…Are you really going to spend it quietly?”

With a question that was almost equivalent to giving permission, a bright smile spread across Abel’s face.
“Of course! I won’t fight them unless they pick a fight with me first.”

“Such a thing will never happen.”

Unless one’s life was deemed insignificant, the priests had no reason to provoke those in Esper Castle.

“So, promise me you won’t fight with the pigeons.”

“Yes! I will definitely keep the promise!”

Good answer.

Carlos glanced at Abel with an unpleasant look and then turned his head.

“But Carlos.”

He shouldn’t regret allowing Abel to stay longer at Esper Castle.

“Did you bump into something? Your lips seem slightly swollen.”

“…”

Without even a second passing since he thought about it, Carlos, deeply regretting, harshly shook off Abel’s hand that still held his arm.

Late at night, under the waning moon.

“…”

Normally, it would have been time to sleep, but Irene couldn’t fall asleep and kept tossing and turning.

Her mind was restless because of the kiss with Carlos in the bathroom.

Her head kept replaying that scene like a malfunctioning magical image player.

Even after drinking water several times and brushing her teeth, the sensation of the cold and dry lips touching hers didn’t go away.

Irene suddenly touched her lips.

Whether it was because of her mood or not, her lips seemed slightly swollen.

‘…That can’t be true.’

If that were the case, Jesse would have noticed and asked.

So, she decided to stop unnecessary delusions and quickly go to sleep.

Although she made that resolution, her consciousness remained clear, and her eyes were wide open.

If she tried to force herself to sleep with closed eyes, the memory of that moment came back more vividly, making it impossible.

In the midst of that, her chest felt stuffy and her throat was parched, mainly because she couldn’t fathom Carlos’s intention in kissing her without any emotions.

If only she knew that, she could peacefully fall asleep.

…Or perhaps it would make it even harder to sleep?

If Carlos did what he did without any emotion, just swept away by the atmosphere, Irene might feel hurt if he said it was just an action influenced by the surroundings.

So, what do I wish for the man who kissed me?

“…”