The next morning.

​After breakfast, Tizmilly and Theo changed into their uniforms, getting ready to head to the restaurant as usual. But Calary blocked the door, her hands planted firmly on her waist.

​"Tsk, tsk. Do you two really not know what day it is?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

​The two exchanged glances. "Tuesday?" Tizmilly replied, tilting her head.

​"Not even you, Tizmilly..." Calary let out a long, weary sigh. She looked at them as if she were staring at two idiots. "It must be Theo. My son, what have you done to her? She’s becoming more like you every day!"

​Calary kept sighing, confusing the two even further.

​Theo frowned. "What’s the matter, Mom? Are you drunk or something? Why complain for no reason?"

​Calary looked up, sending them a condescending gaze that made them feel smaller than ants.

​"No reason?" Calary laughed flatly. "Oh, sure. Then count how long it’s been since Tizmilly started living with us."

​Theo scratched his head and began counting on his fingers. "Err... From the day after the graduation party, until now..."

​Tizmilly helped him count.

​"Thirty-one?" Theo said hesitatingly.

​"No, it’s the thirtieth day, Mr. Roost!" Tizmilly immediately corrected him.

​"Oh, I see..." Theo nodded, still looking puzzled. Tizmilly felt the same. "But... so what?"

​"Why, Dear? How can our son be this dumb, Dear?" Calary sighed exasperatedly, covering her face with her hands.

​Slowly, she uncovered her eyes and looked at their innocent faces. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. In the end, they are still children. Be patient, she thought.

​"That’s right," Calary said, nodding solemnly. "Today marks Tizmilly’s thirtieth day with us."

​Theo and Tizmilly blinked, a silent question mark floating above their heads. Their blank stares made a vein bulge on Calary’s forehead.

​"Argh! That means you should celebrate it, Theo!" Calary yelled, finally losing her patience. "Now, go change into your best outfits, both of you! Go have a good day together. Forget the restaurant for today—leave it to me!"

​Knowing they couldn’t convince Calary once her mind was made up, Tizmilly and Theo reluctantly shed their uniforms and changed into their best clothes.

​Which led to them walking down the street, side by

side. Aimlessly. With flushed, awkward faces.

Only the sound of their and the pedestrian’s footsteps, could be heard. Both wanted to break the silence, but didn’t know how.

After a full ten minutes of silence, Theo forced a small smile. "I’m sorry about this, Tizmilly. My mother is just... stubborn. Even if we aren’t actually—well, you know."

​Tizmilly quickly shook her head. "N-no, it’s okay, Mr. Roost! I don’t mind. I’ve never met anyone who cared about me as much as Mrs. Roost does. I was just surprised, that’s all," she said, her voice trailing off. "Even if we did have... that kind of relationship, I don’t think..."

​Theo leaned in, listening curiously, but then two girls approached them.

​"Good morning, Mister, Miss! On a date? How about a gift for the lady? These were handmade by our friend!"

​They held out a decorated glass box showcasing various accessories. Theo noticed Tizmilly’s eyes linger on a bracelet carved from white crystal.

​"How much?" Theo asked.

​"Twenty silver coins, Mister!"

​Tizmilly’s eyes widened, and she immediately stopped Theo as he reached for his wallet. "I’m sorry, it’s too expensive for us," she said softly, returning the piece.

​But Theo didn’t flinch. He placed twenty silver coins on the girl’s palm. "I’ll take it."

​"Thank you, Mister! May you two have a wonderful day!" The girls ran off before Tizmilly could protest.

​Theo turned to her, offering the white crystal. "You liked it, right? Here."

​Tizmilly hesitated, but as she took it, the cool surface of the crystal triggered a flood of memories. She remembered the bracelet her mother gave her—a token from a woman who had eventually cast her aside. But then, those bitter thoughts were washed away by images of Theo.

​His wide smile when he reached out to her in that lonely hall. His grin after the Rain Serpent fight. His defiant face against Prince Agraviel. All the warmth he had given her in these thirty days suddenly felt overwhelming.

​Tears began to blur her vision, falling onto the bracelet.

​"E-eh?! Tizmilly?" Theo started flailing his hands in a panic. "Did I get it wrong? Do you hate it? I-I’m sorry! Please don’t cry!"

Tizmilly let out a shaky laugh, wiping her damp cheeks with the back of her hand. "Please, stop, Mr. Roost. People are starting to look at us like you just robbed me."

​Theo stopped his frantic movements, his face a mix of relief and lingering confusion. "So... you’re not mad? You really like it?"

​"I love it," she whispered, carefully sliding the white crystal bracelet onto her wrist. It fit perfectly. "I was just thinking about how much my life has changed. Thank you for not leaving me back then."

​Theo cleared his throat, looking away to hide his own burning ears. "Yeah, well... it’s a celebration, remember? Come on, I heard there’s a new stall selling honey-glazed skewers near the fountain. My treat."

​They continued their walk, and this time, the silence between them was no longer heavy. It was warm. They blended into the bustling crowd of the Dungeon City, passing by dungeon divers shouting their latest feat and merchants haggling over potions.

​They had just reached the main plaza when a sharp, melodic voice cut through the noise.

​"Oh my, what do we have here? Is the ’Dungeon Maniac’ finally taking a day off to play Prince Charming? I see you are having a date now with your pretty girlfriend, huh, Theo?"

​Theo stiffened. He didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. Standing near a high-end boutique with several shopping bags in her hand, was Lady Peta, looking at them with a predatory, mischievous glint in her eyes.

Both turned around to look at the woman. Her black pixie hair was fluttering in the air as she walked quickly toward them.

"Someone you know?" Tizmilly asked Theo softly.

Theo scratched his cheek. "It’s Lady Peta. She works as a Receptionist at the same Dungeon Post as Lady Risa," Theo introduced the woman to Tizmilly with a bitter smile.

"Oh, I see, she indeed is a gorgeous one~ I wonder how you get to attract such a fine girl, Theo. Maybe using a charm?" Lady Peta leaned in, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she scanned Tizmilly.

"Of course not," Theo answered flatly. "What kind of man do you think I am?"

Lady Peta looked up to him, grinning. "Well, a... Maniac who likes to fight monsters like crazy?"

Theo responded with an expressionless face, which amused the woman even further.

Tizmilly took a step back. "Nice to meet you, Lady Peta. My name is... Tizmilly."

​"Hello, hello, girl~" Lady Peta replied cheerfully.

​She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, straightening her back as she glanced between Theo—who was silently pleading with his eyes for her to stop—and Tizmilly, who watched her warily.

​Lady Peta grinned. "I doubt that you’re just friends, though. You two look exactly like a new couple. Ah, being young is so wonderful. I envy you guys~"

​"Aren’t you also still young?" Theo replied flatly.

​Lady Peta wagged a finger, shaking her head. "Tsk, tsk. You don’t understand, Theo. I mean being young mentally. The first date, the first kiss, and the first—"

​"Alright, I get it," Theo interrupted, noticing Tizmilly’s face had become as red as her hair.

​"Haha! I’d love to join you if you weren’t on a date, but unfortunately, I’m booked. Look at all this." Lady Peta laughed, lifting her shopping bags.

​She leaned in closer to Theo, nudging his side with her elbow. "You might not be official yet, but you like her, don’t you? Go for it, Theo. Kiss her today and everything will work out well, trust me!" she whispered.

​"Leave me alone!" Theo whispered back sharply, nudging her away.

​Lady Peta just laughed again. "Then, goodbye, you two~!" She waved at Tizmilly before turning on her heel and disappearing into the crowd.

​Theo sighed, his hand on his hip. "Why won’t anyone just listen to me for once?"

​Tizmilly giggled, covering her smile with her palm. "I think she’s not that bad."

​"You think so?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

​"Yes!"

​Theo smiled, scratching his cheek. He looked around until he spotted the stall he had mentioned earlier. "There it is. Let’s see if their skewers are actually worth the hype!"

​Tizmilly nodded and followed close behind him. They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the city, trying foods and visiting places they had always been too busy to explore.

​For a few hours, they weren’t a restaurant owner and an assistant, or a former gamer and a fallen noble. They were just two people having fun like normal Dungeon City residents.

​And that was more than enough.