It took quite a while before Eyjafjalla finally calmed down.
Her life had always been simple—volcanic Catastrophe research took up over 80% of her time. The rest went toward basic necessities like eating and sleeping.
Her Oripathy, and her arrival at Rhodes Island for treatment and HR assistance, were only minor detours in her otherwise focused routine.
So when faced with a legendary Catastrophe Messenger—one who had accurately predicted volcanic eruptions and saved several cities—it was natural for Eyjafjalla to feel sincere admiration and respect.
"I-I'm sorry… for being so pushy just now…"
Eyjafjalla wasn't stupid. She could tell her reverence was making Revy a little uncomfortable. But her admiration for him made it difficult to control.
"It's fine. I've been through all kinds of situations."
Revy didn't elaborate, but during his time as a Catastrophe Messenger, he had interacted with people from all walks of life, across countless nations.
Some went from contempt to gratitude. Others expressed admiration or trust.
But more often than not, what he received was fear and loathing—the kind reserved for the Infected.
Even when his forecasts saved entire nomadic cities, people still sent him away with eyes full of hate—as though the Catastrophes and Oripathy had been his fault.
So yes, Eyjafjalla's attitude was unusual.
But not unwelcome.
If anything, Revy found it… a little endearing.
"Um… Revy-senpai… can we maybe… talk more often?"
The little sheep asked timidly.
"Hmm… maybe not right now."
He glanced at the girl's eyes darkening in disappointment and quickly added:
"You see—because of a certain ancient witch overworking me, my desk's buried in paperwork. If I don't finish on time, she'll chew me out."
Eyjafjalla followed his gaze to the towering pile of documents.
"…Ah."
Comparing it to her own desk, Revy had at least ten times as much work.
"I'd love to chat with such a charming lady—but I need about an hour to finish this first."
She didn't question whether an hour was actually enough for that mountain of files.
(He called me cute… Revy-senpai said I'm cute!)
Her cheeks flushed, and she gave a shy little nod.
"…Okay."
——Scene Break——
Revy worked with a stopwatch—an old habit from his Catastrophe Messenger days.
Being even one second late could mean the difference between life and death.
So when his pen scribbled the words "Incomplete data—recommend rejection" on the final document, his watch showed 59 minutes and 54 seconds.
He glanced up—thinking he had five seconds to stretch—
And locked eyes with Eyjafjalla, who had apparently been watching him intently for quite some time.
Awkwardly, he lowered his halfway-raised arm.
"Uh… Eyjafjalla?"
"Y-Yes! Revy-senpai!"
Still reeling from how absurdly fast he had finished all that paperwork, Eyjafjalla was caught off guard by his voice—and shouted on reflex.
Then she saw the amused look in his eyes… and turned red again.
"D-don't tease me like that, senpai…"
(…What did I do this time?)
Revy really wanted to throw up his hands.
"That old witch really knows me too well…"
He muttered, eyeing the neatly completed dossiers—and the large pile of applicants he had personally rejected.
"Still got time before lunch. Guess I can slack off a bit now."
Eyjafjalla's face lit up. Not because she was excited to slack off—
But because it meant she could finally talk with her idol.
"Senpai… what was life like as a Catastrophe Messenger?"
Then, almost apologetically, she added:
"Because of my condition, I mostly do data analysis now. Even before my infection, I only managed some fieldwork in volcano zones…"
"I was never able to travel from city to city, like you did…"
Revy listened quietly and nodded.
Her condition was evident—her delicate build, her breathy voice. She hadn't chosen to become a desk worker—her body had forced it on her.
Yet despite all that, she still longed for the freedom of a field researcher. She wanted to be like him.
(…Kid… being a Catastrophe Messenger isn't as romantic as it sounds…)
That was Revy's experience, and his honest belief.
But just as he was about to speak—
He saw her eyes.
Large, pink, and full of curiosity. Longing. And a flicker of determination.
He let out a silent sigh.
"…All right. Since we've got time…""Why don't I tell you some of the more interesting stories I've run into?"