"Long time no see, Sol."
"Last time I swore I wouldn't let you off. Looks like I'll have to eat those words."
Miyabi's voice rang like clear chimes, though it was tinged with disappointment.
She studied Sol carefully. He looked the same as when they had crossed blades just over a week ago.
Yet now—one week later—he had destroyed half a Hollow with a single punch.
For a moment, she wondered if her memory was faulty. Or perhaps her elders were right—some people grew in a single day what others could not in a year.
Any thought of their rematch… had already been answered.
"A week apart, and you still know how to talk, Miyabi," Sol said with a wry shake of his head, mentally translating her words into their true meaning.
"And don't forget us, Brother Sol!"
Soukaku waved excitedly at him.
Stewed potatoes and braised pork might have been ordinary dishes, but few ever filled her belly with them. Sol was one of the rare few who had.
"Little Soukaku, come by my place sometime. I'll treat you to something good." Sol patted her small blue horns gently, his voice warm. "I've bought lots of snacks recently. They're just sitting in my room, untouched."
With a flourish, he produced a grape lollipop as though from thin air, holding it out to her.
"Heehee, thanks, Brother Sol! I won't be polite about it!"
Soukaku snatched it up, peeled it open, and popped it into her mouth with blissful delight.
Her eyes curved into crescents, the mission long forgotten.
Yanagi only sighed with a helpless smile.
That little one had once again forgotten not to accept things from others so casually. But since it was Sol… she let it slide.
With the loli properly fed, Sol turned to Yanagi. "Yanagi. Long time no see."
Then, after a pause, he glanced at the young man. "And you… Harumasa, right?"
He was pretty sure that was the name. His memory usually didn't fail him.
"Yes. I'm flattered you even remember."
Asaba Harumasa twitched his lips, exasperated.
You nearly forgot me entirely—what happened to calling me a dear friend? Honestly…
Yanagi's faint smile deepened with amusement.
After some light chatter, the week apart hadn't left them awkward.
After all, phones existed for a reason—and Sol never missed a chance to spam them with nightly goodnight messages.
…
The maids and butler of Victoria Housekeeping, who stood nearby, exchanged glances of surprise.
Von Lycaon hadn't expected Sol to be so familiar with Section Six. Winning him over had just grown more complicated.
Ellen's eyes lingered on Miyabi's group with curiosity.
She too had heard of the youngest Void Hunter—but she hadn't imagined she was close with Sol.
Lycaon had said Miyabi once lost a duel against him. Ellen had assumed they were rivals.
Now, it seemed "friends" was the truer word.
So, this is that saying—no friendship without a good fight…
She couldn't help but admire Sol's knack for relationships. Everywhere he went, he had friends—remarkable ones at that.
Still… that blue-horned girl had a grape lollipop. Ellen suddenly found herself craving one too.
…A few minutes later…
After catching up, Miyabi turned back to Sol.
"Sol, what brings you here today? Was destroying half a Hollow your goal?"
She knew he had cracked a case involving the Vision Corporation days ago, and that his partnership with Belobog Heavy Industries was underway.
By rights, he should be at home resting—or busy with business.
She had even postponed their willpower training session, assuming he'd be tied up.
"Not exactly," Sol said, gesturing toward Von Lycaon's group. "I took their commission. They needed someone to deal with an Ethereal that was supposed to be pretty tough."
"You mean that pile of steel scraps?" Soukaku piped up. "It did look scary. I definitely couldn't beat it."
"That's the one." Sol nodded. "I may have used a little too much force, and then—"
"And then you destroyed half a Hollow?"
Yanagi finished his sentence, her tone strained.
She honestly didn't know how else to phrase it.
If a little too much force could annihilate half a Hollow… what would more do?
"Should I file a report with Section Six?" Sol asked lightly. "After that, we could have another round of tennis. Sounds fun to me."
Harumasa nearly jumped out of his skin. "No, no! You didn't commit a crime—you actually helped us. There's no need for any report!"
Tennis again? Was he insane?!
If Sol punched with the same strength he'd used earlier, it would be murder-tennis! Even if he only refereed, it would still be life-threatening!
Sol turned to Yanagi next.
"No need," she said gently, nodding.
Their mission had simply been to eliminate the Hollow's high-risk Ethereal. Everything else was secondary.
Besides—who would dare insist that a man who could level half a Hollow register paperwork? Their bones weren't as tough as Hollow barriers.
Even as friendly as she was with Sol, Yanagi had no intention of risking that.
"Sol, why don't you chat with our leader a bit," Yanagi suggested with a smile, turning toward Lycaon. "Meanwhile, I'd like to ask this wolfman gentleman a few routine questions."
"By all means, miss."
Lycaon stepped forward politely, ready for inquiry.
Meanwhile, Sol remained by Miyabi and Soukaku, slipping back into casual conversation.
He wasn't particularly worried about Victoria Housekeeping.
After all, they were no simple cleaning crew—especially if they had ties to an Ethereal fused with dozens of heavy mechs. Their background was clearly deep.
"Slurp, slurp!"
Soukaku licked her lollipop with full concentration, serving as a cheerful soundtrack to Sol and Miyabi's talk.
Neither minded—in fact, her noisy enjoyment made the atmosphere lighter.
"So, Miyabi, how have you been lately?" Sol asked casually.
"Good. Practicing swordsmanship, completing training, slaying Ethereals, choosing melons…" she recited calmly. "The same as always. A fine regimen."
"Ever thought of relaxing a little? A new film just came out to great reviews." Sol remembered Ling recommending it. "It's about a seeker's path up a mountain. Seems a lot like you—faithful to your soul."
"Sounds promising. A journey of spirit, indeed." Miyabi nodded slightly, then hesitated. "Sol… do you still remember the willpower training we agreed on? If you're free, I'd like to watch the film with you after."
She had made that promise with him. Yet after seeing his overwhelming might, she wavered. Everyone knew a strong man's time was precious.
"Of course. No problem. I've got plenty of time—just call me," Sol answered easily.
"…Thank you."
Miyabi's lips curved into a rare smile.
A decision was made. She would finish her current assignments within two days—if not, she'd take a leave.
That soft, helpless sensation of weakness she'd felt… the more she remembered it, the more she longed to overcome it.