The next day.
"Today you're going back to school. Make sure to get along with your classmates. If there's something you don't understand, go ask Ellen—she's quite popular at school."
Rina fussed over Phaga as she spoke, lowering her head to adjust his collar. "And remember, when you're out, keep up your appearance."
"Got it, Rina."
Phaga's gaze drifted toward the kitchen as he muttered, "I still need to prepare something for Mr. Lycaon and the others—"
"Shh!"
Rina raised a finger to her lips, closing one eye. Before Phaga could even finish, she continued,
"You can't get distracted while getting ready. A true gentleman must have enough charm to draw a lady's attention."
"Please. With that face of his, it's not like he needs to worry about that."
Ellen rolled her eyes as she passed by, grabbing Phaga's arm without looking back. All Phaga could see was her flowing hair as she grumbled, "Come on, let's go. I'm driving today—if we're late, it's on me!"
"And Rina didn't even offer to fix my collar or anything."
Ellen's voice faded as Rina stifled a laugh. "Didn't I just fix your hair?" she said gently.
Turning back, Rina lightly patted Phaga's shoulders. Looking up at him with pride, she smiled warmly. "Go on, and have fun at school."
"You too, Ellen—make sure you study hard."
"Huh?"
Ellen spun around, pressing her fingertip to Phaga's cheek, pouting. "Why does he get to have fun while I have to study? Rina, you're playing favorites!"
"If Ellen could get a few more A's on her report card, I'd wish you fun too."
Rina's soft smile seemed to carry a faint edge, and Ellen suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She hurriedly pulled the door open, grabbed Phaga's arm, and bolted out.
"Bye, Rina! We're off to class!"
Whoosh—
Ellen's speed was like a gust of wind. By the time the door swung shut and bounced off the wall, the two of them had already vanished down the street.
Rina shook her head, smiling, and closed the door behind her.
Her expression then shifted—eyes sparkling, cheeks lifting into an excited grin as she clasped her hands into small fists before her chest.
"Perfect! Phaga didn't even have time to make breakfast before Ellen dragged him out!"
"Hehe! Today's the maid-in-charge's cooking day... What should I make for Lord Lycaon and little Corin?"
"Hmm... maybe the meat porridge I secretly learned from Phaga… But just meat might be too heavy. Maybe add some cauliflower? And to boost nutrition, I should boil an egg too."
"...Or maybe a little more MSG for flavor! Then top it off with cheese."
"Done!"
Rina lifted the pot lid, inhaling deeply as the rich aroma of her self-made "potion" filled the kitchen. Her hands came together excitedly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
After a moment, she realized the fire was still on. She quickly turned it off, clenched her fist, and cheered herself on.
"Come on, Rina! This time it's going to taste even better than Phaga's breakfast!"
"Sniff... Wait a second. Is there a strange smell in the air?"
...
After getting off the bus and walking a while, Ellen and Phaga finally arrived at school. Following the familiar route, they turned a few corners, listening to the crickets chirping in the trees from the first floor up to the second, until at last, they reached their classroom.
"Hey, how many more days do you think Phaga and Ellen are gonna skip school?"
"No clue. Haven't heard a thing."
"Place your bets! I'm saying tomorrow or the day after."
"So confident?"
"Of course! Since Phaga's been gone, our class average dropped by four points in every subject. We're practically last in the grade! Yesterday I passed by the teacher's office—our homeroom teacher looked ready to cry staring at the score report."
"Seriously? But how do you know when they'll be back, Class Rep?"
"Oh, because I just saw the homeroom teacher staring blankly at her computer, muttering that if Phaga doesn't come today, she'll go for a home visit tonight."
"Hah, interesting. What do you think, Ruby?"
"No idea. Ellen hasn't replied in days... Wait, hold up! She just texted me—she's coming back today!"
Ruby's eyes widened in excitement as she waved her phone for everyone to see. On the screen, a shark avatar had just sent a message:
[Stop guessing. I'm coming today.]
Her classmates crowded around to confirm it.
Ruby basked in the attention, sweeping her gaze proudly across the room—until she caught sight of a familiar figure by the back door. The figure sighed and flicked its tail.
Ruby's pupils dilated, her eyes lighting up with surprise.
The class president rubbed his chin, thinking aloud. "Stop guessing? How would Ellen know we were guessing... unless—"
He turned around.
Sure enough, Phaga and Ellen had just stepped into the classroom.
"Ellen! Phaga!"
Before the class president could react, Ruby had already shoved through the crowd and leapt forward.
Thud!
She wrapped her arms around both of them at once, hugging their waists tightly. Phaga and Ellen were pressed so close they could practically feel each other breathe, both of them staring down at Ruby as she rubbed against them left and right, nearly in tears.
"You're finally back! My investigator exam is saved!!!"
"What exam could possibly depend on us? Okay, Ruby, let go already!"
It was the first time Ellen had ever been this close to Phaga in front of the entire class.
Dozens of eyes turned their way—curious, teasing, jealous—each stare striking Ellen like a hammer to the face.
Her cheeks turned scarlet. The heat rose until it felt like steam was curling from her head.
"It's just a super important test, okay~~"
Ruby's voice came out all squished and squeaky from being pressed between them, but she didn't let go. If anything, she hugged tighter, as if saying: If you don't agree, I'll squeeze until you do!
Ellen sighed helplessly and exchanged a glance with Phaga.
Ruby was just an ordinary girl, as fragile as that Legendary Proxy. They couldn't exactly push her away with force.
That meant they'd have to communicate another way.
Ellen gave Phaga a look, then flicked her eyes toward Ruby.
[Hey, what are you planning to do?]
Phaga only shrugged, smiling helplessly.
[Just agree to it. What else can we do?]
After all, they'd fought side by side in the Doppelgänger Hollow—and even spent time locked up together.
It was just a test. If they could help, they would.
"Sigh."
Ellen exhaled, putting a hand on her hip. "Fine, we'll help you."
"Really?"
Ruby's face lit up. She threw herself against them again, hugging even tighter, burrowing happily between the two.
"Ah, I love you guys so much!"
But Ruby had no idea that Ellen's face had turned completely red, her mind going fuzzy.
Just now—she had almost... almost...
Snapping back to her senses, embarrassment flared into irritation. She clenched her fist and swung it down.
Thud!
"Behave yourself!"