A loud, sharp knock jolted me awake.
"…Huh?!" I groaned, squinting against the dim evening light.
Diane was still pressed against me, cradling my head against her chest. Her tail wrapped around my waist lazily.
Another knock came, louder and more insistent.
I groaned softly, tugging at Diane's arm. "Hey… wake up,"
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, still sleepy. "Mm… what?"
"Someone's at the door," I replied, keeping my tone low.
She stretched, and let out a sleepy yawn, adjusting herself. "Hm… okay," she murmured, already going back to sleep.
Before I could even settle in again, a sharp voice came from the door.
"Diane! Open up!"
There was no mistaking that voice: it was the old man.
Diane jolted upright immediately upon hearing his voice, her ears shooting up.
Her tail unwrapped from me instantly, and her eyes filled with panic.
"He's—he's back? Already?" she whispered.
Another knock came, harder this time.
"Diane!"
She scrambled off the bed, nearly tripping over her tail, and she grabbed at her clothes with shaky hands.
"We have to get dressed — now!" she hissed, her voice tight and trembling.
I got off the bed and began dressing alongside her. She would occasionally glance at me, then at the door.
Finally, I whispered, "Ready?"
She nodded, trying to calm herself. "Yeah…."
We left the room and headed to the door. Diane slid the bolt off the door and opened it.
Standing there was Gaylord — and behind him, Luno, holding a small bag of supplies.
Diane sucked in a breath and forced a smile. "You're back…"
Gaylord didn't even look at her. His eyes zeroed in on me immediately.
"Where have you been?" he asked, voice rough and cold.
I blinked, confused. "…Home?"
"Why did you come home without my permission?" he snapped.
I stared at him, completely lost.
The hell is this geezer talking about now?
"Do I need your permission to do stuff now?" I shot back.
"Yes!" he barked. "You stupid brat! You were supposed to come back to the temple after you finished with that elf woman!"
"Liona didn't tell me any of that," I replied immediately. "So don't blame me for your lack of communication."
Before he could explode again, Luno stepped in, raising a hand between us.
"Let's not argue at the doorway. Please."
Diane nodded quickly, her voice tight. "Yes — come in."
The old man stepped inside, and luno followed. Diane locked the door behind them, her ears pulled flat in anxiety.
Gaylord finally looked at her. "Is supper ready?"
She hesitated for a moment, before saying. "…N–Not yet."
"Then go. Make it," he ordered, waving her off like some maid.
Diane jolted into action, scurrying toward the kitchen.
Then he pointed at Luno. "You. To your room."
She nodded and hurried away without a word.
Then his glare landed back on me. "You. Follow me."
I didn't bother hiding my irritation, but I followed him anyway — into his bedroom.
It was way bigger than the cramped guest room they'd stuck me in, with a proper bed and space to move around freely.
Gaylord dropped onto a chair and gestured vaguely like he expected me to stand.
I sat down on the bed instead.
"Don't sit on that—" he words were cut short when I leaned back a little just to spite him.
He let out a long, exhausted sigh — like dealing with me was a burden on his poor soul.
"So why'd you drag me in here?" I asked.
He didn't answer. He just stared at the wall for a long moment, his face scrunched up in thoughts.
"Hey. Gaylord," I called.
He inhaled sharply through his nose. "Do not… call me that."
"…Isn't that your name?"
"I don't want you calling me that."
"Why not?"
He glared at me, but didn't say a word.
"Fine," I said with a shrug. "Whatever you say."
He closed his eyes briefly, then finally turned fully to face me — his expression strangely serious now.
"Tell me, Ren…"
He paused, like the words were heavy.
"…have you ever had any intimate experience before?"