Chapter 22: The Compensation After Overtime Is…?
"Why the sudden visit?"
"Consider it compensation for my overtime."
In the late hours of Ragunna, sea mist began to form as the cool ocean breeze dispersed the lingering scent of blood on Aeron.
Following half a step behind Zani, Aeron watched her upright silhouette outlined by her coat, her high heels clicking crisply against the cobblestone path.
He trailed Zani like this through the quiet streets until they finally arrived at Margaret's restaurant.
"...Not to complain, but why this place again? Has Ragunna run out of other options?"
"It's open 24 hours. Can't be bothered to find somewhere new. Habit brought me here—what's wrong with that?"
Zani led Aeron inside, where the familiar warm yellow lighting and aroma of food immediately enveloped them.
They moved toward their usual corner booth where they often met before. Aeron settled into the seat opposite Zani, watching as she gestured for Margaret to take their order.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Your choice is fine."
The ordering process was brief—Zani recited several dish names without consulting the menu, all simple meals that could be served quickly, plus a bottle of wine.
"Speaking of which, what made you suddenly want to drink this?"
"...Let's just say something annoying happened tonight."
"Such as?"
"Thanks to someone, I nearly messed up my work today."
Zani's tone remained even, carrying less blame than simple statement of fact.
Aeron merely smiled without responding. He knew exactly what Zani was referring to.
Soon the table was set with food and red wine. Zani deftly opened the bottle and poured herself a full glass.
Aeron watched as she directly raised the glass and took a large swallow.
"Easy there, nobody's competing with you. Drinking on an empty stomach will get you drunk faster, you know?"
At Aeron's words, Zani glanced at him. Perhaps aided by the alcohol, her fatigue appeared more pronounced, her gaze losing some of its usual sharpness, replaced by an elusive haze.
"Wouldn't that be fine? Saves me from thinking about those troublesome matters..."
"You still have me here with you, don't you?"
The moment Aeron spoke, Zani's fingers tightened slightly around her glass. She didn't respond immediately, merely taking another sip of wine.
"Ah, that's precisely why..." she murmured, her gaze fixed on the wooden grain of the table, her voice almost inaudible.
The food arrived, filling the air with its aroma, but Zani seemed to have little appetite, only pushing the food around her plate absently with her fork. Meanwhile, she poured herself another glass of wine.
"Are you really alright...?"
Finally, under alcohol's influence, Zani voiced what she most wanted to say.
"...?"
"What do you mean? I'm sitting right here perfectly fine."
"...Liar."
Zani's words came out softly, her silver hair slightly disheveled against her temples. Her crimson eyes now seemed veiled in moisture, hazy and persistently avoiding his gaze.
"What have I lied to you about?"
At that moment, the image of Aeron being impaled before her eyes flashed through Zani's mind.
"Back then... you were right in front of me..."
As she spoke, Zani's usually firm tone unexpectedly softened.
Simultaneously, Aeron felt something tug at his heart. He hadn't expected her to still be dwelling on that.
Fortunately, he was an expert at playing dumb.
"Just as I told Rover, it's nothing more than a third-rate trick."
"You're lying again."
Tch. As expected of Averardo Vault's best employee—even drunk, her intuition remained sharp.
"Just a minor injury, I'm used to it by now," Aeron attempted to brush off the topic with a light tone. "See? I can move just fine, doesn't even affect my eating."
"...Used to it?"
Zani repeated the word, her voice suddenly trembling. "Why... would you need to get used to this...?"
She finally lifted her head to look directly at Aeron, her hazy eyes fixed on him without mercy.
"Every time it's like this... Can't you... value yourself just a little more..."
Having spent so much time with Aeron, Zani naturally understood his character—he'd minimize major issues and dismiss minor ones, always finding solutions that satisfied everyone, even at his own expense.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it held a peculiar penetrating power when directed at Aeron.
"...Alright, I'll be more careful in the future."
Aeron agreed verbally, but his thoughts told a different story.
After all, he'd already encountered Phrolova—he couldn't just do nothing and wait around.
Aeron did want to live a stable life, without dancing on knife's edge every day or constantly guarding against hidden arrows from all directions. But he also knew this was never a given gift—rather, it was a luxury that needed to be fought for with strength.
As a rootless wanderer without even Resonance Power, hoping to live peacefully relying on luck or others' pity was undoubtedly impossible.
Peace obtained without his own strength wouldn't let him rest easy.
So naturally, Aeron couldn't promise Zani.
But he certainly wouldn't refuse outright either—that would be too foolish.
"Some things just need to be done by someone, right? Besides, I believe in your abilities. Knowing you've got my back gives me confidence."
Aeron tried to change the subject, but Zani clearly wasn't buying it.
After downing another glass, the alcohol's effects became more pronounced, weakening her usual restraint.
"But... I can only watch you leave... and then..."
"Zani."
Before Zani could finish, Aeron suddenly called her name, his voice lowering slightly.
"Hmm?" She responded instinctively, looking up to meet his gaze.
"Thank you."
"...For what?"
"Just for being by my side tonight." Aeron's gaze was profound, as if he could see right into her heart. "Sigh, it's been so long since I've talked with someone like this."
This direct statement left Zani nowhere to hide. The lingering fear and worry she'd been suppressing were gently uncovered by Aeron's words.
Without his usual mockery or teasing, there was only calm acceptance and understanding.
Zani's nose suddenly felt sore. She quickly lowered her lashes, hiding the moisture welling up in her eyes.
This feeling of being seen through and accepted intoxicated her more than alcohol ever could—and frightened her more too.
"This is exactly why I..." she muttered softly, her voice carrying an unconscious choke she hadn't even noticed herself.
Aeron said nothing more, simply staying quietly by her side. The food on the table gradually grew cold, and the wine bottle emptied. Zani felt herself growing increasingly dizzy, her vision of Aeron blurring into double images. She struggled to stay conscious, but her eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
"Aeron, I..."
"Alright, I know you've had too much."
Aeron wiped his mouth and stood up, walking over to Zani's side to support her arm.
Zani didn't resist either, using his strength to stand up while swaying unsteadily, leaning her entire weight against Aeron.
After paying Margaret with what remained of his meager savings, Aeron brought Zani to the restaurant entrance and took a deep breath.
Now came the time for him to bear the burden.
In Ragunna, there were no such things as taxis. Aeron had no choice but to physically escort this defense department employee—who stood nearly as tall as him with arms thicker than his own—back home.
Aeron shook his head helplessly and resignedly adjusted his posture to let Zani lean more securely against him.
Since this was compensation for making her work overtime, he might as well see it through to the end with her.
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