For the next two days, Karl postponed the pickup run—all because of Hancock. To keep things low-key, the two of them moved up to the mountaintop villa and… focused on "making a little tiger."
On the third morning, after his drills, Karl glanced at Hancock's rosy, blissed-out face and smiled. He dressed, kissed her forehead, and squeezed her hand at the bedside.
"Hancock, I'm heading out to fetch everyone. Otherwise we'll miss our own wedding."
"Mmm… okay. This concubine has no strength to see you off~"
"Rest up. I'll be quick." He slipped out of the villa and cut across the sky toward Daphne.
Left alone, Hancock pulled the covers over her head, cheeks burning. Two full days… that should do it, right? The thought made her hide and giggle.
Down in town, the island's one chapel—centuries old, marked by a fish-tail cross—was being refitted into a wedding hall. Banners, pew ribbons, a raised dais: the works.
"Mom, where's Uncle? I haven't seen him for two days. And Sister Hancock too," Ann asked, puzzled.
"They had things to do. Also—start calling her aunt, not 'Sister,'" Lu Jiu chided.
"Your uncle is a hopeless romantic."
"Hmph! Uncle is a huge flirt!" Ann puffed her cheeks and trotted off. "I'm going to find Sister Aili and Sister Daphne!"
Lu Jiu watched her go, a smile tugging at her lips—then faded, thinking of Ace. I wonder how you're doing…
At the beach, Aili and Daphne were sparring while Karin observed. Since returning to Tiger Roar Island, the schedule freed up, so both had been grinding their live-combat basics: Daphne's dueling instincts were raw; Aili's weren't amazing either—but she did have Armament.
"Hey! You two are here." Ann jogged over.
They took a breather, chests heaving.
"Here—energy up." Karin handed them two glasses of green drink.
Both took a swig.
"—Bleh! Karin, what is this?!" Daphne nearly gagged… though her stamina bar visibly ticked back to full.
Aili didn't speak. She swirled, sniffed, and took the tiniest sip—face turning… complicated.
"Uh… Karin-chan, this base ingredient… is it that thing?"
Karin puffed up. "Discovered it in Tiger Roar Forest. It's a bug—processed right, it rapidly restores stamina! I watched it for ages before harvesting. The only downside is the flavor profile. I'll improve it." She lifted her own cup and downed it like water—no reaction at all.
Daphne lost all color, sprinted to the side, and retched. She'd seen those bugs—in Karin's bucket.
"Karin-sister is terrifying," Ann whispered.
"A-are you two okay? It's not that bad, is it?" Karin scratched her cheek.
Aili sighed. "Chef Karin, you know what those bugs taste like."
"Mm… I'll tweak the recipe. The terroir is… unique." Karin nodded seriously.
Daphne returned, hands on thighs. "Karin-chan… this isn't about flavor. It's that… they're bugs. How do you even bring yourself… to—ugh."
Karin blinked. "You're all afraid of bugs?"
"Mm-hm!" ×3 heads bobbed like drumsticks.
"Hahaha! So that's it." Karin remembered her own training days. "I've eaten far worse to sharpen my craft."
Chef Karin is scary. That was now the group consensus.
"There you are. I checked three places." Karl dropped from the sky.
"You're back," Daphne said. "Where's Hancock?"
"She's… not feeling great. She'll be back later," Karl coughed, looking a bit sheepish.
Aili gave him a look. "You could pace yourself, you know."
"Uncle, where'd you disappear to? I couldn't find you! Here—my latest drink. Karin-sister, Aili-sister, and Daphne-sister all tried it. This cup's the one Aili-sister was drinking. Try it!" Ann held out the green glass, pure earnestness.
Three women turned away, shoulders trembling.
"Oh? Ann's making drinks now?" Karl took a heroic sip.
The taste hit like a freight wagon. Every instinct screamed spit it out. But—his niece had put heart into it. He swallowed.
He set the cup down gently. "Not bad, Ann. Pretty good, actually. If you refine it, it might be even better."
The women broke. Laughter exploded across the shore.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Karl blinked. "What—giving my niece face is a crime now?"
"N-nothing—ha—nothing." Karin wiped tears. "Right, what did you need?"
"Ah—business. Daphne, you're with me to pick people up," Karl said.
"Okay! I'll shower and change." Daphne had expected to go; the trip was delayed only because Hancock's timing had been… fortuitous.
"Great. I'll tell my parents I'll be out a few days." Karl nodded.
"Then I'll wait at home," Daphne said, taking off like a streak of mist.
"Uncle, are you going to Fish-Man Island this run? If yes, can you bring Princess Shirahoshi too?" Ann asked, eyes bright.
"Yeah. With Daphne's cloud veil, no one will spot her en route. Once she's on Tiger Roar, she'll be safe."
"Yay! I get to see Shirahoshi again!" Ann bounced, grinning from ear to ear.
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