039

The next morning, Ron spent it reviewing the many lessons he received during the week. It was one thing not to understand, it was another not to try to. His goal wasn't just to get the official proof of education but to truly have learnt. He would work accordingly.

He reviewed his notes until lunch time. He tried his best to cook once more. It wasn't that good of a result but it was getting there. Practice makes perfect. He would likely never become a chef but he might be capable of cooking some decent things soon.

After that, he took a shower and put on some fresh new clothes. A simple black T-shirt with black sport pants. He had something planned. He was invited to Nancy's place to work on their assignment.

First, he went to a market and bought a big box of chocolates. He had been taught early on that one should present a gift when one is being invited somewhere. Miners were crude but they had common sense and dignity.

From the start, it was too far for him to walk there. Fortunately, he had been taught how to take public means of transportation by Laila previously. He did it again today. It was moderately cheap and very useful. He marveled at the impressive contraption he entered in. He might have seen many and moved inside one before but it remained fascinating. It was like a giant flying container with many windows and even more seats.

He took one and patiently waited for his stop.

It took around half-an-hour. Then, he had to walk for a dozen more minutes. He was walking through a rather interesting neighborhood. Every building here was different compared to those near his own apartment. It looked better. They were smaller but decorated with gravures and painted depictions of battles and such. It was an interesting area that he hadn't been to previously.

He reached the address she gave him not long later. He was faced with a big building sporting many similar yet different decorations as the others. There were a lot of statues on this one, all of them representing humans fighting against weird alien races. It looked impressive.

He went to the entrance and ringed the doorbell. He heard footsteps and some voices that he couldn't quite make out. Then, the door opened to reveal a smiling young woman. It was Nancy.

He smiled back and bowed as he thanked her for having him today. She welcomed him inside and the first thing he saw was a man wearing an elegant suit not far. He didn't think much and believed him to be Nancy's father. He walked towards the man and bowed while presenting his gift and saying: "It's a pleasure to meet you, uncle. Here, please have this modest present"

The middle-aged man was stunned while Nancy exploded in laughter behind them. It took a moment for her to stop while the middle-aged man coughed a few times before he grabbed Ron's shoulders to help him stand straight. He informed him as he bowed: "I am not the young miss's father, young man. I am this house's head butler"

Ron nodded with an enlightened expression. Then, he turned to Nancy and asked her: "Then, where is your father, Nancy?"

Nancy chuckled as she told him: "He's at work. Don't worry about formalities"

Ron was quite awkward with his cheap box of chocolates in hand. Nancy realized it and went on to grab it as she sweetly smiled and told him: "Thanks for the gift~"

Then, she offered him to go to the living room to start working on the project. He agreed happily. As they walked, he couldn't help but notice her beauty. She wore a blue hoodie that couldn't hide her features and short white shorts accentuating her long legs. With light makeup and a big smile, she was like a ray of sunshine, illuminating her surroundings.

Ron was blissfully aware of her beauty.

She led him into a space that was bigger than his entire apartment and called it the living room. There were dozens of tables surrounded by even more sofas. The color thematic seemed to be white and wood brown, giving an ancient kind of atmosphere to the room.

Out of all the available places, they went on to sit in a random one. It didn't matter anyways. Then, they began to work on the assignment. They previously decided to be the fictional creators of a proud restaurant. Now they needed to think of what the restaurant would be serving the customers and do so in a realistic way. The next lesson would have them face a difficulty tailored to their choices which is why they needed to put some thoughts into it.

In the end, they picked 'ice cream' as the product. It seemed simple enough. Since it didn't take that long to decide, they moved on to work on the other homework they had been given and spent the entire afternoon on it.

It became night before they knew it as they seriously worked under the watchful gaze of the head butlers and a few other servants. It was the head butler that ended up forced to wake them up from their working trance.

Nancy offered Ron to stay for diner but a few glances at the butler's expression informed him that he shouldn't abuse his welcome. Staying an afternoon for school work was one thing, remaining for diner was another apparently. Fortunately, he managed to pick on the unsaid signs and politely declined her offer. She didn't seem to mind, as if she had expected it.

And so, Ron went home after a fulfilling and enjoyable day.