It's a surprise

Gen continued to follow Lan out, and on the way, Lina said, "Let me go, Gen! I told you I still want to stay a little longer!"

And Gen said, "That's enough, Lina! You'll only cause trouble if you stay here."

"Where are we going then? I still want to drink a little more, and when I say a little, I mean a lot."

"We're going to a nice place."

"Oh yeah? What's the name of the place?"

"It's a surprise. I'm even going to need you to close your eyes so you don't ruin it."

"Gen, do you think I'm an idiot? It's not like I'm going to close my eyes. You're sure to take advantage of me when I close them."

"... I promise I won't."

"I don't believe it."

"Too bad. The drink is so good at this restaurant. Well, let's save it for when we get back from Tólis then."

"All right, you win. I'll close my eyes, but if you take too much advantage of me, you'll regret it."

"What do you mean too much? If I take a little bit of advantage, it's okay?"

"Hey, Gen, read between the lines. I was trying to be discreet because of Lan, but it seems like you've already stopped thinking with your upper head."

"..."

Lan then said, "Hahaha."

And Gen said, "I'm glad someone's having fun ..."

"Is she always like this when she gets drunk?"

"Yeah, but today, she's a little out of line."

Lina then said, "Hey, what do you mean out of line?! I'm not doing anything too much."

And Gen said, "Climbing on Stanley's back and biting his ear, isn't that a bit much?"

"Hahaha, look at that. You really took it to heart. Don't worry, Gen, you're still my favorite punching bag, hahaha."

"Lina, be quiet before I put a rag over your mouth."

"Gen ... so this is the kind of thing you like? Well, I'm sorry, but it's not going to be easy to make me submit. It's easier for you to submit to me, hahaha."

Lan then said, "Hahaha, it's a shame we arrived. It was so much fun watching you two."

And Gen said, "Thank you, Lan. Tell everyone that Lina was drunk, and they will understand why I had to leave early."

"I'll let them know."

Gen started to leave, but halfway out, he came back and said, "I almost forgot. Give this to Raja, please. He'll need it."

Gen then gave Lan something in his hand and ran off with Lina in his arms before she could say anything.

Gen then started carrying Lina around town, and Lina said, "Gen, are we close?"

And Gen said, "It's going to take a little longer. Please hold on so as not to spoil the surprise."

"No problem, but the surprise better be good."

"Don't worry, you'll love it."

"Gen, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You're not taking me to one of those expensive inns, are you?"

Gen then stumbled, almost fell on the floor, and said, "No, I don't have any money left after all. I'm taking you to a restaurant."

"That's good. I don't know how I would reject you without hurting you."

"... Thank you very much for your consideration."

"You're welcome, Gen. At the end of the day, we are still friends, and I wouldn't want to see you crying in the streets like a little girl."

"..."

Gen then continued walking through town until he stopped, and then Lina asked, "What is it? Why did we stop?"

And Gen said, "We've arrived."

"Really? Can I open my eyes?"

"Yes. Just let me get you down first."

"Okay.", Gen put Lina down then, and she then opened her eyes.

When she looked around, she saw Anna and Balkan in front of her, and then she approached Gen and said, "Gen! We can't stay here. My parents are here too. If they start kissing, I won't know what to do."

And Gen said, "Don't worry, Lina, if they want to kiss, they can always go to their room."

"What are you talking about, Gen?"

"Look around, Lina."

Lina then started looking around and said, "Gen, did you bring me home?"

And Gen said, "Yes."

"Gen... I can't believe you did that ..."

"Lina, I had no choice-"

"You had no choice? Gen, that's no reason. I know you're broke, but we could have gone to your place."

"What are you talking about?"

"What if my parents hear us, or worse, what if we hear them? How do you expect me to face them tomorrow?"

"Huh? What ... no! Lina, you're confusing everything. I just brought you home so you wouldn't cause trouble outside."

"What? Why did you do that, Gen? I was just starting to have fun."

Anna then said, "Looks like you've had enough fun, honey. Now, go take a shower and rest later."

And Lina said, "But, mom."

"Don't even waste your time, Lina. I still remember the last time you were like this. I spent a month sorting out all the problems you caused."

"Ahh, okay. Bye, Gen."

Gen then said, "Bye.", and Lina then went into the bathroom.

Gen then said, "That was easier than I thought it would be."

And Balkan said, "That's right, I was getting ready to hold her."

Anna then said, "You both have to have more faith in her. She's already twenty-one. It's about time she started to mature and become more responsible."

And Balkan said, "Would you have done the same at her age?"

"... Obviously not. I would have fought until I couldn't do it anymore and run away if I had to ..."

After Anna said that, the three then looked at each other, and Balkan rushed to the bathroom. He then knocked on the door and said, "Lina, is everything okay in there? Do you need anything?", but no one answered him.

He then opened the door and saw that the bathroom was empty.

Balkan then said, "She's not here!"

And Anna said, "Damn! I should have seen this coming!"

Gen then said, "I wonder where she went?"

And Anna said, "You don't have to worry about that, Gen. You must need to prepare a lot of things for tomorrow. You can go ahead. Balkan and I will find her."

"Are you sure, Miss Anna?"

"Yes, don't worry."

"Okay. I'll be going then. I really have a lot to do before I sleep."

"Okay, bye, Gen, and have a good trip. Oh, and don't overdo it. I know you love to put your life on the line, but if you keep this up, you might actually die one day, hahaha."

"You got it, Miss Anna, I'll be careful."

Gen then left Lina's house and started heading towards his home, and on the way, he passed a few stores to buy some things he would need. After a long time, he arrived home with a few bags in his hand. He then threw the bags down, went down the trap door, and locked it.

He then went into his house, put the bags in the corner of his room, and thought, 'I think I'll take a shower before I go to sleep.'

He then went towards the bathroom in his room, but halfway there, he thought, 'I almost forgot there's a huge bathroom in this place. I'm going to take a shower there.', and then he took some clothes and went towards the bathroom.

When he arrived, he took off his clothes and went into the bathroom. After washing himself in the shower, he stepped into the huge hot tub and said, "Ahh! There's nothing like a hot bath at the end of the day."

Gen then said, 'Dehji.'

And Dehji said, 'What's up?'

'I'm thinking about what it's going to be like when I get to Tólis. Do you think I can pass your brother's challenge?'

'First of all, sister. I have no brothers, and of course, you will pass her challenge. After all, you passed mine. There's no way that either of those two's challenge is harder than mine, you can be sure, hahaha.'

'Hmm, I understand ...'

'What was that answer? Are you worried about something?'

'Well ... it's about what Miss Anna said. She told me to be careful and not to take such risks, and Light said the same thing that time.'

'Only much more intensely.'

'Yes, but the point is the same. Do you think I take too many risks?'

'Well, I'd say so, hahaha.'

'Yeah, I guess that's true ...'

'But Gen, you don't have to think that you take too many risks.'

'What do you mean, Dehji?'

'What I mean is, you have to think about why you're taking risks.'

'Why?'

'Yes. Why did you risk your life in my challenge?'

'Well, it was to save my brother.'

'And why did you stop to help Diton's expedition?'

'I just thought that if I helped, the expedition would end faster, avoiding accidents.'

'And why did you protect Lina, even though you knew she would get hurt less than you if she took the blow instead?'

'... I don't know. I didn't lie when Lina asked me that. I really don't know what happened. By the time the blow was coming, the only thing I could think of was, 'I need to protect her', and there I was taking the hit.'

'I know why you put yourself at risk so much, Gen.'

'Really? Why is that?'

'You have a good heart.'