Before long, Braun showed up and joined Ashen at his table.
Dressed in heavier armor, his presence was hard to ignore. But what really stole attention was the massive cross shield slung over his back.
Taking a seat across from him, Braun casually placed his short axe beside the spear before grinning.
"Hey! Ash, hope you're ready for today."
Ashen smirked. "A good morning to our favorite tank. And as for being ready? You can always count on me."
Braun chuckled. "Of course I can. You're our precious captain, after all."
Ashen let out an amused snort. "Captain, huh? You and Seraphine just won't quit calling me that… What are we? A band of pirates about to set sail?"
"Haha! Maybe! But you can't deny that it fits you, especially when you start barking orders the moment things get heated." Braun let out a hearty laugh.
"Suit yourselves…" Ashen raised a hand in mock surrender, a smirk still lingering on his lips.
"Speaking of which, isn't it rare for you and Sera to be apart? Did you two have a lovers' spat this soon after getting together?" Braun raised an eyebrow, scanning the reception hall for her but finding no sign of her.
"...Lovers?" Ashen blinked. "What are you talking about? Wait… do we really look like that from an outside perspective?"
"Uh, yeah?" Braun shot him a questioning look, as if he were the crazy one. "It's pretty obvious, actually."
Ashen rubbed his temples. "Man, it's… complicated. But I don't think we can be considered lovers yet."
The harem joke he'd originally told himself to blow off some steam was starting to sound more appealing by the day.
"...Yet?" Braun smirked. "Well, work hard, my dear young friend. And if you ever need a wingman, you know where to find me. Haha."
Ashen rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant, man."
Leaning back in his chair, he added, "As for Sera, she'll be a bit late today. I let her sleep in for once; she needed it."
Then, he sighed. "So yeah, it's kinda my fault she's running late. Sorry about that. Hope you don't mind the wait."
Braun waved his hand dismissively. "Why would I mind? As long as she's fine, that's all that matters. We usually meet early anyway; waiting a bit won't kill me."
Ashen's lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks."
"No need for thanks, brother." Braun returned the smile.
Moments later, Braun went to grab a coffee before rejoining Ashen, leisurely sipping as they observed the people passing by.
Ashen, meanwhile, reflected on his decision to leave early.
He'd made sure to leave Seraphine a note telling her where to find him, along with a prepared breakfast so she wouldn't have to worry about it when she woke up.
As for why he left early…
He figured Seraphine might need some space to process what had happened last night.
And with her taking over his bed practically every night now, the only way he could give her that space was to remove himself from it.
Taking a sip of his juice, Ashen noticed Braun pull out a small picture, gently caressing the edges as a deep, almost fatherly smile softened his face.
Curious, Ashen leaned forward slightly.
"Hey, Braun. You always look at that picture before every mission… like it's the most precious thing in the world."
Braun's smile deepened. "That's because it is my most precious treasure."
He flipped the picture around for Ashen to see.
It was of a young woman, likely in her late teens. Slim, serious-looking, and caught mid-motion as she rode a bicycle. Her long brown hair danced in the wind, giving her an almost heroic aura.
Ashen studied it for a moment before taking a guess. "Your daughter?"
"Yeah…" Braun exhaled softly. "Seeing her gives me the strength to keep going in this strange land. And hope that one day, I'll reunite with her."
His expression darkened slightly. "I just hope she'll be okay on her own out there."
Ashen shot him a sympathetic look. It was rare to see the ever-steady Braun shaken like this.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way to leave this place. Even if it's just for a short visit." He paused before adding, "The people running this place are still human; they won't push things too far."
"I hope so." Braun nodded, but his expression remained heavy.
"When we go back to Esperra," Ashen said, shifting the conversation to when, not if, "I'll introduce my little sister to your daughter. She's around the same age. I bet they'd get along."
Braun let out a chuckle. "Really? Well, I'll hold you to that." His eyes softened. "My baby girl doesn't have many friends her age because of her serious personality, but if it's your sister, I'm sure she'd make a great friend. You're a great guy, after all."
Ashen's lips twitched.
'How did I suddenly become a great guy?'
Seriously, they didn't lie when they said parents turned into fools for their kids. Especially dads with their daughters…
"Well, her serious personality might actually be a good thing," he mused. "It'll help keep her grounded, even without you around."
Then, a question popped into his mind, and he asked without much thought,
"But… doesn't she still have her mother to take care of her? You made it sound like she's alone…"
Braun's expression turned complicated at the mention of her mother.
"Ah."
Ashen immediately realized he had stepped on a landmine.
Seeing his awkward look, Braun let out a sigh and explained, "We divorced years ago. She hasn't wanted anything to do with us since."
He paused briefly before adding, "But don't worry. That was a long time ago. My girl's all grown up now… independent, just like you said…"
Then, almost as if reassuring himself, he muttered, "I left plenty of savings for her. Taught her everything she needs to know. She should be fine on her own for half a year."
Ashen met his gaze. "We'll reunite with our families. Sooner or later."
Braun nodded. "Yes… Surely."
The somber atmosphere didn't last long.
A burst of energy suddenly barged in, bringing sunshine and chaos with it.
"Yahoo~~"
Who else but Seraphine?
Braun shot her an almost doting smile. "Good morning, lass. Hope you slept well."
Ashen was pretty sure Braun saw her as a half-daughter at this point.
Seraphine, however, didn't miss a beat. "I'm so sorry, Mister Braun. I kept you waiting, thanks to someone—I won't mention who, though…"
She shot Ashen a stinky look.
"Missy, won't you drop the 'Mister' already…?" Braun sighed.
Ashen swore he had asked that question a dozen times by now.
But Braun was nothing if not persistent, so he still clung to hope, asking her now despite knowing what her answer would be.
"Ahe~? But calling you 'Mister' suits you so well, Mister Braun. Why? Don't you like it…?" Seraphine tilted her head, pressing a finger to her chin in mock innocence.
"Pfft."
Ashen lost it at Braun's miserable expression.
"C'mon, Sera. Let's stop with the teasing. We're already running late."
Getting up from his seat, he decided to rescue the poor soul from Seraphine's relentless teasing, gesturing for them to move. "Let's go."
"Ye~s, Captain!"
Her cheerful reply nearly made him stumble.
Damn it.
Now Braun was the one snickering.