Ame was a nervous wreck as she drew blood from her teacher. It was not the supervision that unnerved her; she had practiced her trials under the guidance of Johann plenty of times – he was permitted to take on students. No, the reason she was shaking in nervousness was that she asked Tamao at the start of her shift if she could have the weekend off and given the fact that Anna or Yoh hadn't gotten back to her yet, she was a mess waiting for their answer, bouncing her knee as she put the surgical tape over the mark on Johann's arm.

"Wunderbar! I much prefer you drawing blood as to my precious Eliza," the said man teased. "She's a bit clumsy."

Eliza hummed and jabbed his arm.

"I'll remember that," she retorted.

Ame smiled as the two joked with one another. They were great together; able to tease without the other getting mad. For a moment she forgot about what troubled her until Johann noticed her clammy skin beneath the soft glow of the infirmary lights.

"Are you feeling sick, Ame?" he asked.

The said woman frowned. Her face heated up in embarrassment; an action that Eliza noticed.

"Perhaps she is hungry, dear. I know I am," Eliza mentioned.

Johann hummed.

"Of course. Let me see if Ryu is in the kitchen; I'll ask him to prepare a snack."

Leaving Eliza and she alone, Ame thanked her. She wasn't against telling Johann, but it was a bit embarrassing to tell her teacher that her mind was plagued by thoughts of a man.

"Do you want to talk about it, dear?" Eliza asked.

Ame took an uneasy breath.

"I'm a bit nervous is all," she stated.

Oh yes! Eliza remembered her saying something about it before the start of the lesson. Ame made plans outside the city. It crossed her mind as to why the trainee was nervous about it, but she had an idea.

"Are they important to you?" she asked.

Ame grinned.

"Yeah, or at least I think so. I met him only a short time ago and I know it's fast, but this trip is so I can get to know him better."

Eliza understood. She sat on the edge of the bed next to Ame and gave her a genuine smile.

"I'm sure he will understand if you are not able to go," she mentioned.

"I know," Ame uttered.

She understood, but she wanted so bad to go with Hao. Ame had her hopes up.

Hearing the door come open, Ame expected Johann to have returned, but instead, Tamao came in. Her stomach twisted in fear.

"Miss Tamao, what do we owe the pleasure?" Eliza asked.

Tamao hummed.

"I came to see Ameyuri," she answered. "In regard to the question she asked earlier."

Eliza excused herself from the room, leaving the two alone. Ame waited in anticipation for her to speak.

"I asked Anna about you having the weekend off," Tamao mentioned. "She was against it until I suggested that you make up the time."

Ame smiled.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I scheduled you to work every day this week in the kitchen until your vacation," she said.

Ame detested kitchen duty, but she was grateful to Tamao. All day, she wore a smile on her face and an eager demeanor for her coworkers to see.


Ame worked the few remaining days in the kitchen as Tamao ordered and by the time she got out on Thursday, leaving the inn in fear that Anna would change her mind, she was exhausted. She tossed her purse over her arm and trekked down the long dirt path towards the bus stop with her luggage rolling behind her. One thing she loved about the inn was how close to nature it was.

Yoh had the inn built to where it was inaccessible by vehicle; the only way to reach it was by foot or bike. The path wasn't long, so Ame reached the end in no time. She saw Kanna and Matilda resting near the bike rental shop awaiting the bus.

"Someone got lucky," Matilda teased upon seeing her coworker.

Ame averted her attention as her face heated up. What did she mean by lucky? Did she assume that she and Hao slept together?

That's insane, Ame said to no one. She sat on the porch of the rental shop and cleared her throat.

"Where is Marion?" Ame asked.

Kanna grinned; the smoke from her cigarette curled into the air.

"She's running the rental shop."

"Which is why you got lucky," Matilda mentioned.

Ame sighed in relief; she understood.

"I didn't know she'd have to cover for me."

Matilda snorted.

"It's no problem. Mari likes working on her own from time to time."

Ame did not blame her.

"Besides, you have a weekend-long vacation in the Nasu Highlands ahead of you. I'm so jealous," Matilda added.

Ame grinned.

"Have you been there before?" She asked.

"Once or twice," Kanna answered. "It's nice."

Ame puckered a brow.

"Are you not going with us?"

"Not this time," Kanna answered back.

Matilda laughed.

"Ame is going to miss us. How sweet."

Heat rose to Ame's face. Matilda seemed to enjoy teasing her from time to time.

"Don't pick on me," she argued.

Kanna snorted.

"You'll be fine. Luchist and Opacho are going."

Luchist I remember, but I've never met Opacho before.

Ame hummed. What was Opacho like?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the roar of the bus as came up the road. Ame stood and dragged her bag closer, looking over at her coworkers as they moved onto the porch.

"Are you guys not going into the city?" She asked with a raised brow.

"Marion leaves at seven," Kanna answered back. "We'll head out then."

Ame understood. Saying her farewells she boarded the bus and got comfortable as it took her to the city. Once she was in Minami, she went to the apartment.

Parked out front was a sleek black vehicle that Ame was in awe of. Where did it come from?

"Do you like it?" Someone asked.

Ame recognized the voice. She looked over her shoulder and puckered a brow as she saw Luchist. He was dressed in the strangest attire; a yellow waistcoat with a check pattern that revealed his abdomen and a pair of leather pants. Ignoring his apparel, she hummed.

"I've seen anything like it in Japan."

"It's not the Lamborghini Countach, but the Alfa Romero has the extra room," Luchist mentioned. "Lord Hao allowed me to bring them down from Italy."

"It's a gorgeous car," Ame mentioned.

Luchist hummed and asked to put away her luggage; she handed the case over to him with a thank you.

"Is Hao inside?" She asked.

"He should be on his way out soon," Luchist answered.

Moments later, the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Ame turned to notice Hao and the dark-skinned teenager she saw the last time she came over walking towards the car. So, she was Opacho. Ame smiled.

"I'm pleased you were able to come with us," Hao mentioned.

"It took a lot of overtime," Ame laughed.

Hao grinned. Averting his eyes, he motioned towards the teenager beside him.

"This is Opacho."

The said teen waved.

"It's nice to meet you," she uttered.

"Likewise," Ame said with a grin.

She seems nice.

Luchist came around the side of the Alfa and cleared his voice.

"The luggage is packed," he mentioned.

Hao gave him a nod and opened the car door, ushering Opacho into the backseat. Before Ame followed her lead, Hao took her arm and leaned in close.

"I hope you let me make it up to you, for the trouble you went through," he whispered.

His warm breath hit her neck, making her shiver.

"If it pleases you," Ame uttered.

Her face was burning with embarrassment.

Hao leaned back and grinned.

"It's you I want to please."

Ame sighed.

She was more than eager to begin.