The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

When Mobius and Kevin opened the bar door, Elysia's energetic voice greeted them. "Welcome, welcome~"

Elysia beamed, striking a welcoming pose. "You're the first ones here!"

"G-Good evening…" Behind Elysia, Lee fidgeted with her short skirt, her cheeks flushed. "Elysia, this skirt… it feels… a little… breezy."

"Don't worry, Lee, you look super cute~" Elysia grinned, pushing Lee towards Kevin and Mobius. "Right, guys?"

Kevin and Mobius, who'd been bickering all the way there, stood speechless, staring at Lee with identical expressions.

"Ooh." x2

"'Ooh'? Really?" Elysia rolled her eyes. "Is that all you can say?"

"Does it… not suit me?" Lee blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Maybe I should change—"

"No! It's perfect!" Mobius blurted, fumbling for her phone. "Elysia, I take back everything I said about you being a pink blob. You actually did something useful."

"I think I just heard a very rude comment about a beautiful girl!" Elysia huffed.

Kevin's reaction was more complicated. He loved seeing Lee like this, but he also wanted it to be just for him… Sometimes, life just isn't fair.

Better snap some pics for my wallpaper.

"So… it doesn't look weird?" Lee smiled faintly, then sat behind the bar, her legs now hidden, much to Kevin and Mobius's disappointment.

Regardless, the party was off to a good start.

Ato arrived next with his wife, Bianka, and daughter, Griseo. He had his own squad's party to attend, but Griseo wanted to see what a party was like. A bunch of rowdy soldiers wasn't exactly family-friendly, so, after consulting Griseo, he chose Kevin's party; he and Kevin were friends anyway.

Plus, Fire Moth was mysteriously planning to transfer Ato to Kevin's squad, so this was good practice.

Elysia successfully lowered everyone's respect for her again by hugging and nuzzling Griseo right in front of her parents.

Lee's assessment: Seems normal, but turns into a weirdo around cute girls.

Kosma and a girl with long orange hair finally arrived, carrying gifts.

"Evening, Kosma." Lee waved, then turned to the girl. "You must be Dystopia. Nice to finally meet you. You're even prettier than your picture."

"Wow, you're so nice! I thought you'd be all serious like Captain Kevin," Dystopia, a bubbly girl, grinned. "But… why are you dressed like that?"

"Because…" Lee glanced at Elysia, still playing with Griseo. "Sometimes, you need a change of pace."

"True! And you look cute!"

Yep, she and Elysia will get along great.

"…We brought gifts," Kosma said nervously, placing the boxes on the bar. "Nothing fancy, and we didn't know what you liked, so we just got some snacks."

"Kid, did you consider that this is a party? We're swimming in snacks." Mobius, ever the spoilsport, chimed in. "Not very well thought out~"

"Uh, I…"

"It's fine. They'll remind us of the party when we eat them later." Lee rescued Kosma. "Thanks, Kosma, Dystopia."

"No, uh, I…"

Kosma seemed to want to say more, but Dystopia interrupted. "Don't you have another gift? That's the important one."

"…Interesting," Mobius said, intrigued. "Tell us more, kid."

"It's nothing. I ran into him at the mall. He wanted to get everyone gifts, which I thought was nice, so I tagged along." Dystopia shrugged. "We just grabbed some snacks, but he spent ages in the jewelry section."

"If he got a special gift, he should give it out," Dystopia grinned. "Come on~"

"…Thank you for saving me." With the relaxed atmosphere, and Lee's encouraging gaze, Kosma finally pulled out a small box and handed it to Lee. "I thought this would suit you…"

"…This is…" Lee was surprised to see a delicate hydrangea pendant inside, then smiled. "I think this is the first time I've gotten a thank-you gift… I shouldn't accept gifts from newbies, but I'll make an exception."

"Thank you, Kosma."

Kosma blushed. "No, thank you for saving me!"

Behind Kosma, Mobius and Kevin's gazes sharpened.

He's young; he probably doesn't mean anything by it—but even kids can be sneaky. Gotta be vigilant!

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