"DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!"
"...Gulp, gulp, gulp...!!!!"
"OYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!2
The tavern was lively as always, filled with the warm glow of lanterns and the loud chatter from other students enjoying the start of summer holidays.
In a large corner booth near the back, the group had already gathered, exactly as Selene had promised.
Gray pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside, Selene walking just a half-step behind him with a satisfied, slightly flushed smile on her face.
The moment he appeared, the table erupted.
"Gray!!"
Maelis was the first to react.
His step-sister practically launched herself out of her seat, long black hair flying as she rushed over and threw her arms around his neck in a tight, overly affectionate hug.
"You're finally back! I was so worried when I heard you were in deep meditation for months!" She buried her face in his chest, squeezing him harder than necessary.
