Having completed two jobs,

Though he'd returned a fair share of the reward money to Makarov,

Rayne still had enough left for daily expenses.

With his wallet feeling pleasantly full, Rayne took Kanna along as they dashed through the streets, buying everything they'd previously hesitated to purchase.

By the time they reached their apartment, they were hauling a small mountain of goods—enough to completely obscure Rayne's upper body.

Kanna, carrying her own share of bags, guided him forward.

"Rayne?"

A slightly puzzled voice called out from the side.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Porter."

Rayne shifted the pile in front of him to greet the middle-aged woman with graying hair.

"Listen here, boy! If you're gonna eat, clean up after yourselves! Don't stink up my place!"

Once she confirmed it was Rayne, Mrs. Porter's tone sharpened like a whip.

"I'll take good care of the room."

Wincing at her booming voice, Rayne quickly nodded in agreement.

"Tch. If you've got money to spare, you could've just given it to me. I wouldn't mind cooking for you two."

She eyed the food in their hands, her words casual but pointed.

"Our schedules are too unpredictable to trouble you like that."

With jobs taking them away for days at a time, Rayne couldn't impose on her.

"Honestly… Kids your age, doing such dangerous work. And that old geezer Makarov, letting you run wild…"

Grumbling under her breath, Mrs. Porter turned and stomped back inside.

"Alright, let's eat."

Watching her leave, Rayne shrugged and led Kanna into their apartment.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of relief washed over him.

After setting the food on the table, he flopped onto the floor without a care—letting out a laziness he'd never show in public.

"Pfft—"

A soft thud pressed against his stomach. Glancing down, Rayne saw Kanna sprawled beside him, her head resting on his abdomen as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Comfy, huh? Using my stomach as a pillow?"

A grin tugged at his lips as he suddenly sat up, fingers darting to Kanna's ticklish spots.

"Mmph—!!"

Her drowsy eyes shot wide open. The little dragon writhed, muffled noises escaping her lips as tiny arcs of electricity crackled along her tail.

Amused by her reaction, Rayne kept going.

"Hnng…!"

Her squirming intensified, but with her upper body pinned, she couldn't escape—only letting out helpless little huffs.

Then—

THUD.

A small, sock-covered foot slammed into Rayne's face.

Pausing, he stared at the pristine white toes inches from his nose. Even after their long trek, there wasn't a trace of odor—just a faint, clean scent.

And as his breath brushed her sole, Kanna's toes curled reflexively, stretching the thin fabric of her socks taut—

CRACKLE.

The sparks along her tail flared violently.

"Gah—!"

A golden flash blinded Rayne as electricity surged through him, leaving his muscles locked and his body stiff on the floor.

"Haaah… haah…"

Panting, Kanna collapsed onto his stomach, her own breathing uneven from the outburst.

"…What possessed you to tease a dragon whelp?"

Ddraig's exasperated voice echoed in Rayne's mind.

"Instinct?"

He'd have answered if not for the lingering numbness fogging his thoughts.

Silence settled over the room.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

A sound at the door.

"Kanna, I'll get it."

Still recovering, Rayne nudged her off and forced himself up.

Thankfully, the shock had been minor—just a reflexive spark, restrained by Kanna's control. But for a first-time lightning victim, it was… disorienting.

Kanna rolled away with a plop as Rayne staggered to the door—only to find Mrs. Porter standing there.

"…What happened to you?"

Her sharp eyes scanned his disheveled state.

Glancing at the hallway mirror, Rayne saw his hair standing on end from the zap. He hastily smoothed it down.

"Nothing. Just… playing around."

"Hmph. Well, I made too much stew this morning. Wasteful to throw it out, so eat it if you want."

Without waiting for a reply, she thrust a steaming dish into his hands and turned away.

"Oh—thank you, Mrs. Porter!"

"Just return the plate when you're done."

Her stern voice floated back as she disappeared downstairs.

"Heh."

Rayne smiled at the obviously fresh stew in his hands.

"Kanna, Mrs. Porter brought us something good!"

Back inside, he set the dish on the table.

Kanna's nose twitched. Rolling over, her eyes lit up at the sight.

"What's this?"

"Stew. Smells great."

Pulling up chairs, Rayne settled Kanna into one before taking his own seat.

They spread out their earlier purchases—covering nearly the entire table.

"Where do we even start?"

Rayne scanned the feast, overwhelmed by choices.

"Eat. All of it."

Kanna's declaration, at odds with her tiny frame, made him laugh.

"Then let's dig in from the top!"

Grabbing two sandwich-like items, they dove in.

Between bites of Mrs. Porter's hearty stew, even the simplest flavors seemed richer.

Then—

"…Sorry, Rayne."

Kanna's voice was small.

"I'm the one who teased you. We're even."

He knew why she apologized—he hadn't expected her to be that ticklish.

"Mhm!"

Her gloom vanished instantly, the little dragon's mood brightening as she happily resumed eating.