"Puffff! Hahahaha..." Aria laughed heartily, her eyes sparkling with genuine amusement as she looked at Aether. "You've got some guts, kid."
"No, I'm serious," Aether replied, his expression unwavering. Ever since his survival rate had increased, he realized he needed to be straightforward with her, abandoning any passive or indirect approaches.
Aria's laughter faded, and she frowned for a moment before shaking her head, her face clouding with a hint of sadness. "I'm happy you're asking for a kiss from an old lady like me..."
"Old lady?" Aether echoed, his brow furrowing. He scrutinized her from head to toe. 'There's no way she's an old lady... Damn, she doesn't even look like a MIL— Ahem, a mature woman! She just looks like a girl in her twenties,' he thought incredulously.
