Monday had arrived. Begrudgingly, Zanphia, Zenover, and Suzannia headed to school. Suzannia was first escorted to her elementary school by her two siblings before they too, went to their high school. Zanphia and Zenover attended the same school, with a two-year gap in terms of class years, and of course, their ages.
Last night was uneventful. Despite Proxer wanting to stay up late again to search for a suitable anniversary gift for Naytia, he couldn't win against his sleepiness, so he, much like his three kids, begrudgingly went to bed, where Naytia was already fast asleep. It appeared that in just one day, all the Maladin were used to having Jogrin live with them, since everyone was able to sleep well.
Or it could just be because they didn't get enough sleep the previous night. Nonetheless, according to Jogrin's "emotional perception," they weren't as tense as the previous night.
Just like before, he went outside to stargaze silently, for the entire night. Neither Kapel nor Tyron could understand how he was able to do that without getting bored.
When Tyron asked why Jogrin liked to stargaze so that there could at least be a topic to go on, Jogrin answered that it was because there were no stars to be gazed at back on the Darkian planet, since it was completely enshrouded by Dark Matter. Other than the insanely bright sun, nothing could pierce through that dark layer.
That was the only moment during the night when it wasn't completely silent. Though it felt a little suffocating for Kapel and Tyron, Jogrin was more accustomed to it, so he appeared normal, as he ignored the emotions of those two.
Back to the current time. Kapel and Tyron's appointed two-day shift had ended, so Captain Ryov and another Knight, Griston came to take over.
"Speaking of our shift, I have to apologize for shirking our duty for a brief moment yesterday... Not to make an excuse, but I was contemplating about a certain matter that I became distracted and left Jogrin on his own unintentionally, without giving the order to Mr. Tyron to keep watch. In the end, both of us could not fulfill our job because of my mistake."
"Don't say that! It's my fault too..."
It was obvious which matter Kapel was talking about. Due to that, they were dragged away by Suzannia without realizing Jogrin wasn't with them. On the other hand, Jogrin was held behind by a certain couple who tried to shower him with love.
Still, that only lasted for around 10 minutes.
"I shall accept any punishment, provided that Mr. Tyron be absolved from any."
"Wait, Grand Commander Kapel. Tyron too. Don't beat yourselves up over it. I... understand your feelings, so for now, please put this aside get some well-deserved rest." Captain Ryov, who was another person present when the truth behind the higher-ups intentions were revealed, showed his understanding and urged the two to go rest up.
Griston, albeit not knowing what exactly was going on, had complete faith in Captain Ryov and his judgement, so he nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Uncle Grunmyt! You've gone on two nights without sleep!"
While shirking one's duty was punishable, everyone else didn't wish for this on Kapel and Tyron. However, because of Kapel's sense of responsibility, he couldn't just let it slide.
"Then, I shall leave the punishment to you after I wake up, Captain Ryov." Kapel reminded as he left with Tyron. Proxer accompanied them since they looked so down.
Normally, the punishment for this would be imprisonment, but the only prison on Zuta was inside the "Palacial," because the crime rate on this planet was low. This explained why all prison cells were empty when Jogrin visited it to stay the night.
Besides, Kapel still hadn't fulfilled his duty here. Since the end of this operation wouldn't be any time soon, imprisonment didn't seem to be an option. Because of that, Captain Ryov felt conflicted. Leaving aside coming up with the appropriate punishment, he didn't want Kapel to undergo that in the first place.
"Starting from now, for two days, we will in your care, Ms. Maladin." Captain Ryov bowed courteously to Naytia. Griston followed suit.
"Wait! Don't do that! Also, just Naytia is fine!" Naytia frantically waved her hand at the two Knights.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
I said it's fine! Gosh... Jogrin didn't do all this when he came here so you don't have to!"
"Thank you for you hospitality. I will be in you care. Sorry for the belated greetings." Jogrin copied Captain Ryov after hearing Naytia.
"That's not what I meant either!!"
"Hahaha! Jogrin, didn't know you're actually quite the humorous fellow!" Griston laughed out loud.
"Hm? I didn't intend to be humorous though?"
"Oh... Well this is embarrassing..." Griston donned his helmet, to hide his face.
"Ahem! Anyway, we will do our best to try not to disrupt your daily lives." Captain Ryov continued.
"No worries. I'll go out to buy some ingredients for tonight's dinner. Jogrin, can you tell Proxer when he comes back?"
"Sure."
"Then, excuse me."
"See you soon, Ms. Naytia."
After bidding farewell to Captain and Griston, Naytia set out, leaving only them and Jogrin in the house. Jogrin sat down on the couch and stared blankly at the television that was pitch black.
In the previous two days, the house was much more lively thanks to the presence of Zanphia and Suzannia, and Zenover to some extent, but now that they all went to school, there was no one to liven up the mood. Hence, Captain Ryov and Griston could only helplessly gaze at Jogrin.
After a while, Proxer returned.
"Sorry I took so long. I had to help fix up one of the tents..." Having noticed the awkward silence, Proxer froze up a little, as he looked at Captain Ryov and Griston in awe, admiring how they were able to put up with this.
Captain Ryov had an inkling what Jogrin was thinking about, so he didn't bother him. Griston, on the other hand, just followed suit. And that was how the current atmosphere was created.
"Naytia said she's out to buy ingredients."
"Oh... I see. Thanks for telling me."
A short exchange, then silence once again trapped everyone within it as if it was making the time loop forevermore. Captain Ryov took off his helmet and sighed.
"Let me make some tea for you. Please sit down and wait." Proxer decided to treat Captain Ryov and Griston.
"You don't have to!" Grsiton didn't want to accept his goodwill when he had nothing to give in return.
"It's fine! Just sit at the dining table. I'll be done in a jiffy!"
With that Proxer headed toward the kitchen. The two Knights listened and walked into the dining room. While waiting, they kept up with their supervision duty. This time, instead of total silence, there at least were some clashing sounds from the ceramic cups since Proxer was washing them, followed by water boiling noises. They were truly grateful for that.
Meanwhile, Jogrin didn't move an inch. Captain Ryov didn't understand. From how Jogrin explained it yesterday, he'd already figured out why the higher-ups agreed to let him stay in the neighborhood, so was there something deeper about this? Or could he just be thinking about something else entirely?
Curiosity overwhelmed Captain Ryov, but unlike Kapel, he wasn't one to directly strike a conversation under circumstances such as this. He was more of an observer. He was one that would assess with his eyes first, before diver deeper.
There was no right or wrong in their methods, since different people had their own approaches.
'Jogrin... I can't figure you out at all...'
Alas, it seemed Captain Ryov's approach wasn't working.