"Sorry, Mr. Amagi, I was supposed to take you back, but I have something to attend to later, so I need to go back and change first. However, it's roughly on the way," Crepes Clair apologized to Ryuto, bowing slightly.

Ryuto just waved his hand in response, "Ah, it's okay, I should be the one apologizing, really."

"Hm?" Crepes Clair tilted his head in surprise.

"I'm the one who suggested coming here. You wouldn't have encountered this situation if you hadn't accompanied me," Ryuto pointed out, glancing at the dirt on Crepes Clair's clothes.

"No, it's not Mr. Amagi's fault. It's my personal issue," Crepes Clair responded.

"Personal issue?" Ryuto asked naturally.

For some reason, Crepes Clair did not answer the question and changed the subject instead.

"Besides, when that incident happened, if it weren't for you pulling me aside, I might have been hit by that stone," Crepes Clair continued.

"It was nothing, just a reflex. After all, I was right there," Ryuto dismissed the importance.

Ryuto didn't press further on why Crepes Clair didn't dodge the stone or why he stayed in place. It was clear that Crepes Clair didn't want to talk about it, so Ryuto didn't pry into the matter. Since the other party was reluctant to share, Ryuto had no interest in probing into someone else's privacy.

The ride fell into an inexplicable silence afterwards.

Fortunately, they arrived soon, and Ryuto managed to keep himself composed throughout the journey.

The car stopped in front of a very large mansion.

Wow... is her family this wealthy?

As Ryuto marveled silently, he also sensed a strange unease, although he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was off.

Maybe it was seeing Ryuto standing dumbfounded in place that prompted Crepes Clair to speak, "Mr. Amagi, both of you, come inside, it's not right to leave guests hanging outside."

"Ah, alright."

Although it was entering a stranger's home, Ryuto didn't refuse.

Meanwhile, the driver, Tenan Mas, seemed a bit exhausted, but he eagerly chimed in, "Oh, this is a good opportunity to take a break."

So the three of them walked up to the front door of the mansion.

Crepes Clair took out a key from her pocket and opened the door with a step forward.

Huh? It's actually locked.

Although Ryuto found it strange, he remained silent.

Upon entering, the interior was as spacious as imagined.

Indeed, her family is very affluent.

Ryuto realized this once again.

However, something felt missing in this house...

Well, not that something precious was missing. There were indeed many valuable items in sight, but if there was a theft, everything would likely be gone.

So, it didn't seem like a burglary, and no thief would be foolish enough to steal from the home of the Special Guard's leader.

Even though he thought so, Ryuto still felt like something was lacking, something that should have been in place here...

"Please have a seat for a moment, I'll make some tea," Crepes Clair gestured towards a nearby sofa.

"No, it's okay, aren't you supposed to change clothes?" Ryuto queried.

"It's not a problem, changing clothes won't take much time, even if I make tea after.," she replied.

"Is that so..."

Since Crepes Clair insisted, Ryuto didn't have the heart to refuse.