Page 97 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“No.”
Lilya pointed out, “You might learn a bunch of things UncleArgent doesn’t know.”
Ginkgo chuckled and squirmed and finally said, “Yeah. That’dbe great.”
“Come along, then.” Salali rose and moved toward the frontdoor.
“Now?” Ginkgo scrambled to his feet, but hesitated.
Tenma cleared his throat. “I can escort Lilya-chan back.”
Ginkgo hurriedly kissed Lilya’s forehead, then Tenma’s.Seeing that Salali was already gone, Ginkgo swore, muttered hurried thanks, andsprinted away.
Lilya giggled.
Tenma smiled.
And for a little while, silence hung awkwardly between them.Lilya broke it by admitting, “I don’t remember you. Not really.”
“Did Isla never mention me?”
“Are you one of her friends?”
“Yes. We were classmates.”
Lilya saw Isla irregularly, and her older sister was usuallydoing important things for Hisoka-sensei or practicing her French with UncleJackie. “You’re Isla’s age?” she asked doubtfully.
He chuckled. “No. She skipped several grades. I’m six yearsolder than her.”
Which might as well have been a riddle. “I’m not great withmath.”
Tenma shrugged. “I’m twenty-six.”
Even older than Timur. It seemed only natural to ask, “Howmany children do you have?”
“Oh, I’m not married.” Tenma kept his gaze fixed on Rifflet.“With one thing and another, well … let’s just say I’m behind schedule. Shallwe?”
Since his hands were full, Lilya gathered up their bowls andcarried them to the kitchen. Then they left—by the door this time—and strolledup the path toward Waaseyaa’s. He spoke first this time.
“I can see the resemblance.”
“To Isla? She looks like Papka, and he’s the pretty one.”Lilya was used to being compared. Everyone did it. “Unless you meant to Timur?”
“Oh, no. Well, I suppose.” Timur searched her face. “Iactually meant that you’re extremely warded.”
She lifted her wrists so that moonlight gleamed across theheavy bracelets at her wrists. Rifflet seemed to think this an invitation.Wriggling free of Tenma, he glided through the air and landed in her hands.
“Wow,” Tenma whispered. “He flew.”
“I didn’t know you could do that.” Lilya caressed the littledragon’s back. “You don’t need wings to fly?”
Rifflet peeped in a pleased way.
They continued along, and Lilya decided it was her turn toask something. “What’s your classification?”
“I haven’t formally declared one.”
At his age? “I didn’t think you could graduate without one.”
