Lucy took the bottle of fire wine and sat down on the bed again.
　He put it on the table between us and tapped it with his white fingertips.

　The bottle instantly freezes over.
　Lucy had used her ice magic.

　However, the contents of the bottle were not frozen.
　That's because the alcohol content was too high for me to freeze it even if I tried.

　I fished for a clear shot glass from the shelf in my room, picked up the frozen bottle and poured it into the clear shot glass.
　Lucy's face lights up with a flash of light.

''Looks delicious........''

　This method was the proper way to drink this fire wine.
　The cooler you chill it, the more mellow the taste becomes and the more mellow the drink becomes.

　But that being said, it is a high strength drink, and you can feel the burning sensation as it goes down your throat.

　Besides, if Lucy is not good at drinking alcohol, she could get drunk even if she drank a little.

"You shouldn't drink too much...?

It's good. Not today.

You used to drink a lot and get drunk every day with the excuse that it was just for today.

　I said with a laugh.
　Then I took the bottle away and put it back on the shelf.

　Lucy glares at me with her crimson eyes.

'Solon's stingy.'

'I'm saying this for the sake of the doctor,'

What's that, a sermon?　You can't tell which one of us is the master in this one.

It's true.

　Lucy's cheeks puffed out when I said this, but she eventually chuckled.
　It has always been my job to chastise Lucy for drinking too much.

　But the only time Lucy drank too much like that was in front of me.
　She never blundered at a proper banquet, and she always acted like a professor at a magic school.

　I'm sure that for Lucy, who was still in her late teens at the time, being a professor at a magic school was a tough job.

　No matter how much of a genius you are, that alone is not enough to make you a teacher and researcher at a prestigious and prestigious school.
　Even if I was playing the role of a perfect magician to the outside world, I'm sure I must have felt an incredible burden.

　So I guess that's why he ruffled his feathers when he got loose in front of me.

　I was looking back on the old days when I saw Lucy drinking a very large glass of fire wine.
　I tried to stop her, but it was too late.

'If you drink it all at once like that, you'll get drunk right away!

Can we leave it at that?　And with Solon there, we can rest easy.

Does that mean I have to take care of myself?

No?

　Deliberately, Lucy tilted her head and then smiled.
　The gesture was both mocking and cute.

　It's not that it's no good, but when she says that while sitting on the bed, I'm a little aware of it.
　All Lucy is wearing is a thin nightgown, and her skin is flushed as if she's on top of herself from the bath.

　Besides, she's probably getting drunk fast and her eyes are starting to glaze over.
　It was better to get to the point and pull out of the car as soon as possible.

　Otherwise, I have a feeling it will be somewhat bad.

　But Lucy was smiling happily as she looked at her glass.

'It's nice to have a drink alone with Solon.

　Lucy murmured in a beautiful voice and gently dipped her fresh lips into the glass.
　The sight of her was so lustrous that I was thrown off guard.

'Solon came back to the Imperial City and he never came to see me except for the first time.

　Lucy says this as if she was spoiled.
　The main reason I couldn't go to see Lucy, though, was because I was involved in an incident involving Filia, the student Lucy introduced me to.

　But I apologize to Lucy for being so honest with her.

Excuse me.

Then don't make me feel lonely.

　Lucy murmured softly.
　Her expression was very weak and anxious.

''I........haven't been able to do anything master-like to Solon.

I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Dr. Lucy.

Lies. I'm sure Solon would have made it without me. On the contrary, I've always relied on you for help.

　With that, Lucy gently touches my cheek.
　She caresses my warm palm and I can't help but blush.

　I jerkily deflected the conversation.

'Well Mr. Lucy. So what's the important thing to talk about...?

'Don't be in such a hurry. It's a long night.

If you keep talking like that, I'm sure Miss Lucy will be asleep before you know it.

Then why didn't you wake up and talk to me?

　Lucy said, looking at me with feverish, dazed eyes.　
　No.

　Lucy was already completely drunk.
　I gulped down my glass of booze, wondering what I should do.

　Of course I could leave the room here, but I couldn't bear to leave Lucy alone.

　Besides, it was fun for me to spend time with Dr. Lucy myself, just like I used to.

　Maybe the liquor is getting around, but I'm starting to feel fluffy and light myself.
　Well, for once, I don't mind having an extra drink.

　I got up and tried to pick up the bottle of hot sake, forgetting the advice I'd given Lucy so easily.
　However, my body wobbled from my drunkenness.

　I caught on to the legs of the table and fell into the eyes in front of me.
　Ahead of me was Lucy sitting on the bed.

　Lucy scowled and then said, "So, Solon! I mumbled in a panic, but somehow I didn't avoid it.

　As it was, I rolled Lucy up and fell onto the bed.

''There it is........''

　I groaned and opened my eyes and saw Lucy's bright red face right in front of me.
　I had just pushed Lucy down on the bed, apparently.

　My right hand was in the form of holding Lucy's shoulder.
　My left hand was on Lucy's chest, and I could feel the softness of it.

''Hiyah!''

　Lucy let out a small scream and shuddered a little and grabbed the bed sheets with one hand, embarrassed.
　Then Lucy squeezes her eyes shut.

　I feel like I'm being misunderstood in some way.
　When I blushed and hurriedly moved away, Lucy made a complicated face, relieved and disappointed.

'You could have left it at that. I thought I was going to Solon...''

　Lucy didn't say the rest of the story, but instead made her originally red face so red that it was even redder, even to her ears.
　Then, as if to hide her embarrassment, Lucy looks away.

''Ah, you see........there are two important things I have to tell you. One....................There are people I want you to meet with Solon and Filia.

"For me and Lady Filia?

Yes ... has Solon ever heard of the Free Alliance?

　Lucy asked me in a whisper and then looked me up and down with her red eyes.