Dear Professor Laventon,

  It has been over a year since you departed for the region of Hisui in the eastern regions to complete your hypothesis on environmental evolution and test your theory on the differences between it and the existence of regional variants. The time passed has been more than adequate to complete your evaluation.

  As such, the Professors Association Board of Galar requests you return posthaste to reveal your findings. Any refusal of this request will result in punishment.

  A boat will be dispatched to pick you up shortly. We pray the Hero of Sword and Shield will protect you on your journey.

  Regards,

  Professor Association of Galar

  "Do you really have to go back to Galar?" Akari asked, handing the letter back to Laventon. "Can't you just send them a letter telling them of your success?"

  The group had returned to Galaxy Hall and Laventon's office to talk about the letter received from the Corvisquire. Laventon sat at his desk after handing the letter to Akari so she and Rei could read it. Cyllene excused herself after a few moments to make tea for everyone.

  Laventon sighed, staring at the letter in his hand before dropping it on the desk. "It's not as easy as that, Akari. If I sent them a letter, they would assume I am lying."

  "Then send them a photo or something!" Rei growled, slamming his hands on the desk. The books piled along the edges shifted from the force. "I can have Ace and the others pose for you at the photography studio. A photo should be proof enough--"

  "Rei." Laventon stared at Rei, expression stern.

  Rei stepped back. Laventon had never looked at him like that before.

  Laventon stared at Rei a few moments longer before resting his forehead against interlocked hands. "I am in no position to deny them or work around their request. They have the power to strip me of my Professor's license. That means I could never become a Professor again."

  Rei grit his teeth, looking away with a quiet growl. Getting angry at the situation wasn't going to help, but a sense of powerlessness at the situation washed over him.

  Cyllene entered the room, carrying a tray with four cups of tea. She handed one to Akari and one to Rei before moving to Laventon's side.

  "Do you have to leave right away?" Cyllene asked, setting a tea cup in front of Laventon.

  Her expression was somber as she held the tray under her arm so she could have her own tea.

  Rei could tell she was trying not to look upset at the news that Laventon was leaving Hisui, potentially forever.

  Sighing, Laventon leaned back in his chair. "I'm afraid I do." He turned his attention to Rei. "Will you join me? You have the three Pokémon I came to Hisui with and I'm not much of a battler like you. I'd feel safer if you joined me."

  Rei hesitated a few seconds then nodded.

  Laventon grinned. "Great. I'll send a response to the council right away. We'll depart in about two weeks."

  Rei stared at his reflection in the tea cup, biting the inside of his lip. Now what was he going to do about Volo?

  "I should check on the Togepi," Rei muttered, setting the cup on Laventon's desk. He turned and left the office.

  This wasn't the greatest thing in the world. Volo was still healing and Rei couldn't have Adaman keep coming to his house while he was gone to watch him.

  Stupid Professor Association, Rei thought, opening the door to his house.

  Adaman and Volo were sitting in the bedroom, holding bowls with rice, meat, and vegetables. Thyme and the others were eating from a plate of potato mochi.

  Adaman grinned when he saw Rei. "Hey! You're just in time for some sukiyaki!"

  Volo prodded the food in curiosity before awkwardly using the chopsticks to grab a piece of meat, holding it up to Kai.

  Kai trilled quietly, moving closer to stare at the offered food.

  "Can I talk to you for a moment outside?" Rei asked, tilting his head to the door.

  "Oh." Adaman looked between Volo and Rei before he set his bowl down. "Sure."

  Rei opened the door and once Adaman stepped outside, he shut it.

  "What's up?"

  "Laventon is being called back to Galar and he's asked me to come with him."

  Adaman leaned against the side of the house, folding his arms over his chest. "I see. How long until you leave?"

  "Two weeks."

  Humming, Adaman closed his eyes. "Two weeks isn't a lot of time, you know."

  "I know. I have to go though. Isn't there any way you can convince your clan to watch Volo while I'm gone?"

  "That's kind of a tall order." Adaman rubbed the back of his neck. "He is a wanted man. They'd sooner want to execute him than watch him."

  Rei sighed. He knew it was asking a lot, but it was riskier to leave Volo unattended for several hours a day. Even with Ginter's help watching the house, there was only so much he could do to prevent anyone from entering.

  "I'll see what I can do." Adaman dropped a hand on Rei's shoulder, grinning. "If I can convince the elders that he's not a threat then it should be easier to convince everyone else."

  Rei smiled, hope rising in him. "Thanks, Adaman!"

  "What are you two talking about?"

  Rei looked to see Akari approaching them.

  "Uh, nothing!" he said quickly just as Adaman said, "The trip to Galar!"

  Rei caught Adaman's eye and they moved to stand in front of the door to his house.

  Akari tilted her head with their conflicting answers. Pikachu lowered his ears with an unimpressed expression. "Okay, well...I want to come to Galar, too."

  "You want to come to Galar?" Rei asked, baffled at the request. Unlike him, she had no reason to come to Galar.

  "Mm!" Akari nodded. "You're my friend and Laventon's like my dad! Of course I want to come with!"

  Rei glanced at Adaman who shook his head then looked away, letting Rei handle the situation.

  "Uh..." Rei set a hand against the back of his neck. "Well, you should be asking Laventon, not me."

  "I know he'll approve!" Akari clenched her hands with an excited grin. "I'll go tell him right away!"

  "See you?" Rei waved as Akari bolted back to Galaxy Hall.

  "Hey, more company is always nice," Adaman offered. "She'll find a way to follow you guys anyway."

  "Yeah."

  Akari was stubborn when it came to a lot of things and once she set her mind to things, she would keep at it until she got the result she wanted.

  "I'll figure something out by the time you guys leave," Adaman said, patting Rei's back before he walked away. "I have to head out to check on the village so you can have my sukiyaki if you'd like."

  "Thanks again." Rei waved as Adaman departed before he headed into his house. He had to at least tell Volo that he might be moving to a new place soon.

  Adaman sighed, passing through the village gates and making his way east, towards the Mirelands. He acted sure of himself, but he wasn't so sure at all.

  How was he even going to begin convincing the stubborn elders that Volo wasn't a threat with his amnesia? They were more likely to think Volo was faking it or that he had put Adaman under a spell to trick them.

  Rubbing his hair, Adaman released a frustrated groan. Nothing could ever be easy.

  "Lea?" Thyme rubbed against Adaman's leg as they walked, staring at him.

  "Sorry, guys. I'm just thinking about how the elders will respond."

  Eon pinned her ears back, expression sour. "Bre."

  Eon didn't care for the elders and in honesty, Adaman didn't either. The elders held fast to the old ways and even though they had budged on the fact the clan had been wrong about Sinnoh and reluctantly formed a friendship with the Pearl Clan, they were less likely to forgive the person who had started the Frenzies and endangered their home.

  Even though he was the leader of the clan, Adaman didn't have that much power. He had to go through the elders to approve certain actions. His position could also be stripped if Lord Wyrdeer felt he wasn't up to the task.

  "Do you guys think they'll agree to watch Volo while Rei is gone?" Adaman looked down at his partners.

  Thyme and the other two shook their heads simultaneously.

  "Yeah, me either."

  What was he going to do? He had to move Volo somewhere by the time Rei left for Galar with Laventon. If he couldn't move Volo to his clan, perhaps there was another place.

  Oh, well, he thought. I have at least two weeks to decide how to handle this.

  "Hey, Adaman!"

  Adaman slowed to a stop when he saw Mai approaching him. Munchlax waddled by her side. "Mai."

  "Heading back to the clan?" Mai asked, holding her hands behind her back.

  "Yeah. Were you on your way back, too?"

  Mai shook her head. "Nope. I was going to visit Melli."

  Adaman frowned. Melli rarely wanted people in his section of Hisui. He always got annoyed when Adaman visited just to make sure he had enough supplies, grumbling about overbearing siblings.

  "Is something wrong?"

  "Not really. Want to come with?"

  Adaman looked towards the Mirelands in the distance. The golden grass and pungent marshlands were calling to him. He wanted to have a moment's reprieve in his own tent.

  However, he hadn't seen Melli in a while and the Highlands weren't that far from the Mirelands. In the end, which way he went wouldn't make much of a difference.

  "I suppose I have some time," Adaman relented.

  "Great!" Mai beamed, clapping her hands before walking ahead of Adaman. "What's up with you? You look troubled."

  "I do?" Adaman touched his face. Was he that easy to read?

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Mai hummed an affirmative, turning so she was walking backward. "Something wrong?"

  Adaman sighed, avoiding Mai's gaze. Was she trustworthy enough to know about Volo? She wasn't a gossip; she wouldn't go around telling others if Adaman asked her not to. "You have to promise not to tell anyone else."

  Mai's eyebrows furrowed and she stopped walking. Once Adaman passed her, she dropped into step beside him. "Of course."

  "You know about the rumors surrounding Volo?"

  "Yeah, everyone does. No one's seen the guy for a long time, though. Everyone thinks he left Hisui to avoid punishment."

  "That's not entirely true."

  Mai tilted her head. "No?"

  "Rei's been taking care of him. Well, me and Rei. He got hurt really badly due to some...circumstances."

  It probably was better she didn't know that Volo had been punished by the Lake Guardians.

  "Huh." Mai crossed her arms. "Never took you for a guy who'd do something like that for a criminal."

  "I won't understand why he tried to do what he did," Adaman muttered, kicking a rock out of his way. "I won't understand, either. He has amnesia. I think that's why I feel kind of...bad for him."

  Mai's expression softened. "Yeah, I think I get it. If I were in his shoes, I'd be confused about why people were yelling at me and calling me a criminal."

  "Rei is leaving for Galar in a few weeks, so I'm trying to think of an easy way to break the news to the elders that we might have to watch Volo for a while."

  "Ah." Mai nodded. "That's why you look upset."

  "What can I do to convince them, Mai? Amnesia won't be enough to absolve him of his crimes."

  "Whatever happens, I will be there to help you." Mai set a hand on Adaman's arm with a smile. "That's what siblings are for."

  Adaman smiled in return. Mai was always a comforting presence to him as his blood sister. Older by two years, she was well-spoken and knew unorthodox ways of settling arguments. If it hadn't been for the fact Adaman had been born into leadership, he would have let her become the Diamond Clan's leader. Part of him had considered purposely letting Lord Wyrdeer deny him a chance at retaining his title so he could give it to Mai, but Wardens were disqualified from becoming Clan Leader. After all, they couldn't hold both titles.

  Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Adaman decided it was time to change the subject to something less depressing.

  "You said you wanted to see Melli. Why?"

  "He said he wanted to show me something." Mai reached into her pocket and pulled out an Aguav berry when Munchlax impatiently pulled on her leg.

  "Munch!" Munchlax shoved the berry into his mouth when Mai dropped it into his paws.

  Mai grinned at Munchlax before looking at Adaman. "I think it has something to do with Ingo."

  "I thought they were on good terms."

  "They are. Melli's mentioned it a few times, but I think he wants to gift something to Ingo."

  "Oh." Adaman nodded. "That's nice of him."

  Melli giving something to someone else was unusual. Usually, he was the one who expected gifts or something done for him.

  Adaman hummed, crossing his arms. He remembered speaking to Ingo a few times and how the Pearl Clan Warden seemed fond of the prickly Melli. Even Melli seemed to calm down around Ingo, even if he was more huffy in return.

  A gift…? Adaman thought, tilting his head.

  Gasping as the realization hit him like a charging Rhyhorn, Adaman stared at Mai. "You mean like a courting gift?!"

  Mai giggled, covering her mouth. "That took you long enough to figure out."

  "But Ingo?!"

  "Ingo is one the few people who can stand Melli. The two have shared space in the Highlands for about two years now. It was only a matter of time."

  Adaman set a hand against his forehead, recalling all the times he had seen the wistful expression Melli shot towards Ingo's back or how he praised Ingo for the man's climbing ability without the aid of Lady Sneasler despite never praising anyone but himself. "I cannot believe I am just realizing this."

  "I feel like you're the last one to know." Mai sighed, shaking her head. "Apart from Ingo. That man is denser than Lian's rock collection."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Melli has been dropping hints for months now and Ingo hasn't picked them up. So, Melli is hoping that the gift will finally get Ingo to realize his intentions."

  That was a clever idea. Ingo knew the nuances of courting gifts between his clan and the Diamond Clan. People in the Diamond Clan would craft something and give it to their significant other. Crafting something extravagant like scarves or hard to carve tumblestone bracelets took time; time one was willing to give to their loved one. Of course, the courting gifts didn't used to be for those one had eyes on. Adaman remembered a time when crafting gifts were relegated to family and close friends. Now there was a distinction between the two types of gifts.

  "What if Ingo doesn't get it even after the gift?" Adaman asked. It wasn't impossible. He had seen it take a few seconds for Ingo to realize he had been bitten by a Zubat.

  Mai snickered. "Then Melli will probably throw Ingo off the Highlands."

  "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

  Adaman didn't feel like explaining to Irida why Lady Sneasler's Warden ended up at the bottom of the mountain.

  Adaman and Melli slowed to a stop as they approached Lord Electrode's arena. In front of the stone offering dishes were Ingo and Melli, facing each other with Gliscor and Skuntank.

  "Oh, they're having a battle," Mai said as Skuntank launched himself towards Gliscor, tail glowing silver.

  Adaman looked at Melli, examining his expression. It wasn't uncommon for Melli to start battles with people, but something about the battle felt off to Adaman.

  Melli was furious, tears in the corner of his eyes, hands clenched.

  Ingo, on the other hand, wore a confused and concerned expression.

  "I don't think this is a friendly battle, Mai." Adaman took a step forward to stop the battle and see why the two were arguing.

  Mai grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Let's watch it play out,” Mai said, releasing Adaman.

  "What are you talking about? We have to---"

  "You can't Clan Leader your way into stopping all arguments. Let them hash it out."

  "Wh..." Adaman looked back at Ingo and Melli as Gliscor slammed his tail into Skuntank's back. He sighed, stepping back. "All right, but if it gets bad, I'm stepping in."

  Mai shrugged. "Sure."

  “Night Slash!”

  Skuntank snarled, raising his tail before swinging it down, unleashing an arc of dark energy.

  Gliscor screeched when he was hit, dropping from the air. He flipped once, landing on his tail and using it to push himself into the air once more.

  “Gliscor, Crab Hammer!” Ingo ordered. “Melli, please tell me what's wrong! Why are you angry with me?”

  “I don't want to hear whatever excuse you have!” Melli yelled. “Skuntank, shut him up with Foul Play!”

  Skuntank avoided Gliscor's water covered tail as it crashed into the ground beside him then sank his teeth into Gliscor's leg. Swinging him once, Skuntank slammed Gliscor into the ground.

  “How can I make amends if I do not know what I did wrong?” Ingo asked as Gliscor struggled to get back to his feet. “Strong style X-scissor!”

  “Gli…” Gliscor used his tail to launch himself at Skuntank, slamming his pinchers into Skuntank's side before swinging them out in an X.

  Skuntank squealed as he slid back from the super effective attack before he shook his head.

  “You know what you did wrong! Haze!”

  Skuntank released a cloud of smoke from the tip of his tail. It spread between himself and Gliscor, obscuring vision and lowering move accuracy.

  Ingo frowned, grabbing the brim of his hat before he began to stride towards Melli.

  The movement startled Melli who took a step back. “Y-you stay right on your side of the court o-or I'll…I'll have Skuntank attack you directly!”

  “Skun?!” Skuntank asked, baffled at his owner's statement.

  “If that will alleviate your grievance towards me, then so be it.”

  Melli took another step back as Ingo got closer, eyes darting side to side, searching for an escape route.

  Ingo grabbed Melli’s wrist before he could make a move. “Tell me what I did wrong so I can rectify it.”

  “Don't touch me,” Melli hissed, lashing out his free hand to slap Ingo.

  Instead, Ingo caught Melli's wrist and used his ankle to trip Melli, smoothly bringing him to the ground. He used one knee to keep Melli pinned.

  “How dare you!” Melli shrieked, struggling under Ingo's grasp. “Wait until Adaman hears about how you're treating me!”

  Mai glanced at Adaman with a raised eyebrow.

  Adaman raised his hands, taking a few steps back. He was not going to interrupt them.

  “Tell me and I'll release you,” Ingo said, voice soft and patient. “Please.”

  Melli stubbornly refused to look at Ingo and didn't respond for a while. Then he mumbled, “The girl. You kissed a girl.”

  “Girl?” Ingo repeated, eyebrows furrowing. “What are you–”

  Was Melli talking about the Pearl Clan girl that always insisted on following him during his safety checks of the Highlands? Now he knew what Melli was so upset over.

  Heaving a sigh, Ingo stood and pulled Melli to his feet. “You daft, stupid man. I didn't kiss her.”

  “Huh?” Melli sniffled as Ingo brushed the dirt off his clothes.

  “Apparently, she'd gained a crush on me a few months back and decided to corner me while I was getting ready for departure. She kissed me. I told her I wasn't interested in her or women for that matter.”

  “Oh.” Melli stared at the ground, running his hands over his braid. “I guess I got the wrong idea…”

  “You never gave me a chance to explain before you launched into a battle.” Ingo took one of Melli's hands to stop him from tearing out his braid. He pressed his forehead against Melli's. “I could never choose to love another.”

  "All's well that ends well," Mai said, chuckling as an embarrassed Melli pulled away from Ingo.

  “I guess,” Adaman muttered.

  Ingo caught sight of Adaman and Mai and waved an arm, calling, "Why, hello, Warden Mai and Clan Leader Adaman!"

  "How long have you been there?!" Melli squawked, moving halfway behind Ingo like he would be able to hide behind the Pearl Clan Warden. "Go away!"

  "Oh, but I thought you wanted to show me the courting gift," Mai teased, tilting her head and resting a finger against her cheek. "What a shame."

  "Courting gift?" Ingo asked, looking at Melli. "What is she talking about?"

  "Nothing! Don't pay attention to her."

  "Melli, I wish to see this gift," Ingo insisted, staring at Melli intently. "You crafted it for me, correct? I wish to see the fruits of your labor."

  A heavy blush crossed Melli's face before he grumbled, pulling out a scarf from the pocket of his jacket and shoving it at Ingo. "H-here!"

  Ingo took the scarf, holding it up so he could get a better look at it.

  Made from cold-resistant Flareon fur and dyed blue, the scarf had a stitched Diamond Clan symbol on one end and a Pearl Clan symbol on the other. Polished pieces of tumblestone were sewn into the insignias, facets painstakingly added onto the round stones to enable them to catch light and sparkle.

  "I know you don't need a scarf since you seem immune to the cold like all Pearl Clan members," Melli said, folding his arms and cocking a hip as he looked away from Ingo, "but it was the easiest thing I know how to make."

  "It's beautiful," Ingo murmured, wrapping the scarf around his neck. "Thank you."

  "Ugh." Adaman looked away to avoid getting a face full of Melli kissing Ingo. "I guess as long as Melli is happy, that's all that matters to me."

  "Our next steps should be hooking you up with someone," Mai teased, elbowing Adaman in the side.

  Adaman rolled his eyes, stepping away from Mai's jabs. "I am not even remotely interested in anyone."

  "Yet."

  "Please stay out of my love life."

  “Oh, Addie.” Mai clung to Adaman's arm, leaning against him with a grin. “That's what sisters are for.”

  "I know I put them somewhere," Laventon muttered, picking up another journal and rifling through the pages. He groaned, tossing it to the ground before picking up another one. "Where are they?"

  Rei released a long, drawn out sigh, leaning back in the chair behind Laventon's desk, rocking on the back legs. He was so bored of searching through the stacks and stacks of paper, looking for the copies of the notes Laventon had made on the evolutions of Typhlosion, Samurott, and Decidueye in Hisui versus their natural habitats.

  It had only been a few days since the letter from the Galar Professor's Association had arrived and Laventon was in a flurry, trying to piece together all his notes before the departure in over a week.

  “This is so boring,” Akari muttered, lying upside down on Laventon's couch. She was folding paper in half before turning down the top sections into wings and tossing them into the air.

  Pikachu was curled up beside her, taking a nap. His tail curled around his face.

  "Are you certain you don't have your Pokédex?" Laventon asked, staring at Rei with pathetic eyes.

  Rei avoided the gaze, scratching his cheek. He couldn't tell Laventon the Pokédex was up in Sinnoh Temple, pages ripped out and illegible after the rain storms that had passed through. Besides, by then, Murkrow were bound to have taken the Pokédex to use its pages as lining amongst the jewels and shiny rocks that adorned their nests.

  "Sorry, I dropped it in a river and couldn't fish it out in time."

  Laventon groaned, draping himself pathetically over a stack of books on his desk. "Where could I have put those copies...?"

  Cyllene entered the office with two cups of tea. She shook her head when she saw Laventon's miserable state. "Really, you're stressing yourself out for no reason. It's not like you're leaving today."

  "You don't understand. I have to find those copies to show the council proof. They'll be more likely to approve my research with physcial proof besides Ace and the other two."

  "Stressing won't help you find them." Cyllene set the cups of tea down, brushing Laventon's hair out of his face. "Why not take a break and perhaps you'll remember where you put the papers?"

  "I suppose you're right."

  "Ew, gross!" Akari and Rei yelled when Cyllene planted a kiss on Laventon's cheek.

  Laventon pulled himself off his books, taking the cup of tea Cyllene offered. "This does smell delightful."

  "It's Pecha tea with some lemongrass extract." Cyllene took a sip of her tea.

  "How come we don't get any?" Akari asked, pouting at Cyllene.

  "You two get some if you find Laventon's papers," Cyllene replied, taking another sip of her tea.

  "No fair," Rei grumbled as Akari whined. "That's like looking for a shiny Garchomp among an outbreak of regular Garchomp."

  "Then, you don't get any tea."

  Rei leaned his head back with a groan.

  The front door to Laventon's office opened and Beauregard stumbled inside, Beauticia asleep on top of his head.

  "Pardon my intrusion!" Beauregard said, saluting as he came to a stop.

  Cyllene immediately darted into her office, slamming the door. "Beauregard, at least warn me before you come in with that beast!"

  “Beast…?” Beauregard muttered, offended on Beauticia's behalf. “Beauticia is the cutest thing in the world and she wouldn't hurt anyone!”

  “Why did you leave your post, Beauregard?” Cyllene snapped. “Hurry and get back to it!”

  “I have an urgent message for Professor Laventon!"

  "For me?" Laventon asked. "What is it?"

  "A ship is docked in the harbor of Prelude Beach and a smaller rowboat is at the dock. The oarsman says that the captain of the ship is there to pick him up to transport him to Galar immediately!”

  Laventon, Rei, and Akari all blinked at Beauregard as they took in his statement.

  When it finally sunk in, the tea cup slipped from Laventon's grasp. “What?!”

  When the cup shattered, Pikachu hopped up from his nap, back arched and sparks flying from his cheeks.

  Rei leaned too far back in the chair and fell to the ground with a thud when he lost his balance. He rubbed his head as he popped to his feet. "The fuck?!"

  "I thought the ship wasn't due for another week!" Akari yelped, flipping over and scrambling to her feet. "I'm not even packed yet!"

  “Pi!” Pikachu chased after her. “Pika!”

  "Why is the ship here?" Rei asked, digging his nails into Laventon's desk. "I thought it wasn't coming for two weeks!”

  "I don't know!" Laventon set his palm against his forehead. "Perhaps they sent the ship ahead of the letter..."

  "Just great," Rei hissed, launching himself over the desk and running out of Galaxy Hall.

  He sprinted to his house and went inside, shutting the door before leaning against it, catching his breath.

  Adaman glanced towards him. He and Volo appeared to be playing some sort of card game.

  "Wow, you look like you've seen a ghost," Adaman teased, setting the cards in his hand down.

  "The ship's here," Rei said.

  "Ship?" Adaman repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You'll have to be more specific. Like, a merchant ship?"

  "The ship to Galar. It's here."

  Adaman stared at Rei for a few moments before the color drained from his face. "Oh. Oh, no."

  Rei moved towards Adaman urgently. "Tell me you've talked to your clan already."

  "Of course not! I thought I had more time!"

  "What's going on?" Volo asked, looking between Rei and Adaman. "Are we moving already?"

  "This is just great," Rei muttered vehemently. "We don't have another place to move him to."

  “Do we have any idea on a good place where he can stay?” Adaman asked.

  Rei shook his head. “I can't think of any.”

  The sound of Rei's door opening caught everyone's attention. Akari stepped past the threshold, already taking her shoes off.

  "What kind of clothes do you think I'll need for--" Akari stopped, staring at Rei, Adaman, and Volo. "Uh...."

  "Oh, no..." Adaman muttered.

  “Who is that?” Volo asked.

  Rei smacked his face. He had forgotten to put the barrier up and Akari was back to her old ways of coming into his house without knocking.

  This was just what they needed.