Ready

Evelyn: ...Oh. You again. Were you planning on stalking me today, too?

After saying this, Evelyn swiftly closes her bag to hide Bee inside while her partners-in-crime grin knowingly.

Bee: MPF!
Carl: What was that just now?
Evelyn: Nothing.
Carl: Uhm... okay? Actually, I have been waiting for you to turn up again. Look, I...

Nervous, he begins rubbing his neck. Much to Ume, Candy and Chloe's delight as their grin widens.

Evelyn: You what? You can see I am trying to spend time with my precious ones, right? If you have something to say, then do it quicker.
Carl: So, well... my niece Mio spoke to me about last time, and I think I should apologize.
Evelyn: That is correct. You really should.
Carl: The thing is... I am no good with small talk and all that. But I felt like I had to talk to you, no matter what. Like I would never get the chance to talk to you again if I didn't. So I rushed the conversation, this weird pressure forcing me to and I messed up because of my restlessness.
Evelyn: And how does that justify staring at me for at least over five minutes?
Carl: Because you are...

Carl blushes a bit, stopping mid-sentence.

Evelyn: ...I am what?

Candy flashes a sneaky grin and leans closer to the others as she whispers.

Candy: Nice to look at, that is.

They confirm with a nod.

Carl: A-anyway, can you please forget about that and give me a chance to start over from the beginning?

He extends a hand, offering it for a handshake.

Carl: Once again. I am Carl. Nice to meet you.
Evelyn: Hmm... should I really...? I am not sure about this...
Gertrud: After that first impression, understandable.
Candy: Shht, Auntie Gertrud! Granny Evelyn, don't turn him down just yet.
Chloe: Yeah, please reconsider the situation. The poor man was feeling just a little awkward around you, that's all.
Ume: I second that. He seems to be good at heart, but bad with words like a certain bothersome someone.
Evelyn: Hrrrm... I still do not know...
Mio: Oh, now look who we have here! Hello everybody! I'm delighted to see you found the time to pay my humble place a visit!

The young woman joins the group, standing beside Carl now.

Mio: And I also see Uncle Carl came to do what he was supposed to do. Isn't that right?
Carl: Uhm... yes.
Mio: He may have his shortcomings, but he is still a good guy. I know you'll get along well.
Evelyn: If you say so... alright. My name is Evelyn.

Evelyn also offers her hand, and Carl, grateful and happy alike, shakes her hand.

Carl: You won't regret it, I promise! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, Evelyn!
Mio: Uncle Carl... saying she won't regret it is basically a red flag.
Carl: Oh. Then forget about that, too, please. Hehe.
Mio: See? He isn't that bad.

Both stop shaking hands and Evelyn stares at the hand with which she just shook his.

Evelyn(thought): His hand was... warm.

Then Mio and Carl turn around to leave them again.

Mio: Okay, enjoy your pastries! See you next time!
Carl: Until then! I hope I get to see you more often from now on!

With that, everyone waves them goodbye. Then they shift their attention back to the cakes in front of them, except for Evelyn who starts staring at her hand again.

Gertrud: So that was notorious Carl. I imagined him worse, to be honest. ...Evelyn?

She snaps out of her glaring trance, looking up at the others again.

Evelyn: What is it?
Gertrud: You were spacing out.
Evelyn: Oh. I am sorry.
Chloe: And how is your second impression of him?
Evelyn: Hmm... not as bad as before, I guess...
Candy: See? Sometimes you just have to get to know people better!
Ume: I knew you would change your mind.
Evelyn: Seems like it. I do not know about you, but I will continue to enjoy my cake.

Somehow defiant now, she takes her fork and goes on eating eagerly. The others exchange smirks, then join in to eat their cakes as well.

Bee: Uhm... you didn't forget about feeding me in between, right?
Evelyn: Oh, of course not! Here, have another bite, Bee!

Evelyn opens her handbag anew and offers another forkful of cake to little Bee.

Bee: Yay, thanks!

-------

Candy: Haaa... that was awesome! Thanks again for the treat, Granny Evelyn!

The heroine gang is back in the car, Gertrud driving like previously and Evelyn next to her while the other three sit in the back.

Evelyn: All of you are very welcome. It is such a shame I could only invite you just now. I would have loved to do that right after we found one another.
Ume: I personally think it was just right the way it was. This way, I was able to see something interesting.
Evelyn: And that would be?
Ume: Oh, nothing. Nothing at all...

Hearing this, Candy and Chloe chuckle a bit.

Gertrud: Ladies, I hate to interrupt your little chatter, but we are almost back to the university.
Ume: Oh, too bad. Well then, see you next time!

Shortly afterward the car stops, and Ume exits, leaving for Amari Town University. And a little bit later, Candy says her goodbye, too.

Candy: Stay alert and just call me as soon as we need to kick monster butt again!

She also leaves, walking towards the school they picked her up from. A bit of silence among those who are left follows. Then Gertrud starts the engine again.

Gertrud: Back to patrolling, it seems.

The car drives off, going back to their place to keep watch.

------

The sound of a terrible alarm goes off, an annoying tune that consists of only 'boing' sounds and startles Evelyn awake. A frantic Bee enters her bedroom, panting heavily.

Bee: Evelyn! Evelyn! The time has come!

Still sleepy, she forces out the next phrase.

Evelyn: ...What time?
Bee: My sister called! They found the location of the Dark Kingdom!