Chapter XIV: Fausta's Leaves

Golden spears of sunlight splashed across the cemented floors of the central plaza of Viridis Lapis with cotton candy clouds adorning the cerulean blue sky that hanged above Sylvia who patiently sat on one of the park benches.

"I hope I look good..."

She anxiously shivered from the thought of her new friends making fun of her outfit that she had spent the entire night picking out. Her dark, purple hair was tied up in a ponytail that made it easier for people to direct their attention towards her collar bone that her blue shoulder-less crop top showed. Sylvia's delicate fingers gripped around the edges of her chest-nut brown skirt that reached just above her ankles to show off her black boots.

"Sylvia!"

An energetic voice echoed as Sylvia looked up just in time to see a pair of voluptuous breasts tackling her off the bench, pushing the air out of her lungs.

"Oh my..." Delta giggled as she watched Dorotea, and Sylvia pick themselves off the ground. "Hello there Sylvia."

"H-Hello..."

Dorotea giggled and snaked her arm around Sylvia's neck, pulling her towards her chest once again.

Sylvia's eyes lit up in excitement as she gazed at Delta's simple clothing that was composed of a oversized shirt that looked like it was a hand me down and a short white skirt that showed off her legs that had been covered with a pair of black leggings.

Dorotea's dress on the other hand was the complete opposite of Delta, a white beret and a sleeved blouse that had its brand name in gold at the front. She also wore a pair of short shorts and confidently flaunted her silky-smooth legs.

"Your outfit look so cute!" A new voice gushed out. "And your hair too! It's just fabulous!"

The three girls darted their eyes towards the girl with short, orange hair that covered one of her narrow red eyes that circled around Sylvia and Dorotea like a moth that stared at a flame.

"Oh... Hi?" Sylvia greeted.

"Heyyyy!" the ginger-haired girl chimed while waving both of her hands in front of her face.

"Oh, Sylvia! I forgot you didn't know who this is!" Dorotea exclaimed as she lets her go. "This is Carmella! She helps us in the cafe from time to time!"

"Yep! That's me!" Carmella giggled while raising peace signs. "And you are!?"

"She's Sylvia, the new recruit." Delta answered with her signature smile and placed a hand on Carmella's shoulders who seemed unfazed.

"That makes sense, I haven't really seen her before." She nodded. "So, this makes us friends since we're both Dorotea's friends!"

"Oh my god yes!"

Sylvia couldn't help but break into cold sweat as she stared at Dorotea and Carmella who giggled amongst themselves while intertwining their hands with each other. She then attempted to talk to Delta but felt herself freeze in place at the moment she met her eyes.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"N-Nothing..."

"Nonsense, don't be nervous." Delta waved her off. "If you have a question then I may have an answer."

"W-well... I'm just actually surprised to see you out here with us."

"Oh? Should I not have attended to make you feel more comfortable?"

"N-Not like that, Miss Delta!" Sylvia frantically shook her head. "I just thought you'd be too busy to join us."

"Ohh, I see that does make sense" Delta whispered. "Well, Gamma told me it'd be a good idea to join you guys."

"I-I see..."

"Mhmm, he even gave us money to use for this momentous occasion."

"Money?"

"Moneh?"

The two who had been lost in their own worlds snapped back into reality and immediately rushed towards Delta like a duo of hungry wolves.

"The boss gave us money!?"

"Really? Really!?"

"Yes yes." Delta merely giggled and pats both of Dorotea and Carmella's heads before handing them a white envelope filled with money. "Don't worry, this isn't your paychecks."

The lavender-haired woman stated as she gave Sylvia her own white envelope.

"He said we should consider it as a well-deserved gift for a job well done."

Dorotea and Carmella both looked at each with matching grins and voiced out their thanks before heading back to their own worlds once again.

"Look at how many dresses I can buy..."

"I know right, look at how many husbandos I can pull!"

"... Those two are weird." Sylvia muttered quietly as she gazed at their mouths that moved without stop. "... But isn't this too much Delta?"

"Nonsense, the boss only gives that's due and never less nor too much." she proudly answered. "And I assume we'll need every last drop if we are going shopping for clothes."

".... Why would we spend a hundred thousand axias?"

Beads of sweat began to trail down the back of Sylvia's neck while thinking of what she had gotten herself into. It was a bizarre situation with Dorotea and Carmella talking to each other in a random corner while Delta stared down at her phone at what seemed to be a list.

"... L-Let's just go shopping?" Sylvia suggested making the three of her friends stop and slowly gather around her.

"Yeah, I'm done planning"

"Shall we then?"

"YESSSS! SHOPPING!" the three of them answered with varying smiles of excitement. The four of them began to walk down the cobblestone path that led out of the park and into the busy streets of the city.

"Mhmm... Was that... My shirt?" a man muttered in disbelief as he walked out from behind the bushes around where the girls had gathered. Nothing but footprints made out of ash were left behind as he slowly walked the opposite way.