After saying that, Shino woke up immediately, and we slightly regretted what we had done. paddy. Playing until night, everyone finally decided to go to the same inn to have dinner and spend the night.
◇◇◇
The beach is silent at night, as if the crowds during the day are all lies. No, it wasn't complete silence, but there were no sounds of seabirds or people, just the calm sound of the waves.
A large pale moon floated in the sky, illuminating the beach a different color from the sun.
As for me, I think the beach at night is cooler and lighter in color than the hot beach we spent with everyone during the day, so I stepped on the slightly cool sand. .
"Somehow I feel like I've come to a different level."
"Do you think so too?"
He turned his attention to his wife walking beside him. It was my wife Shino in the game who suggested that we go for a walk on the beach at night like this.
After the game, while everyone was eating, Shino asked me to go for a walk with her on the beach while everyone was asleep.
It was so sudden that I couldn't help but tilt my head, but when I thought about it more carefully, I realized that recently, plus I've been concentrating on capturing, I have formed a gathering with other friends and only spent time with Shino. I didn't have much to do and I remembered about as much time as I wanted to spend with Shino.
\"This was Shino's own request, so it can't be just right.\" I muttered in my heart, swallowed the request, and agreed.
However, at the same time, thinking that Asuna and Lisbeth might disturb me late at night, everyone jumped onto their beds and fell into a deep sleep.
What's more, I was surprised to find that even Lilan, who usually stayed up late, was among them, and I knew immediately that I had fallen asleep.
Asuna, Yui, Jupiter, Leafa, Yuuki, Lisbeth, Silica, Philia, Straya, Alice, Lilan——In order not to wake up, everyone except me and Shino Except for the others, we quietly left the hotel and walked out. Passing through the port town that was illuminated with a faint orange glow by the street lights, I walked towards the beach where I had been playing all day.
By the way, when I thought I fell asleep, everyone was actually awake, and as we walked, they quietly caught up with me, and I walked to the beach, pretending to be well developed, Wanting to take a look at an important scene, I used the enemy search skill at this time, but all the reactions came from the inn, and I found that everyone had completely passed out.
"Even so, I didn't expect everyone to fall asleep like this."
Shino seemed to remember everyone's situation and smiled softly.
\"I didn't expect Teacher Alice to fall asleep like this. This is the first time I've seen such a teacher.\"
Later, Alice also jumps into the sea and swims with Jupiter and Yui's children, who seem to be having fun in a way I've never seen before.
She said that although she had developed a child, she was too busy developing and coordinating other programs to play with Jupiter and Yui, two caring children. She also said that Strea was really just a creation, and he Can't even tell he exists until he logs in here.
As a developer and mother, Alice must be very happy to play with Jupiter, Yui and Strea who are like her own children. So I fell asleep like that.
\"Shino, aren't you tired? You've played so much.\"
\"I haven't had enough fun, and my physical strength is exhausted. Even if I swim, it won't take too much distance or time. That's enough for Kirito.\"
"I am fine too.
"That's right. Investment in strategy is useful."
"I feel the same way." Maybe it's because I've been immersed in my own shooting up until now, so I don't feel tired at all. I only use my brain so I honestly don't know??if my brain has developed or it's just my brain used to exercise.
"Okay, my princess Yuiichi, how far can you go?"
"Yes.
"I understand, let's go there."
Having said this, Shino gently held my hand, and I immediately felt her warmth.
As expected, Shino was embarrassed to do such a thing in front of everyone, but when they were alone, she took the initiative to hold hands.
\"It's Shino when we're together, and it's Shino when it's just the two of them.\" When we first met and started living together, I thought the difference was a little strange, but now I'm starting to think that part of it very cute.
\"Then, let's go, Kirito.\"
"ah"
He tightly held Shino's hand, which was as smooth as marble but had mysterious softness and warmth, and began to walk along the silver beach.
No matter how far you go, you can't hear the sound of people, not even seabirds, only the ripples of small waves reach your ears.
Shino likes quiet places full of natural sounds. When playing during the day, she will always imagine the beach at night and want to walk on it.
"It's a really nice place. I wonder why everyone doesn't want to use it.
I immediately mobilized my search skills to search around for players, but sure enough, the response came from the city, not the beach.
The port town is actually very big, perhaps because it is built on a hill, so it has attractions. I'm sure other couples had a great time in the city too.
——However, since we chose such a quiet beach, from the outside, we are a strange couple.
"Everyone prefers to live in the city, and it seems there are many places where couples can enjoy themselves."
"Okay, but I prefer this. I'm not good at making noise. You know that, right?"
"I know. Well, maybe it's because I've always been alone, but I feel more comfortable in a place like this. In fact, before I met you and Lilan, I was actively going to places like this."
"Yes, even so, this is indeed a good place. It should be the same as the 22nd floor, but it feels like I have entered a completely different world."
"This reminds me." Taking the sea as an example, there are no aggressive monsters on this floor unless we go offshore, and the site we are in only has non-aggressive small animal monsters. It is the same setting as the 22nd floor, no Monsters will be encountered. .
The 80th floor consists of many leisure attractions, such as white sand beaches, warm sunshine, mountains, oceans and streams.
However, although the difficulty should gradually increase from level 75 onwards, it feels a bit unnatural and has a strange sense of dissonance when reaching such a level.
Yes, it's as if this layer was originally a place full of aquatic monsters and mountain monsters, but it disappeared without a trace along with the AI and Lipop system, turning it into a completely safe layer. ...I wonder if this is actually a layer that exists just to heal the player.
\"Rito Hey Kirito.\"
Shino's words brought me back to my senses. Sorry, I did it again. I also entered the world of thoughts and did things that made me unable to see clearly what was in front of me and around me.
Shino, on the other hand, stared at me with an unhappy expression.
\"Ji Li Tu\"
"I'm sorry I did it again."
"I'm not attacking now, I don't have any weird thoughts."
"sorry.
"I'm totally a strategy combat maniac from the ground up."
\"I'm dating Shino now.\" I put my hand on my chest, took a deep breath, and told myself not to think too much.
I don't know if it was because the strategy was too harsh, but I suddenly fell into this thought.
\"No, it has been like this from the beginning of the game!\"
(no no...)
I almost fell into thought again and shook my head.
"Stop thinking about it." That's not a good thing for a husband to spend time with his wife without getting wet.
"Uh, uh, ah."
I took Shino's hand and ran over briskly, squatting down again. Shino's voice seemed a little angry because of what she had suddenly done.
\"What's the matter, Kirito?\"
I didn't answer Shino's words and quietly picked up the items that had fallen on the beach. It was a small shell, almost white gold in color. Yes, this is a specialty that any beachgoer will experience at least once.
"Ah, shell"
"Oh. I looked down and there it was."
I stood up gently and put the shell in Shino's free hand. Shino's eyes lit up. Surprisingly, she does not show much interest in jewelry and accessories, but shows a strong interest in such natural objects.
"Well, it's not like I'm completely uninterested in jewelry, so it's not like my taste is out of sync with everyone else's."
"Nice shells. I think Yui would be happy if I took them home."
\"Ah. Yui Yui was busy playing during the day, and I didn't expect to pick up such a thing. I have a holiday tomorrow, so I will go for a walk on the beach with Yui Yui and Lilan tomorrow. I believe it will.\" Change Be beautiful. You will discover a lot. "
Shino nodded, silently turned the shell into an item, and put it away in the locker.
"Yes, but I'm going to enjoy being alone with you tonight. Or rather, I want to."
"That's right. Now, let's go a little deeper."
After confirming Shino's gentle smile, I started moving forward again.
A calm and beautiful beach with only the sound of waves in my ears. I imagine there are places like this in the real world, but I've never seen a completely man-made, completely quiet beach.
If that were the case, then this place would be like an uninhabited island. It seems hard to find at least in Japan.
\"Even this kind of thing is reproduced in SAo, it's really amazing.\"
thing. Not only can the imaginary world be reproduced, but also scenes that are difficult to reproduce in the real world can be reproduced.
I feel like I realize once again that this is the biggest advantage of Full dive VRmmo.
\"Hey Kirito\"
"Yes?"
"How do you feel now?"
"How do you feel I'm glad to be walking in a place like this with you I wonder."
"I feel the same way. But"
I turned around and faced my beloved wife's face. She usually behaves like an adult, and there's something about her face that reminds me of an adult paddy.
"Even in the real world, I want to walk through places like this with you."
"Well"
she whispered to me as the waves sounded.
\"I'm so lucky to be able to walk in a place like this with Alice-sensei - Alice-sensei. To be honest, Alice-sensei is someone I can trust Yuiichi.\"
Shino knew Alice before she met me. If you compare Alice and me, Alice spends more time with you.
Maybe it's not a good thing to say, but for Shino, when she was in the real world, she relied heavily on Alice.
Because of her past, Shino was forced to live a life without anyone to love her, but Alice was the one who Yui always extended a helping hand to Shino and loved her.
Sinon could only rely on Alice like this.
\"Of course, in reality, the only person you can trust Yui is Miss Alice.\"
\"Yes, it is true. I could only trust Teacher Alice before. But now I can trust you, Yui, Lilan, and Asuna. Among them, you are the one I trust the most. So when I return to reality When, I want to walk through this quiet place with you again, I want to spend some time with you, maybe once we leave this world, we can't see each other again, but that's me, I don't like this."
Shino's thoughts were almost the same as mine.
Before I came to this world and met Shino, I didn't want to be with anyone or spend time with anyone, so instead of doing that, I would rather shut myself in my room. I think this will do. Preferably connected to the internet.
However, now back to reality, I want to see Shino, I want to be with Shino, I want to go to various places and do various things with Shino. In fact, spending time alone with Shino like this makes me happy, and you can tell that my heart is very active.
\"I think so too, Shino. Even if I return to reality, I still want to be with you. When the time comes, I will go find you.\"
"I also want to find you when I can safely return to reality. And I want to find you. I will not admit that once I leave this world, I will never see you again."
"ah.
Shino just nodded and said nothing. Still, a gentle smile appeared on his face, so I knew he understood me correctly.
As I looked around we saw that we had walked into a bay with large rocky areas and hills. When I turned my gaze to the rear, the city seemed to be the size of a miniature.
I was chatting and walking, and unknowingly I arrived at a place far away from the city. Even so, there are no monsters here, and if they appear, we can deal with them immediately, so it doesn't matter.
"Looks like you've come a long way."
"Ah, such a beautiful place, I just walked around, what should I do, go back?"
"Well..."
Probably because he didn't want to go back yet, just when Shino made a small sound, a dull loud noise came from above, and I couldn't help but look up to the sky in surprise.
The night sky is vast, the stars are shining like scattered gold dust, and thick black clouds are spreading, with a shimmering white inside.
What's more important is that this black cloud seems to be very large, covering the entire area, extending from the sea to the city. Immediately afterwards, we heard another dull thunder, and a gust of cold wind blew through our bodies.
"Liar, it was so cloudy and it was so sunny just now."
Not long ago, it was a vast night sky, with stars twinkling like scattered gold dust, but thick black clouds were spreading, with white light shining inside.
What's more, this black cloud seems to be very large, covering the entire area. From the other side of the sea to the city, it is covered by dense black clouds. Immediately afterwards, we heard another dull thunder, and a gust of cold wind blew through our bodies.
"Liar, it was so cloudy and it was so sunny just now."
"I'm sure this layer was put in so that the weather could change easily at night. This is bad, it's going to rain."
"Those clouds are sure to bring a lot of rain." When I came to this beach, all my tools were left behind except my weapons. I don’t have tools like an umbrella to protect me from the wind and rain, and weapons can’t protect me from the wind and rain.
"Although I do have teleportation crystals, it would be too wasteful to use them because teleportation crystals cannot be obtained quickly."
Even if I get caught in the rain, I can't stop it, so I can only hurry back to the city. Thinking of this, I feel like a big drop of water hitting the roof. My head, my hair got cold.
When I couldn't help but say "ah" and looked up, the dark clouds covering the sky began to cry. There was a roar and the water poured down like a waterfall. In a blink of an eye, we were soaked from head to toe.
What's more, the power of this rain is really like water. On top of that, the rain was so loud that other sounds were almost impossible to hear.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, is this the guerrilla downpour?!"
"Wow, it's raining! I can't hear the waves!"
"Anyway, a place that can withstand rain—ah!"
When I held back the rain hitting my face and looked around, I found a cave on the mountain wall. It was much taller than us and quite roomy. If you were there, you should be able to escape the rain.
"Over there! Let's go over there!"
"I got it!"
I held Shino's hand tightly, started running, and jumped into the cave on the mountain wall.
The cave has a narrow entrance and a spacious interior, much larger than I imagined.
"Maybe it's because the entrance is a bit narrow, but the rain didn't come all the way in." The sound of rain could be heard, and the voice was a little soft.
A seaside cave that looks like something out of a movie. I placed the lantern at hand in the center and turned on the light.
As the light spread faintly in the cave, I saw Shino who was soaked from head to toe, and Shino, who was also soaked, also saw me in her eyes.
"Having said that, it still rained heavily and my whole body was soaked, this."
"Yeah, I think I just finished swimming with my clothes on, and everything from my clothes to my underwear is soaked.
Shino sneezed and hugged her wet body. It must be wet and cold. In fact, temperatures under dark clouds tend to be much cooler than elsewhere, but it seems that this is replicated in this game as well.
"are you cold?"
"Yeah, it's a little cold. I wonder what happened."
I suddenly remembered and checked the storage area. It tends to be colder on the beach at night than I expect, so I pack cold weather gear to keep out the cold.
The black "lurk agent" jacket worn before joining the Blood Alliance Knights, and the "white knight jacket" worn in battle after joining the Blood Alliance Knights.
The coats were stored in the storage room so they didn't get wet. And when I tried to use the enemy search skill in that state, Sinon was the only one who reacted.
\"Shino, we are the only ones on the beach now. There is no one here.\"
"What's wrong with this?"
"Wearing wet clothes can be bad for you. You should take off all wet clothes. I would do the same."
Shino's face turned a little red.
"Well I have nothing left but this dress. And my underwear is wet and I have to strip off."
"I'll lend you this."
Saying that, I took out a white coat and a black coat and handed them to Shino. Shino looked a little surprised.
"This is the coat you used when you attacked, and the coat you used before"
"It's made large so it fully covers your body and it's warm. So, wear it until it's dry."
Shino stared at the two jackets alternately, and then pointed at the black jacket in my right hand.
“Black is better”
"Is it black? Then"
After quietly handing her coat to Shino, Shino put it on, closed the front door, and operated the window. It didn't look like much had changed, but she had put all her wet clothes away in her locker and was left with only one coat. Immediately afterwards, I also put on my white coat, closed the front, and put all my equipment into the inventory.
When I sat down in a cross-legged position, Shino came over gently and sat next to me in a gym-sitting position.
"A rain will wet your underwear in an instant. It seems that your clothes will take a long time to dry."
"Yeah. And I don't think this rain is going to stop anytime soon. It'll probably be raining for another hour or so."
"I have mixed feelings." Shino and I walked on the beach like this. We didn't expect that it would rain when we went on our so-called date, and that we would spend a wonderful time in a cave wearing only our coats. this. No, it would be unreasonable to assume such a situation.
\"Sorry. I can't go home for a while. Is Shino okay? Isn't she cold?\"
"It's okay, it's not cold at all."
"Really?"
Shino smiled slightly and put her nose close to the hem of her coat.
\"Yeah. I'm sure this is Kirito's coat that he's been wearing for a long time. It smells like Kirito, and it's very warm.\"
"my smell"
In this game, odors on clothes are basically removed by storing them in item storage, so there shouldn't be any odor left behind.
However, that coat "Under the Agent" is what I wore until I joined the Bloodsworn Knights, so I don't know if that has anything to do with me. On the other hand, the white jacket I use "White Rider Jacket" has no smell at all.
"This doesn't smell like anything."
"Maybe it's because you're just starting to use it."
"Maybe so"
After chatting about such trivial matters for a while, Shino suddenly fell silent.
When I talked to him, he didn't answer. I wondered what was wrong. I turned my face away and found that Shino kept looking at me and looking away. Maybe it's because the light color is warmer, but I feel like my face is a little red.
\"What's the matter, Shino?\"
Shino looked away from me completely and closed her mouth but she opened it immediately.
\"Hey, Kirito, do you remember?\"
"What do you remember?"
"You see, the day our relationship began, or rather, the day I first told you everything."
Hearing this, I finally remembered the day I heard about Shino.
It rained so heavily that day, even though both of them were soaked, they didn't care, no, they talked too much, didn't bother them, they accepted each other.
Seeing such heavy rain, I really thought of the rain that day, and also of Shino that day. I don't know why I didn't think of it until this moment, even though I was also caught in the rain.
"Yeah, it must have rained that day."
"Yes.
"I raised my head slightly." The moment when I heard Shino's story in the rain came to mind.
\"I still remember it very clearly. The day I heard about Shino, the three of us were all wet. I was really surprised. Shino suddenly disappeared. Treasure\"
"Yeah, I also left suddenly and was attacked by a monster, but you rushed there. I was really surprised. I thought you would come to save me, because you didn't."
“I was really desperate and I kept thinking I didn’t want you to die.
Shino snuggled next to me quietly. Shino's warmth spread throughout her body.
"I'm really glad that you helped me at that time. Without you, I don't think I would have been able to live so happily, and I wouldn't have been able to open my heart. I think that since I came to this world, I have been saved by you."
\"I'm not Yuiichi's person. Lilan and Asuna helped you, so it was like you were able to escape the cold world. It's our turn. I just helped a little.\"
Shino smiled lightly.
"But I am where I am today because of your help. Seeing rain like this reminds me of that time and it warms my heart."
Not long ago, the rain was just cold, but once it rained heavily, it reminded me of the day I accepted Shino.
Even when my body is cold, remembering this warms my heart. Now I seem to understand the mood of Shino standing next to me.
Immediately afterwards, Shino spoke again.
\"Hey, Kirito. Are you talking about what happened during the day?\"
"Talk during the day?"
Shino nodded quietly.
"Look, who has the best swimsuit, me? Is it true?"
After hearing this, I felt my face heat up. Of course, I chose Shino among the girls in swimsuits in line at that time. In fact, I thought Shino was the best.
\"Because I told him directly, I knocked Shino unconscious.\"
\"Ah, no, uh, yes. Shino was the prettiest at that time. You might not like it, right?\"
Shino shook her head.
"Yeah. I'm actually very happy."
"Well"
Shino's voice became a little angry.
"I worry about my body too. It makes me happy when you say beautiful or the best things...so I'm glad to hear you say that."
Since it's Shino, I think she will yell "Aren't you an idiot!?"
\"She has some quirks and cannot live a normal life, but I once again confirmed that Shino is a girl and a woman, and I feel her face getting hotter.\"
At this moment, Shino suddenly knelt down and approached the lantern that illuminated the cave.
And then - the lights suddenly went out. The interior of the cave lost its warm color and suddenly turned into a space dyed blue-black by the faint light from outside. I was surprised by Shino's behavior.
\"Shino?\"
Even in the dark blue space, I can see Shino's figure. However, Shino seemed to gently unfold the front of her coat silently. When I saw Shino's bluish-white skin, I was surprised again and felt my heart beat stronger.
\"Poetry, Shino?\"
Shino moved the corner of his mouth slightly.
"You complimented my body and accepted me and from now on I have you to thank for that. There is no one here and no one can come. Well, I guess."
\"Shino's request to me.\" My beating heart pulled out the content and conveyed it to my mind.
Shino - She gets very spoiled when I'm alone with her, and about once a month she does something bold like this. ——The current Shinon is the bold Shinon in the first month.
\"Uh, um, is that okay?\"
Shino nodded quietly.
"Just tell me, what about you?"
I believe that in the past ten days, she has accumulated many ideas in her mind and body.
"No, I will make her like me." She would ask such a question only when she had a lot of emotions in her heart and wanted to vent them all.
With this thought, I quietly walked to her, put my hand into her coat, placed it on her warm body that had been soaked by the rain, and hugged her.
"I'll go out with you until you're satisfied."
She smiled, said nothing, and covered my lips with hers. As if in response to her request, I slowly lay down on the dark blue beach with her.
Even with enemy search skills deployed, there was no sign of anyone but us in the area.
At the end of our vacation we were sent back to the capture location.
Thanks to the rest of my body and mind, my motivation and physical strength were much higher than usual. I tried to go to the next floor, the 83rd floor, with Shino and Lilan, but we were on the way. I stopped after receiving Asuna's message.
I wondered what was going on, and when I checked the content, a man who wanted to join the Bloodsworn Knights and fight appeared, waiting for me as the boss.
"What kind of person would be willing to join the Bloodsworn Knights?" No, first of all, we the Bloodsworn Knights are always fighting on the front lines and are always in danger. No matter how much you say you can fight on the front lines, if you think about it normally, you should know that it is a dangerous place. Is that visitor a daredevil like me or a fighting maniac?
"However, no matter how many such people there are, it would be extremely rude to shut them out without seeing me." Once you meet and talk, think about that person. With this in mind, I contacted Asuna to give up the capture for the time being, and then decided to take Sinon and Lilan back to the Bloody Knights headquarters where the visitors were.
When I was walking in the city of Cold Steel City, Lilan on my shoulder shouted to me.
\"What kind of person is the visitor?\"
"I don't know, you didn't tell me who you were."
Shino half-opened her eyes.
"But, I don't know if anyone would want to join the Knights of the Blood at a time like this. Man."
"I have the same idea." Now, the Blood Oath Knights are actively challenging the front line, fighting against tenacious monsters day and night.
If you want to join the Blood Oath Knights, you must fight powerful monsters. Moreover, to join the Blood Oath Knights, you need to have the level, combat ability, and even potential to fight powerful monsters. .
"This is not a level you want to enter early. If you only have the strength to sacrifice easily, I don't want you to enter either."
"Of course. But they might be unexpectedly strong, so I have to go. If they look strong, I'll try to fight monsters with them. If they look weak, I'll politely reject them, and then they'll Become a stranger.” And we said “YES!!”
Shino smiled quietly. Looks like today will be interesting.
\"The last one, imitate Teacher Alice?\"
"Okay, okay, now you can see the headquarters."
As we continued our usual chit-chat, we arrived at the headquarters of the Bloodsworn Knights. Godfrey, like Diaberu, was waiting at the entrance, looking around.
"Then it came to us in much the same way as last time and started shouting loudly."
"team leader-!"
"Just a mustache, and his voice is as loud as ever."
Hearing Lelan's complaint, I approached Godfrey with a wry smile. His voice was so loud that it surprised the people around him.
"Godfrey, I have kept you waiting. Is he a visitor or a guest? Is he here?"
"Yes, it's so sudden, I'm surprised too. If you were a guest, I would wait for you in the conference room. They are wearing some extravagant gear."
Shino crossed her arms.
\"Hehe. It's even better than Kirito's equipment.\"
"No, I didn't ask for details, so I don't care. Well, just ask me for now, I'm a candidate for the organization."
"I'm the interviewer.
"If it is the deputy commander, he will take over the position of commander and go to attack. There is a purple-haired woman beside him."
\"It seems that Asuna accepted my words and went to capture it with Yuuki.\"Yes, as long as I don't capture it, someone must do it for me.
"I walked into the headquarters quietly and looked back. "What kind of people want to join the group and whether they are worthy of joining are decided by me as the leader, so I and the leader Shino and Lilane don't have much to do with each other. Wife, has executive level power. Nothing. Here you should wait until the end of the story.
With that in mind, I handed Lilan on my shoulder to Shino.
\"Shino, Lilan. I am the person that person wants to see, so please wait here.\"
“I don’t mind, but it’s okay.
"Well, that's true, but I can't kill anyone within my range and I'll take it back if I have to. So, please wait."
\"Kirito, take care\"
I waved to Shino, who was hugging Lilan with a worried expression, Shino, who was hugging Lilan with a slightly serious expression, and Godfrey, who was looking a little uneasy, and entered the Knights' headquarters.
Walking through the corridor of the castle made of steel and stone, going up to the second floor, and arriving in front of the conference room, I felt the presence of a person inside. Clearly, this is a guest who wants to join.
When I opened the door to the conference room and went in, I saw a figure in the empty room. He was taller than me—about as tall as Klein—and was wearing a white combat uniform, armor that looked like a hybrid of armor, a golden hair accessory, and short golden hair.
“Sorry, I’m late”
The man reacted to the voice and turned to me. Then he looked a little surprised.
"Are you the leader of the Bloodsworn Knights?"
"Yeah, that's right. Is that the person I heard about wanting to join this group?"
The man nodded and smiled quietly.
"My name is Alberich. Today, I want to join the Bloodsworn Knights."
The man politely introduces himself and bows. I was surprised by his politeness and bowed immediately.
“I, my name is Kirito, the leader of the Blood Oath Knights.
"What a bite, how embarrassing." I didn't expect to be treated so politely, so I couldn't spit out this sentence well. It's a bit embarrassing.
When he finished bowing and raised his head, the man had a look of astonishment on his face.
