A few minutes later, there was almost nothing left of the pink heart, except for two pieces that Adam and Silvana finished at the same time.

Despite its cute appearance, it was a large dessert, enough to feed three or four people, but that wasn't a problem for Adam and Silvana, especially for Adam, who ate more than half and couldn't stop.

"Thank you..." Silvana muttered as her cheeks turned red. "Even when I was just a student at the academy, I always believed that attention was more important than money, because it shows that a person is willing to give you their most valuable resource — their time."

Adam nodded slightly. Deep down, he had hoped for such a reaction.

Sure, perhaps if they weren't a Phantom and an Operator, money would also be an indicator of attention and time, as everyone's situation was different. However, for neither him nor Silvana had money been a valuable resource for some time.

"I'm glad you liked it. However, I won't hide the fact that it turned out much better and more complicated than I originally thought. Several people I met along the way helped me with advice and with this cake."

Silvana turned with a slight curiosity reflected in her eyes.

"What was the name of the bakery where you placed your order?"

"Rose & Sugar," Adam replied with a wave of his hand.

She nodded.

"I see, we'll have to visit them in the future. They did a great job. By the way... It's not a dessert, but I have something for you, too. Hah, I couldn't come empty-handed."

While Adam wondered what it could be, Silvana took a simple-looking trinket out of her pocket. The trinket was shaped like a ball of thread with a needle stuck in it.

Adam raised an eyebrow, studying the trinket closely.

"Wait... This doesn't look like plastic, it's..."

"Silver." Silvana beat him to it. "I decided it would be more appropriate, considering your abilities."

Adam smiled, clutching the trinket tightly.

"I take it that things like this aren't sold at the nearest store, are they?"

"Of course not, it was custom-made. I didn't even know there were so many types of silver. Let's say I did some research and, like you, I also took part in creating the gift."

"Hmm? How so?"

Silvana played shyly with her hair.

"Well... Unfortunately, you can't learn blacksmithing as quickly as you can make cream, although I had much more time for it, but I helped with the design. You can attach it to your keys, to your NEP, or even use it as an earring, although... I don't think that's an option for you, unless of course there's something I don't know about you?"

In response, Adam lifted the trinket as the light from the approaching sunset reflected off hundreds of intertwined silver threads.

"Hah, who knows? Although I think my belt or my NEP would be the best place for it."

Silvana breathed a deep sigh of relief.

The trinket was quite small compared to the large cake, but it was almost a work of art considering how much work had gone into every thread, every detail.

"Thank you, it's actually a gift that suits a Phantom like me."

Before Silvana could react, Adam touched her chin and kissed her. She was surprised, not expecting Adam to decide to do it right here and now, but she didn't resist.

She wanted it much more than Adam did.

While he spent weeks and even months training or recovering from heavy battles, she remained alone, hoping that the moment of his return would come as soon as possible.

It would not be wrong to say that Silvana missed Adam more than he missed her, because she waited for him longer.

After a long period, their lips parted as Silvana's eyes flashed like a predator who had spotted its prey.

"You know, it's a little awkward that, being a K4-Phantom, you still live with your parents?"

"Why?"

Silvana ran her fingers through his thick black hair.

"Because I'm ready to pounce on you right now, but I'm not crazy enough to do it here, especially when your parents and sister are home."

Adam understood what she was talking about, but he didn't see it as a big problem. He had only been to his new home in the First Ring a few times, as he was either constantly on missions or preferred to stay in a hotel so as not to disturb anyone.

"Well, even if that's true, is it really a problem?" Adam shrugged carelessly. "We can go to your place or rent a suite in a hotel."

Silvana bit her lip as she looked at the First Ring, right in the center, where glass skyscrapers towered.

"Well, I think we can let ourselves go in this case, don't you agree?"

Adam grinned.

"Which one shall we go to? I hope they have a few suites with a good view available right now."

Silvana nodded deeply.

"Of course, it couldn't be any other way. As far as I know, they always reserve at least a few suites for the Phantoms. It's time to use your privileges somewhere!"

Money may not have been the most important thing in the world, but as with any resource, it was always better to have enough of it.

If a person had money, not only did they save themselves stress and could use those resources to save their life in the event of a serious illness, but they could also use their money to enjoy life.

Unfortunately, many things, from simple products to something more serious like a house or a car, were only available with a certain amount of money.

The same was true for luxurious hotel suites at the top of a skyscraper with a view of the First Ring and the Citadel.

This was the view that greeted Adam when he slowly opened his eyes the next morning.

Silvana was lying next to him, and a happy smile spread across his face, for the first time in a long time, not because of victory in a deadly battle, but because of the simple pleasures of life.

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