Once everyone had settled in and the conversations died down, Lionel stood from his seat. He raised his glass. Everyone gradually turned their attention toward him.
Lionel looked around the table before speaking.
"Tonight, we have gathered here to celebrate something that we once thought we might never see again."
His gaze briefly moved toward Akari.
"A family reunited, old friend came back, the young man who had been missing for over a month came back."
He raised his glass slightly higher.
"Let us put aside the hardships of the past and enjoy this evening together."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"To everyone gathered here tonight, welcome."
He lifted his glass.
"Let the feast begin."
The others raised their glasses as well. And with that, the small celebration officially began.
---
Thud!
"Damn! Now this is what I call a proper drink!"
A loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the dining hall. The speaker was none other than Reiji.
