She’d been trying not to think about him, and thought she hadn’t been. Thinking about it wasn’t going to solve anything. She’d just get mad. Ranta was always that way. He always had been.

How can anyone be so unpleasant?

That had been her first impression of him. And the amazing thing about Ranta was that he never changed.

Of course, there were times when Ranta might say something that was good, for Ranta, or he might act cute or cool, for Ranta, or he might even be reliable, for Ranta. But that was only occasionally, and it never lasted more than a moment. He couldn’t keep it up.

Still, he was a comrade. Even if he was one she hated. Ranta had taught her over and over again that, Oh, this is what it’s like to hate someone.

She loathed him. But, for all her complaints, they had been in this party together since the beginning. He was a valued comrade.

There was no question that she hated him, but he was a friend.

No, that wasn’t it. Rather than a friend, there was a more suitable word.

Family.

Yes. To Yume, the party was like her family. Ranta was a member, too.

“Yume... Shihoru, Yume, she...”

“Mm-hm...” Shihoru murmured. “What?”

“We were a family. Yume, and everyone... The whole party was like a family to Yume.”

Yume opened her eyes. She wiped her eyes with one hand. But wipe them away as she might, her tears, just like the rain, refused to let up. Even so, she kept wiping them away. She couldn’t keep her eyes closed forever, after all.

“In the beginning, there was Haru-kun, and there was Shihoru, and there was Moguzo—and there was Manato, and there was Ranta, yeah. And there was Yume, too. Then we lost Manato, and Merry joined the family. Then Moguzo ended up like he did, and Kuzakkun joined... For Yume, everyone was a member of her family. Like, before comin’ to Grimgar, probably, Yume thinks she must’ve had a mom and a dad. If she didn’t, Yume’d never’ve been born, after all. But, Yume, she doesn’t remember them, y’know? It’s the same for you, too, right, Shihoru? It’s the same for all of us. That’s why we’re all family. Love, hate, we’ve got all sorts of feelings for each other, but family is family. Right?”

“...Yeah, I think so,” Shihoru agreed. “A family. That’s what we are.”

“But Yume’s thinkin’, even with a family, there are times when people go their separate ways. Like, Yume might never be able to see her mom and dad again. Though, not rememberin’ them, she doesn’t feel all that sad about it. Just a little bit lonely... But still. Still...”

“Yume...” Shihoru hugged Yume close, rubbing their heads together. “I don’t know what to say, but I...”

“With things like this...” Yume let out a slow, deliberate breath. “You can never predict they’ll happen... Not even Ranta could. When you think we might never meet again... Yeah, Yume doesn’t want that.”

“Yume...” Shihoru rubbed Yume’s back firmly. “We still don’t know what happened... or how things turned out. Not exactly. Right?”

“...Yeah.”

“Well then, when we only have a hazy grasp of the facts... it’s best not to let them influence how you think or feel too much.”

“First of all... Well, anyway, we’ve got to meet up with Haru-kun, huh?” Yume asked.

“That’s right. Let’s take it one thing at a time.”

“One thing at a time, huh.” Yume nodded, pressing her index finger to her lips.

There was someone coming. No, not someone—this was... a beast.

The big black wolf. There was a goblin riding on its back. Yume recalled his name was Onsa. The goblin beastmaster.

It wasn’t just the one big black wolf that he was riding—he had a number of other black wolves following him, too.

When she saw those black wolves, she couldn’t help but think of the Black God Rigel. For those hunters who called the White God Elhit their protector, black wolves were ominous beasts that they were supposed to hate. The White God Elhit and the Black God Rigel were actually siblings, but Rigel had eaten their mother Carmia soon after being born, and that had caused the siblings to part ways.

Elhit’s kin, the white wolves, were proud creatures, forming groups that consisted only of a mated pair and their children. They were always hunting beasts that were bigger than them. But Rigel’s kin, the black wolves, formed large packs to chase down and kill their prey. They would attack human and orc alike, eating the children first, and that was why they were so hated and feared.

Onsa had tamed those black wolves.

It was amazing—but Yume knew now wasn’t the time to be impressed. It wasn’t just black wolves; wolves in general wouldn’t submit to members of another species. They never grew close to them.

That was why hunters had chosen to mate wolves and dogs to create a new breed of wolf dogs. Wolf dogs had the loyalty of a dog with the toughness and ferocity of a wolf.

Generally, wolves were stronger than dogs. Even among wolves, black wolves were abnormally stubborn and cunning, with incredibly sharp senses.

Onsa was going to find them. That was the safe assumption. Even if it was raining, the black wolves weren’t going to miss Yume and Shihoru. It wouldn’t be long before one of the black wolves sniffed out Yume and Shihoru in the bushes. Then it would howl and plunge in after them. The other black wolves would follow. If that happened, there would be no hope for them. They had to act first. That was the only option.

Yume readied her bow and nocked an arrow. Shihoru might have been surprised, but she stayed put, not saying a word. She was putting her faith in Yume.

Near here. But not too far, thought Yume.

Black wolves were clever, but not in the same way as humans. If they noticed an arrow, they’d look in the direction it went.

Yume loosed her arrow.

Like she’d expected, a number of the black wolves let out short howls, then headed in the direction the arrow had gone. Even without Yume having to tell her to, Shihoru was already getting ready to go. They jumped out of the bushes together, then went racing up the slope.

“Hyahhh!” Onsa let out a high-pitched shout.

That was fast. They’d been noticed already.

It wasn’t that steep of a slope, but it was thick with trees, and they couldn’t climb in a straight line. Shihoru, who was ahead of Yume, looked pretty exhausted.

Turning back, a number of the black wolves had closed into a distance of less than ten meters. They’d catch them in no time like this.

It wasn’t just wolves: many carnivores showed no mercy to their fleeing prey. But if the prey turned on them and showed they were prepared to fight, they suddenly became wary of them. Predators were fundamentally cautious.

If Yume had been alone, it might not have been impossible for her to get away. But Shihoru was here. Leaving Shihoru to the wolves was out of the question.

She had to do it.

It was hard to see her winning this one, but, well, if she accepted she had no other choice, it was a lot easier to take.

“Sorry, Shihoru! Runnin’ isn’t gonna work!” she called.

“...Got it!” As Shihoru turned, she cried out, “Dark!” and opened the door.

Yume wasn’t a mage, so she couldn’t see that door with her eyes. But it was definitely there. It had actually opened. Black threads came out from some other world, wrapping themselves into a spiral shape, and taking on a completely human form.

Dark the elemental.

He was so darn cute. But then, Shihoru’s Dark was more than just cute.

Yume came to a stop and fired an arrow. She fired and fired again. She fired off shots one after another.

Rapid Fire.

She didn’t have to hit the black wolves. It was okay if the arrows hit the trees. She fired scattered shots.

When they learned that Yume and Shihoru weren’t timid prey, the black wolves grew cautious. And when the arrows came at them one after another, they faltered a little.

“Disturb them!” Shihoru ordered. Dark flew towards the black wolves.

Vwoooooooooluuuuuuuuuuuu!

What was that noise? It was like the signature sound of Shadow Bat, only a little different. It was Dark. Dark was emitting a strange sound as he flew between the black wolves.

It was effective. The black wolves fell into a state of total panic, yelping pitifully as they fled in disarray.

“Dark-kun’s sure amazin’!” Yume cried.

“Yume, the big one’s coming!”

“Of course!” Yume took a deep breath, so as to let the air spread throughout her whole body, then let the focus of her eyes shift from near to far.

She heard her master’s voice. Yume, listen. You’re going to hit. Hit... You’re going to hit.

Stop Eye.

She could see it. The big black wolf that Onsa was riding, almost as if it was right in front of her.

The big black wolf’s right eye was crushed. It hadn’t been that long since Kuro’s arrow had hit it. It should have had other wounds, too, but it seemed to be doing just fine.

If she were to pick a target—Onsa.

Yume loosed her arrow.

It was good.

When a shot was going to land, Yume knew the moment she released her bowstring.

Yume’s arrow stabbed into Onsa’s chest. But it was a little to the right. Onsa was knocked back a little, but he lowered his upper torso and clung to the big black wolf.

By that point, Yume was already loosing her second arrow. This arrow just grazed the big black wolf’s head and didn’t hit.

“Yume!” Shihoru had her staff pointed up ahead. “I’m going to try it!”

Try what?

That became clear instantly.

“Dark, spread out!”

To Yume’s eyes it looked like Dark, who had been intimidating the black wolves with his strange sounds and movements, suddenly went boom. He exploded, scattering all over. Like Shihoru had said to, Dark had spread out.

The rain and white fog were eaten away at by a black fog. What was more, that black fog was far thicker than the white one. The black wolves, which had already been confused, howled as if they had gone mad. They were unquestionably terrified. As the black fog spread, so too did the terror, and it grew.

This was one of the weaknesses of a pack. The individual members of the pack couldn’t help but be influenced by the others.

The problem was that big black wolf. The expanded Dark was having a dramatic effect that well exceeded that of a mere smokescreen. However, he didn’t seem to have the effect that caused them injury or pain. That being the case, Yume didn’t think it would work on the big black wolf.

Shihoru could only send out one Dark at a time. That meant she couldn’t do anything while the diffused Dark was interfering with the black wolves.

Yume had to do something. She would.

Discarding her bow, Yume drew her curved sword, Wan-chan. She wasn’t scared.

Way back when, Manato had said, “I think Yume may well be the bravest of us all.” He’d also said, “I’m glad that Yume might be there to help if anything happens.”

She’d never thought of herself as brave before, so she’d been really proud of that. Proud that she might be able to help her comrades. At least, that was how Manato had felt.

She hadn’t been able to, though. She hadn’t been able to save Manato or Moguzo. She could still count the number of times she’d actually helped a comrade. But what Manato had said back then, that she was brave, was still carved deep into her heart.

It was strange, but even when things were so scary she didn’t know what to do, she was able to think, I’m not scared. Because she was brave. So, even if it was scary, she wasn’t scared.

The big black wolf carrying Onsa appeared from beyond the black fog.

It was charging in.

It was super scary, but she wasn’t scared one bit.

“You’re on!” Yume screamed.

She had no intention of backing down. She wouldn’t dodge to the left or right to avoid it, either. When the big black wolf charged at her—Yume jumped on it.

Raging Tiger.

Using a somersault to launch a powerful attack on the enemy. Of all the machete techniques she knew, this was Yume’s favorite skill.

The big black wolf wasn’t frightened, and kept charging—and that was when something funny happened. When she spun around, for some reason she’d ended up sitting on the big black wolf’s neck.

“Roh...?” Onsa said, startled.

Right there, literally in front of her nose, was Onsa. Yume herself had never imagined this would happen. It was a surprise. Onsa was shocked, too.

When a gobbie gets that surprised look on his face, it’s kinda cute, huh? she thought.

“Well, yeah, it is, but...!”

They were enemies. Yume wrapped her legs tight around the big black wolf’s neck, and tried to slam Wan-chan into Onsa. However, Onsa obviously wasn’t just going to let that happen.

Onsa grabbed Yume’s right arm with his right hand, pulling tight on the big black wolf’s fur with his left. The big black wolf turned its body, trying to throw Yume off. Yume tightened her legs, and feeling like that wasn’t enough on its own, she grabbed onto Onsa’s right arm with her left.

“Yume!” She heard Shihoru’s shout. She couldn’t quite afford to respond that she was okay.

Onsa was shouting something in goblin-speak. He went for a weapon of some sort with his left hand. She wasn’t letting that happen.

“Meowwww!”

Yume held onto Onsa as tight as she could. Unlike orcs, most goblins were smaller than humans, and that was the case with Onsa, too. In a competition of strength, she wouldn’t lose.

“If Yume falls, you’re coming with her!” she cried.

“&%+#*%?!”

She didn’t know what he was saying, but Onsa seemed really panicked. The big black wolf twisted its body around and jumped as it raced up the slope.

“%*#+@!”

“You can say that all you want, but Yume’s not lettin’ go!”

“*+$@%&&?!”

“Yume’s doesn’t understand what you’re sayin’!”

“%&#**!”

“Yeah, well same to you!”

“******!”

“Yume’s a ponyfide goblin slayer, you know!”

“$$#&&&&%?!”

Onsa was trying to do something. What was he planning? Onsa’s body lifted up. In that moment, Yume figured it out.

“Yume’s not lettin’ go of you!”

Yume had been grappling with Onsa, and Onsa was clinging onto the big black wolf’s back. Onsa had tried desperately to throw Yume off, but now he’d finally given up on that. That was why he’d let go of the running wolf, taking Yume with him.

They were going to fall.

Or more like be sent flying.

Yume wouldn’t let go of Onsa. If she let go, Onsa would probably brace himself for the landing, get up, and then immediately mount the big black wolf again.

If Yume didn’t separate from him, what would Onsa do? He’d try to land on top of Yume. Yume wanted to do the opposite, and to slam Onsa into the ground.

Who would end up on top?

But, before it came to that, there was a tree.

Yes, a tree.

Yume and Onsa collided in midair with a tree.

It was the left side of her head, her left shoulder, her left hip, her left thigh, or something like that. Yume hit the tree hard.

For a moment, she nearly let go of Onsa, but for a brief moment Ranta’s contemptible face flashed through her mind, and she thought, No way is Yume lettin’ that happen. Stupid Ranta.

She and Onsa rolled together. They were tumbling down the slope.

They stopped.

In that moment, Onsa opened his mouth right in front of Yume’s eyes. He was trying to bite her. Trying to bite Yume’s face. That shocked her, and she got scared despite herself, kicking Onsa away from her.

It frustrated her. Wasn’t she supposed to be brave?

Onsa got up, fleeing in what was close to a crawl. Yume jumped up. She got dizzy, and stumbled. Was it because she’d collided with the tree just now? Had she hit somewhere bad?

“Hold up! No runnin’ away!” she screamed.

Yume was stumbling as she gave chase, but the fleeing Onsa was just as unsteady on his feet. They were both tottering along, so they were even.

Her body hurt all over.

Where’d Wan-chan go? Yume wondered. Had she dropped it?

Yume pulled out a knife. Star Piercer. She tried to throw it, but for some reason it had fallen at her feet instead.

“No...”

It was no good.

She had to chase after him.

She had to catch him.

Onsa tried to turn and look back. He tripped. Rather than get up, he crawled onward.

Yume finally smiled. Onsa was hurt worse than she was. She could catch up to him.

Where is this? she suddenly wondered. It didn’t matter. She had bigger concerns.

Onsa crawled up the slope. Though she occasionally had to put a hand on the ground, Yume was managing to walk fine.

Then, she suddenly lost sight of Onsa. Was it because of the fog? The fog certainly was thick. The rain was still coming down, too.

Yume was flustered and hurried to catch up. Oh, I see, she thought. The upward slope had come to an end. From here, it leveled out. That was why she’d lost sight of him. Where was Onsa...?

There.

To the left.

Onsa was crawling.

Yume tried to close in on Onsa, then came to a sudden realization.

How was she going to kill Onsa? And what good would killing Onsa even do? Would it change anything?

Awooooo... one of the black wolves howled. No, it was probably the big black wolf. From down below. It was coming. The big black wolf was racing up the slope.

Onsa faced the big black wolf and whistled. He was calling it. He intended to ride the big black wolf and run away. Like she was going to let him.

Yume kept her feet moving forward. Her vision was swaying strangely.

Was she tired? She shouldn’t have been. That probably wasn’t the problem.

Onsa didn’t move from where he was. He was probably waiting for the big black wolf. Thanks to that, Yume was able to make it to where Onsa was. She grabbed at him—or rather, Yume fell down on top of Onsa.

The big black wolf rushed in. Trying to bite Yume. Yume clung on to Onsa and rolled, somehow managing to avoid the big black wolf’s fangs.

Onsa shouted something and reached out. Was he saying, Come, save me! or something like that?

The big black wolf tried to attack Yume again. Yume shouted, “Wauh!” howling at the big black wolf. That startled it.

Onsa tried to get away. She wouldn’t let him.

“...Yume already told you!”

“$#+&%%...!”

She’d never let him get away.

The two of them rolled together.

She hadn’t noticed it at all.

It seemed that the opposite side, the one Yume and Onsa hadn’t climbed, was steeper, like a cliff.

They were on the cliff’s edge now. No, worse than that, Yume and Onsa were hanging over it.

“Whah— We’ll fall—”

With an odd bark, the big black wolf leaned out over the edge of the cliff. Onsa grabbed the fluffy scruff if its neck. Reflexively, Yume did, too.

The big black wolf tried to dig its heels in.

No good, huh, thought Yume.

The big black wolf’s feet slipped over the edge.

It’d fall. At this rate, it was going to fall off.

If that happened, Onsa would, too. And Yume, of course.

“Shihoruuuu...!” she screamed.

Haru-kun.

Kuzakkun.

Merry-chan.

Everyone, be okay, she thought. Please.

If you aren’t—

Hold on, what about you? She felt like she heard someone say that to her.

...What?

Shut up, you dummy.

Ranta.

You’re just stupid Ranta.

This, after you betrayed Yume and everyone. We may never see each other again!

Ranta was the one person she didn’t want to hear that from. She got angry, and that motivated her. Yume gritted her teeth. For now, Onsa didn’t matter; she just held on to the big black wolf. The big black wolf spun around once, then twice, then slid down the cliff while scratching at it with its fore and hind paws. They didn’t fall, they slid. It looked like a sheer cliff, but maybe it wasn’t actually that steep. Maybe they could make it to the bottom safely like this—or so Yume started to think, but then the big black wolf hit a snag in the cliff and they were launched into the air.

They were falling.

Spinning and falling.

Is Yume gonna die...?

She’d almost died once in Darunggar. That’d been a close call. They’d gotten her throat and blood had been everywhere. So much blood, she hadn’t even been able to breathe. Huh, this could be bad, Yume might be a goner, she’d thought. This’s just how it goes, huh. It happened so easily...

Her consciousness had faded—but then Merry’s magic had worked, and she’d been able to come back.

That time, Haru-kun, he was cryin’. He hugged Yume real tight.

That’d made her happy, but... Yume doesn’t know why, but she was a little embarrassed, too.

...Oh, she realized.

It was because everyone had been there. That was why she hadn’t been scared.

She didn’t like being alone. She didn’t want to die alone like this.

This big black wolf didn’t want to die, either. It was desperate. Onsa, who was clinging on to the big black wolf just like Yume, was, too.

The big black wolf caught the slope with its front legs again.

Keep tryin’, big black wolf—Wolf-tan, you can do it. If you can’t, everyone’s gonna die.

From there she had a vague recollection that they rolled vertically, horizontally, and diagonally, hitting things, and she felt like she might lose her grip, but then grabbed on even tighter, but it was all a haze.

The rain continued to fall quietly.

The hanging fog seemed gentle, somehow.

It was a little cold, so she buried her face in the big black wolf’s fur. It was warm, and she felt its pulse. The big black wolf was breathing. At some point she didn’t remember, Yume had snuggled up to the big black wolf’s belly. It was questionable whether it had realized or not. Yume didn’t know.

But if he realized it, he wouldn’t like it, she thought. We’re enemies and all.

Still, Yume didn’t mind. She didn’t even think of the big black wolf was an enemy anymore.

He’s alive, too. Maybe we can call it all off. That was how she felt.

How would Garo, who was plastered to the big black wolf’s back, feel?

Onsa pushed up with difficulty and said something. Probably “Garo.”

The big black wolf let out a weak bark. Maybe Garo was the big black wolf’s name. It wasn’t Wolf-tan, apparently. Well, of course not.

Garo.

“...Garon.” Yume petted Garo. She didn’t have the strength to stand yet, but she could move her hand to pet him, at least. “...You okay, Garon?”

Garo’s whole body shuddered. Maybe he was trying to shake off Yume’s hand because he didn’t like it. Or maybe it was Garo’s way of responding.

Onsa placed a hand on Garo’s neck while looking at Yume. Onsa was greatly weakened, too. Though he’d gotten up, his back was hunched, and his shoulders were heaving.

“Onsan, hey, what are you gonna do...?” Yume smiled. It wasn’t that she had tried to smile, she just did. “Yume, she doesn’t want to fight with you, or Garo no more... If you’re gonna insist on fightin’, Yume’ll fight, too, but only ’cause she has to... But, to be honest, Yume doesn’t want to fight.”

Onsa averted his eyes. Yume took that to mean he had no intention of fighting.

For now, at least.

“You did well.”

Yeah. I did well. Someone acknowledged it.

“O Light, may Lumiaris’s divine protection be upon you. Sacrament.”

No way! I...

The light shone in. From here and from there. It poured into her from everywhere. It spread out, filling her. She became the light itself.

Warm.

It pulled her back.

Lifting her up, higher and higher.

“Ah...!”

Shihoru’s eyes opened.

There was a person with a buzz cut, with a look on their face like they had reached some sort of enlightenment, looking down at her.

“Hey. Glad to see you made it. That was kind of a close one.”

“Tsuga-san...”

“Where are the other kids? I don’t see them around here. You get separated?”

“Huh? ...Uh, yeah. Along the way...”

“I see,” said Tsuga. “Well, our group is in more or less the same situation. Nothing new there, though.”

Tsuga didn’t tell her, So it’s going to be fine. But she did feel better. Shihoru had thought for herself and then taken the best course of action she could. She’d risked it all on a thin sliver of hope, and it could be said that she’d won her bet.

In the end, she hadn’t gotten out of the situation with her own strength, so she wouldn’t take pride in it. Even so, she didn’t need to feel ashamed. No matter how it happened, she’d survived. As long as she was alive, she could work something out. As long as she was alive, the possibility existed.

“Um...” she said, “thank you... very much.”

“Think nothing of it.” Tsuga’s turned his eyes towards Shihoru’s chest. “I can heal your wounds, but I can’t mend your clothes.”

“My clothes...” Shihoru lifted her head and looked her body over. “Ah!”

Hurriedly getting up, she pressed her right arm against her chest. Pulling down the hem of her torn outfit, she did her best to cover up her lower half.

This was bad. Having been torn up by the black wolves, her clothes were in a sorry state.

When she looked at Tsuga, he had turned to the side. The look on his face was relaxed, as if he was enjoying looking at the scenery.

“I-I’m sorry you had to see that...” Shihoru stammered.

“It was quite the sight, though.”

“Huh...?”

“I only saw a little, so don’t let it bother you.”

“...It bothers me.”

“Yeah, that figures. Oh, right.” Tsuga put down his backpack and took something out from inside it. “Here, this is a cloak designed to protect against the cold. If you don’t mind using mine...”

“...I’ll borrow it.”

“It’s yours. If you don’t need it anymore, just throw it away.”

“Sorry,” Shihoru said. “For all the trouble.”

The gray cloak that Tsuga handed her was probably wool, and it was lined with fur. It was too big for her, and a little heavy, but it covered her body completely. She was happy to see it could be done up at the front, too.

She couldn’t find her hat, but her staff was laying on the ground nearby. Now that Dark was her only magic, Shihoru didn’t particularly need a staff. But she felt uneasy walking around barehanded. It was better to have a staff than not to have one.

“Where are the others...?” she ventured.

“Who knows. I heard Sakanami’s voice, though.”

“Sakanami-san was the one who saved me.”

“Oh, yeah? I don’t know about the others, but I’m sure Moyugi will sort that all out just fine. Even if we get messed up pretty bad, that guy tends to make it all balance out in the end.”

“...You really trust him.”

“I don’t trust him, okay?” Tsuga said plainly. “It’s just been that way up until now, that’s all.”

Didn’t that mean he trusted him? Shihoru couldn’t help but think that, but she just gave a vague nod rather than digging into it any deeper.

Everyone was different. It was natural for there to be gulfs between them, or for them to be on different levels, and forcefully trying to fill in those gulfs or level things out to make everyone equal wasn’t necessary. Tsuga was her senior, and in the same clan, and had saved her. It seemed he’d taken a bit of a look at her, too, but they weren’t friends.

“...What do you plan to do next, Tsuga-san?” she asked.

“I figure I’ll run around wherever until Moyugi comes to collect me. You?”

“I... have to find my comrades.”

“Kuzaku the tall guy, and Yume the hunter?”

“...Them, and Haruhiro-kun and Merry, too. We have a meeting point decided on. I think everyone will be heading there.”

“That cave, right?”

“Right.”

“Can they make it? Seems tough. Though, can you even make it there yourself?”

“...I have to go.”

“An appeal to force of will, huh.” Tsuga shouldered his pack. “I don’t think it’ll do you much good. Not a big fan of that, myself.”

“Power...” Shihoru bit her lip, looking down. “I lack the power. I know that. Even if I’m not good enough... I have to do it. There are times when you just have to do it. For me... For me... that time is now.”

“Aren’t you thinking about this the wrong way?”

“...Am I?”

“You’re being naive.”

Shihoru raised her face.

It would have been fair to call Tsuga expressionless, but his eyes and mouth seemed to drip with compassion. On the other hand, he also seemed indifferent, or perhaps like he might be scheming something, or perhaps like he wasn’t thinking anything at all. Basically, she didn’t get him.

“You’re going to do it, even though you lack the power to? Isn’t that like a guaranteed recipe for failure? I think it’s meaningless. Do you just want to be able to say ‘I did my best’ for your own satisfaction?”

“That’s... not it,” Shihoru protested.

“Then you really are just making an appeal to willpower.”

“Think... or say whatever you want. I don’t care. I’ll overcome this.”

“You’re a stubborn one, I see.”

“...Maybe.”

“I think you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage, being like that.”

“Excuse me, Tsuga-san, but... I can’t imagine that you, or anyone in your group, is acting based on what’s most advantageous to them,” she said.

“Agh.” Tsuga slapped his forehead. “You got me there. Yeah. You’re absolutely right.”

“Um...” Shihoru bowed her head deeply. “Thank you again for healing my wounds. I won’t forget this debt of gratitude... Eventually, I’ll pay you back... if I’m able to, that is.”

“Hey, listen.”

“...Yes?” Shihoru looked up.

“You’re not expecting that I’ll help you without you having to say a word, or anything like that, are you?”

“No... I’m not, really. Huh...? Why do you ask that...?”

“I figured. I don’t like that kind of stuff.” Tsuga sighed as he took a look around the area. He seemed a little irritated somehow. “Oh, whatever. Fine. Come on, let’s go.”

“...Go? Where?”

“Looking for your comrades. I don’t have much of anything to do until Moyugi comes to get me, so I’ll help.”

Shihoru blinked repeatedly.

Tsuga was looking off to the side and rubbing his buzz cut head. He had a relatively solid body, and though his expression was soft, he had a normal, masculine face. Even though his hair was cut so short, too, he didn’t come across as very manly.

Maybe that was why Shihoru didn’t mind Tsuga. Maybe because she didn’t want to fall in love now, Shihoru had trouble with people who made her too conscious of the fact that they were of the opposite sex. Tsuga wasn’t like that.

Still, could it be—Tsuga was feeling shy right now?

He’s kind of cute, she thought, despite herself.

Shihoru hurriedly hid her smile. “...Thank you.”

“How many times are you going to say that?”

“H-How many times have I said it now?”

“Well, I don’t mind. Also, don’t worry about paying me back later.” Tsuga started walking, then added in a quieter voice, “I got a real good look, after all.”

“...Tsuga.”

“Huh? Did you just address me without an honorific?”

“I think you must have misheard.”

“Did I?”

“Absolutely, yes.”

Shihoru refocused herself as she followed after Tsuga. In the end, were all men the same?

She couldn’t let her guard down. That was what this had to mean.

“Y-Yay...? That’s... good? Is it okay for me to be happy about that?”

“You’re unlike the men of the village. There’s something fresh about you.”

“...I-Is there?”

“Haru,” Merry said in a sharp tone, then realized she was acting upset. “What are you grinning for?”

“I’m... not grinning, okay?! I mean, this is not time for grinning, right?!”

“Oh, yeah?” Merry looked the other way. “You seemed a little happy, for some reason.”

“I’m not happy at all, though!”

“Incidentally, Haruhiro,” Setora said.

“Yes?! Wh-What...? Um, Setora-san, c-could you let go of me... please?”

“Do you think you are in any position to ask favors of me?” Setora asked coldly.

“I’d say that’s one thing, but this is another.”

“A fair argument.”

“I-I know, right...?”

“Though that does not necessarily mean I will accept it. You may not know this, but I was known for being a difficult person, even back in the village.”

“Oh, I get that! P-Please, let me go!” Haruhiro shook free from Setora’s grasp and stood up. “It was a promise, so I’ll give you my left eye anytime you want it! But I don’t owe you anything else!”

“Oh-ho,” Setora said, opening her eyes wide in an exaggerated fashion. “In other words, you no longer require my assistance? In that case, I will have all my nyaas pull out at once. I’ll have your left eye now, too. If we part here, we may never meet again, after all.”

Haruhiro hung his head. “That would be...”

A problem. Merry didn’t want to admit it, but she had to.

The fact was, Haruhiro and Merry were just waiting here for their comrades to show up. They’d wracked their brains about whether to do this, or whether to try that, but in the end there was nothing else they could do. There were no moves they could make.

“Though I cannot do it immediately...” Setora bent her knees and looked up at Haruhiro’s face from below. “If I were to have my nyaas concentrate on finding your comrades, I am sure they would be able to do it, too. My nyaas know this area even better than I do myself. What of you people? If you’re familiar with the lay of the land, perhaps you don’t need my help? I predict that the tomorrow will be an uncommonly clear day, so visibility will be good. There are other troubles that present themselves on days when the fog is not out in Thousand Valley. What will you do? Search the hardest you can?”

This woman. Shuro Setora.

She seems to like Haruhiro, but despite that, she’s harassing him, making him suffer, and enjoying it. She said she was a difficult person, but it’s more that she’s just nasty.

I shouldn’t be thinking this after she rescued me, and she keeps such cute nyaas, so I don’t want to think badly of her.

Still, I can’t bring myself to like her. I might really hate her.

Even if she did hate Setora, it would be immature to drive her off because of that, and realistically speaking it was a bad idea. A very bad idea. However, was Setora going to help them just because Merry bowed her head to her? Not likely.

Haruhiro. Setora was probably crouching low because she wanted to see Haruhiro ask her for help. Moreover, she wanted to make him submit to her. She wanted to make him obey her, didn’t she? And Haruhiro knew what he ought to do as leader of the party. For Merry—for one of his comrades—he had already offered up his left eye. He might very well throw his life away.

“Setora-san.” Haruhiro bent over to the point his head was almost at knee level. “...Please. Help us find our comrades.”

“Very well.” Setora said haughtily. Then added, so quickly it was hard to react, “But I have a condition.”

I expected as much.

Just what sort of condition would she offer? Merry gritted her teeth. If Setora said anything weird, Merry would want to stop Haruhiro, but she couldn’t. Unless it was something really big—no, even if it was—Haruhiro would probably accept it. Setora had seen through him, so she might say something truly outrageous.

“What is it?” Haruhiro kept his head bowed, looking at Setora with upturned eyes. “The condition.”

“Before that, I have one question.”

“Oh, sure... Go right ahead.”

“Are you and that woman in love?”

“Huh?!” Haruhiro shouted, and Merry said, “What are you—” before going silent, at a loss for words.

“I don’t think the question is anything to act so surprised about,” Setora said, arching her eyebrows offendedly. “You two are comrades, yes? If two people who are together day in and day out happened to develop that sort of relationship, surely that would be nothing unusual. In the village, those from the lower houses generally marry those they are close to and have children with them. Furthermore, Haruhiro, you were prepared to die to rescue that woman. Is it not normal to think you are more than simple comrades?”

“N-No...” Haruhiro turned towards Merry, immediately averted his eyes, and then shook not so much his head as his entire body back and forth. “That’s not it, okay?! We don’t have anything like that, we’re just really good comrades! Comrades, okay?! O-Okay...?! We’re comrades!”

Setora fixed her eyes on Merry for some reason. “Is this true?”

“Of course!” Merry swallowed her breath, and almost ended up coughing. “...Comrades. That’s what Haru and I are. Nothing more, and nothing more.”

“Is there some reason why you said more twice?”

“N-No?! W-We’re nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else! That’s it!”

“I see.” Setora gave two slight nods of her head. “Then there should no problem, Haruhiro.”

“Wh-What... is it?”

“Haru.” When Setora corrected herself, Merry felt a throbbing in her temple, and a slight pain.

What’s with her? She’s acting way too familiar with him.

Then it suddenly hit her. If that was true, then Merry was acting overly familiar with Haruhiro by calling him Haru, too.

Originally, when trying to close the distance between her and her comrades, it had occurred her to change the way she addressed them, as a show of the kind of relationship she aspired to have with them. She’d debated back and forth with herself about what to do. Deciding to start with the leader, the first inoffensive option that came to mind had been adding a -kun to his name. Though it felt easy to get used to, and she liked it, Haruhiro-kun was a little long. If she used Haru-kun, she’d be overlapping with Yume. Besides, while it was cute for a girl like Yume to call him Haru-kun, wouldn’t it be off-putting if Merry did it? Using -san would have been weird, or rather it seemed likely that it would make it feel like she was being overly formal. In that case... how about Harupin? No way, not a chance. It made no sense. Harurin, then? Haruriron? Harumero? Go all out, and call him Haruharu? Haruchin? No, no, that was clearly too much...

After much wavering, she had chosen the short, easy-to-use Haru. She’d settled for something safe. She’d figured that would probably work. However, when it had come time to actually call him that, she’d hesitated.

Let’s not do this, after all. She’d been half way to rethinking her decision, but when she’d gone with the flow and tried addressing him that way once, it had been surprisingly okay. That was how it had felt to Merry, at least, but maybe she’d been acting overly familiar?

But, that aside, why had this woman suddenly started addressing Haruhiro as Haru?

“Haru.” Setora called him that again, then smiled slightly. “Until I grow bored of it, and tell you to do otherwise, you will act as if you’re my lover. That is the condition.”

“An order?” Setora furrowed her brow. “You mean like coming together at night, sucking on each another’s faces, and feeling each other’s bodies all over? It hardly seems like a suitable thing to discuss here.”

“Y-Yeah...” Haruhiro stuttered.

“What do you mean, yeah, Haru?!”

“R-Right?! Sorry...”

“Don’t apologize to that woman, Haru!” Setora shouted. “You are my lover. I’ll not allow you to apologize to anyone but me!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

No, that’s not something you say “Yes, ma’am” to! Swallowing the words that almost came out of her mouth, Merry pressed down on her chest hard. Even now, Setora’s nyaas were spread out over the area, looking for their comrades. Haruhiro couldn’t push back against Setora. Practically speaking, he had no choice but to do as she said. If Setora ordered something, Haruhiro had no choice but to obey. So, basically...

They’re going to meet up at night?

Suck each other’s faces?

Feel each other’s bodies all over?

And then... do something to make a baby?

“Heh...” Merry laughed. Why had she laughed? Merry didn’t know that herself. It was a mystery.

Was it because this was more sudden than she’d expected? You’re going that far all of a sudden? Wow, you’re really going for it, was one thing she certainly felt. So that’s what you’re going with? Really? Wow.

But are you okay with it, Haru? she wanted to ask, but couldn’t. That was something she couldn’t ask.

There was no being okay with it or not. He had no choice. If they were going to do it, he’d have to do it. He’d have to do it. Yeah, that “it.”

No big deal, though? It didn’t break the rule against romance inside the party, after all? Not that any such rule existed. So, it had nothing to do with her? It was no problem?

Yeah. What was she getting so disconcerted about? There was no real problem here, was there? It was something that not just humans, but all beings that reproduced sexually did. Even if Haruhiro did it with Setora, how could that be a problem? At least, it was no business of Merry’s. If Haruhiro didn’t want it, she felt bad for him, though. But it was for their comrades. Haruhiro was the leader, so he’d have to tolerate it. This was Haruhiro, after all, so he’d get through it and do a great job, she was sure.

He might not be so against the idea, anyway. If she looked at Setora with unbiased eyes, she was a cute woman. That, and she looked like her.

That girl.

Choco.

Maybe he wasn’t entirely against it?

So that’s it. That might have been why Merry laughed.

Haruhiro was keeping up appearances by saying, Oh, woe is me, I’m in a real spot of trouble now, but deep down, he thought this was a perk, and maybe he was glad it’d turned out this way. If she recalled, that idiot Ranta had said something about this before. Men got pent up, apparently. For Merry, this was something about the opposite sex, so she didn’t really understand, but it basically meant they wanted to do that sort of thing, right? Haruhiro was a man, too. If he had a good partner for it, of course he’d want to.

That was fine, she figured. In its own way. If they kept it somewhere she didn’t have to watch, she didn’t mind.

There’d been this annoying, Pigyahh, Pigyahhhh, for a while now, but she’d more or less sorted out her feelings.

Merry sighed. “...So, what is that sound anyway?”

“That is the cry of a wyvern,” Setora said, looking up to the sky and squinting as if it was blindingly bright. “Thousand Valley has an inseparable relationship with fog. However, there will be a few days in every year, up to around ten, when the fog fully clears like this. On those days, they fly in from the Kuaron Mountains to the east. The creatures here aren’t adapted to wyverns, after all. For them, this must be a hunting ground with easy prey lying around.”

“Huh? Hold on, wai—” Haruhiro asked in a panic. “Those wyverns, what are they? What kind of...?”

Pigyahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The cry of that wyvern creature echoed through the area again.

It was different from before. Loud enough that Merry flinched despite herself. Did that mean it was close?

“A sort of dragon,” Setora explained nonchalantly. “They have wings, and can fly like birds. A flying dragon, you could say. They come in many colors and sizes, but blue wyverns are said to be the largest, and the most vicious. They’re completely carnivorous. Whether it be humans or orcs, they’ll eat anything.”

Merry looked up at the sky, despite herself. It was splendidly clear. When she thought about it, it had been a pretty long time since she’d seen such a beautiful blue sky.

No, now’s not the time to get sentimental.

“That’s... dangerous, isn’t it...?” she asked.

“Naturally, it’s not safe.” Setora snorted. “The village is in utter chaos now, I’m sure. On clear days, rather than be able to enjoy the precious sunlight, they’re busy preparing for wyverns. There was a time in the past when the village was attacked by a flock consisting of tens of wyverns. After that, they sent an expedition to the Kuaron Mountains to burn their nest, and there hasn’t been such a major disaster since. However, those creatures build their nests at high altitudes, up steep inclines, so it isn’t possible to exterminate them entirely. When the fog clears, they fly in. They feed until they are full, and when the fog comes back, they return home. Those who live here are forced to accept this as a fact of life.”

“We could...” Haruhiro started to say, then covered his mouth with his hands. “...try to run, but it wouldn’t work. Uh, what then? If it comes, it comes, and there’s nothing we can do?”

“Surely not.” Setora poked Haruhiro in the forehead with her index finger. “There.”

“Ow!” Haruhiro held his forehead. “No, it didn’t hurt, but...”

It seemed like they were having fun. Playing around. That was kind of lover-like, maybe? If it had been at any other time, she’d have been all for them doing it, but the situation was what it was.

“So?” Merry demanded. “You got any way to prepare? You do, right?”

“That’s an awfully self-important tone, woman. If it comes to it, I think I’ll choose to abandon you.”

“Setora, um... Merry’s an important comrade to me,” Haruhiro said hesitantly.

“I don’t know if she’s your comrade or what, but a woman is a woman. She could bear your child. That makes her presence unsightly to me. I see. Could this be jealousy, perhaps?”

“I’m...!” Merry couldn’t help but raise her voice. “Haru’s comrade, not anything more, and not anything less! I’m never going to get pregnant with Haru’s child, and you getting jealous is nothing more than a headache for me, so, please, just stop!”

Once she got all of that out, she snapped back to her senses, and glanced to Haruhiro to see his reaction. Haruhiro was looking down, and he had a strained smile on the corners of his mouth.

“If you’re going to say that much, well...” Setora shrugged. “For all you say to the contrary, I had thought you two were close, or had a relationship that was similar to that. It would seem I was mistaken. Or, perhaps, were you harboring a one-sided affection for her, Haru?”

“...No.” Haru rubbed his belly. “That’s not it, okay? I think of Merry as a comrade, too... She’s a precious comrade, and comrades are important, they really are, so... a comrade’s a comrade, you could say.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure I understand, but I’ve taken measures to prepare for wyverns. My nyaas are watching. That, and this isn’t entirely a bad thing. Wyverns may help us, too.”

One of those nyaas jumped out of a nearby bush. It was a stripped yellow nyaa. The nyaa purred and gestured to communicate something to Setora. When Setora nodded, then shook her head, the nyaa let out a single “nyaa” then vanished again.

It’s frustrating to admit, but they’re cute, Merry thought.

“It seems they’ve found them.” Setora quickly covered her face with the cloth wrapped around her neck. “Or rather, a wyvern found them for us. If they haven’t yet been eaten, I’m sure you’ll be able to see them.”

So that was it.

The wyverns had flown here in search of prey. When the sky was clear, the people of the hidden village, and probably the members of Forgan, too, would be on the lookout for wyverns. But those who didn’t know about wyverns would be unguarded, and make for easy targets.

Setora took off running, and Haruhiro, Enba, and Merry followed. They occasionally heard the voices of nyaas. The nyaas seemed to be guiding Setora.

Where were they running through, and where were they trying to get to? Merry had no idea. They went up and down hills, so it was all she could manage just to keep up.

Occasionally, Haruhiro would turn back to look at Merry. He must have been worried for her as one of his precious comrades. But still, why had she gone and said that? That she would never get pregnant with Haru’s child? The fact was, Merry did think that, but it was too blunt a way of saying it.

It was inappropriate. Setora had incited her. It was Setora’s fault. Setora was in the wrong.

Pigyahhhhhhhhh, that cry echoed.

There was something in the sky. It had wings, but it was no bird. It was probably a wyvern. It was swooping down.

Setora seemed to be heading in that direction. That was where the wyvern’s prey was. It might be Shihoru and the others.

The wyvern they had briefly lost sight of rose into the air once more. It came about, and was it preparing for another attack run?

There was someone up ahead. They were running this way.

“Shihoru!” Haruhiro and Merry both called out in unison.

She wasn’t wearing her hat, and she had an unfamiliar gray coat on, but there was no mistaking her.

She was holding her staff.

It was Shihoru.

She was all right.

Merry ran earnestly forward. The corners of her eyes felt hot.

Thank goodness, she thought. Shihoru. You’re alive.

But who was that with her? His hair was short. He had a buzz cut, and he wore a priest’s outfit. It was an unfamiliar man. Where were Yume and Kuzaku?

Haruhiro shouted, “Tsuga-san!” and sped up, breaking away from Setora.

“Haruhiro-kun!”

“Come along, Shihoru!” Haruhiro caught Shihoru in his arms, then immediately had her get behind him.

What was that supposed to be? Merry thought. It was pretty cool.

“Haru! Don’t hug other women!” Setora shouted.

“Shut up!” Haruhiro shouted back without delay. “Merry, watch Shihoru!” He gave directions, then went further forward.

Tsuga. The Rocks’s priest. Tsuga was a good distance behind Shihoru. Haruhiro must have planned to go assist him.

The wyvern had begun another rapid descent. Its target was probably Tsuga. But Tsuga looked fairly exhausted, dripping with sweat as he ran towards them. He couldn’t afford to look up at the sky. Though, that said, would Haruhiro be able to save him even if he went?

Shihoru was winded, too, and she collapsed into Merry’s chest.

“Merry, thank good...ness. I...”

“I wanted to see you!” Merry was overcome with emotion and hugged Shihoru despite herself. She dragged her into the bushes beside them.

Haru...

The wyvern was closing in from above Tsuga’s head.

Haruhiro lowered his posture, tackled Tsuga, and kept going, pushing him over, forward and to the left, diagonally.

It was a close call.

The wyvern’s hooked claws passed right above them.

But Setora and Enba were in the wyvern’s path.

“Enba!” Setora gave the order, and Enba the golem moved up.

The wyvern stuck its right leg out, grabbing Enba, and pressing him to the ground.

Wasn’t that bad? Was he going to get killed?

When Enba bellowed, “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!” in a loud, frightening voice, it happened.

It must have shocked it. The wyvern let out an ear piercing screech, released Enba, and started beating its wings. It was ascending. No way... was it trying to flee?

“Wyverns hate golems!” Setora rushed over to Enba. “They’re built to have that effect! However, it only stops the wyverns from eating them, not from attacking them! We’re running away!”

“Tsuga-san!” Haruhiro helped Tsuga to his feet. “Can you run?!”

“I’ll run! Because I’m probably going to die if I don’t!”

“Shihoru!” Merry held Shihoru’s hand. “I’m here, so it’s going to be okay now!”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you!”

“Setora, everyone will follow you, so give directions!” Haruhiro commanded.

Setora said, “You’re uppity, for a man!” But she still took off running alongside Enba. “Well, I don’t mind that! I want your seed even more now! So this is love, is it?!”

“S-Seed...?!” Shihoru’s eyes went wide.

“We’ve been through a lot!” Merry shouted. Somehow, she was now over it. It made sense to her, you could say.

I mean, Haru was cool just now. I don’t know about wanting his seed, but I could see how someone might fall in love with him.

Setora was a bit extreme, but she was interested in Haruhiro in her own way, and she was presently in love with him. That wasn’t strange at all.

For me... He’s an important comrade, so I don’t feel that way at all, though.

Setora and Enba led the way. Haruhiro had Tsuga go ahead of him, and Merry watched Shihoru, while frequently looking to the sky to confirm the wyvern’s position. During times like this, Haruhiro could be so focused it was scary. Despite that, his eyes would be even sleepier than usual. His nerves were sharpened to the point they couldn’t get any sharper, and he should have been worn down, but he looked almost aloof. He couldn’t have had much left to work with, but it still felt like he could keep going, and that made her feel like he’d manage things somehow.

Hey, Haru, do you realize? she thought silently. You’ve saved us many times like that. If you look at our power levels individually, or as a group, we may not be first rate or even second rate volunteer soldiers, so why do you think we’ve survived up until today?

More than anyone, more than anything, it was thanks to you, Haru. Do you know that?

You probably don’t. I’ll bet you think it’s thanks to everyone. Thanks to the comrades who kindly follow an unreliable leader and support him.

I can’t help but find you strange. I think it’s because you’re that kind of person. The kind that everyone follows, tries to support, and wants to walk forward with together. Haru...

I don’t need to be at your side. I’m fine with walking behind you, but I want there to be a place for me there. For as long as I live, I’m going to do my job. I’ll fulfill my duty.

Setora seemed to be guiding them down a decent path. It might be fair to say it was a highly appropriate one.

The wyvern was circling overhead, as before. It was following them, not willing to let them get away. It had swooped down several times, but it hadn’t gotten anyone. It was narrow on both sides, or sometimes only on one side, and was often dense with trees. There were many obstacles for the wyvern, and Setora was choosing places with spots the party could take shelter in for their route. That, and the nyaas were probably playing a role or two, as well.

There were a variety of nyaas. No, not just nyaas. Shuro Setora.

If she, the necromancer and nyaa tamer, hadn’t been with them, they wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. Merry probably needed to recognize that fact. She had to be grateful to Setora. Maybe because she was from the hidden village, there were some areas where she lacked common sense. But she wasn’t a bad person. Besides, the only reason Merry was here at all was thanks to Setora.

If Haruhiro thought it was a good idea, Merry would cheer him on if he wanted to make a baby with Setora, or in anything else he wanted to do. Maybe because it had been so sudden, there were some parts of it she was finding hard to accept. That would resolve itself with time, though, she was sure. Soon enough, she’d be able to think that was just how things were. The reason her chest ached was from running.

Honestly, she might be nearing her limit.

No, Merry could still push herself a little more, if she had to. However, Shihoru’s face was all screwed up, and she was panting in a weird way. Tsuga, who was up ahead, looked bad, too. He’d tripped over his feet a number of times, and nearly pitched forward. The only reason he hadn’t fallen was that Haruhiro had helped him each of those times.

“Wyvern incoming! Everyone, to the left!” Haruhiro called.

Eventually, Haruhiro started giving out precise orders. Everyone was thoroughly exhausted, their attention was diffused, and their ability to make decisions was lowered. Haruhiro realized that. If they were just doing as told, Shihoru and Tsuga could still manage somehow. But it wouldn’t be long before even that became difficult.

No more. I’m at my limit. Those words were on the tip of Merry’s tongue. But she couldn’t say them. Haruhiro was doing his usual thing, and putting up a furious struggle. The burden was clearly heaviest on Haruhiro, and he must have had it twice as hard as anyone else. Merry couldn’t say she was done.

“Setora, we can’t run anymore!” he called.

Oh, that’s why. Haruhiro had spoken up for them. He was on top of everyone’s condition, so even if Haruhiro could keep running himself, he would realize they were on the verge of not being able to go any further. No matter what the result, he would make a call, ready to bear all of the responsibility himself. Haruhiro could do that. He certainly wasn’t fine with doing it, and it was obviously a burden, but he didn’t try to set down that burden.

Merry had heard about Manato the priest. Him, and Moguzo. Ranta might have betrayed them all, too.

Even after losing comrades, Haruhiro had been able to remain the leader. Through trials and tribulations, he led the way.

Haru, do you know how incredible that is?

When I think of your pain, my heart could easily be torn in two. Just imagining the loneliness you must feel, my whole body feels like it might freeze.

I want to hold you tight, and to warm you up, but it’s fine, I’m sure you’d rebuff me.

You’d say, “You don’t have to do this. I’m fine. We’re comrades, but we’re only comrades.”

I wish I could embrace you, while we both stay precious, irreplaceable comrades to each other.

“Even if we fight, there’s little hope of winning!” Setora counterargued as she came to a halt. “Even just driving it off! There’s little hope of that, too!”

“We’ll do it!” Haruhiro raised his voice and drew his stiletto. “Enba and I will take it as it comes in! Merry, Tsuga-san, be ready to heal us at any time! Shihoru, spread Dark all over the place! Don’t anyone die! I won’t let you die! We’re going to live!”

“Okay!” Merry and Shihoru responded in unison.

Tsuga was holding his club, but he didn’t seem like he had the strength left to wield it and fight.

When Setora gave the order, “Support Haruhiro!” Enba moved next to him. Merry, Shihoru, and Tsuga rolled into the bushes to the right. What would Setora do?

She was diagonally behind Haruhiro and Enba, her eyes fixed on the wyvern in the sky. That meant she didn’t mean to let the two of them risk themselves alone, it seemed. She was respectable.

The blue wyvern started coming down. Naturally, it wasn’t falling. It was swooping down. But it did feel like it was falling headlong to the ground. It was scary. Merry wanted to scream.

Haru, no! Run! It’s too dangerous!

Naturally, she didn’t do it. Now that it had come to this, she could only watch. She had to trust in him.

Shihoru shouted, “Dark!” and called forth her elemental. Merry opened her eyes as wide as she possibly could, and she stopped breathing.

The wyvern cried Pigyahhhh, strongly batting its wings and turning around.

Its legs. Both of its legs were pointed down. Even so, it was unable to break the inertia of its descent. It was about to not so much land as crash feet first into the ground. Did it mean to crush Haruhiro and Enba beneath it?

Haruhiro, Enba, and Setora jumped to the side to avoid it. The first time, that is.

It didn’t end with just once. The Wyvern trod on the ground with its right foot, then left, and jumped.

Pigyahh, pigyahh, pigyahh, it squawked, dancing around as it beat its wings and jumped.

The vibrations were intense. It was like being right above the epicenter of an earthquake. Were Haruhiro, Enba, and Setora all right? There was a cloud of dust rising, making it hard to see.

“Haru! Haru! Haru!” Merry called out his name repeatedly. She couldn’t help herself.

The wyvern. A blue wyvern. What was that monstrosity?

The fire dragon of Darunggar was clearly in another dimension from it, and it was nothing next to the hydra in the Dusk Realm, either, but it definitely had an intimidating aura that could match a white giant, and an eight-meter class one at that. It was much less tall than one of them, but its wingspan, the width of its wings when spread out, was nothing to make light of.

The wyvern cried Piiiigyahhhhhh, and flapped its wings. Was it going to fly?

She saw a humanoid silhouette in the cloud of dust. Who could it be?

“Go!” Shihoru sent Dark forward. “Spread!”

The human-like, or rather doll-like, form of Dark exploded with a bang. But he didn’t just explode. He was spread out. Dark presented a thick, black mist-like form, and enveloped the wyvern’s head with it. The wyvern ran.

Pigyahh, pigyahh, it squawked, moving its wings up and down furiously and gaining altitude. The misty Dark gave chase. He chased, and—couldn’t keep up, huh. When the wyvern had flown up about three meters, the black mist suddenly grew thinner and vanished. Had it shaken him off?

Or...

“Shihoru?!” Merry hurried to catch her comrade. Shihoru had been about to crumple. She was in no state to be using magic. Despite that, she’d summoned Dark.

What can I do?! Isn’t there anything?!

“Haru!” Merry called.

There was an immediate “Yeah!” in reply.

She couldn’t confirm his location, but Haruhiro was alive.

What should I do right now?!

“O Light, may Lumiaris’s divine protection be upon you. Circlet!”

A shimmering ring of light appeared, and it surrounded Merry and Shihoru. The light of Lumiaris would heal those inside the circle. She could maintain the circle to a degree. Because I’m a priest.

“O Light, may Lumiaris’s divine protection be upon you. Protection! Assist!”

Two hexagrams of different colors appeared on Shihoru’s left wrist. One of the two also appeared on Merry’s own wrist, and on Tsuga’s wrist because he was nearby. It didn’t reach Haruhiro, Setora, or Enba.

At the very least, she should have put Protection on them in advance. She kept repeating the mistake she’d made when they’d lost Moguzo. It was careless, and she felt like a terrible priest, but— I’m still a priest!

“Shihoru, I’m going to protect you! You use all of the strength you have!”

“Merry...” Shihoru gave her an exhausted smile, and then a firm nod. In that moment, there was a sparkle brighter than the light of Lumiaris. “All right. I’m feeling better thanks to you... so I’m going to go until I collapse!”

Though the light of healing could mend wounds, it couldn’t be counted on to recover a person’s stamina or willpower. Assist boosted all kinds of resistances, so it might give some slight boost in vitality, but it was going to be small. Shihoru must have known that, too. There were few things Merry could do. Very few things, but that still wasn’t nothing. Besides, if she was here, she could at least cover Shihoru if the worst should happen.

My existence isn’t meaningless. I’m going to do everything I can!

“Maybe I’ll try praying to God. Not a big fan of it, though.” Tsuga brought his fingers to his forehead, and made the sign of the hexagram. “O Light, may Lumiaris’s divine protection be upon you. Prayer.”

She’d never seen this one before.

Prayer.

A single beam of light shone down from beyond the heavens to illuminate Tsuga. Some sort of supernatural phenomenon had been brought about by the great power of the God of Light, Lumiaris. It wasn’t clear what would happen. It might be that nothing would happen at all. Or, perhaps, even if something happened, it might not necessarily be observable or recognizable by mere humans?

This was said to be one of the ultimate spells of light magic, on par with Sacrament, but it was said few priests attempted to acquire it. The thing was, it wasn’t just unreliable, its effects were uncertain. If it were just without benefit sometimes, that would be one thing, but it might be harmful.

If Tsuga had consulted her beforehand, Merry would have probably objected. But he’d gone and used it. It was too late. All she could do was pray that nothing terrible happened.

Perhaps Merry’s prayers were granted. Or maybe it was the power of Prayer.

The light shining down on Tsuga vanished, and—that was it. It seemed nothing had happened.

Tsuga clicked his tongue. “...What, that’s it?”

“Tsuga...” Shihoru said distastefully, dropping the honorific.

“Huh? Did you just address me without an honorific again?”

“...You imagined it. That, or your hearing is abysmally bad.”

The dust cloud started to clear, and Merry caught sight of Haruhiro and the others. There were still three of them, like there should be.

“It’s coming!” Haruhiro shouted.

The wyvern.

The wyvern turned in midair. Was it trying to get in position for another dive?

“Dark!” Shihoru summoned the elemental.

Merry wrapped her arms tightly around Shihoru’s back, and gritted her teeth. What good was this going to do? She didn’t want to think about that. For now, she was going to stay at her side.

Piiiiigyahhhhhhhiiiiiyahhhhhhhhh!

The wyvern swung its head around as it shrieked. It folded its wings in a little and dropped down. It seemed to be going strangely slowly, but that was her imagination. It was almost right next to them.

Shihoru let out a gasp. Had she hesitated over whether to send Dark or not? She seemed to have stopped short of it. That said, Shihoru had reached an extreme of exhaustion, and there was no guarantee she could use more magic. That had to be why she was betting on her current Dark. Shihoru was trying to do something decisive. In order to accomplish that, she needed to find the perfect chance. Even with it so close, she could be cautious. That was Shihoru’s strength.

Merry thought something was strange, too. What was strange?

The speed and angle of its descent.

It was only a slight difference, but it wasn’t going at as steep an angle as the descent had been until just now. The wyvern was coming in on a bit of a diagonal. It was probably a little slow, too. This time it didn’t have the power it had before. Even so, Haruhiro and the others could only choose to evade it. There was no other option.

Haruhiro threw himself to the right, and Setora and Enba threw themselves to the left to avoid the wyvern. The wyvern then landed on the ground with enough force to crash—or not. It didn’t put out its legs, either.

It had pulled up suddenly just before the surface.

The wyvern didn’t fly up high, either. It pulled a tight turn, then came down again.

“Whoa!” Merry very nearly clung to Shihoru despite herself, but just managed to hold back.

Steep dive, steep climb, steep dive, steep climb. The wyvern repeated that like it was a pendulum.

Though she compared it to a pendulum, it wasn’t like the wyvern was always flying the same course. It changed course in all directions. Its angle and speed were probably different every time. The dust cloud was incredible, but not as bad as when the wyvern jumped up and flew. She could see, faintly.

Someone tripped after getting out of the way of the wyvern’s charge. Was that Setora?

Enba immediately went to scoop Setora up. In that instant, the wyvern shifted from a steep climb to a steep dive, and it assaulted the two of them. This time, its feet were out. It intended to stomp them.

With an “Nnnnnngh!” Enba threw Setora away, and tried to jump out of the way himself.

It was really close. He didn’t make it.

The wyvern’s right foot grazed Enba’s right arm. That was all it took for Enba’s arm to be torn off, and taken away.

“Ennnnnnnbaaaaaaaaa!” Having positioned herself to fall safely, as soon as Setora got up, she tried to rush over to Enba, but Haruhiro snatched her and pulled her away.

The wyvern started its usual ominous, terrifying dance. It beat its wings and jumped.

Enba was—unaccounted for. What had happened to him? That wasn’t just dangerous to Enba, though; it was a threat to Haruhiro and Setora, too.

“Dark! Here’s everything I have!” Shihoru shouted.

Had Shihoru decided it was no longer time to be looking for an opening? The Dark floating over her shoulder finally launched.

Dark charged towards the wyvern, emitting a noise that made it feel like electricity was running through their eardrums and skin. There would be no second shot. Shihoru had put everything into that Dark. That was why Merry had naturally assumed it would get bigger. Her expectations were betrayed. It was the opposite. Dark gradually contracted. The strange sounds got quieter, too.

Partly because of that, the wyvern didn’t attempt to avoid Dark. It might not even have noticed him. After all, even Merry couldn’t see him. She suspected that Dark had hit the wyvern somewhere around its chest. He had become too small to see before that, so Merry had lost sight of him.

But there was no doubt that Dark had hit the wyvern. If not, the wyvern wouldn’t have spread its wings out, thrown its head back, and its entire body wouldn’t have started shuddering like mad.

It worked.

As Shihoru’s eyes rolled into the back of her head, which lolled to one side, Merry held her tight and let out a silent cheer.

Shihoru! That was amazing. You’re great. It was beyond amazing. I’m can’t believe you could use magic like that.

The wyvern pitched forward. Had that taken it out, maybe?

No.

Pyohhhhhhhhhhhhhh... the wyvern cried as it started beating its wings. It was less like it was trying to fly, and more like it was striking the ground with its wings to try to catch its balance. It might look like it was struggling, but it wasn’t out of strength yet. It was coming.

The wyvern was coming their way, even if it was stumbling as it did.

Where were Haruhiro and Setora? Merry didn’t have time to look for them. Tsuga held his club tight, exhaled, and said, “Take care of that girl for me,” in a whisper.

Shihoru had passed out in Merry’s arms. Merry nodded, crouching down with Shihoru still in her arms.

She picked up Shihoru’s staff. If she had a mage’s staff, maybe she could use it for something. It had to be better than going barehanded.

The wyvern was still unsteady on its feet, but it was definitely closing in. Could it be because of Circlet? If the wyvern had discovered Merry and Shihoru because of the ring of light, and that made it target them, what a way to screw up. It was too late for regrets now, but it was frustrating.

I’m just so...

Suddenly, something heavy came from behind her and fell at her feet with a thud. When she looked, it was a tall man she had definitely not expected to see. What was he doing here?

Kuzaku raised his face. “Ha ha! I found you. Things look crazy bad, but... I’m all fired uuuuup!”

He jumped to his feet.

Wounds. Kuzaku looked injured. He was covered in bruises. Were they being healed by the Circlet? You never knew what was going to work in your favor.

Kuzaku shouted, “Let me borrow that!” and snatched Shihoru’s staff out of Merry’s hands. “Even this is better than nothing! Merry-san, take Shihoru-san and run!”

Merry shook her head. She just wanted to get Shihoru out of here. She’d hide Shihoru somewhere, then be right back. There might still be something she could do with light magic. There ought to be. The ring of light was vanishing. Kuzaku and Tsuga moved up to the front. The wyvern came at them with thunderous steps that made the ground shake.

Even if Kuzaku and Tsuga went at it with all they had, they couldn’t possibly bring that monster to a halt. But they might be able to stall it for a few seconds. They could buy some time. That was probably their intention. Naturally, Merry was going to help, too.

But she never imagined there would be a sudden howl of, Awoooooooooooo echoing through the area, with tens of black wolves rushing at the wyvern at once.

If the wyvern had been in top form, it might not have mattered, but it was still suffering from the punishing blow Dark had dealt it. The black wolves tore into the wyvern’s legs, and tore the edges of its wings.

The wyvern writhed about, swinging its wings to keep the black wolves from getting closer. However, the black wolves were quick and persistent. When it kicked one away, there was another, and when it shook that one off, there was yet another. They came at it from all directions, taking turns attacking it. They were used to attacking as a pack to take down creatures that were much larger than them. They were organized. They had an absolute leader, and they were following that leader’s orders.

“Meoooooooooooooooooow!”

This voice wasn’t a wolf. That was a human’s voice.

On the right side in the direction Merry was facing, there was a gradual rise as the ground got higher. That was where she was. It wasn’t just her. There was a big black wolf, too. That, and the goblin beastmaster, too.

Why were those three together?

Yume puffed up her chest and stuck her fist out. “Yume, and Onsan, and Garon’re here to savage the situation! Meooooooow!”

Yume, you probably mean “salvage” the situation. Also, why are you meowing?

Not that it mattered. It was cute, after all. There was something hot welling up inside her chest. Her vision blurred. Merry held it inside. She wasn’t going to cry. No way. The tears went away in no time.

The wyvern. Someone had grabbed the wyvern by the neck. The wyvern, being a sort of dragon, had its body covered in scales, but on closer inspection, it had hair, too. Someone was clinging to that hair, and not just trying not to get thrown off, he was climbing up.

“Haru!” Merry cried.

What was he thinking? When had he gotten there?

Stop. It’s dangerous! she wanted to shout, but her voice wouldn’t come out.

She knew. Haruhiro wouldn’t stop. Because this was where the fight would be decided. Everything had come together. There might never be another chance like this.

Haruhiro was trying to settle it. In order to break out of this situation, he’d gone all-in on this attempt. He wasn’t desperate. Even when Haruhiro was risking his life, he had a solid plan behind it. There was no stopping him now. So Merry had to believe in him and hope. Watch him. And be sure not to miss it.

Haru will pull through.

Like with a bird, the wyvern’s front legs had developed into wings. It had no arms or hands. That was why it couldn’t throw Haruhiro off very well. Knowing Haruhiro, he’d probably taken that into consideration before he’d gone for it. Once he got to the back of its head, the rest was quick. Haruhiro pounced on the wyvern’s face, then stabbed it in the right eye with his stiletto. He went for three thrusts, then moved on to stab its left eye, too. The wyvern emitted a sky rending shriek and writhed in pain.

Haruhiro waited for the wyvern to swing its head down, then jumped away. Even if he seemed death-crazed, he’d still make the choice to live. Naturally. If he died on them, they’d be in trouble.

The wyvern flapped its wings. Was it going to fly? It was trying to. Its eyes had been put out, so it wasn’t going to be safe, even up in the sky. But it had to be better than the ground, which was swarming with enemies that meant it harm. That must have been what the wyvern decided. Yes. That was good.

“Us, too!” She heard Haruhiro’s voice. “Run for it! While we can!”

“Meow!” Yume cried as she rushed down the slope.

The big black wolf and the goblin didn’t move.

Yume said “Meow bye!” to them, and it looked like she waved.

Kuzaku snatched Shihoru from Merry’s arms and carried her himself. “Let’s go, Merry-san!”

“Right!” If she were being honest, Merry wanted to carry Haruhiro. But Haruhiro wouldn’t want that. The thing Haruhiro had most on his mind right now was his comrades. In order to put their leader’s mind at ease, they ought to withdraw as soon as possible. That was for the best.

The wyvern was taking off, and Haruhiro and Yume were both fine.

Merry took Shihoru’s staff back from Kuzaku, and led the way as they fled.

The rear guard, Tsuga, started laughing.

Merry doubted her eyes. Was this really possible?

It was fog. Suddenly, the fog rolled in.

Who’d have thought? She’d believed there hadn’t been a single supernatural phenomenon. Had she been wrong?

Prayer. Could that be what had brought in the fog?

She had heard that the wyverns flew in from the Kuaron Mountains in the east on clear days. There had apparently been a time when tens of them had attacked the hidden village at once, too. That meant the blue wyvern might not be the only one around. Other wyverns might have come to Thousand Valley in search of prey, and they might still have encountered them.

With the fog out like this, though, that was no longer possible.

Had they gotten lucky? Merry thought otherwise. Luck had played into it, no doubt, but there was definitely more to it. Because they had all done their best and not given up, they had been able to make it to this result.

Because of the fog, visibility was rapidly getting worse. Even when she turned back to look into the sky, she couldn’t even make out the shape of the wyvern.

“Yume!”

“Haru-kun!”

The moment she heard those two call each other’s names behind her, she couldn’t hold it back anymore. Merry kept running, not even bothering to wipe the overflowing tears.

Even when Setora cried, “Haru!” and Haruhiro responded, “Thank goodness you’re okay!” Merry didn’t feel anything but relief. She was able to feel glad from the bottom of her heart that Setora was all right.

If Merry stayed like this, she could get along without hating her. Everyone was precious to her, she loved them, and embarrassing as it was to admit it, she wanted to tell them that honestly. She wanted to tell everyone with a smile on her face. Someday, she’d surely be able to.

That was how she felt.

Bonus Short Stories

The Men’s Night

“It’s all about communication, you know.”

Ron nodded deeply. When he turned back, Renji and Adachi were following him. Adachi was pressing on his black-rimmed glasses and had a foul look on his face, but there was no telling what Renji was thinking or feeling from his expression. He’s a hard guy to read, thought Ron. They’d been together since coming to Grimgar, but Ron still had no idea what was going on inside Renji’s head.

That’s why tonight, when they were back in Alterna for the first time in a while, he’d invited him out to drink.

Or rather, well, he’d invited him a number of times before, but Renji had kept refusing. Because he hadn’t relented, the three guys had been able to go for drinks together.

“...Damn, I’m awesome.”

With a secret grin to himself, Ron sat himself down at a seat at one of the stalls. He had deliberately decided that, instead of going to Celestial Alley, the three of them would go to the stall village near the craftsmen’s town in the southern district for some quiet drinks with oden on the side. Women would just be in the way for this sort of thing. That was Ron’s pillosophy. Pillo...? That’s not it? Well, whatever.

“Just sit wherever,” Ron said generously. Adach sat next to him with a foul look on his face, and Renji sat next to Adachi. Ron wanted to have the head of Team Renji in the middle, flanked by his strike commander, Ron, on one side and the brains of the operation, Adachi, on the other, but whatever. He wasn’t going to be a stiff about it. The night had just begun.

“The usual, Pops.”

When Ron raised three fingers, the shopkeeper, who had a face that would make you swear he’d already killed at least three people, silently nodded. Immediately, he poured three cups of clear liquor and served them. Ron took one of the three for himself. Renji took one, too, but Adachi scrutinized the cup as if suspicious.

“What’s wrong, Adachi? You scared or something, man?”

“...No. Not scared. I just don’t know what’s in it.”

“It’s not poison, at least. You need me to eludicate you further on the matter?

“Elucidate, you mean?”

“What’s it matter?”

“It doesn’t. But you’ve been trying to use a lot of words like that recently.”

“Sh-Shut up.”

If he said, I mean, it makes me seem smart, or something like that, he had a feeling Adachi would make fun of him. This glasses-wearing jerk was quick to look down on others. To be straight with you, he had a bad personality. Also, he was bad at getting up in the morning. Intensely bad.

“You saying you can’t drink my booze?”

“Honestly, I don’t really want to, but I’ll do it for you. I have no choice.”

“If you’re going to go that far, then don’t drink it.”

“Fine, I won’t then.”

“Drink it! Come on!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Adachi snorted and picked up his cup. ...Man, this guy had a bad personality. Totally rotten. If they weren’t comrades, Ron would have beaten him to death. But, well, they were comrades.

“All right, moving on then, cheers!”

Even when Ron called out, neither Adachi or Renji repeated it. They didn’t drink from their cups, either... Oh, come on, seriously?

“Cheers...!”

He tried saying it again, louder this time.

No response.

...Were these guys screwing around with him?

Screwing around.

Oh, so that was it.

A gag, huh. They were doing it as a gag. One of those inside jokes. Well, in that case, he might have felt they could have made it more obvious, but Adachi and Renji’s sense for humor was deficient. Or rather, nonexistent. Unlike Ron, they had none.

Ron coughed politely, then hit them with his best gag.

“Cheers...! Oh, whoops... For some reason, my pants fell down, and my underwear, too. Aw, man, my Junior’s saying hi. Hahaha!”

There was a long silence...

...Were these guys stupid?

Ron felt like his eyes might roll into the back of his head. His gag didn’t work... The hell? Impossible. While proposing a toast, Ron had deftly exposed his lower half. No matter how you look at it, that should have been a guaranteed laugh riot.

Well, whatever. Ron knocked back his cup, then took a breath. If he snapped now and lost his will to continue, the night would be ruined. He’d figured out long ago that Renji and Adachi were both difficult people to get along with. They might be highly skilled, but, unlike Ron, they were failures as human beings. Pieces of shit, both of them.

Me, Ron thought, I’m gonna make proper humans out of them. Renji and Adachi both. There’s a tendency to act like work and our private lives should be separate. That comrades are comrades, nothing more, nothing less. But that’s not how it is. It’s more like, we’re all people. Human vs. human. Man vs. man. We’ve got to face one another, nakedly, and be bound together with passion. That’s how the bond between us as working partners gets stronger.

“So?” Ron put his cup down on the counter and asked them. “How’s it hanging, lately?”

There was no answer.

...Seriously?

They couldn’t answer a rudeomentry question like that? How inept at communication were these guys? Ron sighed, put an arm around Adachi’s neck, and pulled him close.

“I’m asking you a question, you know? Well?”

“...Could you stop?”

“Stop what?”

“Being so clingy. It’s gross.”

“Gross, you say?”

“Yes. Incredibly so.”

“Hah! What? You prefer women, is that it? You damn virgin, acting like you’re sexy.”

“What connection is there between my not wanting you touching me and my lack of sexual experience?”

“...Th-There’s gotta be something.”

“There isn’t. Even if I were to begin seeing a woman, Ron, I wouldn’t want you touching me. It’s unpleasant just having you come close, so could you please move away?”

“Damn it! Screw you ineffectual types!”

“Did you mean intellectual?”

“Same difference!”

“They’re completely different, though.”

“Fine! I’ve just gotta move away, right?!”

Ron moved away from Adachi and, as he drank, was a little shocked. To think there was a man who wasn’t even a little shaken up when he made fun of his virginity. Was Adachi gay or something? But if he were, he shouldn’t be so unaffected by Ron touching him. What was it? Ron didn’t get it at all.

“...I know. Women. What’s your type? That’s it! Well, Adachi, answer me.”

“Smart, maybe. I don’t want to talk to an idiot.”

“An immediate response?! Damn it... R-Renji! How about you?!”

Renji was silent.

...Seriously?

He was ignoring them? Unbelievable.

“H-Hey, Renji! Your type! No, even a woman you like will do! Who is it?! What kind of woman do you like?!”

Renji didn’t respond.

Eventually, he took a breath, then downed his cup of sake in one go.

...Seriously?

This was some seriously hard distilled liquor. How could he down it in one go? That was totally nuts. He was crazy.

But Ron couldn’t back down here. Their night had only just begun.

“Renji! What kind of woman do you like?! Tell me!”

“Why don’t you tell us first?” Adachi suggested.

That makes sense, he thought. Now that he mentions it, yeah, I should.

“Me, huh? For me, well... It’s the ass. Yeah. I want a woman with a round, soft ass. The ass is important, you know. Oh, also, the upper arms. I don’t want them too slender. They need just the right amount of thickness and softness. That’s it... Hey, what, Adachi? Why the look?”

“No reason...” That was what he said, but Adachi was looking at Ron with clear disdain. If he didn’t understand the importance of the butt and upper arms, maybe the guy really was gay? Well, whatever. He could do what he wanted. The problem was Renji.

“Come on, Renji! I said my piece! What kind of woman do you like?! Spill it...!”

“Ditzy.”

Renji’s response was curt, and to the point.

...Ditzy.

Ron and Adachi exchanged glances. Adachi looked surprised, too.

That’s... kind of unexpected, huh?

Yeah...

It felt like in the moment their eyes met that sort of conversation had transpired.

Ditzy, huh.

“Come to think of it, Yume in Haruhiro’s party was a ditz, wasn’t she? Renji was into women like that?

“By the way.” Renji remained expressionless as he picked up the new cup he’d been served and, of course, drained it in one go. “That was a joke.”

Ron and Adachi both facefaulted in unison.

A Bundle With More Letters Than Can Be Counted

Dear Haruhiro,

Are you well? I’m not. Because I can’t see you. I want to see you, Haruhiro.

Anna-san tells me “Forget him already, yeah, damn it,” but I’m not good at that sort of thing, and I don’t want to force myself to forget, so I’m not trying to. That’s why I’m writing letters like this. But I don’t know where you are, so there’s no way to have you read them, and that makes me feel a little lonely. No, not a little, a lot. But, while I was crying all the time before, I’m not doing that as much lately. That makes me feel a little lonely.

I may have cried too much. Because of that, I’m a lot thinner, and it’s gotten hard to swing a sword. Lately, I’m working hard on my magic. I think it would be nice if there were a spell that would let me meet you. I asked someone in the mages’ guild, but they said that’s not how magic works. What is magic, then? It’s not much use, so I’m thinking I might join a different guild. I was a warrior before, so maybe something else would be good. Anna-san and Tada are priests, Tokimune is a paladin, and Inui is a hunter, so maybe a thief would be good. You’re a thief, so maybe it’d be good if I became one, too.

I’ve been thinking about you for a while now, so I just cried for the first time in a while. But I may not make a good thief. Because I’m tall. And I’m not fast, either.

When I remember your face as you looked up at me, I really want to see you. Not that I could ever forget you, but when I think about the possibility that I might, it makes me feel sick.

I’m sorry for thinking you were pitiful at first. You’re not pitiful. You helped us, you’re cool. I want to be able to tell you that, so I really don’t like that we can’t meet. I know I love you, but you don’t love me. That’s okay, I still want to see you. Even if it’s only occasionally, I want to see you. I want to tell you I love you.

Where are you? Are you well? If you’re not well, I don’t know what I’ll do. I want to see you.

Please be safe.

It doesn’t matter where you are, and it doesn’t have to be any time soon, but please come back someday.

Sincerely,

Mimori.

Gentlemen

Gentlemen, I love butts. Well, I like breasts, too, and it’s hard to pass up a nice set of legs, but what makes me stare despite myself—what easily seizes my attention, has to be the butt. Naturally, breasts are nice. Very nice. I could fight for ten years for a good pair of breasts. However, gentlemen, I must ask you something. Fighting ten years for breasts. Isn’t that normal? Like, to the point it’s a given? Like, man, you’ve got to know at least that much? It’s a precondition, right? In the same way that all things must pass, it’s a natural conclusion, right?

That’s why I want to go out of my way to say this. Gentlemen, I love butts. Let me clarify, though, it’s not that I think a beautiful butt is the most important thing, okay? That’s normal, too. Beautiful butts, sure, they’re great. I won’t deny it. But still. What can I say? Those wonderful curves, that perfect balance, those things, well, they just don’t get me going. You get me? While I might go, Oh, hey, they don’t hit me hard enough. As an expert on butts, I want to grade them on the kind of things us maniacs are into. I guess what I’m saying is that the all too common beautiful butt can’t satisfy me. No, beautiful butts aren’t too common, okay? There aren’t that many of them. They are rare. But, really, that’s not the point. It’s not like all you need is a round ass. Not by the great Ranta-sama’s standards, it isn’t.

Something that makes me go, Isn’t that thing kind of heavy? Well, yeah, I guess it is. I want a little heft to it. One that makes me go, Wh-Whoa... You get me?

Just between you and me, let’s talk butts. Merry’s got a beautiful butt, you know. Of course. She’s pretty shapely, after all. Shihoru, well... Yeah, it’s huge. Her boobs are huge, too, but her butt is huge. That’s fine. But I dunno, it could use a little more subtlety. For me, that is. In other words, I want more modesty? With Shihoru, you can tell from the front that she’s got a big butt. There’s no surprise there, see. No sense of wonder. You get me?

Well, it’s gotta be Yume. In the end. What do I mean, in the end, you might be wondering? When it comes to butts, Yume’s the best. But only when it comes to butts. Her legs aren’t bad, but, well, it’s all about the butt with her. Especially Yume’s butt when she turns around. Not to face you, of course, but to face away. When she’s like, Stupid Ranta! Yume doesn’t even know you anymore! and she turns the other way, I can’t help but look. I mean, I never miss it. Thanks to that, I can’t rule out deliberately pissing her off. Yeah. ...Have I said too much? I may have said too much. Anyway, I’m not gonna tell anyone, but Yume’s got the top butt. This will be on the test. No, it won’t. What do I mean, the test?