...... Huh.

　The commotion had died down by now.
　In an alleyway that was unusually empty, I, Lyra, was letting out a heavy sigh.

　I remembered a scene from not long ago.
　Raust and Narsena were spending time with each other.

　Although it wasn't my intention, Aamir and I ended up peeking in on their meeting.
　Considering that the reason why Aamir decided to peek in was because he was begging me to lead him to Roust's place, I would be responsible for everything.

I've done a bad job with ...... Narsena.

　Narsena's face was red and she looked flustered in a way that she hadn't before.
　Remembering that figure, I let out a deep sigh.
　Lausto, on the other hand, was calm, but it's not surprising that he's angry at us inside.

''It's late at night, and I wish I could have talked to Lausto tomorrow. ......

　The reason I was looking for Raust, was because a lot of adventurers had come to my hospital room.
　I was looking for those adventurers because I wanted to talk to Roust about what to do with them, but I should have been more careful.
　The fact that Roust told me that he and Ronald-san had already discussed that matter with me reinforced that thought in my mind.

　In a situation like this, it's not strange to see the distance between two people who had been thinking about each other grow.
　I feel really bad for them for interfering in such a situation.

　But as I thought that, another thing dominated my mind.

'Huh. I really can't help it either.

　A sigh of self-loathing escapes my mouth once more.

　Even now, I still have Narcena's red face sticking vividly in my head.
　Indeed, I feel sorry for both of them.

'...... I envy you, nah.'

　But more than that, there was a feeling of envy in my heart for the two of them.

　I'm sorry, that feeling, but it doesn't go away at all.
　I can't help but feel guilty about that feeling.
　How shameful that I'm older than the two of you.

But in the current labyrinthine city, it can't be helped.

　As I muttered this, my eyes were met with two overly close figures.

'...... I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep today,'

I'll be there for you.

　Shame pushed me sluggishly across the street in front of the two men, who were exchanging such words without fear of being seen, and I was pushed back by shame.
　It wasn't until a bit later that I was finally able to slow down.

'At least do it indoors. ......

　 That kind of thing leaked out of my mouth in the absence of anyone else.
　I felt as if I was being shown off, and before I knew it, my expression had turned sour.
　Of course, I know that this is just paranoia out of envy.

　But I wasn't the kind of person who could let a couple look like that over and over again and not give it a second thought.

'There's another one there: ......'

　When I spotted a couple flirting a little further on, I changed my expression to one of annoyance while casually changing my destination.
　Yes, there were currently many couples that could be seen within the labyrinth city.
　No, that might not be strange at all.
　After all, right now, the situation could be tomorrow's life.
　It is a natural human habit to try to leave behind offspring.

　However, this situation was somewhat, or rather, a pity for me.

...... Huh.

　Letting out a depressed sigh, I mutter inwardly once again.
　In the current labyrinthine city, I couldn't help but feel jealous of these other couples.

　If I had only happened to see Laust and Narsena's meeting, I might have been able to push my ulterior motives down with guilt.
　But now, in the labyrinthine city, I see couple after couple because I can push them away.
　This would make any saintly person unconscious of their own ulterior motives.

　I mutter to myself as I excuse myself inwardly.

''I wish I could have stayed with Zeke, too. ......

　Currently, Zeke is late at night, but is still doing miscellaneous tasks to manage the adventurers.
　Knowing this, I also wonder how out of place I am thinking about it.
　But that doesn't mean I haven't had a hard time if I can keep my feelings in check.

　The fact that I couldn't push up against Zeke now, just because it was ......, was the least of my worries now.

'You can't barge in now, indeed,'

　I'll take care of the adventurer, and you can rest after I treat Raust.

　I look up at the moon, thinking about the words Zeke told me right after I treated Lausto.
　Those words from Zeke were purely to give me a break.
　Because I know that, I sigh, understanding that I can't just barge in on my own now.

'At least, I wish I had some excuse to do it: ......

　I walked toward the inn, thinking about such inevitable things.

　...... Suddenly, it was then that I heard the sound of footsteps clearly following me from behind.

　Could it be an adventurer who had thought of something insolent?
　I turned around, wary of this, and was surprised to see someone standing there.

''Hey, aren't you the center of the labyrinth city now?　Then do me a favor.

　The person spoke those words without paying any attention to my reaction.
　This reckless attitude made me aware of a bad memory.
　The woman in front of me has been barging in on me in a reckless manner since the first time I met her.

　However, her current appearance was clad in tattered clothes that were incomparable from that time.
　Not expecting to ever see her again, I called out my girlfriend's name, a little confused.

'...... Amherst?'

　At the sound of my voice, her ...... former guild receptionist, Amherst, smiled.