After leaving the fourth ward city, we had come to the third ward city next. This is the place where I grew up, and also.... where I spent time with them. It's not that I don't think about it, but I came here on business. I shouldn't drag the emotions of that time into it now.


'So no one's here this time.
Well, it's just good timing so far.


　After passing through the checkpoint, me and Sherry had entered the third warded city. But this time, there is no one to greet us like before. Besides, it's late at night now. We should go to our quarters quickly and get some rest.


''Eh?　No room?
'I'm sorry we've had a lot of visitors today...'


　When we arrived at our lodgings, the soldier who was guiding us to our quarters told us that he couldn't prepare a room for us. We had just had a visitor, and it seemed that there were no rooms available for the two of us. We could have stayed at some other lodgings, but the guy said he could prepare a room for us. I've been told that there is no problem to sleep in a room with two beds, but....

　 That's what I thought, but what Shelly said was different from what I expected.


'No thanks, I don't mind. Can I have Julia too?
Yeah but it's okay.


　Shelly responded in a resolute manner. And me and Shelly will be staying in the same room in the third ward city. There are many things to think about, but it's too much trouble to get a place to stay outside now, and if it's okay with Shelly, I don't mind, either.




''Well why don't you take a shower first?''
I'll take Julia first.
Yeah?　Then I'll take you up on your offer.


　It's late, and the large bathroom is already closed. So I have to use the showers in my room, but they seem to be giving me the go ahead. I'm going to take off my clothes and take a shower.


''........''


　I'm taking a hotter than usual shower. So far, there's nothing wrong with that. We've made it this far in good shape. We're getting along well with the special-grade counter-magicians. Still, I don't like to think of anyone being hostile to humanity. But it's an escape from reality. We need to look at reality and find the traitor.


　Then I finish showering and go back to my room to tell Sherry that I'm up.


I'm up.
...Yeah. Then I'll go in.


　Shelly blushes a little and leaves quickly, looking down.

　Is she not feeling well?　



　◇



Julia, are you awake?
Yeah ... what's going on?


　Although the beds are far apart, they are still reasonably close together. They are forced to put two beds in a room that was originally intended for one person. It's only natural to feel a little cramped. And I respond to Shelly's words.


'What do you think, Julia?'
Is this about the traitor?
Yes.
''I don't know ... I was in the twilight for two years. I don't know about the special class anti-magicians, and the higher-ups in the military, much to my chagrin....
'Well it's me, I never thought about the possibility of a traitor until I was in this situation. I want to do this someday. Someday I'll be strong. It's what I've always wanted. And so when I got to this point in my life, I kept trying to make that someday into the present... next to Julia. But am I ... strong enough to be next to Yulia?
....


　Are you strong enough to be next to me?　It doesn't matter how strong you are when you're next to me...I'd like to say that, but I don't think that's what she's talking about. I think she's talking about me as a target.

　Are you strong enough to rival me?　If you ask me that I don't know. I've never seen her for real. But I'm proud to say that I'm stronger than Shelly........ I have some idea of how strong I am. That's why the words I should say to her are........


''When it comes to strength, I don't know........that's my opinion. And that's up for you to judge. It's possible that one day we will be in different cities. Shelly doesn't have to be tied up next to me.
''But I ... but I ... I have Julia as my target...''
Targeting is fine. But Sherry is not me. I can't be Sherry, just as you can't be me. If I may say so I think you should be on the right track. Not to be someone else, but to be someone you can admit to being.
....


　I know I'm not the kind of person who would tell someone what to do, no matter what I say, it's abstract. Still, I think I've told her what I can say to myself right now. I hope this will lead to something........


''........Julia is an adult after all.
He's a child, he's not ready.
'Huh but I know what you mean, Julia. I've been chasing someone for a long time. Someone you can't see in front of you, but someone who is definitely there. I used to see that as Julia, but...


　Beyond that, we chatted lightly and then went to bed. Sherry is also a work in progress. And I'm also a work in progress. I'm hoping that we'll be able to make each other better... I think about this as I surrender to sleep.