Aria returned to the girls' dormitory alone.
　Aria was still troubled by the fact that Arta had reminded her not to tell Iris.

(I guess the teacher is worried about Iris, but ......)

　Aria feels the same way.
　If Iris is going to fight a dangerous opponent, I don't want her to go alone.
　But Aria couldn't do anything to stop Iris from going into battle. But Aria couldn't stop Iris from going into battle, because she knew that was where she wanted to be, where she needed to be.

(So ......)

　--I know that I should have told her. She knew that she could not do anything without Arta's permission.
　Aria thinks that it would be cruel to ask Iris to remain ignorant. She would want to be standing next to Alta.
　That's why Aria is conflicted.
　She wants to follow Arutha's orders, but she can't ignore Iris. As she walked along, she found herself in front of the girls' dormitory. And then...

"Oh, Aria!

　Iris, who was waiting for me in front of the dorm, called out to me.

"Iris, ......, what's wrong?
"What's wrong?" "What's wrong? I went to your room, but you weren't there, so I looked for you. Where did you go?
I--I went for a walk.

　Aria replied, a little choppily. For a moment, she almost answered honestly, "I was at Arta's.

"Hmm?　Well, that's okay. But we still have time before dinner, don't we?　I want you to go out with me.
Where do you want to go?
Somewhere nearby, somewhere a little bigger. I'd like to try something out. ......
...... Another sword fight?
No, it's fine. My training with Sensei is going well, you know.　I want to learn some techniques that will surprise my teacher!

　Aria couldn't help but laugh at how typical Iris was. She's always been obsessed with getting stronger.
　She's always striving to surpass the swordsman she's aiming for.

(A little while ago, ...... said that the "enemy" this time is an opponent who calls himself the "Sword Saint". He said he was just as strong as his teacher. If Iris were to fight such a man--

　Iris will not run away. She would face the enemy with all her might.
　Even if the opponent was unbeatable, Iris would do the same - Aria knows that.

"......
"Aria?　What's wrong?
What's wrong?　Sorry, it's nothing. Sword fighting practice, right?
Yeah, yeah. Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine. I'm gonna help Iris become stronger than me.
What are you talking about, ......? I'm stronger than you right now!
I'm not so sure about that.

　I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure if I'd be able to do that if I were you.
　If that was Arata's choice, then Aria decided to make the same choice this time.

"Wait!
"Hey, Iris.
Hey, Iris!　What?
You know, Iris. How does she feel about you?

　Aria said something that had been bothering her for a while.
　Aria was aware that she had been feeling a bit frivolous lately. She had asked him on a whim, but he hadn't responded.
　When she glanced back at Iris, she saw that her cheeks were a little red and her eyes were swimming.

"Why are you asking me that?
...... Why the honorifics?
It's because you're asking weird questions all of a sudden!
"I don't think it's weird. ...... Why are you so upset?
I'm not upset, all right?
"......

　You're clearly upset - or rather, you've suddenly become upset.
　Aria brings her face close to Iris and gives her a sharp look.

"Iris ......, did something happen with the doctor?
Why are you talking about that? It's nothing. ......?


You're still acting weird, though. ......
I'm not weird!　Why are you asking me that?　You don't have a thing for him, do you?
"You too?
"'You'?

　Iris let out a puzzled voice.
　After a few moments of silence, Iris walks quickly past Aria.

"And, and, and, and, and!　All you have to do is keep me company before dinner time!　You're acting kind of weird.
Only Iris has gotten weirder.
"Ugh. ......


　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

(I'd like to tease you about your meeting with the doctor earlier, but ......)

　Aria has already made up her mind.
　She's not going to tell Iris about this, she's just going to let her be. Because that's what Aria wants.