--One day.

　In the garden below the royal castle, there was a child who looked happy.

　She was running around, hitting trees, picking up falling insects, and bringing them back with a big smile on her face.

　There was a maid who would score the insects she brought in a loud voice, though she did not know under what conditions.

"Oh, this bug is~......
"What's this bug?
"Dara-dara-dan!　--Fifty points!
"Oh, wow, I'm in trouble!　I'm on top!
Well, it's going to be a fierce battle!　Let's see who's next!
Let's see!

　A slightly out-of-tune child girl scrambles through the grass in search of the next bug, bumps into a tree, and searches for a new encounter.

　Futa sat on the grass and watched the girls having fun, amazed at the variety of games they could come up with.

I never thought I'd see Ruri so happy.
It's like an injury.
I'm sure Pasta will be very angry with me for saying that.

　The man sitting in the chair next to Futa is an older man who laughs.

　The name is Wind Earthnote.
　He is the father of the child who is happily running around the square.

　His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Ruri with a happy smile on his face, and Futa leisurely turned his attention back to the girls.

　A sickly body that has been passed from mother to child.
　Her body could not be cured, and she ran desperately to maintain the status quo.

　The peace she had once grasped, however, did not mean peace of mind.

　The fate of the royal family, which he knew would eventually come. A month ago, she was forced to pay the price for her fate.

　That's why Wind was biting the happy smile on her face that he could witness for himself.

　I need to rest my overworked body for a while.
　At first, he was sorry that he had followed the healer's diagnosis.
　He was a blade to be wielded for the Orba Trading Company.
　I can't thank the chairman enough for healing Ruri and raising her.

　But, yeah.

I'm glad.

　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
"After that?
"Yes.

　Wind nodded slowly and closed his eyes.

　Barrier Reef F. Christ. The fifth prince of the empire, the prodigal swordsman.


　I remember him coming into Wind's room when he was bedridden.

"Yay!
"Hello, Prince Barrier Reef!
I'm here to play!　Oh no, there's nothing here!　You stay here, Winn. You don't have to get up, seriously.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm really sorry about that. It was one of my men who attacked you.
"Oh, ......, no, I knew that.
I'm the only one with any holes. It's not like I can do anything about it, though. But I'm really sorry.
"No, .......

　Wind laughs.

"You can do something about Ruri. That's all I need to know, that's all I need to know.
"I see. ...... Well, you're right. I know what you mean. I won't let you mess with her again. I guarantee it.
Yes, sir. I'm sure you will.

　The barrier leaf smiled and stood up, looking annoyed.

I'll see you sometime. --Ah, yes.
What is it?

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

What is it?

　The person he calls "sister" and adores.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　She's Ruri's mother.

"Thank you. I'm sure my sister would have been happy to have you around.
"Well...



　I don't know how you can say that.
　I didn't think Barrier Reef would say something so irresponsible. But that didn't mean I could believe it without evidence.

　Because I've never...
　I had never been able to protect someone I truly loved.

You know what I mean.

　Even so, Barrier Reef's confidence remains strong.
　He smiles at Wind, who stares at him asking why.

　I don't know.


"Because Ruri is laughing at you.



"Ruri?
My sister only smiled in front of people she liked. --So does Ruri. So don't worry about it.
You're so much alike, aren't you? Ruri and Azalea-sama...
No, they're not alike at all. They're so alike it's unbelievable.
"What?

But...

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

　--You worked hard.

The roots are the same. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

"That's your daughter.





　--A breeze blew.

"So, Ocean, what did the Barrier Reef say?
"Yes, sir.

　Now, what to say, Wind wondered.
　They hadn't talked that long.
　Barrier Reef was busy, and there was no reason for Wind to stay long.

　So really, it was just goodbye.
　I could say that I remember every word.

　But it seemed a little different to reveal it all.

"Just so.

　So in a nutshell.

　Wind Earth Note doesn't know what conversation Ruri and Barrier Reef had.
　She doesn't know how they met, what words they exchanged, what Ruri saw in Barrier Reef, or what she learned.

　She also doesn't know what Barrier Reef received from Ruri.

　That's why I don't know how to say, "Good job.

　I don't know what Ruri said to Barrier Reef after his fight to the death.

　But...

　Wind closed her eyes and said only one thing.

"Good job. That's what she said.

　He said, "Well done, Wind, for all your hard work.

　Wind couldn't help but blurt out.

"Mr. Wind?
"Oh, no, I'm sorry. It's just...

　It's just... The Barrier Reef who spoke so strongly about Ruri and Azalea's blood.

　He's the one.

I knew he was Azalea's brother.
Oh, you look alike?
No, he's nothing like him. No, not at all. You scared the hell out of me.
What?
But, yeah. I guess we're the same at heart.

　I looked up to see Ruri running around happily.

　The wind was blowing.

　The wind, which seemed to have a strange scent of the sea, stroked the hair of a distant child girl as if it were tickling her.


　When Ruri turned around and noticed that Wind and Futa were looking at her, she waved her hand with a big smile.


What do you think, Futa-dono?



　Yes, a smile in full bloom.


　So I'll say it with all my heart.


　"Isn't her daughter--


"Isn't my daughter pretty?