--Section 8, northeast of King's Landing.

　This is the same area where Wind Earth Note was targeted by a group of "assassins" one day.
　Even though the government has taken some steps, the area is still unsafe.
　The buildings are old and poorly maintained.
　It's true that the fewer people who want to live there, the better it is for those with darker intentions.

　That's why I felt that if I wandered into such a place, I would never be able to come back.

Well, that's okay, because Mochisuke's around.
Handy, that boy.

　Now there were three shadows walking in the dimly lit alley of the eighth block.

　The path was wide enough for them to walk side-by-side, but it was flanked on both sides by high walls of buildings. "It was a dangerous area, where an assassin could attack them in three dimensions if he wanted to.

　But there were no thugs attacking us.
　Even though the area is unsafe, it does not mean that you will be targeted the moment you step into the area - if the walking figure is more dangerous than the thugs, it is natural that you will not be able to turn on them.

　The mere presence of a young man with a hammer axe on his back can instantly turn a dangerous area into a safe zone.

　There were no signs of alarm.
　The only thing that mattered was that even if he was just walking around, he could respond to any sudden attack or whatever and strike back.

But still...

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

You're not coming with me, are you?
No, not at all. I have nothing to do.

　The one who smiled in annoyance was an unusual person, even for an old acquaintance.

Mr. Richter is busy with his work, and I'm not his bodyguard anymore.
"Hmm.

　Looking from top to bottom, her trademark cross spear was nowhere to be seen.

　But that didn't mean there was anything to blame her for.
　Stepping into the danger zone. What does it matter? All you have to do is deal with them yourself.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that.

I've already told Futa.
"Hmm. What is it?
"No. I'm sorry about that, Prim.

　That time.
　It was easy enough for her to realize that this was the time of the commotion in Section 8 - that is, the time when Izuna came to the capital.

　She shook her head loosely and smiled.

I don't mind. Not at all.
Oh, well. Well, that makes me feel better.
Oh, I didn't know you cared.
Yeah, I was wondering what to do about the ......, but I didn't feel right showing up at the store.
"......

　In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to take a look at a few of these.

　It's not that she doesn't like what Izuna says, or that she's remembering the past and feeling bad about it.

　It was simply because of the problems he was currently facing.

It's not that I don't like it. I'm sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable.
What?
Do you think ...... we could have worked this out?
No.

　That was a quick answer.
　Prim looked up.
　Izuna's profile was very serious, and his narrowed eyes seemed to be staring into the distance.

　He brushed up his long reddish-bronze hair and said.

There are emotions that can't be helped. Now that I've managed to do something decent, ...... I had to win. That's how I've always felt. So you're saying we can't win or lose and just talk it out?　No, no, no.
No. ......
"Prim.

　Izuna calls out to her, who looks dejected.
　He turns to her and is very serious.

I'm not stupid. I understand. I know you've got a lot on your mind.
"Yeah, I guess.
...... And, well...

　He then looked at the back of Prim, who was walking next to him - a place that seemed to be lacking at the moment, with nothing on her back.

　If you don't enjoy it, quit.

If you're not having fun, you might as well quit.
"What? ......
It's just too hard. ......

　It is not that I am the same as I was in the past.
　But it is also true that the lost and troubled figure is not a stranger to me.

　He had fallen from grace as a Colosseum fighter, and no matter what he did, he could not win.
　He traveled to seek answers from Futa.



　Back then, no matter what I did, all I could think about was whether or not I could win.
　My mouth was always bitter, and when I closed my eyes, all I could think about was the past.

　I wish I didn't have to have such painful feelings.

...... Then why is it that Izuna?
I'm not sure what to make of it.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.

"But it was the only way. No, it still is. The only way for me to live is to fight like this. I'm a fighter."

　But," he said, shifting his gaze to his neighbor.
　The girl looks at the mallet axe with some envy, and he tells her.

But you're not. All you have to do is stand there and people will look at you. If you enjoy being a vendor, that's fine too.
"......, I guess.

　It was the first time.
　I'm not sure what to do with it.

　I had always thought that it was an escape.
　But Izuna affirms it.
　If you're going to be troubled, you might as well just run away.

　Just," Izuna mutters in her mind.

　The look of envy in her eyes when I showed her the hammer axe.

　No matter which way you choose.

　It's also strength to shake it off.
　I'm sure her troubles will continue for a little while longer.
　Hopefully, she'll be able to make a brighter choice then.

That's not like you.
What?
It's nothing.

　Honestly.
　I'd be happy to face this guy on the field again.

Where the hell did Mirabelle go? ......

　As if to change the subject, I looked around and muttered.
　There's still no sign of the person you're looking for.












　--Futa's private room at the King's Castle.

　He said he had a visitor, and of course Futa gave him permission.
　Today, or rather since Korona's fall, people often come to see him.
　I'm glad that she's so well-liked, but I can't smile honestly, because she's sleeping.
　Looking down at her with mixed feelings, the girl is still sleeping peacefully.

　My own bed was to be brought in later, but the thought of something happening to me in the middle of the night made it difficult for me to fall asleep.

I'm coming in.
It's you.
What's wrong with me?　I'll knock you down.

　Futa's eyes rolled a little as he realized that the visitor was, of all people, his precious fake sister.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. She placed a basket of fragrant flowers, apparently a gift, on the side table.

　Huta, who had lived in the house for a while, could tell that these were the flowers she grew at home.
　They must have been her favorite ones. Futa's expression relaxed, both apologetic and happy.

"So?
What do you mean, "So? I mean, what are you mad about?
What?　Why do you think?

　Pasta pushes Futa out of the way and sits down on a chair where he can see Korona's face.
　When Futa blinks at her, Reefy gives him a half-hearted look.

"What, did I do something?
"Because you didn't do anything. ......
What?

　Before you can even ask what it is, there is an object on the side table.
　It was a small bottle.
　The elaborately shaped vial was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand.
　Futa did not understand the intention of placing it on the side table as if to show it off.

"What's this?
A potion.
What?

　Futa exclaimed.
　Secret medicine. It's not like there's anything to connect it with that one word, but if Pasta brought it, it's a different story.

"The one that Mr. Wind had a hard time paying back!
He was so happy to be your escort. It saved the most important thing in my life.

　--Once.
　How Wind Earth Note came to be Beatrix M. Orba or Orba Trading Company.
　He didn't know much about it, but he had heard about the potion that had cured Ruri's infirmity.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you. ......


Yeah. Who do I get the fee from?

　Hooter shakes his head in disgust.

"I'll do anything you want.
"Yeah. Well, I'll take your word for it, but you're a ...... quick decision.
...... So why are you in such a bad mood?
"Shit.

　I put my hand gently on Corona's chin and made her open her mouth.
　I dripped a drop of liquid from the vial into her mouth, corked it, and turned around.

"Are you stupid?　Isn't it strange that you knew about this and never contacted me?　Are you nuts?
"Oh, .......

　That's not happening.
　Corona collapsed, and you didn't say a word to me.
　That's all I was saying.

　Rififi, pasta... And Corona. 　
　He looked around at the people present and remembered their short time together.

　But Futa smiled.
　And the fact that he didn't feel like a stranger.
　More than anything, he was glad that Pasta hated Korona enough to give her the potion.

　It annoyed him even more that she was smirking at him, but...

I'm sorry I left it out. I know you're busy.
"Don't give me that excuse.

　I scratched my cheek as she still glared at me sullenly.

"It's not like I forgot you existed.
"Huh. Then tell me. Did you remember my face at all while Corona was down?

　The mocking look on her face is a confident one, as if she knows she's going to win.
　It's just.

You're remembering. ......
What?

　I didn't think I'd have to reveal her nose like this, but...
　When the story of the terrorists came out and King's Landing was in danger.
　The first person I worried about was naturally the girl in front of me.

I hadn't thought of anything like a potion or anything like that, but I was worried about you in relation to terrorism.
"......

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

I'm not sure what to say. It's disgusting.
I'm not sure what you want me to do.
What do you want me to do?　I'll figure out how to pay for the potion later.

　He gently tucked his short hair behind his ear and looked into Corona's face as if to check on her.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.
"......

　The fever is still high.
　It is fortunate that there are no nightmares or signs of distress. It will take some time for him to get well.
　At least that's what it looked like to Futa's untrained eye.

The effects of the potion should start to show in a few hours at the latest. Well, you'll sleep well tonight. ...... You should get some sleep, too.
"...... bad.
Sorry. I don't want to get any bigger than I already am.
You need a good night's sleep, too.
What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?

　You'll be able to see that she's got an extra agenda, and she smiles at you with half-lidded eyes.
　Then she sighed and muttered to herself.

　Then he sighed and muttered to himself.

I'm thinking of cancelling the ...... show. I'm thinking of canceling it.
"What?
Of course you are. We can't do that unless we do something about the terrorist attack. I don't have the power to stop it. It's risky to send mercenaries who carry the shogunate's name to fight in King's Landing. It's no wonder they think you're willing to go up against the state. ...... Well, it's no use telling that to the idiot who defied the will of the country by carrying our shingle in a public game.

　If we can't stop the terrorists, we can't ensure the safety of the people who came to the performance.
　These are the people who are calling for the cancellation of the spectacle.
　If we were to perform in the midst of this, we could not have known what would happen.

"......, you worked so hard on the preparations.
"I didn't put that much effort into it.

　Murmuring to herself. I'm not sure what to do," he said.



　He looked at Leafy, who shook her head loosely, and shrugged her shoulders, thinking she was just being strong again.

　In reality, she was probably pushing herself to work harder to get the show on the road.
　From the promotion, to the music, to the stage management, to the rehearsals as the main character that he was forced to do.

　I've heard it said that you don't compromise for money, but this is hardcore.

　That's why I can imagine that the decision to cancel the show was a tough one.

　I didn't put that much effort into it. That's probably just a way of saying that you haven't bothered other people that much. The amount of time you have spent must be considerable.

"I wish I could do something about it.
If you could do it all by yourself, terrorists would be nothing.
I can't do it, but ...... I don't think Master Lilac is going to do anything when they take away her Spectacle.
"...... You.
Hmm?

　It's wishful thinking, I suppose.
　But we have a track record. Besides, I can say that Futa understands her feelings about spectacle the best.

　In fact, she will not give in to terrorism.
　All I can do is to make sure that she is not in danger.

　Just as he was thinking this, Pasta's eyes looked straight at him.

What's wrong?
"...... Let me tell you something. If you don't want to tell Lilac what to do, that's fine. You're right. Lilac will fight you if you try to take her spectacles away. But.
"But?
But?" "But?" "...... is really going to ruin this country if we leave it to him.

　The words were unexpected and blinding.

...... Is that because he's a wicked man?
I'm sure you wouldn't believe me if I told you that, so I'll tell you this. He's much more merciless with his enemies than I am. I don't even want to think about what he'll do to those terrorists.
......
Well, it's none of my business.

　Pasta let out a small yawn, leaving Futa to ponder.
　He looked around and noticed a delicious looking fruit.

Can I have some of this?
There's a cupcake over here.
No, thank you.

　I put the box of baked goods I just got from the kitchen on the table, and Pasta happily starts to eat them.

　As he watched her, he thought about his advice.

　It was then that he received another visitor. A small knock sounded.

　When Futa opened the door, there was no one there.

"...... huh?

　To the right, to the left. He looked to his right and left.

"Oh, no. That's embarrassing. I guess that's what happens when you're a big brother.
"...... Oh, sorry. Hmm?　Are you alone?

　I looked down and there he was.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

　Her long brown hair flowed down her back, giving her a graceful appearance.
　The child is shorter than Pasta, about the same height as Ruri.

"That's right. I'm all alone. I'm in trouble! But I just came to say hello. Here, have some tea.
"Oh, yeah, thanks?

　Three jars of black tea leaves, some kind of gift.

Uh, who are you?
"Well... Oh no, I didn't even tell you my name. Mmm.
Oh, oh, ....... Yeah, ....... Oh, I'm Futa.
I know who you are. Your father's been talking about me a lot lately.

　With a smile.
　The girl smiles annoyingly, holding her childishly soft cheeks with one hand.

"I'm Ayame Walcott. I'm six years old. I'm going to be living next door for a little while, so please take care of me.

　I'm Ayame Walcott. I'm six years old and I'm going to be living next door for a while.