Hi, Ira.

　On the day before the second game tomorrow, Ray came to visit Ira's room.
　As she closes the door to her room, Ray says, "Tomorrow, it's the second game.

'Tomorrow, the second round is finally happening.
Yes.
Oh, what's going on?　You don't have your usual energy.
'What?　Is that so?
'Oh, by the way, when I went to look at the match-up table for the second round, I didn't see Kurohiko.
'Oh, well Kurohiko had an urgent matter to attend to. The headmaster's maid of honor came and gave me a message from Kurohiko.
Hmmm, I see. What's this all about?　Oh, speaking of errands, I saw someone who looked like a member of the Order come in a while ago and leave here in a carriage with Currier... but maybe it's the same errand.

　Ray sits down next to Ira, who is sitting on the edge of the bunk.

'What's the matter, Ira?'

　Ray playfully put his hands around her waist.
　In response to that, Ira responded with a wry smile.

''Haha........I'm embarrassed to say, but I think I'm getting a bit nervous.
You seem a bit weak compared to the first game.
'During the first round, Kurohiko was watching the fight he was there with me before and after the fight. I was supposed to go with him to see the matchup list today.

　Ray is waiting patiently for Ira's words.

'I think I would have lost the first game if I was alone. The training is part of it, but I think the feelings are the biggest factor. Today, when I went to see the list of fights, I felt very discouraged.　Everyone around me seemed stronger than I was, and I started to get scared... even though it wasn't like that during the match when Kurohiko was near me.

　Of course, it's not as scary as the Four Deadly Disasters.
　But that was a different kind of feeling than that one.
　It wasn't a threat to life.
　It was a sense of insignificance.
　It's that feeling of being in a place where you are out of place.

"I see.......you went alone. I was sure I was going to go see it while flirting with Kurohiko, so no one was going to go see it with Ira, you know~
Hey, you're flirting with me?

　Aila cupped her flaming cheeks with both hands.

''But if you were in such a state, I should have gone with you.......
But...

　Ira dropped his gaze to his lap.

'I also knew then that I shouldn't just rely on Kurohiko all the time. It's true that I'm nervous... but we mustn't let our emotions get the better of us. If you are defeated by your feelings, you will not be able to win anything.

　Giggling, Ray smiles.

'You don't seem to ... need to worry about it.

　Ray taps Ira's shoulder with a peck.

'I'm stronger now, Isla.
"....I used to be a girl who was used to giving up. I was always looking in the back of my mind for the edge to compromise.

　Even during the mission to defeat the giants, the attack team that was going to form up because of the dispute with Bashkatha left, and he thought he was going to apologize to Bashkatha and the others and call it a day.
　But when I told him that story, he said, seemingly unconcerned.

　--Uh.......well, is there something wrong with that?

　In the end, the mission to defeat the giants was carried out, but after that, the mission took an unexpected turn.
　A giant that didn't look like a lowly hierarchical figure appeared, which didn't seem to attract the skilled Bashkatha squad and destroyed them all.
　But he didn't hesitate to fight back against such an unknown enemy.
　That's right.
　When he appeared, everyone was enveloped in despair, but he stood up to the Four Deadly Disasters.
　When I first met him, he seemed to be kind, but compared to now, he was a different person.
　He's changing at an alarming rate - he's getting stronger.

The old me was always looking for a way out. But now I'm always looking for a way out.

　Seeing him like that made me want to change, too.

I'm just looking for a reason not to compromise.

　Ray let out a breath of deep emotion, hahaha.

You've really gotten stronger. I've been with you for so long, there's something about being together that makes me want to do it.
But of course I'm grateful to Ray, right?　And looking back, there's a lot of things that Ray has helped me with.

　Puh-leeze.
　Ray pressed Ira's cheek with his finger.

'So, now, Ira.......which do you like better, Kurohiko or me?
"...what?　What?　You can't choose....
Oh dear, it's Ira that he doesn't choose Kurohiko honestly...
d*mn it, Ray...
Well!　I don't think there is anything to worry about with Ira, so let's get an early night's rest in preparation for tomorrow!

　Ray stands up and walks to the door.

'Uh ... you know what, Ray?'

　Ira called out to Ray.

'Hmm?　What?
What if?　If I win this festival, I'm going to be the first one to do so.

　So on second thoughts, Ira shook his head.

'Nope, sorry it's nothing.'
I see.

　He could feel the air he didn't want to be questioned.
　Without asking further what she was going to say, Ray walked out of the room.

　Poof, Ira lies down on a thin blanket.

　She stared at the ceiling.

It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time here. Then I'll have the courage to do so--

　The words beyond that didn't come out of his mouth, but stayed in his head.

　A few moments later, Ira pointed his fist at the ceiling.


'You're going to win, I promise.'