After being let through by a member of the Order of the Holy Tree, Ray Sitnos entered Ira Horn's waiting room.

　Ira laughed and greeted her with a wave of his hand with a yah-hoh.
　Ray smiled back, trying not to be too concerned.

'That was close, final.'
Yeah. Congratulations on your win, Ray.
Haha, thanks. Is Kurohiko here yet?
Yeah. I went to Cecily's a while ago.
Okay.

　The waiting room was silent.
　The hustle and bustle of the crowd could be heard through the door, but it seemed to be a very distant sound.
　When I looked, I saw the sword Ira had used in the finals, propped up against the wall.

　Ray stood in front of Ira, who was sitting on the couch in silence.
　Ira lowered his gaze with his mouth in the form of a smile.

''Ray I did my best, didn't I?
I worked hard. I'm proud to be your best friend.

　A shadow falls over Ira's face.

"...I'm so frustrated.
Yes.

　With a pop, a drop of water fell on the toe of Ira's shoe.
　One after another, water droplets popped on the toes of her shoes.
　Tears were running down from Ira's eyes as they popped.

　There was no trace of tears to be recognized, so she must have been holding back her tears in front of Kurohiko, who came to see her.
　It was Ira.
　Of course I was smiling in front of him the whole time.

'It's okay, Ira,'

　Ray held Isla gently to his chest.
　As if guided, Ira nuzzled his face into her chest.

　It was impossible not to be disappointed.

　It was one step closer to winning.

　You wanted to show Kurohiko that you were going to win.
　That's what she wanted to see.

　That's what she wanted.
　Still, you have to say it.

'Ira fought very well. Nobody's going to complain. If the Horns have anything to say about it, I'm going to punch them in the face.

　Inside her chest, Ira shook her head buzzingly.
　What does it mean 《bunbun》?

''It was frustrating, wasn't it?''

　Bun Bun.

　You weren't disappointed?
　So what is Ira so sad about?

　In a muffled voice, Ira said.

'I was so pathetic,'
'Pathetic?　What are you talking about? There's nothing shameful about it. There's nothing to be proud of, but there's nothing shameful about it.

　I pat Ira's head.
　But Ira sniffed and shook his head again.
　The tears hadn't stopped yet.
　Ray wondered as he felt the warmth of tears in his chest.
　What is it that makes me so sad?
　What on earth makes her feel pathetic?

I'm...

　Showing a tearful face, Ira hugged Rei.


''I made Kurohiko apologize to you.........''


Oh, I'm sorry...?

　Ray is baffled.
　I don't know what's going on.

What do you mean?

　For now, Ray decided to wait until Isla had calmed down.

　Then, when Ira had calmed down, he asked again why.
　He told her that Ira had lost in the final because Krohiko had taught him a different sword than the one that was used to win the match.
　Kurohiko was sorry about that and came to apologize.

　I see, Ray agreed.
　So that was what he wanted to talk about, alone with her.

　Nevertheless, I think.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation.

It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of it," he said, "because it's the one thing that Ira was most worried about.

'I know, I know. But I don't think Ira should be so worried about it either...
I think I understand why.
That's what you were going for?
I wanted to be Kurohiko. But I think Cecily wanted to stand next to Kurohiko.

　They looked similar, but there seemed to be a huge difference there.

　Ira, who wished to be Kurohiko, approached Sagara Kurohiko's sword.
　Cecily, wishing to stand next to Krohiko, found Cecily Arkwright's own sword.

　Perhaps it was the sword spawned from herself that would ultimately win the war.

　A clunk, and a slap on Ira's back.

''Hiyah!''
Then this time, Ira needs to polish up his own sword so that he can get praise for it instead of being apologized to by Kurohiko.
Yes.

　The real lightness is finally returning to Ira's face.
　I think she has gotten back on her feet faster lately.
　In short, he must have become mentally stronger.

'By the way, Ira.
Hmm?
Are you going to confess to Kurohiko yet?
Hey, hey, what are you doing?　Ray!
'Huh?　You were going to do it after the Holy War Festival, weren't you?
It's just that I've decided that it's going to be a winner.
'What?　What's wrong with second place?
No!　We decided that if we won, we would!
I see...

　Ray lowered his voice.

'Hmmm, I feel like it was close... rather like this was a good thing...'

　Not even Ray is sure if he will succeed.
　It just seems like it's not the time yet.
　God knows what it is.

Well, maybe Ray is the one who--
Huh?
I've never heard you talk about someone you like.
'What?　Me?　Hmmm...I mean, I guess I'm more of a mistress type than a proper relationship?
No, no, no!　No, it's not!　I hear there are a lot of boys who admire Ray quite a bit!

　Ray gracefully averted his gaze and teased his fingers through his dripping side hair.
　Then he says deliberately.

'I'm, you see ... the sword and the jutsu, my lover.
'We've known each other for years, but that's completely new to me now!　I can't even convince you!
Hmm... so let's call it Kurohiko for now, shall we?
I don't want you to hear this!　I don't think it's a good idea to feel that appropriate either!
''Haha, I don't think the current Ira is the same person as that Ira Horne-dono who fought an epic battle in the final!
d*mn it, Ray!　That's how I always get off like that, and I always feel like I'm one better at it!

　Isla tapping on the pockmarker.
　While smiling at Ira, Ray murmured in his mind.

　--Thank you so much for your hard work, Ira.