You see... yeah?

　Kanade muttered in disgust...
　Eventually, he seemed to understand what it meant and fumbled and panicked.

"Well, I didn't know that was going to happen........wow, I'm sorry for asking such an insensitive question......I'm sorry!　Lain, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to but it's all just an excuse............. .....
Don't worry about it.

　I put my hand on Kanade's head with a plop.
　As it is, I gently stroke it as if to convey our feelings.

I don't think Kanade had any bad intentions, in fact, you're always looking out for me. It's something I told you, and I don't mind.
But but....
'So don't look like you're about to cry. I've been saved by Kanade's smile.
My...?
When I see Kanade's smile, it makes me feel really good. "When I see Kanade's smile, it makes me feel that no matter what happens, I can keep moving forward...It's such a powerful feeling. I can't tell you how many times that has helped me. I know it's only been a short time since we've met, but I can't stop thinking about it. I'm grateful. So I hope you're smiling, Kanade.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

　As requested, Kanade smiles at me.
　It's a bit awkward, but....
　But it was the 'smile' I was looking for.

"....

　Suddenly, I noticed that Tania was getting meeker.
　She looked dark and awkwardly averted her gaze.

'Could it be that Tania is bothering you too?
No, it's not!　I don't care...about Rain...I don't care...and I don't care.
"...Tania is a sweetheart.
Why are you doing this?
You wouldn't look like that if you really didn't care, would you?
'Oh....'
Thank you. I'm glad Tania's so worried about you.
'Yeah, well, I'm glad you're not as depressed as I thought you'd be.
'When I was alone, I used to think back to the old days and get depressed. But now I've got Kanade and Tania with me.
Well that's just the kind of thing that makes me nervous.
Yeah?
It's nothing.
Hey, Rain.

　Kanade opens his mouth with a sense of trepidation.

''Well... how did that happen to Rain's hometown... if you don't mind me asking?''
That's not an issue for me, to be honest, but it bothers me.
'It's not just curiosity I'm curious because it's about Rain. I just wanted to know everything about Rain... no, I guess?
'Well you don't have to do it, okay?　Well I know it's going to be hard for Rayne and you don't have to worry about me, right?
'It's okay. It's just something I've been meaning to tell you both about in due course.

　It's not a lie, and it's not a caring word.
　I won't go so far as to say that we're friends and we have nothing to hide, but....
　I thought I should tell you something about my past.

　To understand.
　To help you understand.
　For the sake of mutual understanding...
　Because I think it's what we need to do in order to truly be friends.

'Although ... it's not that big of a story, it's just that it's all over the place.
Still I'd love to hear it.
Tell me about Lane.

　The two men looked straight at me.
　Their gazes were filled with a sincere desire to know about their companion.

''Well it was around the time I turned twelve, I guess. As usual, I was training to be a Beast Tamer. My parents were busy at the time, and I happened to be on my own. We'd go out of the village, and we'd go to a training ground a short walk away, and we'd practice until nightfall.
Nah, Rain is a hard worker.
'Until the sun goes down is not something a twelve year old can do. I wonder if that discipline has led to a hell of a lot of power?
'Well, I don't know about that myself. I was practicing like that... when the sun went down and I decided it was time to go back, I noticed. I noticed that the sky was getting redder, even at night.
"...and...

　The two men raised their eyebrows in a wordless manner.
　They could have anticipated the words that followed, to some extent.

''Something's wrong. That's what I thought, and I rushed back to the village... but it was all too late. The village had been attacked by a swarm of demons and was in flames.

　I still remember the scene at that time.
　Not a shred of it is burned into my brain.

　Everyone in the village was down.....
　It didn't twitch.
　The rushing blood was spreading like a pond.
　And the house was on fire....
　Flames envelop everything.

Rain.....
Are you...?

　Kanade and Tania gently laid their hands on me.
　My hands were unknowingly clasped so tightly that they were bleeding.

　As if the warmth of their hands would heal the memories of past tragedies...
　Gently, the strength is released from my hands.

'Well thank you for that. I got a little emotional.
No, I don't have a choice.
Settling in?
Yeah, I'll be fine.

　I smiled at them to reassure them both...
　I resume my interrupted conversation.

'The two of them say that the technology of the Beast Tamer back home is outrageous, but it's only if you have someone to tame. Normally, no one was using it for anything. It was a peaceful village that didn't have anything to do with conflict. But maybe we should have at least been on guard... after all, my home town was destroyed in one night. The only survivor was me, who happened to be outside the village.
Yeah, what the...
...when I'm in the room.
Later, an adventurer who noticed something was wrong came running to me and took me in for protection. After that, I was sent to live and work at an adventurer's friend's inn. At the time, I was so busy living that I didn't have time to think about revenge or anything. And so... time went on... about six months ago, Arios and his friends came to the inn.
Meow?　The brave men?
'They were on a journey, apparently. Arios and the others were just looking for a companion and... well, now that I think about it, I guess they wanted a convenient piece. Anyway, once Arios found out that I was a Beast Tamer, he invited me to join him. I said yes, in two words. I couldn't help but think of revenge against the demon but more importantly, I didn't want a repeat of that tragedy. That's why I thought there was something I could do by working with Arios and the others, the brave ones.
'I see.......that's why Rain is so kind to you.
It's more on the level of being a goody-two-shoes than being nice. Well I don't hate you.
'And after that ... well, you both know what happened. I joined Arios' party and did my best, but I was fired. Then I met Kanade....

　I've told you everything.
　That's all the past about me.

　They both pause for a moment to let my words sink in.
　Silence.
　The voices of the guests around me sounded awfully loud.

　Somewhat...

　Gently, Kanade opened his mouth.

'I finally understand.
What?
Why was Rayne in a party with a brave man? The fact that they were treated so badly and yet they refused to leave, they kept on trying to do their best. I didn't understand it at all, but I think I've finally figured it out.
I know I only just met Rayne, but I still feel like I understand you.
'Lane wants to help someone else. You don't want to create someone like you and that's why you've worked so hard for someone else. Always, always, always for someone else that's all you've ever wanted to do.
There's a lot more to Rayne than I thought. I've never seen anyone with so much self-sacrifice, so much dedication to themselves, but I've never seen anyone do this before.
'But that's Rain, isn't it? I wouldn't be proud to have such a Rain as your master...
Well I think I have a lot to live up to. It's not bad it's good in its own way.

　Kanade smiles.
　Tania with a shy smile.
　They each affirm my way of life.

　I'm not wrong.
　It's like he's saying that to me...
　I'm terribly calm.
　I was relieved.
　I felt like I was going to cry for no reason.

'Thank you ... Kanade, Tania.

　I'm so glad I got to meet you both.

Good.

　Tania shouted loudly and slammed her glass of juice on the table with a dunk.

'So much for the dark talk!　The rest of us will enjoy a good meal...
Nyan, let's eat lots of food.
''Well yes. Let's have a big day, including a welcome party for Tania.
Of course it's on me.
Yeah. Have at it.
"Pfft, I'm going to be a gopher.
Mmmm, all you can eat.
Oh, come on, Kanade, cut it out. My wallet will be empty.
Cat?
''Haha, the stomachs of the cat spirit race are boundless! It's a measure that can't be helped.''
Oh, my God!

　I heard everyone laughing...
　A warm time passes.

　I wish this kind of time could last forever.
　I thought about that, out of character.