When I returned to the inn, I saw everyone.

'Welcome back,'
Welcome back to school.

　Tania and Nina greet us.
　Sola and Luna are .....

Luna. That's a hot dog for Thora. Don't bite the bullet.
He wouldn't eat it for any length of time, so I decided to give it to him. You'd better eat it soon, or it's going to be a waste.
I've been saving it for later.
'Haggling.........mmmm, it's delicious!
"...a challenge to Sora, isn't it?　Is this a challenge?　Alright, I've received that match. I'll give you some super-grade magic.

　There was a fight going on between the sisters.
　It's like they're fighting over a hot dog
　It's just a hot dog, and I don't want you to try to shoot super-grade magic.
　It makes my heart hurt to watch.

'Yes, there. No fighting.
'Whoa, it's Rain. You're back.
Lane, listen to me!　Luna robbed Sora of a hot dog. This is unacceptable. Please punish him.
"We're not robbing you, are we?　I just intercepted it.
No change!
Well where did you get a hot dog?

　I'm supposed to be in control of the money, but....

I was helping to clear the debris and I got this as a thank you for that.
Apparently someone saw our hot dog obsession earlier and remembered it. It is a splendid tribute.
Okay. I'll buy you a hot dog some other time. Let's not get into a fight about that.
Mmm ... if that's what Lane says.
'By the way, how did the Order go?　Rain and the others have been talking to a knight who talks like that man, haven't they?
'Yeah, I did. About that...

　I told everyone the whole story.

''I see.......the lords will be tried in the royal capital?
"You can judge me directly, if you like.
Well, isn't that a fair point?　But a new lord will be elected, so... it won't be another weird one, right?

　Tania's concerns are understandable.
　It's a problem if he's the same person as before, and if he's even more of a dullard than before, I can't even look at him.
　But as expected, that's not going to happen.
　The people who appoint lords also have a responsibility.
　If they made the same mistake, they would have no choice but to take responsibility.
　Everyone would want to avoid such a situation.
　Therefore, the lord would be chosen strictly this time to avoid repeating the mistake.

　When I told him that, Tania looked relieved.
　It seems that she was worried about the city, for what it's worth.
　Everyone had a similar look on their faces.

''I think we can walk this city in the right direction now. It might take some time, though.''
It's all thanks to Rayne.

　Kanade says with a smile.

'No, it's nothing to do with me, is it?'
'Oh, no, that's not true. I think Rayne's hard work has gotten us to where we are now. Hey, guys?

　Everyone nodded coyly.
　For some reason, I'm highly regarded by everyone.
　I don't think I've done anything to be that admired, but...
　Could I help someone....even just a little bit....to help the people of this city?
　I'm glad to hear it.

Hey, hey, Rain.
Yeah?
What happens tomorrow?
'As for the future, well I guess I'll have to wait and see what the guild has called me to do. But first.........

　I glance at Nina.
　Nina freaks out when she notices me looking at her.
　She looks vaguely nervous, watching me.

'Where do you think Nina is going to go from here?'
No.
'It was enshrined in a village somewhere, wasn't it?　Aren't you going back there?
I don't think there will be any more...
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive.
Uh, hmmm... never mind, so...

　Nina doesn't seem to have anywhere to go.
　Well then.

If you're okay with it, Nina, you can come with us.
Really?

　Nina looks at me in surprise.

I.........can I stay with you.........?
If you like Nina.
I'm not...

　Nina looks depressed, feeling confused.

　In this girl's case, the way she said it now, it might make her feel lost.
　Then.........

I want to be with Nina.
Me and...?
'We went through all that mess together, so we're like buddies now, aren't we?　So ... why don't we just stay together?
I'm such a useless...?
'That's not true. Nina saved me when I was fighting the demon race.
But, but... but it's not really a big deal, and I'm not really... but I can't... I think I'll pull it...
'Let's put aside all that usefulness and unhelpfulness for the moment. Right now, I want you to think about something else.
Another...?
Either you want to stay with us or you don't. Simple, why don't you think about it?
'Oh....'
"By the way, I want to be with Nina. I want to be Nina's friend. How about that?

　Even though we are the gods, I feel like I can't leave the little one alone, but....
　But it wasn't just that.
　I wanted to continue to be with Nina as a friend who had survived that battle.
　This feeling is real.

'Nya ... Rain is hitting on you again.
You're a little girl....maybe that's your hobby?
'Hmph, if small is an advantage, leave it to me. Catch Rain's heart.
Sora is about the same height.

　Everyone says something I don't understand, but for the moment, I decided not to worry about it for now.

　Laughing at Nina...
　Gently, he held out his hand.

"Do you want to come with me?
...hmmm!

　In a small body, with a certain determination....
　Nina takes my hand.



----------



　The party is getting much livelier with the addition of new friends.
　With this many people, it might be time for the inn to get tougher...
　It takes up so much room that the host doesn't like us staying for long periods of time.
　It would be nice if we could get a base of operations somewhere that was just for us...

Hmm?

　I looked down at my clothes as they were pulled on with a quirk and I saw Nina looking up at me.

'What's going on?'
You know.....everyone has a contract with Rain...?

　When Nina joined the group and introduced herself again....
　People were talking about making a deal with me.

'Yeah, but ... so what does it matter?'
Well, you know...

　Nina is mulling over, lost for words.
　She seems to want to say something, but she can't seem to put it into words.

　Then Kanade opens his mouth as if he's taking Nina's place.

"Do you think Nina wants to sign a contract with Rain?
Hmmm.

　At Kanade's words, Nina gave a small nod.


You don't have to do it, all right?
Ummm, hmmm....I'm not trying to force you to do anything...?　I think I want to...

　My words were crappy, but...
　I could feel Nina's strong will there.

''........Hmm, okay. If that's the case, then let's make a deal.
Really?
'Yeah. I just don't know if I can sign Nina up for more on top of this, since I've already signed up with everyone else...
That sounds like a line I've heard before, doesn't it?
We said a similar thing when it happened to us, and it didn't take much to get us to sign up.

　That's right.
　For what it's worth, I was able to make a contract with Sora and Luna..........................and Tania and Kanade.
　I understood, as expected, that making a contract with multiple strongest species was absurd.

　Would Nina's case be okay?
　For a moment, I'm worried, but then...
　But ... it would be okay.
　Strangely, it was a relief.

I'll be going then.

　He bites his thumb and draws a magic circle with flowing blood.

"...my name is Rain Shroud. I make a new covenant and hereby make a new bond with you. With an oath in my heart, with hope in my heart, with power in my hands. Answer. What is thy name?
"...Nina....

　The deal is made.
　The same magic circle is drawn on Nina's hand.

We have a deal.
Wow ... what is this?
Proof of the contract...
This..........

　Nina gently pressed her palms to her chest and smiled happily.