They say the good times will pass quickly
　The meal with everyone was soon over.

　Sola went back to her assigned room with Luna.
　By the way, there is no bath.
　I'm not ready for it because we just finished moving in.
　I wiped myself with a steaming towel and that's what I've had to do today.

'It's good night, Sola.
Good night, Luna.

　We exchanged greetings and lay down on the bed.

　Sola and Luna are in the same room.
　Rain told me that there are a lot of rooms, so it's fine to have one room for each of us....

　Sola had been with Luna since she was born.
　They have always been together.
　Is that why?
　It's not that I don't want to be in separate rooms, but I'm not comfortable unless we're in the same room.

　It seems that Luna is the same, and she chose to stay with Sora.
　Oh dear, isn't it?
　She's still a little sister who can't be separated from her sister.

''........''

　I lay down, but the sleepiness did not come.
　I've been working on moving in the morning...
　I should be tired, but I'm not sleepy.

'....Rain........

　The thing to think about is the master of Sola and the others.

　The person that Sola and the rest of the spirit race should have hated.
　That is the master of Sola and the others who made a contract with them.

　To be honest, I still don't like humans.
　It's not so much that I hate them, but........
　When I was in the village of the spirit race, I heard so many bad stories about humans all the time.
　Because of that influence, it's hard for me to like humans.
　In fact, there were some worthless humans, like the lord and his son.

　But Rain is different.

　He's kind, and always thinks of Sora and the others.......
　I'm willing to hurt myself for Sola and the others.

　He's not at all like the humans Sola knows.
　Could it be that Rain is not human?
　Rain was such a 'good person' that he could think of such a stupid thing.

''..........''

　Why is Rain so kind to me?
　Is it because of the influence you had when you were in the brave party?
　Or was it the influence of the earlier ... home of Rain?

I don't know, I don't know...

　It occurs to me.

　Is Rayne kind to everyone?
　Or.........are they being nice because they are Sola and others?
　I was wondering about that for a moment.

　Considering Rain's personality, it's probably the former.
　It shouldn't be that only Sola and the others are special.

　But.
　But still.

　If you think of Sola and the others as special, even if only a little.......
　That seemed like a very nice thing to do.

'....Huh?

　I wondered.
　Why is Sola so concerned about this and that, and about Rain?

　Because we're the ones you're supposed to be exploring with?
　.........maybe.
　It's very natural to be concerned about your fellow man.
　It's a natural thing.

'But.........'

　I had a feeling it wasn't just that.
　Without that kind of logic, I'm curious about Rain.
　Why is that?
　Thinking about Rain makes my heart pound, just a little bit.
　A strange feeling....
　But it's somewhat comforting.

What is this...?



----------



What is this...?

　Something about a little murmur coming from the bed I keep on the other side of the room.
　It's so small I can't quite make out what they're saying, but....
　Hmm.
　I guess that wasn't a bad thing to say about me.

Well, that's okay.

　Sola is Sola.
　I am.
　Let's go to bed.

　I pull the covers over me and put my head on the pillow.
　I close my eyes and wait for the sleepiness to come to me... but.

'.........mmmmmm....

　You can't sleep.
　I'm feeling strangely lucid.
　At times like this, I think about things that make me sleepy.

　One sheep ... two sheep ... three sheep ...

They're so lumpy and cuddly, aren't they?

　Huh!
　I thought about something completely unrelated.
　I must have forgotten how many of them I counted.
　d*mn, what an ordinary mistake I made.

　I had no choice, so I'd better think of something else.
　Other things, other things....

I wonder how Rain is doing?

　Suddenly, I thought of Rain.
　Why is that?
　Why Rain?
　The reason ... I don't know.

... "Speaking of which...

　Sometimes, though, we wonder.
　Why can't Rain rely on us more?

　We owe Lane a debt of gratitude.
　And we have a good opinion of her character.
　So we are willing to use our power for Rain's sake.

　And yet, it seems that Rain does not like to put us in front of them.
　When the demon tribe showed up, he couldn't say that, but....
　When the lords were involved, they tended to do so.
　If we had our power, we could have blown up the entire pavilion and blown up the lords without going around.

　Now we have no chance to show off our power.
　Well, I have no taste for showing off my power.
　I have a feeling I'm going to have to show Rayne off.
　And get some praise!

Mmmm.

　Do you think Rain could do with more help?
　Being cherished, well, it doesn't feel so bad, but....
　But that's why it's a little lonely.

　I want to help Rain.
　That's why I want you to rely on me more.
　But I don't want to get you in trouble, so I won't do anything rash.

　Huh?
　I'm afraid I don't know what I'm talking about.
　I'm confused.

"...phew.

　He let out a breath and calmed himself down.

'And yet...'

　Why would I want to help Rain?
　Because you owe them a favor?
　Is it because you like their personalities?
　Because you want a compliment?

　........I'm not sure.

It's just...

　I want to do something for Rain.
　That's what my heart is telling me to do.

　What kind of feeling is that?
　I don't know, I don't know what I'm feeling right now...