After I managed to get through the second ordeal...

　We went back to the house once and waited for the night to fall.
　Suz said that he wanted us all to take on the final ordeal.
　So we waited for the night when Tina was free to act, that's what we did.

　And the night came.

　Night came, and we took Tina out once again.
　And now we moved to the plains.
　The plains at night were quiet, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

　There were no animals or demons to be seen, only us.

'Well, well,'

　Suzu, who is walking in the lead, stops and looks back at me.

''Well then, I guess we'll do one last test.

　Suzu was smiling.

'Ugh I have a bad feeling about this.
What's up, Kanade?
'When your mother looks like that, it's usually when she's thinking about the dumbest things...'
I see.

　I guess I'm afraid of my mother, which I know because she's my daughter.
　Kanade's ears were flattened as if she was frightened.

''Ugh...''
I'll be fine.
Rain?

　Gently, I hold Kanade's hand.
　As if to convey my heat.
　I grip it tightly.

'Nya ... that hurts?'
I'm sorry. But I thought it might be a good time to do this.
Yeah. That's a relief.
'Whatever the test is, I'm going to get through it. We won't let Kanade return to the village. You can count on us.
"...Rain...
'That's what it's all about!　Leave it to me, ha-ha-ha.
Sora will do her best.
Don't look at me like that if I'm going to help you.
I'll do my best.
We'll do what we can for Kanade, too!
"...guys...

　Kanade's tear glands loosen up loudly.
　But now is not the time to cry.
　Kanade gingerly held back and looked forward.

''Ummm ... I feel like I'm being the bad guy?''
''I'm sorry. But as long as Kanade doesn't want to, I can't let things go on as Suzu-san wants them to.
''Is that because Kanade-chan doesn't want to go home?　If I tell you that Kanade-chan is leaving, will you be quiet?
'Well that's not happening either. We want to stay with Kanade. Even if Kanade says he's leaving, I'll probably convince him to reconsider. It's just selfish but I'll push it through.
I see.

　Suzu nodded coyly, looking like she was in a good mood.
　Her smile remained on her face the whole time.

''Well maybe Kanade-chan is growing up more than I thought she would.
What's the...?
'Okay, that's enough chatter. Let's begin the final test.

　Before he could ask, Suzu would break off the conversation.
　Now there was a feeling that they could resolve the matter through discussion...
　Was it just my imagination?

What's the last test you're going to do?
You'll have to fight me.
...What?
You'll have to fight me.

　Suzu grinned and repeated the same thing twice.

　If possible, I hoped I had heard wrong...
　It doesn't work that way.

'With Suz.........'
"Fight...

　Tania and Luna were pulling faces.

　It's not surprising.
　You must have experienced Suz-san's absurd abilities firsthand during the noon game of tag.
　It's just a game of tag and that's it.
　When it comes to actually fighting, how much power she'll have.......I can't even imagine it.

''I can't be frightened by this!　Hmph, we don't have a bunch of crunchy guys these days and it's just good training.
"Mm-hmm. It's just as well that I am a genius!　Hmph, this is going to be fun.

　Tania and Luna said, as if to inspire themselves.
　Although they can't hide the fact that they are a little bit strong.......
　I don't think that's inevitable.
　To be honest, I'm even upset about it.

　Fighting Suzu.........

　What are the odds of winning?
　As far as their daytime abilities are concerned, if we went head-to-head with them, we wouldn't be able to win at first.
　You'd have to use a force attacking the rear or trap it...

When you say fight, what are the conditions for victory?
'Well let's call it fainting or losing when you can't move.
Oh, I see...

　I've come up with one plan.
　If we get into it right, we can make it work.

I'm alone. Then you can all come over and take it.
Wait, you can't say that?
That's right. Don't you think you've taken us all too seriously?
'Really?　I think it's just the right handicap, but...
"Mwah!

　Tania and Luna tugged at their temples together.

　It's a blatant provocation but.....
　Let's just let it go.
　Even if it's in the form of a provocation, if it gives me the motivation to do it, it's better.
　If I'm even a little bit timid like I was earlier, I won't be able to compete.

''........Master, master.''

　Gently, Tina approached me.

''........we're not good at fighting or anything, but.......''
Can you help me out this time?　It's not an exaggeration to say that Tina holds the key.
...Our home?　But we can't do much, can we?
I have a very important role to play. It's something only Tina can do.

　I told him part of the plan I was considering.

...I see. It's true, it's a job only we can do.
Can you do it?
I'll take care of it. Tina-chan, a maid to live up to your expectations.

　That's a dependable reply.
　This could really help.

"There's no time limit. One match. If I lose, I will give up taking Kanade-chan home. But if Rain-san and the others lose, I will take Kanade-chan home. Is that alright?

　I didn't give an immediate answer, but looked at everyone.
　Everyone nodded with a coy smile, as if to say I'll take care of it.

　I look back at Suzu again and nod my head.

''Yeah. That's fine.''
''That's a good reply.
I'm always ready to talk.
'Well, I suppose a farewell party is in order.
Seeing Suzu off, I think you've got the wrong idea.
'Huh. She's really an interesting girl. The fact that you won't take a step back against me... Forgetting that it's to bring Kanade-chan back, I'm genuinely looking forward to fighting Rain-san.

　Suz-san, your personality seems to have changed a bit since we met...?

"...mom, there's something about that thing that makes me a battle fanatic.
...I see.

　Kanade gave me an earful and I learned a surprising side of Suzu.
　No, not so surprising?
　I've heard he's the strongest of the cat spirit race.
　With that in mind, Kanade's words made sense.

''Well, what do we do now?　I could start right away, but...
'Wait a minute. I need to have a strategy meeting.
Yeah, go ahead.

　He gathered everyone together and held a strategy meeting in a whisper.

'Rain, what are we going to do?　I think it would be incredibly reckless to fight your mother...
I have an idea.
It's an operation by the devil tamer.
I'm counting on you, demon tamer.
Would you stop calling me that...?

　Surprisingly, Tania and Luna might be able to afford it.

'The key is Tina,'
Tina, is it?
You know.　The cat spirit race is the strongest physically, but they are weak in magic-related attacks. So, we'll stop Suz-san's movement with us, and there, we'll have Tina possess her.
Oh ... and then ...

　The color of understanding spread across everyone's faces.
　When I met Tina, this is what Kanade, the cat spirit race, said, among others.
　He said that the cat spirit race is easily possessed........

　If Tina was there, they should be able to manage it.

　After that.........
　We finish the strategy meeting with a detailed plan.
　Then I turn to Suzu.

"Sorry to keep you waiting.
'No, no, I don't mind. Well, then, I guess it's time to get started, don't you agree?
Yes, sir.
''Don't be shy, and come on as fast as you can. Even though I look like this, I'm very sturdy and won't get hurt by the slightest thing.

　I'm going to do that without being told.
　If I cut corners or cut corners poorly, I could be hit in an instant.

''Then........let's begin!