'Hmmm, I see... yes!　So much for training for now, shall we?

　After a few days of special training...
　That day, Suzu said this to us as we gathered in the garden as usual.

'Nyan?　Mom, are we done?
Does that mean we have to have a full ride?
No, no, I'm not done yet!

　Tania's words are met with a strange, scary smile from Suzu, as if she's trying to nail down what Tania said.
　That smile probably means, don't let your guard down and don't float away.

　The pressure of Suzu's smile made Tania's face twitch.

''Everyone, I've managed to learn how to fight properly. I think I can fight many times better than before.''
Thank you.
'No, no, you're welcome. Kanade-chan has been a great help to me, at least. It's just....

　Suz turns serious.

'I think you've all gotten stronger. But that doesn't mean you should be overconfident in your own strength, does it?　There are some people in this world who have unimaginable power, you know. For example........the Demon King.
....

　Suz-san's words naturally made me feel tighter.

Well, that's about as far as I'll go with the stern words. You all did a good job. Good work.
Meow it's finally over.
My muscles ache everywhere and I don't want to move...

　Kanade stood taller with a giggle, and Tania rolled her shoulders around.

'Thora is tired. I feel like sleeping for a week or so.'
We're a reclusive species.
Don't tell me you're a hermit.

　Sola and Luna are still the same.

''........hmmm.''
Nina, what's going on?
I'm...strong, aren't I?
Hmmm.... I think I'm getting stronger.
I'll be able to help Rain...
I didn't know you were thinking that. That's cute.
Wap.

　Nina was being patted on the head by Tina.

　After the end of the rigorous special training, everyone looked calm.
　Thinking that Suzu-san's special training was over now, I could understand why they felt relaxed.
　But when you look at me like that........

Oh, my, my, my?　You all still seem to be in good spirits. Since you're here, shall we give you some extra training?
Pussy?
It's a bonus.
I don't want that as a bonus!
'A mother's love is something to be received, Kanade.
Meow!

　I sighed as it played out as expected.
　It would only be a little while longer before the special training would be fully completed.



----------



　Suzu's bonus training continued into the evening.
　I was squeezed to the bone.
　All of us were so exhausted that we couldn't even stand.

　Nevertheless, the bonus training was over, and this time we were completely finished.
　We were able to graduate from Suzu's Spartan class.
　Rather than a sense of accomplishment, I feel more of a sense of relief.
　Because at last, those painful days are over.
　.........Well, if I say something like that, it doesn't necessarily mean that more extras won't be imposed on me, so I'll keep it to myself.

　And then the night.
　That day's meal was made by Suz-san.
　Both Luna and Tina had been training hard, so Suzu-san had offered to cook for us.

　The food Suz-san cooked for us was simple, but it was all delicious.
　It had a strange taste that warmed my heart when I ate it.
　Is this what you call the taste of home?
　Everyone was smiling and finishing their food.

　Then we took turns taking a bath....
　Drinking cold juice and chatting...
　When it was late, everyone went back to their rooms.

....

　I didn't go back to my room, I was out in the yard.
　I looked up at the starry night sky.

'What's going on?'

　I turned around and saw Suz.

Can't you sleep?
Well, sort of.

　Suz stood next to me.
　Likewise, I looked up at the night sky.

'It's a beautiful starry sky.'
'Yes. I feel like I'm being sucked in,
Hmmm, that's an interesting expression.

　Suzu smiles and laughs.
　Looking at her like this, it's hard to believe she's Kanade's mother.......
　At best, it's a sister.
　If you look at it normally, it's my sister.

'How can I help you?　What's wrong with my face?
'Oh, no ... come to think of it, what are you going to do now, Suz-san?'

　The special training was over and Suz's role was over.
　The goal of bringing Kanade back is gone.
　And if that's the case, what are we going to do now?

I'm going home.
You're leaving...
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Do you want to keep me around?
Hmmm ... well, yeah.
Oh my. Surprisingly straightforward.
'If we're together this much, it's going to feel strange to be gone. Besides, I'm sure Kanade will be happy to be with you.
'Is that right?　Kanade is a girl of her age too, so I'm sure she won't feel comfortable with her parents around.
'Ah well maybe there is something like that. But Kanade is a very obedient child, isn't she? I think she's happy to be with Suzu, despite what she says.

　The image of Kanade smiling next to Suzu-san as she said, "I can't help it, mother.

　Seemingly having imagined something similar, Suzu-san also smiled.

"Hmm. When you say that to me, it makes me feel like a mother, doesn't it?
Are you still going home?　If you want to stay a little longer we have extra room.
'Thank you. I'm glad you feel that way, Rain?　But I can't indulge you forever... and if I'm not there, I'll be in trouble in the village.
...I see.

　When you're the most talented person in your village, you probably have a lot of work to do.
　I can't force him to stay, can I?

Mr. Lane.
Yes?

　Suddenly, Suzu's face turns serious.

''Please be careful.''
Well what's that supposed to mean?
I'm sorry. I can't say for sure, but I have a bad feeling about this.
You have a bad feeling about this...?
The cat spirit race is very sensitive to things like presence, right?　In the same way, when you're about my age, you can get a bad feeling about it. It's pretty good, right?　Well, I don't want a bad premonition to come true.......

　Suz chuckled.

''Can't you be a little more specific about that bad feeling?
'I'm sorry. I can't really say... it's just that for a little while now, I've been feeling a bit of a stirring in my chest... if I had to put it that way, it's like having a natural enemy in front of you.
The natural enemy...

　
　It would be best not to dismiss it as a mere premonition.

''If I could, I'd like to stay with you too.......''
'You can't stay with us all the time, can you?　It can't be helped. I've got other things to do, Suz-san.
It would be nice to hear that Mr. Lane.

　Suzu holds my hand.
　In that state, he stared into my eyes.

''Canade-chan, would you please take care of her?''
"...Yes. I'll take care of it.

　Kanade is our friend.
　No matter what happens, I will protect him.
　I nodded my head firmly with that intention in mind.

　Suzu smiled, seemingly reassured by my attitude.

''When you say so, I feel relieved. Now, if Kanade-chan's wishes are fulfilled, it will be perfect.
Fulfilled?
No, no, it's nothing.

　What are you talking about?
　Suzu seems to have noticed something about Kanade that I don't know about...
　Hmm, I don't know what that means?

Well I think I'm going to go to bed.
Good night.
Don't stay up late, Mr. Lane, okay?
I know. I'll be asleep in a little while.
'Yes, sir. Good answer. Now, good night.

　Suzu smiled and walked back into the house.
　I saw his back off.....................and looked up at the night sky once again.

".........a bad premonition, huh?

　Even though the night sky was so beautiful, there seemed to be a disturbing presence approaching, and I felt a chill in the air.