I was able to successfully overcome the ordeal that the elders presented to me.
　I couldn't just leave the village after receiving the items needed to seal the seal.

　Legendary-class items are strictly controlled and cannot be taken out easily.
　The multiple seals that were placed on them must be broken one by one....
　It's going to take some time, he said.

　And apparently there's also a lot of paperwork that needs to be done.
　It's like bureaucratic work.

　I heard that when Arios asked me to bring out the "Shield of Truth", the procedures were omitted because the other party was a brave man, but.....
　This time, since he was a normal human being, he couldn't skip it and had to go through a lengthy procedure.

　And one more thing.
　Sora and Luna needed time to learn the magic to seal Iris.

　The coach was Al-san.
　According to Al-san, it was originally going to take about a month to learn it, but.....
　Sola and Luna would be able to learn it in a week.
　The two of them are said to have that much talent.

　So we are going to stay in the spirit village for at least a week.

　It's frustrating.
　To not be able to go out for a week...

　What if Iris is back in action while we're doing this?
　And what if it's too late?

　When I think about it, I can't stand still.

Nyah, Rain.

　I noticed that Kanade was nearby.
　It was as if I hadn't noticed his presence until he called out to me.
　It was like I was caught in a whirlpool of thoughts, thinking too much about this and that.

'You have a difficult look on your face. Are you thinking about Iris?
Yeah, I know.
I know it's not for that reason, but mmmm, that's a bit of a joke.
Yeah?
Nah, not even a cat?

　Kanade fumbled and waved his hands to the side.

'You'd better calm down a bit. There's no good reason to be in a hurry, and now we have to wait.'
I think I know that, but I just can't....
Meow....

　Kanade gave me a little thoughtful look...
　And then.

Meow!

　He hugged me as if to say, "What?

'Ka, Kanade?'
....

　I'm surprised by the suddenness of the situation.

　Kanade's face turns bright red...
　Squeezing me, she hugged me.

　It was like a way to calm my fears.
　It's like sharing the warmth of...
　I was a little embarrassed, but I felt strangely calm.


I'm not so sure...
Settling in?
A little.
Heh, that's good.

　Kanade smiles.

"My mom did this to me once," she says, "and it really calmed me down. It made me feel so much calmer...
'Oh yeah...'
Well, I mean... so!　I'm just doing this because I want Rain to calm down, heck, it doesn't mean anything weird!　It's not there!
'I know. I'm not going to make any weird mistakes.
Mmm I don't think you're being too smart like that.

　What do you want me to do?

Anyway thank you, Kanade.
Mwah.

　He gently pulled away and stroked Kanade's head.
　Kanade's tail wagged happily.

　But the happy face didn't last long...
　His expression changes to one of melancholy.

'....Hey, Rain.
Yeah?
I know it's wrong to ask this when I'm about to start, but I just had to make sure it was okay. Would it be okay if I asked?
What?
'What if ... if things get out of control, what will you do then?'

　Kanade's question pierced a deep part of me.

　I can't help myself.
　It would be about Iris.

　I'm trying to seal Iris away, but....
　And if that doesn't work?
　What if you can't even stop him by force?
　What if you can't even restrain him?

　When all means are lost
　What will I do then?
　Kanade must be asking the question.

'I am...'

　I close my eyes and think.

　What action should I take?
　What do you want to do with Iris?
　How do you want to end up?

　Think, think, think...
　Still, my answer remains the same.
　One thing I've had from the beginning.

"I'm not gonna give up on you.

　He opened his eyes and said clearly.

'Nyah ... Rain.
"I will risk my life to stop Iris. I will do everything in my power to stop him. That is what I am going to do, right up until the end. I will fight him until the last moment, right up to the moment he can't move. I am going to save Iris. Wouldn't it be too much to ask for a life filled with memories and despair?　That's how I wish ... one day I could see Iris' heartfelt smile. That's my answer.

　Putting it into words made me strangely prepared.

　Normally, I might have to be prepared to kill him when the time comes.
　But wouldn't that be an escape?
　You swore an oath to help and then at the last minute you change course...........it's not a consistent action, it's a shaky core.

　I don't want that to happen...
　I hope that I can follow through with this thought...
　I've now clearly set my mind to it.

　Against such a decision of mine, Kanade........



　He smiled happily to himself.