What's going on, Rifa?
Well I'm not sure.

　Immediately, Rifa returned to her usual blank expression.
　She just glanced at us repeatedly, somewhat restlessly.

'The thought of saying goodbye to Rain made me sad.
'I see but I'm not leaving anytime soon. Like I said before, I'm going to stay in Krios for a while to see how things go from here on out.
Yeah. Yeah.

　Although Rifa nodded her head in a persistent manner, she seemed somewhat unconvinced and was uncomfortable until the end.



----------



　Night.
　Normally, this is the time when everyone is asleep, but on this day, at any given time, people's cheerful voices could be heard in the city.

　Repeated Stampede outbreaks.
　The people of Krios, the strongest species, were prepared for the city to be destroyed... but it was overturned just in time.
　The demon race, the mastermind behind it, had been defeated and saved by the heroes of Horizon.
　To celebrate this, the feast continued until late at night.

''Phew!　The wine of victory is good, huh?

　Rezona was one of them, drinking with Al in the lord's house.

He was drinking endlessly, like water. You are drinking endlessly, like water. This is some fine wine.　You need to learn to savor it a little more carefully.
All right, that's all right. A drink is a drink. Drink big. That's what it's all about.
Well, it's a celebration. I'm not going to tell you anything.
Here, you can have a drink, Al. Here, Al, drink more. Drink some more. Drink till you drop.

　Rezona, her face red with alcohol, poured a new drink into Al's cup.
　He was quite drunk or suspicious at hand, and it would overflow a bit.

　Al held up a finger as if to say it was a waste.
　Then the liquor that was supposed to overflow and fall to the floor stops in midair and floats.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

"How can you use that kind of magic?
"Hmph, not a drop of alcohol can escape my mistress' eyes as long as they're black.

　As I was showing a ridiculous amount of power and talking about something infinitely unimportant, the door to the guest room slowly opened.
　From there, Rifa popped up.

''Oh, what?　You're a riffer. Do you want to drink with me?
'No, I don't want to drink. More importantly, I need to talk to your mother about something.
'What?　The story?　Does it have to be now?
Not that it's a bad idea, but the sooner the better.
Okay. Then can we do it here?　Al will be with you, though.
Yeah, okay.
You look troubled. Why don't I consult with you?
Actually....



----------



.....

　Nina held a large cup with both hands and gulped down the liquor that was being poured down in a single gulp.
　It's a sweet juice-like liquor, so she likes it.
　He smiled at me.

　But he was also drunk and his face was flushing.
　In addition, my body began to sway unsteadily from side to side.

Are you okay, Nina?　You shouldn't drink too much.
I'm a very strong..... I'm the strongest species in the world. I don't care about alcohol....
'My line!　I feel like everyone's been cracking up lately!
No, it's not, Nya.
It's not true, nyah.
Blatant provocation!
You're all drunk. You should take your time with that drink.
I know. Oh, Tania. It's almost empty. I'll pour you a drink.
Thanks.

　Everyone was enjoying the banquet in their own way.
　Seeing everyone's smiling faces makes me happy too, which makes me happy.
　I wish this kind of time could go on forever...but is it a luxury to think so?

Rain.

　When his name was called, he turned around and saw Rifa.
　She'd disappeared for some time, but apparently she'd been back before I knew it.

'Where have you been?'
Hmm. I need to talk to your mother.
"Consult?

　What was bothering him?
　Is it because of your brother?

Lane, I need you to do something for me.
Yeah?
You have to make me Lane's.
Whoa!

　I cringe at the sudden bombshell.
　The alcohol is in my trachea........!

Meow, meow, meow...!　No way, Rain, you've already put your hand on Rifa...?
Hey, what's going on, Lane?
"Geez, you don't have to... geez, geez. I didn't do anything.
'Huh?　Lane, aren't you pleased?

　When I was in a panic, Rifa tilted her head in wonder.
　Did she want me to be happy to hear that line, and did she just say something like that?
　If so, it's the exact opposite.
　Instead of rejoicing, I would be in a panic.

"What's going on with you all of a sudden...?　Why would you do that?
Now I know why I've been so bothered during the day. I want to be with Rain. I need to repay you, and I want to spend more time with you.
'Don't worry about ingratitude or anything like that... and didn't we talk about getting a tour of Krios, or something like that?
'Then we're not equals. I'm going to have to repay the favor by doing something better. So I thought about it. But I couldn't figure it out so I asked my mom for help.
'....Could it be that Mr. Rezona has asked you to say that line?
Yeah, she told me.

　What is that man thinking?
　I exclaimed in my mind.

'Your mother said the man was a figment of that line. 'Well?'　Ichiro?
No, it's not, how should I put it...
'Hey, hey. I mean, if Rifa wants to be with Rain, does that mean she's going to join our party?

　As if to help out, Kanade asked Rifa such a question, as if he was in a constant state of trouble.
　Upon receiving the question, Rifa lightly glances down and thinks about it.

　Somewhat later, she opens her little mouth.

'....Yeah, I guess so. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. I want to repay the favor.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

　I'm not dabbling.
　I'm not there, but they all sent me the same zit-eye as Kanade.
　Why...?

'Well are you serious about that?　Have you thought this through properly?
Of course. That's why I talked to my mom about it.
What did Mr. Rezona say?
He said I could do what I wanted.

　If you have Rezona-san's permission, what do I have to say about it?
　Besides, Rifa looks like this and has a good idea.
　You're not just saying that you want to be my friend lightly.

'....Yeah, I get it. I'm fine with it. What do you guys think?
I think it's a good idea. I'll be sad to say goodbye to Rifa here.
I don't have a problem with it either.
Newcomers are welcome.
Well, I guess I'll have another junior colleague in my life!　We're going to get some bread in the dash!
You wanna come with me?
We're with you.

　No problem for everyone.

'Well you're welcome, Refa.
Yes.

　I hold out my hand, and Rifa seems somewhat happy to hold ours.

"And I want to make a deal with Rain.
Rifa too?
I'm not going to be the only one. So I'm signing up.
'Well ... yeah, all right. So, let's make a deal.

　I can't say for sure, but maybe we can sign up with Refa as well.
　I'm not going to say now that there's no way I'm going to sign a contract with the most powerful species, and...
　Besides, now that he knew where he came from, he decided that such a thing would be possible.

　He bit his fingers and used the blood to draw a magic circle on his palm.
　I've done this so many times that I'm used to it.

''My name is Rain Shroud. I will make a new contract and create a bond here. With an oath in my heart, with hope in my heart, with strength in my hands. Answer. What is thy name?
"...rifa....

　A magic circle is carved into Rifa's body.

...Is that it?
Yeah, we have a deal.

　I hold out my hand to Rifa again.

"It's good to see you, Rifa.