Hmmm.....

　Kanade, shoulder-deep in the hot tub, his tail quivering with a purr.
　Then, she made a melting face and deflated her entire body.

'Bath, that feels so good!'
Yeah. It's a nice miscalculation to have such a big bath.

　Tania, who was also enjoying the bath, smiled as the heat of the hot water stained her cheeks slightly.

　It had been a week since the group had left Krios to travel to Kagne.
　During that time, there were five days in the field.
　Staying at an inn in a small town or village between the roads, two days.

　Naturally, you can't take a bath while you're in the field.
　There was no lake nearby, so we couldn't even bathe in the water.
　When I had to, I could only wipe my body with a towel wet with water.

　In addition, even if you are able to stay at an inn, it is a small place and there is no bath in many cases.
　The first inn did not have a bath, and could only sleep.

　However, the second inn was properly equipped with a bath and...
　The women are enjoying their first bath in a long time with a big smile on their face.

''It's a nice bath.
'Yes - I think I'm going to melt...'
A bath is just life.

　Chiffon, Millefeuille, and Chocolat's brave party were also together, enjoying their first bath in a long time.
　Although there were no other guests, it's quite rare to find a bath where so many people can be together.

''Hohoho.''

　Luna looked at the three members of the brave party and nodded in some kind of agreement.

''Pine, bamboo, plum.......?''
Chocolat was one of Sola's friends.
'You know what ... are you two that particular about size?'
It's natural!

　Luna pauses stiffly, saying in a loud voice that seems to echo outside.

'The size of her breasts is a sign of motherhood!　Hence, every man in the world is looking for a bigger chest!　If you have to be, don't you think that because you were born a woman, you have to be big, don't you!
'Oh....'

　As if impressed by Luna's momentum, Nina clapped her hands with a snap.

'Oh, mate,'

　Chocolat was also impressed and asked Luna to shake her hand.
　Luna wordlessly shook his hand and responded firmly.

'We, the Poor Tits Alliance. Let's get rid of those hated fatties!
Let's do it.
"...Huh?　Am I one of them?

　Before I knew it, Rifa had also been grabbed by the hand and pulled into the company.
　But it's not so much a matter of shaking off the hand as refusing to do so, as it is of taking it easy and soaking up the hot water.

"There's a lot of things going on at your party too, isn't there?
You too.

　Tina and Millefeuille seemed to hit it off, standing next to each other, enjoying a bath together.
　Tina was a ghost, but somehow, she was enjoying the bath in a mood.

　Next to her, Nina was still just as relieved.
　Three fluffy tails were wagging silently in the hot water.

'Hey, hey,'
Yeah?

　Gently, Kanade spoke to Chiffon.
　Tania followed suit.

You're a fan of Rain, aren't you?
I'd prefer you call me Chiffon, not you. It's a bit distant and we're traveling together. Well, it's a request I'm making.
Well then, you can call me Kanade too.
I'll be Tania.

　Kanade and Tania felt Chiffon's straightforward emotions and said so.

'Yes, thank you. 'Kanade, Tania,'
So Chiffon is a fan of Rain, right?
Yes,
How did you know about Rain?
''When you're as active as you are, Rain, even when you're far away, sometimes your valor arrives. In my case, I was active as an A-ranked player all over the place, and I had many opportunities to hear stories like that. So, as I heard those stories, it just kind of turned into an admiration.
Nya ... is that just longing?

　Kanade gave Chiffon a wary look.
　Tania had the same look in her eyes.

　Chiffon must like Rain too, right?
　Isn't this a new competitor?

　They were thinking about that.
　It's a really obvious attitude...
　Chiffon, who immediately sensed their feelings, chuckles.

''Hmmm ... I guess I'm just longing for it right now.''
Oh, good.
Is it now...?
You never know what's going to happen. Neither do I. So I can't make any promises about what will happen.
Chiffon is pretty mean, isn't it?
I'm sorry.

　While talking about such things, Kanade and Tania were aware that their wariness towards Chiffon was fading.
　Not in the sense that they were rivals in the Rain relationship...
　Are you really a brave man with a right mind?　The suspicion that this was the case was slowly disappearing.

　It was because Kanade and Tania had been in contact with the previous brave Arios for a long time that they couldn't immediately trust the new brave Siphon.
　Perhaps Siphon might be the same type of person as Arios.
　He kept having such suspicions.

　But after spending time with.........
　We took a bath together and...
　Literally, their suspicions have been erased by their naked association.

　The two of them are the strongest species, so they have excellent intuition.
　That intuition told him that Chiffon was the right person.

''Well it doesn't matter if Chiffon becomes my rival.
What?
'Hmmm, what can I say?　　I didn't mean it that way I'm sure Chiffon wouldn't regret it, no matter what the outcome is.
We're going to be good rivals for sure. That's what I was thinking, Kanade. I was thinking the same thing.
.....

　Chiffon put a gentle smile on his mouth.

''Rain, you have some very nice company.
'Phew, if I do say so myself, I look great!
Really, you shouldn't have said that line to yourself.
"Chuckle.

　The three of us laugh.
　The effect of the naked association seemed to be in full effect...
　Kanade, Tania and Chiffon looked like the best friends they had known for years, that's what they were.

'But that was awesome,'
Huh?
Chiffon's. You know, that one.
'I can't understand that one. Poor vocabulary cat.
Can't argue with that!
Do you mean... the magic sword?
Yeah, yeah, that one!　I've never heard of putting magic in a sword.
Well, I've been to many places. I've been to quite a few places and I've never heard of such technology.
...Yeah, I guess so.

　Following their words, Chiffon's expression changed to one of melancholy.

　Was there some kind of gaffe?
　Seeing Chiffon's face, Kanade and Tania were confused.

''Well I'm sorry. Did I make you feel weird about it?''
No. We don't mind. I just wondered if I made Chiffon feel bad about it.
It's just that... you know. I just remembered something.
Is it okay for us to hear what you remember?
'Yes. It's...yeah. I hope you're listening.

　Like a reminder of the past
　Chiffon softly opens his mouth while keeping his gaze far away.

''My magic sword is something that has been passed down in my hometown. Not everyone can use it, but it's a special move that has been handed down to some people in my hometown.
Meow...?

　A special technology that can be passed down only to the homeland.
　It sounds like something I've heard somewhere........Kanade tilted his head slightly.

　Think, think.........
　And we learn that it's a similar story to Rain.

　Just as there is a hidden Beast Tamer home...
　It wouldn't be strange if there was a village that would inherit the hidden magic sword.
　Kanade understood that.

　However, there is something that bothers me.
　Just like Rain one day, Chiffon has a lonely look on his face.

''Well may I ask you something?　Now, Chiffon's home is...?
No.

　Sorrow, regret, anguish, anger.......a mixture of emotions, Chiffon answered shortly.
　She dipped into the hot water up to her shoulders and looked up at the steamy ceiling....
　I close my eyes and tell him the truth about what happened in the past.

'One day I was attacked by a demon... so, you know...'
...Yeah, I see.
Chiffon and...

　Kanade and Tania make indescribable faces.
　Seeing this, Chiffon hurriedly smiles.

''Oh, it's not that I don't care anymore, right?　It was a long time ago, so I've got my mind in order and I'll be fine.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.　I'll help you as much as I can.
I wish I could do something for Chiffon.
Yes, thank you.

　Chiffon thanked them both and relaxed in the wide tub, arms and legs spread out, as if enjoying the bath again.
　A smile appeared on her face.

''........nyah.''

　But from Kanade's point of view, there's something shadowy about Chiffon's smile...
　Unlike Rayne, he still seemed to be stuck in the past.