'Oh....'

　When he opened his eyes, he saw the ceiling of the inn's room.
　

　Millefeuille and Chocolat were lying on the bed.
　They don't look particularly strange, they just seem to be sleeping normally.

''Well, I........''

　Why are we here?
　I thought ... and then I quickly remembered.

'I see...I did something that betrayed me, and that's how I lost to you, Rain...'

　Think back on your actions.

Ahhhhhh...!

　I put my head in my hands.

''I, how dare I.......run away from the easy way just because it was hard.......Ugh, I am so ashamed. I'm sure that Rain-kun must have experienced painful things too, and yet I'm... oh my god, I'm really a person...

　Huh, a deep sigh escaped me.
　Disappointment in myself.

''I.......don't have the qualifications of a brave man, do I?

　Take the easy way out and don't try to fight your way forward.......too bad.
　It's really embarrassing.

　Now that I've fought Rayne-kun and I've seen his strength with my own eyes, I understand.
　Having the strength to keep walking forward, no matter what, is what is very important.
　I had forgotten that.
　I'm not going to be able to call myself a brave man, but....

''I mean........it's no better to give a short answer here and just quit. Report everything, and then Argus-sama will be the judge of me. If I give it back because I'm not qualified here, that would be too irresponsible and I'm just running away. Right now, I have to try to keep being me.

　I made a mistake.
　But it's not all over.
　You can walk again.
　Yes, that's what Mr. Lane taught me.



----------



　The girls went to the inn where they were staying, as Chiffon had woken up.
　I opened the door and walked into the room.

I'm sorry!
I'm sorry.
Sorry.

　Chiffon, millefeuille, and chocolates are lined up next to each other, and suddenly my head is bowed.
　I'm amused by the suddenness of the situation.

''Uh...?''
'I'm really sorry, Rain-kun.......I have a proper memory. I mean, I was acting almost entirely on my own volition... and I wasn't being manipulated.
Does that mean you've fought me?
Yes.

　

''I'm really sorry I caused you so much trouble.......I'm so sorry!

　Chiffon has bowed his head over and over again.
　Sooner or later, it looks like she might even get down on her knees.

''Oh, no I don't mind.
But....
'Because I really don't care. I think I know how Chiffon feels, in my own way.

　I was trapped in my dream at first, too.
　If it wasn't for Iris' help, I might not have been able to wake up.
　Thinking about that, I can't blame Chiffon for that.

''Thank you ... you're so sweet, Rain.
I don't think so.
No, I think it's sweet. I guess that's one of your virtues, Lane.
'Well...'
Whoa. He's embarrassed.
Hmmm, you're so cute!
You two should be more careful.
Excuse me.
'Haha....'

　I was tense after what happened with Iris....
　I looked at the three of them, who were good friends, and I felt a little more relaxed.

'By the way may I ask you to tell me what has happened since then?　Well I'm embarrassed to tell you this, but I just woke up a while ago, so I didn't know what was going on...
...Yeah, okay.

　What is the situation now?
　It's somewhat daunting to explain that.

''Actually....''

　Alpha was persuaded and the wards were lifted.
　That although the fog was still there, it would clear up in a day.

　And.........that Iris had been hurt.
　That she is severely injured and is heading to the northern continent to find a cure.

　I will explain those things.

'I didn't know that was going to happen...'

　Chiffon's face was dark.
　Millefeuille and Chocolat also had a very difficult look on their faces.
　I think they each feel a responsibility.

　
　I know that the three of us have a strong sense of responsibility, even though we've only known each other for a short time.

"Mr. Lane.
Yeah?
Is there anything we can do to help?
It's...

　To be honest, there is.
　There is an awful lot.

　When you go to the northern continent, you still can't get rid of the uncertainty.
　We'll have to split up the party, so our strength will be cut in half.
　What if we can make up for that by having Chiffon and the others help us?

　Also, if you could get Myrfeuille to participate in Iris' treatment?
　I think it will be a lot less of a burden on Sola and Luna.

'To be honest, it helps a lot. But Chiffon and the others are a party of the brave.
''Yes, we do. Our mission is to travel to defeat the Demon King. That will be our first priority. To that end, repairing the Sword of the Comet will be our top priority.
Then....
But!

　Chiffon says in a strong tone.

''I'm one person before I'm a brave man. If someone is in danger... and moreover, if I'm part of the cause of that, I don't think I should overlook it.
...chiffon...
Please. Let me help you.
Let me help you with that. I think it's a responsibility.
Likewise.

　Millefeuille and Chocolat said the same thing.

'Yeah I get it.'
Well then....
I need you to help me save Iris.
""Of course!"

　The three of them nodded together, looking powerful.