"So you're the woman who used to team up with Clo and the party?"

When Jeanne spoke up, Reifrea immediately made a clearly annoyed face.

"So what if I am? I'm not talking to you, am I? Besides, me and him are still party members, aren't we? And just who the hell are you, anyway!?"

"I'm Jeanne. Anyway, this guy's mine now. See for yourself."

"Wha—!?"

Jeanne playfully threw her arms around my arm, causing Reifrea's eyes to blaze with murderous intent.

Reifrea was clearly not the type who appreciated jokes, and this was especially awkward in such a public place.

The viewership number was probably skyrocketing right now.

This was absolutely not what I had in mind.

Refréa could only tremble all over from Jeanne’s sudden举动.

“Jeanne, cut it out. Refréa, she’s just a teammate.”

“That’s right. Just a teammate.”

Saying that, Jeanne still wouldn’t stop clinging.

Ah, she’s clearly enjoying this.

“So don’t go provoking me like that. Stop hugging me.”

“Huh? Clo, you’re awfully bold in front of her. You’re usually much gentler.”

“Gentle? I’m not really…”

“You are gentle, Clo. I notice it too—how you always look out for me, even if it’s subtle. I do pay attention, you know.”

“Stop flirting already, you two!”

I’d just wanted to do something about Jeanne, and now I’ve made it worse. I’ve poured oil on the fire.

Refirea was always someone prone to strong assumptions, so this might not blow over with just a little talk.

Still, there's nothing shady about me.

It'll make sense if I explain.

...Probably.

I pulled Jeanne away and faced Refirea directly.

Her face was bright red, breathing heavily, panting. A little teary-eyed.

"Hey... Is this really true...? Hey, Hikaru... What's going on with this woman? It's a lie, right? You're not starting a new party with someone else, are you? You didn't break up Love Love Twinbird, did you? Love Love Twinbird is eternal, right...?"

"Ah... Well, there's a reason for it, you know. It'd take too long to explain. ...Love Love Twinbird is over, though."

"Gaaah!"

Reflia, visibly shocked, but I'm also a victim when it comes to the lovey-dovey twin birds. Even if not for that, Reflia was already heading back to her hometown at that point—she had to break up, after all.

"You're going back to Kunii, huh? You must have family there."

From behind me, Jeanne pops her head out, delivering a line I've heard somewhere before, deadpan.

　

"Gnununununu! I challenge you to a duel! I— I’m the one who belongs beside Hikaru!"

Reflia points her index finger forward, swearing an oath.

Responding to that, Jeanne happily steps out from behind me.

"A duel? You really think you can beat me?"

She says something similar when we fought before—does she really like saying that?

"You're awfully confident, aren't you? But I'm Silver Rank (Silvestrus)! How dare you, a Bronze Rank, talk to me like that!"

"Hmph. You think rank determines strength? Didn't you used to team up with Cro? This Bronze Rank guy?"

"Guh... Just wait and see when we fight!"

"I like that! If you agree to follow the winner's words, then I'm in."

"That's exactly what I wanted!"

As I was being overpowered by Reflair's fierce sword presence, somehow the conversation had taken an odd turn, and I snapped back to reality.

Jeanne was naturally aggressive, and Reflair was the type who liked to act on strength.

Still, I couldn't just ignore the fact that a duel had been declared right away.

　

"Calm down, calm down. Why are we even talking like this? There's no reason for the two of them to fight, is there? Calm down, Refreia, come on."

"Hikaru, shut up! No matter what, I have to settle things with this woman!"

"That's right, right. Clo, stay quiet. ...No, I'll explain it briefly—just come here a moment."

Jeanne grabbed my clothes with incredible force and dragged me, inch by inch, away from Refreia until our conversation was beyond her hearing.

"That one—Refreia, was it? She's got a large sword. Is she an attacker?"

"No, no, no—stop it. She seems way off from normal, and that's dangerous. Why are we even talking about a duel? Refreia's strong, and if you just talk to her, you'll understand—"

"No. She's not the kind you can understand through words. And besides... I have a plan of my own."

Jeanne smirks, her expression identical to the one her younger sister Karen makes when she says something utterly outlandish.

There's no way this is anything good.

In fact, Jeanne generally thinks in short, impulsive bursts. Only when it comes to conquering the labyrinth does she show any restraint... though even then, thinking about clearing all the way down to the lowest floor isn't something an ordinary person would say.

"We were short on members, so it's perfect. Let's beat him and add him to our forces."

"No, I broke up with Refreia for complicated reasons... I don't know why she's back so soon, but she's staying in our hometown to become a Holy Knight."

"You're serious? If you're planning to settle down and spend your life there, you wouldn't just barge in like this because your ex is with someone else, would you? Hey, you really planning to become a Holy Knight and stay in your hometown?"

A few steps away, Refrea stood with arms crossed and answered right away.

An answer completely out of nowhere.

"I'm going to marry Hikaru!"

"That's what they say."

"Huh...?"

"You clearly declared you're getting married. What on earth is going on? When we first met, you acted like the end of the world was upon us—was that because you didn't want to marry me?"

"No, no, no, no! It's a total shock to me too... But why did it happen like this?"

I understood Refrea's feelings perfectly.

I, too, have feelings for her.

But due to unavoidable circumstances, our paths had parted... wasn't that the case?

Why is marriage even being discussed now?

It's as if I just came back home to announce my wedding, then immediately left again.

Could it really have been a parting with room for such contradictions?

Why?

"You didn't actually promise to marry, did you?"

"No, I didn't. I need to figure out how things ended up like this..."

"Then my promise takes priority, right?"

The promise with Jeanne was the one to conquer the Meltya Great Labyrinth.

That one absolutely must be fulfilled.

"Of course."

"Then there's nothing to worry about. The only important thing is that she seems like she could be a valuable asset. Even Cro said he'd need more party members, didn't he? It's easier if she's someone we know... Besides, I personally find strong-willed beauties like her quite appealing."

"Eeeh...?"

After receiving such intense hostility, Jeanne remains completely unfazed—she truly is something special.

It's like she has an incredible ability to let things go...

Sure, if Reflair joins the party, her combat strength would definitely increase significantly...

"Anyway, it's probably something trivial like Clo's reluctance to have her lover seen by everyone in the world, right? You should just accept it and move on."

I suppose I could wonder why you'd know that, but to me, that kind of reason isn't trivial at all.

"You just can't just brush it off like that, and you shouldn't try to."

"Is that some kind of Japanese religious perspective? I can't really tell."

Jeanne herself must be seen by countless people, yet she remains completely indifferent.

Or maybe it's because she's a woman—perhaps she had to learn to accept things early on in order to survive.

After all, she changes clothes, takes baths, and even uses the toilet all broadcasted to the public.

"Anyway, I'll try to convince her. She's strong, right? I'm getting excited just thinking about it."

"Are you serious... I'm actually scared of Jeanne's inner strength."

"Hehe, the real me was actually much more delicate. Taking that vitality boost made me mentally tough."

It was true that the vitality boost had such an effect, but still, it was hard to tell if she was serious or joking.

"Anyway, what happens if you lose? I bet you'd say the party should disband."

"Is that woman's only weapon that sword?"

"Yeah. Other than that, she probably uses light spirit magic."

"Then she won't lose for sure. No way a giant sword like that would work against a human opponent."

She's awfully confident.

Refreia is high-ranked and can swing that sword at incredible speed, but is she really okay with that...?

Actually, I'd rather stop it, but I'm afraid trying to stop it myself might only add fuel to the fire.

"At least have a recovery method ready,"

"Yeah, right."

Jeanne pulls out a large healing scroll from the pouch at her waist.

Apparently, she exchanged it long ago for emergency use.

I retrieve Jeanne's gear from my Shadow Storage and hand it to her.

　

After finishing the conversation, we return to Refrea, who is waiting with her arms crossed, tapping her fingers impatiently.

Sometime during our talk, a woman who looks remarkably similar to Refrea, of an older age, has joined her side.

She's a striking woman with sharp, almond-shaped eyes.

Could she be her mother? If so, the marriage she mentioned earlier suddenly feels much more real.

"Sorry I kept you waiting. The duel will take place in the plaza in front of the labyrinth—there's plenty of light there. Well, I'll win, of course."

"I won't lose!"

Jeanne enthusiastically cheered on Reflair, the two of them walking off toward the labyrinth.

The woman watched the two of them with eyes devoid of emotion, then turned to speak to me.