— there was a time when I felt that way.

　The girl facing me seemed like a seasoned warrior, showing no weakness at all.

　I'd been active in this town for a year, yet I'd never heard of her. I've never seen this girl before.

　Maybe she was exploring in another labyrinth?　No, if that were the case, she wouldn't be Bronze-ranked.

　It's not impossible to grow stronger outside labyrinths, but it's not easy. Places outside labyrinths where monsters appear in large numbers are rare, and even if you defeat them, their corpses remain.

　The spirit energy she can absorb into her body is also far less than what's available in a labyrinth.

　So she couldn't possibly be this strong.

　If I hit her shield a bit harder, she'd be crying out in no time.

My speculation crumbled instantly within the first few exchanges.

She effortlessly deflected my sword with her large shield.

At first, I was furious.

Maybe that armor and shield were gifts from Hikaru—

I thought I’d crush them all to pieces—

I’d force her to surrender completely—

In short… I had underestimated her.

The sound of iron clashing violently echoed through the air.

My sword was specially crafted to slay monsters, with only hellfire steel used as the core material to make it usable even by an inexperienced wielder, yet despite its size and weight, it should have delivered a shock that couldn’t be easily withstood.

But my sword failed to penetrate her——the armored woman's defense.

She even smiled, effortlessly blocking my blade.

If that's the case, I have no choice but to strike through her shield.

I might injure her, but this was a duel from the start—she must have known that risk.

Perhaps that sense of urgency clouded my attack, making it sloppy.

The armored woman didn’t miss the opening, and I allowed her to close in.

I blocked the press of her shield with the flat of my sword.

As iron scraped against iron, she looked me in the eye and gave a faint smile, then uttered an unexpected remark:

"He promised to conquer the deepest layer of the labyrinth with me."

For a moment, I didn't understand what had been said, my strength drained away, my mind going completely blank.

'Completing the labyrinth down to its lowest level'

— that's a goal every adventurer has dreamed of at least once.

I myself, when I first arrived in this labyrinth city, had fervently believed I'd be the first person to step into a floor no one had ever seen before.

But hearing that Hikaru had made that promise was a shock.

She had said she wouldn't team up with anyone.

I'd thought she was just being held back by some weakness I had over her.

'I've already reformed my party and started fresh with me, and we've entered the labyrinth many times already, practicing coordination and making plans for the conquest.'

The armored woman continued.

At that moment, I wasn't sure whether my trembling knees came from anger or—perhaps—despair, my will to fight already fading.

That's how it should be.

That Hikaru.

The Hikaru who, even with me, seemed to be paired up only out of necessity.

I never imagined she'd be tackling the labyrinth with such determination.

I had always thought, once I was gone, she'd be lonely, stay in the inn, and never even go near the labyrinth.

I believed that when I reappeared, she'd cry and embrace me, and if I said I wanted to marry her, she'd respond with a passionate kiss—

"And Hikaru and I are already living together... under the same roof!"

"No way..."

With those final words, I collapsed to my knees.

Living together... living together like that...

I see now why she could be so confident when I returned.

The outcome had already been decided. From the very beginning.

I should never have returned to my family home.

I should have stayed away forever.

— I’ve lost.

I can’t deny it. Despite all the chances I had, I couldn’t completely break Hikaru’s heart. I couldn’t even get him to promise to aim for the deepest layer of the labyrinth, let alone live under the same roof! I never even imagined it.

In the end, I was nothing more than a girl with little experience in love.

I couldn’t compete with a woman who’d mastered the art of charming men with such a sweet face—battle-tested and cunning.

I had completely given up, but the armored woman didn’t press her advantage.

When I looked up, she was simply staring down at me with a cool expression.

There was the confidence of a victor in her gaze.

Or perhaps it was pity for the defeated.

――I don’t want to lose

――I haven’t lost yet

Seeing her calm and confident demeanor, I rekindle my last flicker of determination.

Didn’t I decide that I’d do anything to get Hikaru?

Didn’t I vow to stay with Hikaru no matter what?

Didn’t I decide we’d walk through life together?

Hikaru herself said she was just a party member.

She even said so herself.

Maybe living together is just Hikaru being her usual kind-hearted self, letting her stay for free since she can’t even afford a hotel.

It’s not too late.

If I don’t admit defeat here!

I stand up and put some distance between us.

I haven’t given it my all yet.

If what you're saying is true, then even more so, I must defeat you—for my own future!

shouting.

It was, in part, words meant to convince myself, yet unexpectedly, the armored woman responded.

"Come on! Show me how you'll carve out your future!"

Could this really be the kind of thing said to a romantic rival?

If it were me, I’d crush my opponent and make sure they never dared approach again.

I wouldn’t encourage them like this. I couldn’t.

Anyway, I hadn’t yet given it my full strength.

Closing the distance, I shouted the name of my technique.

"Light!"

A sphere of light appeared before her.

I’m unaffected by this light. If I strike before she can react, it’ll be over.

Perhaps the relationship between her and Hikaru wasn't some strange one after all—maybe I was just jumping to conclusions. So, I should forgive both Hikaru and her.

As I thought this, I raised my sword—

but suddenly, the armored woman charged straight through the light, and without hesitation, shoved me down, pinning me to the ground.

"Gh!?!"

"Too bad. Spirit magic won't work on me."

"But that—"

Why!? I should have been blinded and unable to move.

My mind was overwhelmed with questions, but right now, this situation was all that mattered.

The armored woman had grabbed both of my wrists and was straddling me.

I tried desperately to shift my position, but she was so strong—so much so that I couldn't even move a muscle, wondering where such strength could possibly come from in her petite frame.

This time for sure—

I've lost.

From now on, I'll have to obey whatever she says.

What if she tells me to forget about Hikaru and return to Kuni?

...No, wait—didn't she just say that herself?

There's nothing I can do. I lost the fight, so I must go back to my hometown.

...I don't want to. If I have to live without Hikaru, it would be better to die.

"Kill me. If I must live without Hikaru, then I'd rather die."

That's why the words came out naturally.

This was a formal duel, and she won. So, even if she kills me, she'll face no consequences."Don't say foolish things. I just won, after all."

"You're going to send me back to Kuni, aren't you? Fine, I don't care—after all, I'm going to die anyway."

Completely defeated, unable to move my body, I was half-giving up.

Yet she loosened her grip on my arm.

"Don't make such a sad face. We ended up fighting by chance, but I don't intend to take anything from you. Telling you to go back to Kuni was just a joke."

"Then, what should I do? I—"

"First, let me reveal a secret. I'm also a transmigrant from another world—just like that guy, Kuro. He trusts me because I'm from the same homeland."

That was a shocking confession.

Even Hikaru had never told me that, not easily at least.

But precisely because we're from the same hometown, I feel like I might understand the reason behind that smile.

"But, Hikaru's always being watched by everyone, so he has to keep it together... You feel the same way, don't you?"

"That's right. Just like you, I'm still being watched right now by people from my original world. Though, I'm not as sensitive as that guy, so I guess it's not really a big deal."

Hikaru's absurd story.

The ridiculous claim that hundreds of millions of people back in the original world are watching me right now.

I'm not saying I don't believe it, but even hearing it like this, it still doesn't quite make sense.

"You know, you were actually rejected by Kuro. The way he reacted—just like a man whose woman who was never coming back suddenly showed up again."

"Ugh... That is... "

Saying that, he already knew deep down it was true.

There was no need to reflect on it—Hikaru clearly had no intention of meeting me again.

It was only because I thought, "Even if I push a little, something can be done."

He wanted to keep his distance from me, not wanting to involve me in his own circumstances.

"I'll convince him—come back home with me."

"—Huh?"

"He's difficult, overly serious, and a bit mentally unwell. I think we need to look at him with patience. If left alone, he'll just disappear somewhere on his own... that's how it feels."

"That's... exactly how I feel too. I came back precisely because I want to be by his side... But are you sure about this? You?"

I didn't understand her suggestion at all.

Sure, Hikaru was unreliable and someone I wanted to watch over, but I could never accept a proposal that involved having another woman by my side.

"It's fine. If you're okay with it, I don't have that kind of possessiveness. What matters more to me is growing old together and nurturing our relationship. ...But I won't let go of him. Unless he hates me and leaves on his own."

She spoke with absolute certainty.

In short, was she saying she'd tolerate me as a "side lover"?

I still couldn't quite grasp it, but she seemed utterly confident that Hikaru would never leave her side. I couldn't fathom the source of that confidence—perhaps she held some kind of leverage over him?

Yet, after talking like this, I didn't sense any malice in her.

That's precisely why I couldn't understand her.

"But… why…? What's the benefit in leaving me behind?"

"Because I need a strong ally. ...And I don't mind women like you."

"Someone like me...?"

"Someone reckless, impulsive, living purely by heart."

Is that really a compliment? It kind of feels like it's being mocked...

I don't know. After all, she's from a different world, just like Hikaru.

Still, she's just as calm and collected as Hikaru is.

Maybe that's just how people from the other world are.

"Still... yeah. Maybe we should make dating forbidden at home. If that's the condition, Kuro would probably give in. That's probably his biggest reason—being embarrassed about others seeing you in such a helpless state."

"Forbidden...? But me... I might not be able to hold it in..."

"Just endure it. Take a long-term view of him. Come on, we're gonna be fighting nonstop in the labyrinth every day until we're utterly exhausted anyway, so you won't even have the energy to think about it."

Her conditions seem difficult for me.

I'm more likely to become clingy the more exhausted I am from battle, but I wonder how that'll turn out. Maybe it's safe, if just a little. I hope it's safe. It's probably safe. Alright.

"I understand. But... one thing, please. How do you feel about Hikaru? I mean... do you like them... or want to be their lover... is that not the case?"

"Yes, I do like them. But what kind of relationship I want depends on the person. You wouldn't understand. A transfer student who received a certain gift finds it too lonely to be alone."

At that moment, I found her expression slightly sad, which surprised me.

I don't know what exactly that gift is.

But I was certain that at least she was not my enemy, but rather my ally.

And from that day forward, my shared life with her and Hikaru began.