"Ah, there you are. Jeanne, you're acting strange. What's wrong?"

"……Lea?"

Jeanne was huddled by the side of the road.

Her eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying.

Though I'd only been living with her for a short time, this was the first time I'd seen her like this—slightly surprised. Perhaps she had never witnessed Hikaru's stubbornness before.

Since their reunion, Hikaru had seemed mentally stable.

"Where's Kuro?"

"We left him behind. If Hikaru were here, the horses wouldn't have run off. Still, Jeanne, this isn't like you at all."

"This isn't like me... Hmm, well, maybe not. Whether or not Reya knows, I've received a gift from the gods—'Increased Vitality'—which boosts my mental strength. That's why I can act so carefree most of the time. This is actually who I really am."

"I'm not quite sure I understand, but I think it's fine. It's better than being aloof and unreadable. I didn't even know Jeanne was looking forward to the journey, so I was surprised."

I suppose I decided to leave on the journey as a way to escape, and both Hikaru and Jeanne seemed so calm about it that I never realized how much they were looking forward to it.

"What can I say? I mean, I was originally talking about conquering the labyrinth, but now I admit the journey itself seems more exciting and fun... I couldn't bring myself to say that."

"Wait, why? It's not a big deal, is it? Labyrinths are tense, and they're not exactly fun, are they?"

"Well, fighting itself is fun, but... yeah. The inside of a labyrinth is dark, and it does make you feel a bit down. Cro seems more lively inside the labyrinth than usual."

Indeed, Hikaru wasn't the type to feel discouraged inside a labyrinth.

Explorers need strong mental endurance to stay active for days within a labyrinth, but Hikaru's strength wasn't about that kind of endurance... it was as if the labyrinth just suited him perfectly.

I don't particularly like being inside labyrinths either, just like Jeanne. Especially the fourth layer—it's particularly unpleasant.

"Anyway, let's head back. The horse training's still not finished."

"No... I don't want to be seen."

"Stop talking like a child, now come on,"

I tried to pull her along, but Jeanne stubbornly sat on the ground, refusing to move, utterly determined not to budge—just like a spoiled brat.

It reminds me of when my little sister was younger...

"Honestly, you're so strong inside the labyrinth, yet you act like this. ...Well, Hikaru's the same way, actually. Is this just a trait of people from the other world? Like, skilled in battle but terrible with relationships?"

"……No, it's just us two. Me and Clo. …Especially me—I never had older or younger siblings, no family at all, no friends either… so I really don’t know how to act around people."

"But you treat me and Hikaru just fine, don’t you?"

"Because I’m putting on a character."

This was the first time I’d ever had this kind of conversation with Jeanne.

Since we live together, we naturally talk casually, and sometimes get excited talking about Hikaru, but perhaps this is unexpected weakness of Jeanne's? I don't really understand what a 'character' even is.

Because I've always felt inferior due to having an exceptionally talented sister, I find the idea of being an only child rather appealing.

I've never seen or known anything about Hikaru or Jeanne's world.

There seem to be countless magical items, and they live comfortably using a spirit energy-like force called Denki, but fundamentally, they're living in a world much like ours, just like us.

I never even imagined Hikaru came from another world until she told me herself...

Even if you say it's a different world, it wouldn't make much difference—it's probably just the same kind of thing.

"I realize now I've been unconsciously relying on Kuro. That's why I felt betrayed when you broke your promise to go on a journey... I just lost my cool. How could I believe someone like him over me? Anyone with half a brain would see that's a lie. Even Reya must think that, right?"

"Eh, eeeh? I can't judge that kind of thing."

"The chance of being chosen as a Second-wave Transferee is one in 7.5 billion—astronomical odds. It's just too absurd to believe. Especially since Nanaomi is aiming for this town? To fall for such a flimsy excuse...?"

Whether it's frustration or anger,

Jeanne kept her face down, making it impossible to tell.

I suppose, in the end, I still don't fully understand their situation

. I don't understand why I can't believe it, nor why Hikaru trusted that person. It almost feels like

I should just handle things either way without issue, but there must be some reason I can't. "If only she'd

believe only what I say..." Jeanne murmurs softly.

"Clo is... always kind, you know. She

　

never dismisses what I say, and she gives me this sense of safety, like she'd never betray me." "Umm... she won't

betray you, right? I guess... maybe?" Jeanne's

monologue continues, but I can't help feeling she's being overly reassured about Hikaru's loyalty. After all, he's just a regular boy, and unless I keep a firm grip on things, who knows where he might go?

It was as if, in the brief moment I looked away, Jeanne and I had already started living together...

"...I thought I was being cherished, but to her, her childhood friend was always more important. Do you understand? Reiya, you're the same. We're just second or third place."

"Eh? Isn't it pointless to compete with someone who's not even here?"

"...Reiya, you're strong."

"I know full well that Hikaru loves me!"

　

Hikaru is an incredibly powerful mage and a formidable fighter, but when it comes to people, he's actually quite fragile. Maybe the childhood friend was able to exploit that weakness. It wasn't even a romantic relationship, so Jeanne's anxiety was completely misplaced.

I didn’t know that before, so I pushed forward aggressively… but now, I’ve decided to take my time and stay calm. Besides… I still have my trump card—the

'Promise.' …Anyway, what should we do in the end?

Should we go on the journey, or postpone

it? Honestly, I don’t mind either way

. "Let’s just head back," "I

don’t want to face him,"

"We’re living together, so we’ll have to see each other sooner or later," "Then

let’s stay at an inn. Raya, you look after Kuro for me." I

can’t help but wonder why it’s turned out this way, but Jeanne sure is stubborn.

◇◆◆◆◇ Since

there was no point arguing, I left Jeanne behind and returned to Hikaru.

Hikaru was drifting off, his gaze wandering aimlessly in the air without bothering to practice riding the horse.

He was just as bad on his end.

"Reflia... Where's Jeanne?"

"She doesn't want to face you. But it seems like it'd be fine if you apologized."

When dealing with a spoiled girl, the only way to calm her down is to apologize.

Whether setting out on a journey or diving into the labyrinth, strained relationships are dangerous. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to resolve things, so it's best to apologize right away before things escalate.

And if you can't do that, then maybe it's better to just dissolve the party altogether.

We've heard stories before of groups falling apart over trivial matters and dying in the labyrinth. There's no guarantee we won't end up like that ourselves.

Janne is strong and straightforward, and I don't dislike her, but to me, Hikaru comes first.

"...I'm fine with the apology, but I'd like to delay the journey for a bit. That part can't be changed."

"Is it because your childhood friend might be coming here?"

"Yes. I know it's absurd to think that the Nanaomi, the one from the Abyssal Transfer, is the same person, but... if there's even a chance... I want to wait."

"Then I definitely need to talk to Janne."

"That's right."

In the end, Hikaru seemed willing to apologize, but not ready to give in.

What about Janne, though?

Riding a horse, they returned together to Janne's place.

Even on horseback, Hikaru's gaze remained fixed in the air.

Staring intently at a single point, face pale as snow.

"Hiyuki, is that a status board? Wasn't it? Are you looking at it?"

"……Yeah. I told Jeanne I'd open the message."

"So are you reading the message now?"

"No... I haven't read it... Not yet. I can't seem to."

The voice came out strained.

I vaguely remembered hearing something like that from Hiyuki before—accused of a crime and verbally attacked through a message.

I thought to myself then... no, even now... do I really need to care about someone else's words like that? But it seemed he was still carrying that burden.

"……But once the message feature comes back, I'll definitely read it."

"If it's that painful, I'll read it with you."

"Refréa can't see this anyway. ……It's okay. I'll read it."

It doesn't exactly feel safe, but I can understand—just a short while ago, I myself was afraid to open letters from my mother.

Anyway, once that messaging feature comes back online, we'll finally know whether our childhood friend is here or not.

If that's the case, I don't see any real problem with postponing our journey by a few more days.

"Ah, there you are."

Jeanne was sitting on the path just like before, but she noticed us approaching and stood up.

After glancing briefly in our direction, she hesitated for just a moment, then turned sharply and dashed off toward the town at full speed.

"She ran away! She actually ran away!?"

"Seriously... she must be really angry."

"I'll go after her. Hikaru, please take care of the horse."

Hikaru isn't quite as skilled at horseback riding as I am, but if I push the horse to its limits, she might still catch up

. If she gets locked away in an inn, tracking her down will become difficult. I have to

catch her before that happens. I push the

horse to run at full speed, chasing after her. No matter

how hard a human tries, a

horse is always faster. That's what I thought. "Ms. Jeanne, your physical ability is

incredible... What rank are you, anyway?" In the end,

I couldn't keep up and lost her in the city. Well, I suppose

there's no help for it now. Once her mind cools down

, she'll come back. "...Ms. Jeanne, you mentioned staying

at an inn, didn't you?" That meant, for the first time in ages... we'd be alone together, just the two of us.

Hikaru was hesitating around Jeanne, and since I had a prior arrangement with her, I hadn't taken any action—yet

"…Just the two of us, huh? What should I do?"

I couldn't help but let my voice rise with excitement.

I've decided to take my time with her, but every now and then, a little push is needed.

Yeah.