“...What do we do?”

“...No, seriously, what should we do?”

On the veranda.

Ziel and Chikano crouched down, heads almost touching, deep in discussion.

Of all times, the rain had conveniently stopped—so they had to keep their voices low, ensuring that Klaha and Icca, waiting in the nearby room, wouldn’t overhear them.

“I mean, are they really going to be in the same room? Wouldn’t it be better to separate them?”

“But wasn’t it Valdfried-sensei who said to do it this way?”

“Yeah, but that guy just says whatever. He once made me believe for two years that shrimp were related to cicadas.”

“But shrimp are related to cicadas.”

“...What?”

The conversation halted for a moment.

But since that wasn’t the main issue, they let it slide.

“Still, wouldn’t you hate it? Getting scolded in front of someone else?”

“That’s true... but honestly, I’d rather have you there, Ziel.”

“Why?”

“Because if it’s just me, I’ll just get angry instead of properly scolding.”

Chikano sighed.

“Unlike you guys, Icca and I are, at best, like fellow disciples. If I go at him head-on, I’ll just lose my temper and slap him, and that’ll be the end of it.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. That’s terrifying. Don’t do that.”

“See? That’s exactly why I need someone to stop me. And you—you’re infinitely soft, so you’re perfect for the job.”

“Well, fine,” Ziel accepted with a shrug.

“Still, at least you have some sort of hierarchy. A senior-junior dynamic or something.”

“You guys have that too. Just look at Klaha’s attitude.”

“Not in my head, we don’t. ...I might not even get angry, let alone scold her.”

“Wow, cold-hearted.”

“...Is it cold-hearted? I honestly can’t even think of a reason to be mad.”

At that, Chikano frowned.

“...Then all the more reason I should be there.”

“...You think so?”

“And besides, I have to do it anyway, so if you’re going to worry, just watch mine first. Icca won’t care if you’re there. You already helped him apologize to his father when he broke that vase.”

“That’s not even the same—”

A faint sound.

From inside the room, something shifted, and both Ziel and Chikano flinched, turning toward it.

The morning sun illuminated the shoji paper in a stark white glow—something moved behind it. If nothing else followed, then it was probably just someone shifting their position. But still—

The moment made them tense.

“—Alright, let’s go,” Chikano said, rising swiftly to her feet.

“Wait, seriously?” Ziel, still seated, grabbed her sleeve.

“We should come up with a more detailed plan first...”

“Like, for five years?”

“Let’s cap it at three hours.”

“Move it, you.”

Chikano yanked him up in return.

She was good at handling her strength—she didn’t apply unnecessary force, but with Ziel offering no real resistance, she easily pulled him to his feet despite their difference in weight.

Well, she was right about one thing—they had no choice but to go in prepared.

Thinking that, Ziel closed his eyes for a moment, steeling himself.

Then, suddenly—

“The advice paper.”

“Oh—”

They had both forgotten.

Nervousness had made even Chikano overlook it—the small piece of paper that Valdfried had given them.

They each had one.

With a synchronized breath, they unfolded them.

“...What does yours say?”

“Probably the same thing.”

They held them up at the same time. The words were identical.

‘Trust the person beside you, and say everything you’re thinking.’

The door slid open with a soft swish.

Klaha saw it—how Icca’s shoulders flinched beside her.

She understood the feeling well. If she were the type to openly express her emotions, she would’ve reacted the same way.

Even if you know you’re in the wrong.

Fear is still fear.

Ziel and Chikano.

As they entered together, the tension in the air was palpable.

Chikano sat down first, followed by Ziel.

A moment’s hesitation.

Then—

“We’re about to lecture you,” Chikano declared.

“Icca.”

“—”

Called out, Icca immediately dropped his gaze.

“Do you know what I’m angry about?”

“Hey, wait, hold on,” Ziel cut in.

Klaha’s eyes widened.

Ziel looked a little panicked as he stopped Chikano mid-sentence.

By contrast, Chikano frowned, annoyed.

“What? That was too fast?”

“No, just don’t phrase it like that. When you’ve messed up, your mind floods with every little thing you’ve done wrong.”

That made sense.

Klaha thought about it—it was true for her, too. After a mistake, all you could see were your own shortcomings. Every moment felt like another failure, a constant weight on your mind.

“You should clearly state what the issue is before you start talking.”

“But gauging his understanding of his mistake is important, too.”

“It is, but... if you do it like this, it just turns into nitpicking—”

“I’M SORRY!!”

A loud voice.

Interrupting the argument.

Icca’s words cut through the tension.

“I—I was wrong. I acted on my own.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I ignored the strategy for the anti-beast battle, let my emotions take over, and ran ahead.”

“And what happened as a result?”

“...I put Klaha’s life in danger when she came to get me.”

“Uh, um,” Klaha blurted out.

She couldn’t help it.

There was something she had to say.

“That’s not Icca’s fault. I chose to go after him. That responsibility is on me—I wasn’t strong enough.”

“No, Klaha, you’re not to blame—”

“Obviously,” Chikano interrupted, firm.

“If you hadn’t run off, Klaha wouldn’t have been put in danger. That’s your responsibility.”

“...Yes. You’re right.”

“But the decision to send Klaha after you was mine. That was my misjudgment. I’m sorry, Klaha.”

“Eh—”

Deeply.

Chikano bowed her head.

Klaha, flustered, hurried to bow just as deeply in return.

By the time she processed what had just happened and tried to argue, the conversation had already moved on.

"But that's not Icca's true mistake."

This time, it was Icca's turn to let out a startled "Huh?"

"I'll be blunt. Even if you ran off on your own somewhere, it wouldn't be a problem if we just left you alone. I mean, in the end, you'd just die, and that would be it."

For a moment, Klaha felt a painful tightness in her chest. If someone had said that about her, she could have accepted it. But because it was directed at someone else—

"W-Wait a minute!"

She spoke out before she realized it.

"Icca ran off to defeat the Thirteen Gate Oni."

"H-Hey, wait—"

"He thought Saminato-san was going to die because of him. He wanted to do something, so he went out alone to fight in the dangerous mountain at night."

What right do I have to say this? Klaha thought. Saying, "He had a reason, so please forgive him." If she had just been able to bring him back properly, she wouldn't have had to say such things. She felt a deep self-loathing for uttering those words.

But still, she couldn't stand it.

"So, saying things like 'if he dies, it's over'—"

"Klaha."

She flinched.

That voice made her want to shrink back in fear, but she forcibly suppressed her emotions.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of the person speaking. It was just that she felt too much guilt. She swore not to let that guilt show and make others uncomfortable.

When she looked up at Ziel, who had called her name, he was looking at her with a gentle expression.

"It's okay. That's not what this is about. …Chikano. See? I told you. You should have started by clearly stating what you were actually angry about."

"……But wouldn’t it be troublesome if we didn’t understand what Icca was thinking?"

"Well, yeah," Ziel admitted.

"But you do have a point," Chikano conceded.

Then she spoke.

"Your real mistake wasn't just acting on your own.

…Honestly, how many people in the dojo do you think would just leave you alone, thinking, 'It’s fine if he dies'?"

"Huh?"

Icca lifted his head, his eyes still red.

The hair tied to the left side of his face had finally dried after the long night and swayed lightly.

"I'll be blunt: not a single person."

"That can't be—"

"No, really. Not one. I heard your father was blaming himself or something, but nobody else cares about that. Not a single person."

"That’s not true!"

With a sharp movement, Icca stood up.

Seated, Chikano looked up at him and stated firmly,

"There isn't."

"You haven’t had much real combat experience, so you might not realize this, but… people getting hurt in battle is completely normal."

"……"

"A master protected his disciple. That’s all. There's nothing unusual about it. No one blames you. But—because you don’t understand that, everyone worries about you. That’s your real mistake."

She paused there. Then Ziel took over.

"Honestly, I think what Icca did turned out well."

"Eh—?"

"Chikano and I had split in different directions. If the Gate’s Beast had attacked the town, it might have been destroyed. But you held it off, and thanks to the sounds of battle and the glow of the magic sigils, the town realized the danger. It also served as a beacon to call for Master. Looking at just the results, Icca, you did a great job."

"Don’t spoil him," Chikano said.

"Facts should be acknowledged accurately," Ziel countered.

Their exchange was lighthearted.

Because of that, Ziel continued.

"But the process leading up to that result should have been handled properly. If it had been, most of the guilt Icca is feeling now could have been avoided."

"…Handling the process properly…?"

"In short, you should have talked."

Chikano answered Icca’s murmur.

"I will tell you to do this or that because I have to make decisions in the moment. But that doesn’t mean I won’t listen to your thoughts or reasons."

"…Yeah."

"So, let’s communicate. I’m ready to listen to what you want to say."

After a brief silence, Icca slowly spoke.

"…I can't help but feel like it was my fault about Sensei."

"I don’t think that’s true. …But I understand that you feel that way."

"That’s why I want to fight. I want to find closure."

"Right now, that would be difficult. Your wounds from yesterday still haven't healed completely. …But I understand your desire to fight, and"

She added,

"Your emotions seem to have stabilized a bit."

"Once your injuries improve, I’ll start assigning you tasks little by little. Let’s talk again then."

"…Okay. Um, Chikano-senpai."

"Yes?" Chikano nodded.

Icca, for the first time, met her eyes directly.

"I’m sorry for making you worry."

"—Alright! That’s the end of the lecture!"

With a deep sigh, Chikano visibly relaxed.

She nearly collapsed onto the tatami mat but caught herself with her elbow.

"Well, that's done. Now it’s your turn. Go ahead, we’re watching."

"That’s way too casual."

It’s coming, Klaha thought as she braced herself.

She had expected this. Icca went first, and she would go next. Now that his turn was over, it was hers.

And surely,

Unlike Icca, she wouldn't receive the same consideration.

Whatever they said to her, it would be her own fault.

She vowed to herself not to show any signs of distress.

"…Please, go ahead."

She bowed her head toward Ziel.

But—

One second, two seconds—seven seconds passed.

No words came from Ziel.

Instead, she heard Chikano’s voice.

"…Don’t just leave her bowing like that."

"Ah, yeah. You’re right. Klaha, lift your head. That’s really not necessary."

Not necessary.

She had expected as much. She knew her apology was worthless.

But when she lifted her head as instructed,

Ziel had a troubled expression.

"Uh… um…"

And then, he said,

"I can’t think of anything to be mad about, so maybe I should just praise you."