“You're fine that way. I'm desperately telling myself that too”
”Ahaha”
Yurika's expression finally returned to a smile and she wiped away the tears that had started forming in the corners of her eyes.
“Thank you very much, Satomi-san. I feel a little better”
She was allowed to rely on her allies. She could rely on Koutarou and the others, and the soldiers too. Everyone was imperfect, but they would give their all to fight. Heroes weren't needed, or maybe everyone were heroes. It didn't matter. Having finally reached her answer, Yurika felt some relief.
“So eat. Nothing will start on an empty stomach”
Seeing Yurika's smile, Koutarou felt relief as well.
“Yes!”
Yurika began eating again. Strangely enough, while she had barely been able to get the food down, she was now able to eat normally. Yurika began thinking that this was what it meant to not be alone as she ate.
“Hey, Satomi-san”
”Hm?”
“Could you eat the green peppers?”
”Eat it yourself”
”I'm imperfect so you have to help me!”
A thud rang out.
“Just shut up and eat!”
“Oka~y, uuuhh, I'm sorry for saying something stupid”
Getting hit hurt. But the strongest in history Yurika probably wouldn't get to have Koutarou hit her. That's why Yurika was happy that she was allowed this.
After eating for a while, things Yurika disliked began piling up on the plate. However, Yurika continued to push away the things she disliked with her fork and focused on the things she liked. She would leave the inconvenient food for later. Something that would resolve it might happen sooner or later. This was Yurika's usual way of thinking.
This starts happening as soon as she cheers up!
Koutarou began thinking of punishments for Yurika, but before he could get into action, it began.
BOOM
“Kyaaa!?”
”W-What!?”
That was a roaring sound and quake that shook the entire Blue Tower. It was like an intense lightning bolt and earthquake had struck the tower at the same time. Tables and chairs fell over and plates were thrown around. However, the sound and shake only struck once, so Koutarou supported himself on a sturdy stone wall and quickly stood up.
“Yurika, are you okay!?”
”Y-Yes, somehow!”
Koutarou ran over to Yurika and pulled her up on her feet. Yurika's head was covered in green peppers, carrots and celery, but she didn't seem to be hurt.
“But still, just what is― Ah!?”
Yurika had hit her waist and seemed to be in pain, but her expression sharpened after she stood up. She had a hunch of what had caused the roaring sound and quake.
“Let's go, Yurika!”
”Yes!”
The atmosphere around Koutarou had flipped as well. They were no longer two classmates that got along. When they sprinted upstairs, they had the faces of a knight who had gone through countless battles, and one of the magical kingdom of Folsaria's arc-wizards.