Having separated from the others, Koutarou and the others in the infiltration team were hurrying through the forest. Since the diversion team would attack the front gate, the infiltration would attempt to sneak in from the back. The distance from the infiltration point to the factory building was the shortest from that position, bringing with it the lowest risk of being spotted by the enemy. When Koutarou and the others got into position, the diversion team would begin their attack, so they wanted to get there as quickly as possible.
“Clan. You're falling behind. Hurry up.”
“E-Even if you, say that, running is, not my specialty!”
Amongst them, Clan was falling behind. Koutarou was wearing armor, Harumi was using the PAF, and Kiriha was well-trained. However, Clan who had below average stamina was already out of breath.
“Guess it can't be helped.”
“Kyaa?!”
There, Koutarou caught Clan and lifted her up in his arms before continuing to run. With Koutarou's powered armor, running while carrying Clan was no problems.
“Bertorion, I can―”
―fly on my own, is what Clan was about to say when she remembered what she and the girls had talked about before. As a result, she swallowed her next words.
“What is it?”
“I-I just stopped being stubborn. I'm counting on you for a while.”
Clan could fly through the sky through her own inventions, but she had chosen not to do so. Instead, she swung her arms around Koutarou's neck and embraced him.
It's a bit different from being hugged... but this is nice in its own way...
This wasn't a situation where a girl of age should be glad, but she instinctively poured strength into her arms. Her appearance was awfully cute and Harumi who was next to them instinctively smiled.
“Fufu, not being stubborn is the best, Clan-san.”
“W-Well, it's better for my own pride to be hurt than for me to slow down everyone else.”
“It'd be dangerous if you fell, so don't force yourself too much and hold on tight.”
“... I think... I'll do just that...”
Clan blushed as she drew her cheek closer to Koutarou. From that proximity, she could feel Koutarou's warmth and breath, and with that, Clan's mind turned blank.
However, Koutarou himself couldn't tell how Clan was doing because she was too close. What he was more interested right now was Harumi.
“Sakuraba-senpai, don't force yourself either.”
“I'm fine, Satomi-kun. That's why I'm on this side.”
Since they would infiltrate after the enemy was distracted, it should be a lot safer being on the infiltration team than the diversion team. That said, Koutarou followed them as a guard, just in case.
“And besides, Clan-san's invention is covering for my body's handicap.”
“Then that's fine...”
Koutarou reluctantly nodded. Harumi's words were logical, but Koutarou had a strong objection against dragging her onto a battlefield.
Even though she was in a safer position, having her handicap alleviated through PAF, and held a strong power she had inherited from Alaia, to Koutarou, Harumi was still herself. Like Yurika, he didn't want to see her on a battlefield.
“But even then, I'm reluctant to have you fight, Sakuraba-senpai.”
“If you're going to say that, I don't want you fighting either, Satomi-kun. You're not someone who should normally be on a battlefield.”
Harumi understood how Koutarou felt. To her, Koutarou wasn't someone who should fight. Koutarou, who had lost a family member and was looking for warmth, shouldn't be a weapon that hurt others. There was only one reason as to why he fought.
“But even then, you fight. For everyone, and their future. That's why I am the same. I want to stay by your side and do the same.”
“Sakuraba-senpai...”
“Of course, I know I'm not suited for fighting. That's why I want to help as best as I can without getting in the way.”
Harumi's feelings hadn't changed since the day she learned of Koutarou and the others’ secret. She wanted to walk down the same path they did. That was it. And she was sure that the other girl inside of her felt the same way.
“Give it up, Satomi Koutarou. Harumi is correct.”
“... Okay, okay. In that case, let's get this over with quick. That’d be for the best.”
Koutarou gave up as Kiriha called out to him.
If Harumi didn't have a reason to fight, the same could be said for Koutarou. There was no reason that allowed Koutarou to fight but not Harumi. In that case, their best bet was to complete their mission as quickly as possible in order to avoid any fighting.
And it's not just senpai or Yurika. It's the same for Kiriha-san, Clan, and everyone else too. They're all strong, but they're definitely better off not having to fight...
Koutarou wanted all of the girls of room 106 to live happily. It wasn't just Harumi he wanted to keep out of the fighting. Koutarou was determined to do his best for the girls.