If it's just that much, then I can just gather them while entering deeper into the volcano. It doesn't matter if I need to search on the surface... In short, I only need to conquer the dungeon faster. Also, there's no need for you to apologize. After all, it is something I decided myself... Besides, I couldn't just leave Myuu in a place where people collapsed and died, right?"
"Fufu... I see. Then, good luck, and leave Myuu-chan to me."
Kaori had heard about the Mad Gods and the purpose of Hajime's travel on their way to Ancadi. She also heard Hajime would return to their original world even if it means to abandon this world. He also told her to return to Kouki and the others if she couldn't agree to his way. Having heard all of those, Kaori's will didn't waver; she wanted to continue following Hajime.
Even in this current case, if Hajime decided to abandon Ancadi, and although she would try to persuade him, she would just give up if there's no effect.
However, it was the truth that she wanted to become the strength for the people of Ancadi, if she could. She was inadvertently looking at Hajime with petitioning gaze at that time when Hajime was thinking about his decision. She wasn't conceited that her desire would be the same as Hajime's decision, but Kaori's gaze must have influenced Hajime's decision since he shrugged his shoulders a little with a wry smile when he received her gaze.
That's why, the way it seemed that Hajime was going along with her selfish desire made Kaori hold a complex feeling.
However, Hajime only indifferently shook his hand towards the apologizing Kaori. Having seen through Kaori's feeling, he told her not to mind since it was something he decided on. Kaori smiled at Hajime, who was worried about her although he said so in a blunt manner, and who casually showed a father-like attitude. She looked at him with a gaze filled with trust and affection.
"I will also do my best... so please come back safely. I will be waiting..."
"...O-okay."
Kaori, who narrowed her eyes dearly and exuding an aura of a wife who sends off her husband to the battlefield, made Hajime stammer inadvertently.
Since before, Kaori had been a straightforward person. Even when they were in Japan, Kaori mercilessly cut down Kouki's misunderstanding, dropping bomb onto Hajime which resulted in the classroom to suffer the storm of jealousy... those had become their daily life. And she was being even more frank since the day she confessed to him.
Hajime somehow managed to avert his gaze, but the place he averted to was... where Yue was. He saw it; Yue was watching Hajime in silence with dead, inorganic eyes. It was really terrible. He instinctively changed his gaze other way, and Kaori was there smiling with affection...
But seeing Kaori's atmosphere, our idol, Myuu dropped a bomb.
"Kaori-oneechan, Kaori-oneechan looks just like Yue-oneechan from before. Is Kaori-oneechan going to kiss Papa~?"
"Oya? So thou saw it, Myu?"
"Uh~? Myuu saw it from the gap between the fingers. Yue-oneechan looked so lovely~. Myuu also wants to kiss Papa~."
"U~m. Even this one hath not done that, thou know? So, Myuu need to wait until Myuu is bigger."
"Uu~."
Myuu's innocent words made Hajime say, "This good for nothing!" an unjust anger towards Tio. As expected, with "Those eyes! Those eyess! Tres Bien!" Tio began to be aroused, but it was something trivial this time.
As for the reason, a katana-shouldering Hanya appeared right beside Hajime. Of course, it was Kaori.
"...What does that mean, ah? Wasn't Hajime-kun going there to work on something? So, why did you kiss Yue? Tell me, how did it come to that? Was there any need to do that? While I was desperately treating the patients, the two of you were enjoying yourselves, ah? Did you even forget about me? Rather, did we separate just so you could be alone?"