“...... What. Again?”
She already thanked him earlier. Suimei thought weirdly about her repeating words, but there was a calm but embarrassed voice that followed up.
“Just before. When you said you came to save me, I was very happy. So…..”
“Ah, okay…..”
“Thanks.”
“Y, yea…. It was nothing that my lady needs to thank me for.”
Due to Lefille’s serious tone, a rare respectful way of speech popped out from Suimei. It was pretty embarrassing to hear her say it again ― but thinking back, what he said when facing Rajas and talking to her was all very embarrassing stuff.
Uwaaaaahhhh― ……
What I chased after. The association’s philosophy and father’s wish. My way of saving people. The self-righteousness. It was the atmosphere. It was the atmosphere’s fault. It was the atmosphere’s fault that he blurted it all out. That was right.
He simply needed to think of them like that and forget it ever happened.
Suimei thought like that shook his head vigorously. When Suimei began to avoid facing the reality, Lefille spoke with resolve-filled voice.
“Thanks to you, I could find courage. I’m not going to give up and walk on my own path properly. Well, getting stronger and fighting mazokus won’t change.”
….. She seemed to have recovered her broken heart. It was fortunate that she managed to suppress her despair.
When Suimei looked up into the sky without saying anything, Lefille spoke in curious tone.
“..... What is it?”
“Hmm? Ah, I think that’s good as well.”
“I won’t give up anymore. I’m going to try my best to the end no matter what. You taught me that.”
To the girl speaking such embarrassing words with a straight face, Suimei spoke with self-deprecating tone.
“Stop it. I copied those words from someone else.”
“Copied?”
“Yea, I was scolded by someone extremely strong before. I heard it then.”
That was right. I knew what it was like to be denied. Having to hear it from someone strong felt as if the entire world was denying me. When stuck in that difficult situation, when I hesitated in my heart, there was a man who pointed out that my dream didn’t exist behind me. That was right―
“You met a good person.”
“No, I thought he was out of his mind at the time. Well, I thank him nonetheless, but he’s fundamentally evil.”
Lefille thought of those words as a story. A surprised “eh…..” sound could be heard.
That was right. That man who said those words only ever laughed at others dreams. He was the kind of a man who appeared out of nowhere in crucial moments to applaud and interrupt. He probably thought it wouldn’t be fun to have the person he was watching die.
That was why, that was why back then, he said something like that…..
“..... But his words back then, he probably meant it.”
“You seem confused yourself.”
“Is that so.”
“Fufufu…..”
What was so funny? Lefille suddenly smiled a little. The conversation partner smiled so warmly at the end of the story, it felt as if being treated like a child and a little unpleasant ― but it was fortunate to just be able to listen to her warm voice.