Having safely met up, Koutarou and Shizuka delivered the girl to the elderly couple and quickly left the scene of the fire behind them. While they had been able to save the girl, the fact that they had rushed into the building without waiting for the firefighters to arrive was a big problem. So the two decided to head home before they got into trouble.
“... Give me a break, landlord-san. That's not like you”
Koutarou used the time when they were returning to room 106 to scold Shizuka.
Before he could stop her, Shizuka had rushed into the burning house. Because Shizuka was normally so level-headed, Koutarou was even more surprised. And because of that, he gave her a stern look. Normally, Shizuka would be the one to scold others for being so reckless.
“While everything worked out thanks to Alunaya-dono, who knows what would have happened if he hadn't been around...”
“I'm sorry, Satomi-kun. I was reminded of mom and dad because it was right after my grave visit. I got too excited”
Shizuka was aware of her own failings. Even when taking the situation into account, it wasn't something that should be praised. That's why she had been modest and reflected on her actions as Koutarou scolded her.
“I know it was stupid. I'm really sorry for making you worry. I'll be careful to make sure something like this doesn't happen again”
“Haah... I'll forgive you this one time”
Koutarou decided to quickly forgive Shizuka.
Shizuka was aware of her own mistake and was honestly sorry. Besides, Koutarou understood how she felt. He believed that if, after he visited his mother's grave, he came across an accident similar to the one he lost his mother in, he would also have charged in without thinking of the consequences. That's why he couldn't blame Shizuka any further.
“There won't be anyone to stop you in the future, so please be careful”
“...Yeah”
Shizuka timidly looked up to confirm if Koutarou was angry or not. She then nodded her head and loosened up her tense expression.
“But anyways, I'm glad everyone was okay”
Koutarou smiled at Shizuka. While she had been reckless, in the end, everything had turned out okay. The girl that had been left behind had been saved and Shizuka was in one piece. Since the girl might not have made it if they had waited for the fire department, that itself should be celebrated, even if Shizuka's actions shouldn't.
“Yeah...”
But Shizuka still had a gloomy look on her face. She was looking down and let out a small sigh.
“Are you still bothered about it?”
Koutarou assumed that was because Shizuka was regretting being so reckless. That she was still reflecting on her actions. But Shizuka was thinking about something different.
“No, I do regret it, but it's not that... In the end, I couldn't save anyone, just like when mom and dad died. So I'm a bit sad and mortified that I haven't grown...”
Shizuka was feeling down because she believed she hadn't grown at all all these years. In the past she was saved by her parents, and this time she was saved by Alunaya. In the fire, Shizuka herself couldn't do anything. That came as a shock to her.
And in order to walk alongside those she loved, she would need a large power. Her own strength wasn't enough for that. Feeling like she had reached her limits, Shizuka didn't seem like she would recover for a while.
“I thought I would be able to do better like you...”
As Shizuka said that she let out a heavy sigh.
“I'd like to learn the secret behind being a legendary hero”
Shizuka felt like there was a vast gap between herself and Koutarou. Complex feelings were swirling inside of her and she was having a hard time getting them under control.
“Landlord-san, there's nothing I can teach you”
“Do you mean I don't have any talent?”
Shizuka smiled bitterly. It was a very self-depreciating smile.
“That's not what I meant...”
This time, Koutarou was the one who smiled wryly.
“Up until now, I have never saved anyone with just my own strength”
With those words, Koutarou admitted to his own incompetence. He couldn't keep himself from smiling wryly. Of course, Shizuka couldn't accept that. She stopped in place and objected in an upset tone.