A first aid kit had been left behind in the hut. That said, having been left behind for decades, the only usable items were bandage, gauze and some simple medicine. Even then it was far better than nothing, and they would be very helpful to treat Clan's injuries.
“That should do it”
”Satomi-kun, you're pretty good at first aid treatment”
”I learned back in Forthorthe. It was necessary after all”
”He was terrible at remembering though”
”Ahaha, so you were the one that taught him, Clan-san”
“Sakuraba-senpai, can I leave this to you for a moment?”
”Satomi-kun?”
“I was thinking of taking a look outside”
As Koutarou said that he showed a map to Harumi and Clan. When he had been searching the hut for something useful he found this map next to the first aid kit. The map seemed to be for the area around them and if they used it well they should be able to return home without getting lost. So Koutarou decided to go take a first look at their surroundings.
“I understand. Please be careful”
”I will”
”Just don't carelessly go to far away”
”I know. Alright then, I'm off”
Koutarou grabbed the map and a flashlight and left the hut. After that the light could be seen from outside the window a few times but eventually even that couldn't be seen. Koutarou left the hut, leaving Harumi and Clan on their own.
“Since the treatment is over, I'll dim the lights a little bit”
”Yes, please do”
Harumi stood up. A flashlight had been hung down the ceiling to light up the hut and Harumi reduced the brightness of it. Since they didn't know how long the flashlight would last it would be better if they conserved the battery.
“Okay”
Done with her task, Harumi returned to Clan and sat down, facing her.
“Thank you, Harumi”
”No, it's nothing”
Silence fell between Harumi and Clan. Neither of them were used to actively talking to others and when the two were left on their own, they rarely talked. However, it wasn't like that was painful. Thanks to them often moving together because of PAF they learned that they had a lot in common and developed a mutual understanding.
“Hey, Harumi”
However, Clan broke that silence. There was something she wanted to ask Harumi. With Koutarou gone now was her chance.
“May I ask you something?”
”Sure. Go ahead”
Harumi nodded. Since Clan always helped her out she had no reason to refuse.
“This is hard to ask, but... I will ask anyways”
Clan began speaking and adjusted her glasses.
“Harumi, do you love Koutarou?”
”...!?”
Clan's question caused Harumi's expression to freeze. However, since it was too straight of a question, Harumi found herself unable to answer as she instinctively held her breath.
“If you don't want to, you don't have to answer”
”It's not like I don't want too. I was just surprised...”
Harumi shook her head. Her long hair fluttered in the air. Looking at her silhouette in the darkened room, it was like Clan really was facing Alaia.
Harumi put her hand on her chest, took a deep breath and answered Clan's question.
“I... love Satomi-kun. Satomi-kun is strong and kind, but he also has a weak and lonely side of him... I want to warm up that part of him... that's why I...”
Harumi held back her desire to run away and asserted her feelings. She knew this was something she could run away from or hold back on. Clan smiled wryly.
“Knowing that much, neither of us can back down now, Harumi”
”Could it be, you too, Clan-san?”
”Yes. While I was looking at that stupid knight who could only live an awkward life I grew attached to him. Besides, he's also one of very few of truly understand me”
”I see...”
Learning that Clan felt the same way she did, Harumi felt relieved. While they should be rivals as women, she felt neither hostility nor a sense of danger. If anything, she felt reassured knowing she had more companions apart from Yurika.
“You seem confident, Harumi”
Clan felt like Harumi's lack of a sense of danger was a sign of confidence. However, Harumi shook her head.
“It's not confidence, if anything, I'm lacking in that”
”You mean you're not confident?”