“……what is it?”
“The Gift that Asuka-san possess is definitely not an inferior talent…… but it isn’t a Gift that can be counted as suitable for combat. This sort of talent that can allow the utilization of other Gifts to their best capabilities is best suited for the expansion of our Community. So, you needn’t push yourself to participate in the Games of Demon Lords……”
“……”
Asuka had known that all along. And it was ever since her initial Game with Galdo Gasper that she had already realized that fact.
During the battle with Galdo Gasper, the battle with Ratten and also during her battle with Percher just a little while earlier…… she had always felt that she was being pushed into the corner due to her lack of physical strength. If only Asuka could possess one percent of Izayoi’s strength, she wouldn’t have had that hard a time in her battles.
“……Maybe it’s just me wanting to be stubborn, I guess.”
“Eh?”
“Before coming to Little Garden, I had never found myself lacking in any way. Although it could be said to be a long term dissatisfaction with the life, but I had a prestigious background, and my grades in academics would always be higher than that of the average……but after coming to Little Garden, the things that makes me itch with irritation has started to grow as much as the number of happy things I’ve experienced in here.”
Asuka’s expression was a little melancholic as she muttered. Although it sounded really ironic, but Asuka did understand that this was part of the flow in life where it gets choppy at times and calm and smooth sailing in others, and did welcome those changes and experiences. This is because right from the start, she had already possessed a very broad-minded approach in life and could accept the bitter and sweet dishes that were served to her in her life.
But she believed that the reason for her acceptance wasn’t just due to the environment in Little Garden.
Asuka was acutely clear that it was due to friends like Izayoi and Yō who stood by her side that she could learn to accept all the things that life threw in her way.
“……To tell the truth, I’m not that worried about Leticia. For I’m very clear on how dependable she is. But Kasukabe-san……looked quite down lately…… so……”
And she couldn’t help but be worried by that.
Hearing Asuka put it that way, Kuro Usagi was stumped for words.
“Asuka-san……”
*Bulupluplup*Asuka blew bubbles as she sank herself to the bottom of the pool.
Sala who had been listening by her side suddenly placed her hand to rest on Asuka’s shoulder.
“Asuka’s friend is called Kasukabe?”
“Eh?......Yeah, that’s right.”
“Then, for tomorrow’s search, I will make it a priority to search for your friend.”
“……what?” Asuka and Kuro Usagi asked together. They had thought that a pair of human and rabbit ears may have heard it wrong.
But this was to be expected. Who would have thought that an Alliance representative would say words like leaving the main camp of [Underwood] to infiltrate the enemy’s encampment?
But Sala only nodded her head forcefully as she said while staring at their faces.
“In exchange for that, I would like the both of you to defend [Underwood]. Although it’s a Community and Community ground that I belong to for only a few years, but to me, it has already become my second home. With the two of you who possess strong combat prowess, I guess I can have no worries as I go to infiltrate the enemy’s citadel.”
Saying that, Sala laughed heartily. Although this was said out of consideration for Asuka but the real intention was more than that.
To allow Sala who had the ability to fly to go to the citadel while Asuka who possessed the huge iron doll to face the Titans.
What she wanted to say might have been the fact that Games weren’t played with only the power level in mind but the ability to assign the correct resources to the correct places where they would be best utilised.
Asuka gave a wry smile at Sala’s attempt of encouragement but had also seemed to have accepted that piece of feelings to tuck away her burdens in her mind as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Okay, I understand. I will be defending [Underwood]…… I will be leaving Kasukabe-san to you.”
“Nn. Leave it to me. I will use our flag… … my dragon horn to make an oath of it.”
Sala pointed to her majestic dragon horns while giving it a *Klunk Klunk* knock with a certain degree of wanting to show off her prided horns. But that strange action caused Asuka and Kuro Usagi to burst out laughing and that caused the bathhouse to be instantly enveloped in a joyous laugh.