Even today, after they finished their day duty and it was time for dinner, the students and bodyguard Knights were dining at "Water Fairy Inn," Aiko just mechanically carried the food into her mouth and blankly looked some place else without registering the conversation of the others in her mind, only answering with the same reply.
"Ai-chan sensei... Ai-chan sensei's magic is amazing after all! Even those roughened ground recovered quickly... Looks like it'll return to normal in just a week!"
"... I see... that's good."
Sonobe Yuka, who noticed Aiko's mind was somewhere else, intentionally talked to her cheerfully. She tried to somehow encourage Aiko, since she knew the source of her abnormal state. However, even Sonobe's cheerful words only received an indifferent answer in return, like pre-typed-like words. Sonobe drooped her shoulders as she said "Still won't do, huh~."
"Aiko... did the mayor or the bishop said anything today? If you're really troubled by it, I won't forgive them for troubling Aiko, even if it's the bishop. I am Aiko's Knight after all. No matter when, only I will be Aiko's ally."
"... I see... that's good."
It was unknown whether David said those words to encourage Aiko or to seduce her. The remark on how he was willing to go up against the bishop was considerably dangerous as a Templar Knight, although it might not be important to David; the warrior of love. The "I" part was emphasized. In regards to going against anyone... it was also considered by the surrounding Knights, as they agreed with him while they directed sharp glares at their commander who casually made his advance.
However David's casual appeal was easily tossed aside like the words coming from a certain long running TV program during daytime. It was doubtful as to whether or not she heard him. The expression on the student's faces were saying "Serves you right~" to David who drooped his shoulders. The same expression was on the other Knights' faces.
Without taking any notice of the students and the Knights, Aiko indifferently continued to eat without responding.
(...If, if only I had talked to Shimizu-kun more... If only I had noticed his feelings earlier... If I did, then something like that wouldn't have happened... If, if he relied on his classmates... If, if I didn't get taken as a hostage... If only... I died... then he wouldn't have found it necessary to kill Shimizu-kun...
Why did he kill him... Even though they were classmates... Was it simply because he was an enemy?... Could killing someone be so simple because of such a reason? Was it so simple to kill a person?... How could it be done so naturally?...
That's strange... Humans aren't demonic beasts. To be able to kill without any hesitation... He,... was he someone who could easily kill a human?... If I left him alone, would he have been a danger to the other children?... Will the other children be safe since he's gone?... As long as he's not... Kh?!? What did I just think of!?... Stop. It's not good to think about this any further!)
Presently, regret and self-condemnation repeated themselves in Aiko's mind... Thus, if she thought of it unconsciously, the buds of fear and grudges towards Hajime would appear, she would deny them in a panic, and she would once again return to her first thoughts, repeating the process. There was too much she wanted to think about, and there were also a lot things she didn't want to think of. Aiko's mind was similar to a library where the bookshelves had crumbled and unorganized information were scattered around in a chaotic manner.