Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no “Kokoro”-

t it has a pretty good design.”

“I heard that a new store had opened along the main street in the commercial district.
I saw it on sale there.  Would you like to go with me today, Ai?”

 

At Tima's invitation, Irisdina mumbled, “Today, is…,” and looked a little regretful.

 

“Um-m.
I'd like to go, but I'm going to fulfill some guild requests today.
I already accepted it yesterday, and since it's a subjugation request, I thought it would be best to complete it as soon as possible…”

 

The fact that the guild had a request for subjugation meant that there were people who were in trouble because of the demon beasts.
According to her story, the request was made by hunters who were hunting in the forest.

Because Irisdina had a strong sense of justice, she had accepted the request, and above all, she wanted to help those in need as soon as possible.

 

“It can't be helped then…”

 

Knowing Irisdina's feelings, Tima didn't want to force her for that reason.

But then again, with her personality, she would never force others at all.

 

“I'm sorry, Tima, but we'll go another time.”

 

Tima smiled at Irisdina, who looked apologetic.
It was as if she wanted to say that Irisdina didn't need to worry about it.

Irisdina's expression relaxed.
She was relieved by Tima's smile.
At that moment, she called out to Nozomu as if she had an idea.

 

“Ah right.
Nozomu, what are you going to do after school today?”

“Me? I was planning to go into the forest today, but do you need ……
a hand from me?”

 

Nozomu was a little surprised to be called out of the blue.
But from what she's said so far, he figured she was referring to the request she made earlier, so he asked her about it.
In fact, Irisdina's story seemed to be about that request, and she asked Nozomu for help.

 

“Well, you're familiar with the forest, and Tima can't do this request with us because of a little errand.
I'd like you to lend us a hand if you can…”

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Nozomu is ineligible to accept high-risk requests to enter the forest due to his low rank.
However, if he were to form a party with a certain number of people or team up with someone of a higher rank, he would be allowed to take on such requests.
And for Irisdina, it would be helpful to have someone familiar with the forest like Nozomu.

 

“No, umm…
we promised to have a party during the ……
special training.

But we couldn't do it, right? So I thought, well, why don't we take this opportunity to do a request together…”

 

Perhaps it was because she had brought this up out of the blue, Irisdina asked Nozomu in a slightly reserved manner.

They had promised to work together on the second day of the special training, but that promise went unfulfilled when the training was canceled due to the attack of an Undead Dragon.

Originally, the promise was as a means to punish Irisdina, who was worried about Somia's date, for following Somia around.

Nozomu thought that she might have been worried about the trouble she had caused him.
He was about to look down, but Nozomu's chest screamed when he saw Irisdina's eyes staring straight into his face.

Nozomu's mind flashed to the words she had said to him in the forest.
She said, “I want you to watch my back”.

 

“…
A-alright.
it's okay.”

 

Nozomu was a bit at a loss for words, but he accepted Irisdina's request in the end.
He had planned to train in the forest, where there was no one around, so he could train including his dragonslayer ability.
But he had promised her before.
So he thought it would be okay to delay his schedule a little bit due to her request.

Above all, her words that came back to his mind were of the utmost importance.
He was rarely relied on by anyone since he was at this school.

 

“Ah…
I'm glad.
Thank you.”

 

Perhaps she thought she was going to be rejected, after her request was accepted by Nozomu, Irisdina seemed relieved and relaxed her shoulders.
Her cheeks, which had been a little tense and nervous, loosened and a smile appeared on her face.

She usually didn't lose her dignified expression, so her smile attracted everyone who saw it.
This was a complete surprise.
Nozomu was instantly taken aback by her gentle, natural smile.
Nozomu could only stand there in a daze.
At that moment, an unexpected person opened his mouth.

 

“…
Then, I wonder if I should go too.”

 

The sweet atmosphere that Irisdina was giving off was cut short by an outrageous comment from Feo, who said he would be joining in on the request.

 

“……Eh!?”

 

Irisdina couldn't help but make a silly voice when Feo suddenly announced his participation.
The sweet, honey-like atmosphere that she just gave off was nowhere to be found, and instead, suspicion and a fishy atmosphere floated up as if this fox had thought of something strange again.

 

“It's fine, isn't it? We were talking about working together at that time.
Then, what about you, Shīna?”

“H-haa!?”

 

Furthermore, Irisdina raised her voice in surprise when Feo said something unexpected.
As for Shīna, she was overwhelmed by the fact that the conversation had suddenly shifted towards her.

 

“…
Why, am I too?”

“What are you talking about? shouldn't we have teamed up together at that time~”

 

She sounds decent, but even as Nozom, her attitude seems to be clearly interesting.

 

Certainly, according to the agreement made at that time, Shīna was also supposed to join Nozomu's party.
If they think about it, Feo's suggestion seemed natural.
However, Feo's grinning expression strangely aroused Shīna's suspicion.
What he said sounded good, however, his demeanor clearly showed them that he found something amusing.

 

“That's true, but…”

 

Shīna slightly hesitated and glanced at Nozomu and Irisdina.
The corners of Shīna's eyes sharpened and she looked somewhat displeased.

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Shīna's gaze tightened a bit and Nozomu felt a chill run down his back for some reason.
Shīna put her hand to her lips as if thinking for a moment, and finally she shook her head.

 

“I'll refrain.
I have something to do today …”

“Eh~ why is that.
It was just about to get interesting…
Ah, that's right! What about you Mars!?”

 

Nozomu felt slightly uneasy at Feo's words that it was going to be interesting.
He glanced at Shīna, and she looked away while pouting.
He tried to call out to her, but I couldn't.

 

“I want to go, but…….
I can't.
I haven't finished helping out at the store yet.”

“What a bore.
So you're helping out at home…”

 

Feo's mouth was agape with a bored look on his face.
Mars' temples twitched due to Feo's attitude.

 

“You're the one who caused all this, but ……
if you've forgotten, should I've reminded you?”

“Ha, ha, ha…
Yeah, that's right.
Family is important! What about Tom and Mimuru?”

 

Mars smiled and spoke to Feo in a slightly annoyed voice.

Judging from the way Mars was shaking, not only his temples were twitching but also with his slightly raised mouth, it seemed that Ushitotei was in a lot of trouble because of that idiot Feo.

The fox, facing the intimidation emitted by Mars, immediately decided to retreat.
He forcibly turned the conversation to Tom while his face turned slightly pale.

 

“S-sorry.
I've been summoned by Sensei after school…”

“I'm going with Tom!”

“Oi, wait a minute, you pervert fox.”

 

Apparently, Tom and Mimuru had something to do, just like Shīna did.

Not sure if it was because he was a little nervous, or because he felt an uncomfortable atmosphere, but Tom's voice was a little stiff.

 

“Then it can't be helped! We'll go to the forest with just us three, I guess!

“I-I see…”

 

Mars tried to confront Feo, who had made a blatant escape.

This time, Feo tried to force the topic to an end, as if he couldn't afford to let other people know about it.

Tom, who was asleep while Feo was drunk and out of control at Ushitotei, and the others who didn't know much about the situation all tilted their heads.
While Nozomu who was at the scene couldn't help but sigh.

Among them, Anri-sensei, who was one of the victims and who caused the people who were there to go berserk because of her sex appeal, somehow stood beside Norn-sensei and smiled as usual.
Even though she was one of the parties involved.

As Nozomu was wondering if this sensei was actually the most negligent, Irisdina, who had been standing beside him for quite some time, called out to him.

 

“Well, I'll be in your care, Nozomu”

“…
Yeah, likewise.”

 

Nozomu was at a bit of a loss for words, but he managed to reply.

Upon hearing his words, Feo began to clean up the bread bag he had finished eating.

 

“That's why, we'll meet at the guild after school! After that, we'll go to the forest! I'm really looking forward to it…
Well, that's it!”

“Wait, you bastard!”

 

Feo ran out of the infirmary after forcing the conversation to a close.

Mars ran out after Feo who ran away.

Nozomu smiled wryly, as he watched them run down the corridor, making a lot of noise.