Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Seele once again turned her gaze to the view of the street.

The children's laughter carried on the wind from the peaceful alleyway.

If you listen closely, you can truly feel the mood of the town.

And the breathing of the local residents.

(I……)

Ryu felt that she could hear a sound between the residents' breathing.

It was an auditory hallucination created by men, women, young and old.

It is also the smiles of friends (Alicie) and others who exist in this city.

Please speak for us—as if we could hear this whispering voice.

(I feel... I must witness all of this on their behalf.)

These are the belongings of Alexandra and the others.

Therefore, I must live on, along with their share.

Ryu finally found a way to hold onto this idea.

At this point, she had decided on the future she wanted to pursue.

(Sky……)

Ryuna's vision, blurred by tears, and the surrounding sky gradually opened up.

Like tender leaves sprouting simultaneously in a forest, the original gray completely disappeared, and a beautiful blue was reborn.

Ryu could feel her empty heart being gradually filled.

Tears welled up in her eyes again.

(...What an incredible girl.)

Ryu wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked at Hier, who was gazing at the street scene.

Her words had an incredible power to flow into others' bodies and resonate in their hearts. Like Astraea—like this compassionate goddess—she untied the knot in Ryu's heart.

Admit it. Her meddlesome nature and her words pulled me (Ryu) back to the path of the living.

Who exactly is this young girl?

Seele turned around under Ryu's gaze, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"Ryu's eyes have become very beautiful."

"...If that's true, it's all thanks to you."

"Really? I'm so happy because I really like people like Ryu... people who live beautifully for others."

Seele squinted her pale silver eyes as if she were looking at something dazzling, and a blush spread across her cheeks, revealing the joy in her heart.

"Ryu, what are your plans for the future? If you find something you want to do, you don't have to force yourself to stay in the shop, okay? I'll help explain to Mia's mom."

"I……"

Seele did not specifically try to persuade Ryu to stay or inquire about her future plans.

The silence lasted only a brief moment.

Ryu frankly stated the answer in his heart.

"I want to repay your kindness."

You remind me of the belongings of Alyssa and the others.

You are the one who lets me see this beautiful blue sky.

These words are Liu's most sincere feelings at this moment.

"……are you sure?"

"Yes, if it weren't for you, I would definitely have been scolded by my companions."

This decision was correct.

As Liu thought this, the expression on her face relaxed.

Then, looking at Seele with her wide-open eyes, he gave her a smile as pure and innocent as a little flower.

This is a gentle smile that only those who are accepted by the stubborn elves have the chance to witness.

Seele returned the smile.

"Well, I'd be happy if you could stay in the store and work with us."

"I understand. Since I have nowhere else to go anyway, I'll just keep bothering you for a while longer."

"Yes! Please continue to guide me in the future, Ryu."

Just like when they first became close friends, surrounded by the blue sky, Ryu and Hiel smiled at each other.

The boundless sky also gently watched over the two girls.

"Shouldn't we be heading back soon?"

"Um."

At Seele's urging, Ryu nodded in response.

But as she was leaving, Ryu looked back one last time, imprinting the beautiful sky and street scene in her eyes, before turning and leaving the rooftop.

Ryu and Seele walked out of the desolate temple side by side, their hearts filled with a peace they had never felt before. After embarking on their journey home, they soon saw the "abundant mistress".

And the people gathered at the back door of the bar.

It was Anya and the other shop assistants.

"Anya? What are you all doing here?"

"Heh heh~ After seeing Seele and the others go off to slack off, the cats decided to draw grapes just like you!"

"Are you trying to say 'to copy exactly'?"

Anya answered Seele's question with a smug expression, but after being corrected by Ryu, she exclaimed "Meow!?" and her cheeks flushed red.

Then she gazed intently at Ryu's face, and finally a lively smile appeared on her face.

"Your expression is much better now."

"...Yes, I've decided to stop making that unlucky face."

Ryuya smiled gently in response. The cat people shop assistants, except for Anya, watched happily from the sidelines.

Liu had already figured out that being lazy was just their excuse; in reality, everyone had come here to welcome her as Seele took her out.

"From now on, the cat won't hold back, meow! Ryu is the cat's subordinate and formidable rival, meow! I advise you to be prepared, because the cat will be bossing you around with an air of superiority, meow!"

"Anya, you should be strutting around."

Seele smiled gently and corrected her, but Anya ignored her and approached Ryu head-on.

"So, the cats will shake hands again to show their friendship, meow!"

In the end, this was Anya's goal. The cat-person girl, full of vigor, stretched out her right hand, ready to grasp Ryu's right hand.

However, a loud "smack!" was heard from the scene.

Liu reflexively slapped the hand away.

The atmosphere at the scene froze.

(……Oops.)

Because of the suddenness of the event, Ryu overreacted to the hand and was now unusually sweating profusely.

Even Ryu, who doesn't know how to read people's expressions, could sense it.

She completely ruined the rare good atmosphere.

Seele and the other shop assistants were completely unresponsive, as if time had stopped. Ryu looked up at Anya with trepidation... only to find a wildcat standing in front of her with flames raging behind it.

"The cat absolutely has to touch you, meow...!"

"Wait—"

Faced with Anya's resolute words and determination, Ryu couldn't help but waver.

This cat person is a different kind of troublesome being than her friends (Alicie)!

With this certainty in mind, Ryu carefully distanced herself from Anya, and the two remained locked in a state of mutual restraint.

"Watch me!"

"Huh! Seele!?"

Suddenly, Seele hugged Liu tightly.

"I can actually touch Ryu~"

"Please, please let go!"

Liu protested, her face flushed, but Xi'er completely ignored her.

She wrapped her arms around Ryu's neck, pressing their cheeks together.

"Meow! Why can Seele touch you, but a cat can't meow!? If Seele is okay with it, why can't you accept a cat! In that case, even if a cat forces itself on you, it will still touch you!!"

“──!!”

"Meow!?"

Ryu retaliates, Anya is knocked away, and Seele laughs.

The other employees clapped and cheered, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere.

"...Hey! You bunch of silly girls!! Don't all run off to slack off!"

The girls continued to frolic until Mia, who was standing in the distance squinting her eyes and erupting in fury.

◆

Ryu realized something.

Seele and the others cannot replace the place that Alexie and others hold in her heart.

Moreover, this idea is a kind of blasphemy to them.

The pain and sense of loss from losing irreplaceable companions will likely never heal.

Even after the wound heals, it will still ache faintly if you are not careful, leaving Liu feeling lonely.

But she must move forward.

Even if we sometimes look back on the past, we still have to keep moving towards the future.

They traveled together with the belongings left behind by Alyssa and the others.

Ryu decides to write a letter.

This letter was written to the goddess (Asteria) who was far away.

The letter described how she was doing and what she had decided to do.

One day the letter will be delivered to her, informing her of these things.

After she reads this letter, I believe she will smile with relief.

After returning to the "Abundant Mistress" with Anya and the others, Ryu lowered her voice and said to the girl who was always meddlesome and took care of her, making her notice many things she had overlooked, and who could be considered her savior:

"Thank you, Seele... I'm truly grateful."

3

The setting sun disappeared behind the western city wall.

Surrounded by massive walls, the sunset always arrives exceptionally early in Orario.

Runova, who had been living in the labyrinthine city for about four years, already knew this.

"...She's changed."

This is West Street, dyed a deep crimson.