The members who didn’t return were being searched for, but my relationship with Sharin only grew more strained.
After that, I could no longer do anything. I couldn’t talk to Sharin, nor could I go to Veronica. Since there was no other way, I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.
It was raining the next morning, just like my overcast heart. Gloomy clouds covered the sky.
As usual, Nina was a shut-in, and Philiana was chasing after the figure of her absent older brother. And Sharin had stopped speaking to me too. She might still be angry about yesterday, but in times like these, it’s best to approach her yourself.
“Hey Sharin, I’m sorry about yesterday. I had a little too much to drink and said some terrible things.”
“Ah, it’s fine. I’m sorry too.”
“Right, want to go grab something to eat? Let’s run there, even though it’s raining.”
I forced a smile. I didn’t want our relationship to continue to be strained like this. I placed my hand on her shoulder. Despite her small stature, I felt solid, thick muscles under her clothes. At the same time, I reflexively pulled my hand away.
What, what was that just now? Sharin is turning into a man, which is only natural. But why? What did I feel? Emotions I didn’t understand myself swirled around in my head.
Sharin left with a apologetic look. I felt like I was left alone, adrift. I felt an unreasonable sadness. I knew I shouldn’t, but my eyes naturally welled up. This is just like… Thinking that, I shook my head and brushed it off.
No, I am me. Even if my body changes, my inner self is the same. Calm down, organize the situation first, then make the next plan. First, gather everyone and pack our luggage. Right, I need to pay for the mirror before we leave the inn. Karubene earned some money, so it should be fine.
Then, we’ll continue our journey towards the Blackwind Forest. Enemies will probably attack us again along the way, but that’s not a problem. If we combine our powers, there’s no opponent we can’t defeat.
I’ll have Karubene and Cecilia search for Veronica. In the meantime, I’ll talk to Nina and Philiana. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on Philiana’s door. I explained the situation and asked her to come out.
“Going to see the Sage. Hmm, as for me, I’m fine just like this.”
“That’s one way to put it, but I want to go back to how I was.”
“I see, I’m sorry I didn’t notice. Nina, you come out too.”
When Philiana banged on the door, a voice from inside yelled, “It’s noisy!” Still, Philiana continued to persuade her.
“Please, we need to continue our journey. Really, don’t just be selfish.”
Then, the door opened with a click. Nina, with a terrible face, burst out from inside.
“Selfish, you say?! Fine for you, you like your appearance. I don’t like it. You’re going to see the Sage, right? Let’s go now.”
“Whoa, calm down. But your face is awful. Why don’t you shave that beard?”
I just poured fuel on the fire. The next moment, Nina had grabbed Philiana by the collar.
“What are you doing!”
“Shut up! You’ve been holed up all day staring at your own face. If you miss your Older Brother that much, why don’t you go home?”
“What did you say? You!”
The two, who had completely ignited, clashed and made a big fuss in the hallway. Even if I tried to stop them, I wouldn’t get away unscathed if I were caught between two large people. Nina pushed, and they went into Philiana’s room.
“Stop talking like that, it’s creepy.”
“Be quiet! I’m a woman! Why can you accept it so easily? Is this that important?!”
Nina grabbed a nearby ornament.
*Crash!* Finally, Philiana’s dressing table mirror was also destroyed. Ah, what am I going to do?
“What, what are you doing!”
This time, Philiana lunged at Nina. This is bad, if it continues like this, we’ll destroy the inn. Right, Sharin, and Cecilia. I’ll call them. I went out into the hallway and Cecilia, alerted by the noise, came running in a panic.
“The two of them are fighting, please stop them. What happened to Sharin?”
“Calm down, Sharin isn’t here right now. She left earlier.”
At those words, my mind went blank. What, at this moment, the only one who could stop those two was Sharin. My chest tightened, and my head started spinning again. From behind, I heard the sound of something else being broken.
“Wh-what’s going on? Hiroaki, wh-what’s happening?”
Even Lauren came out. Wait, I’m thinking now. Right, Elana.
“This has become quite a situation.”
“Elana, help me! Can you stop them from fighting?”
Good, I’m grateful she’s here when I need her. My feelings calmed down a little.
“It’s difficult. I can’t use hypnosis magic or anything. But I’ll try my best.”
Elana and Cecilia entered the room where the two were rampaging. Please, let this subside somehow.
“Hmph, and here I thought you’d be fighting even when I returned.”
A somewhat hoarse, low voice. Cold sweat ran down my spine with a bad premonition.
“Yo, brat. Or should I say, little lady?”
“…Veronica.”
