Published at 17th of August 2019 9:10 am

Volume 18, Chapter 2: Magician and Apprentice

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

Wednesday, September 8

The woman who once called herself a magical girl, Rainbow Nana was awfully small. She had a small stature to begin with but the artificial limbs that supplemented her body were imperfect, giving her forward leaning posture. As a result her already small body looked even smaller and combined with her slow movements, she gave of the impression of an old woman.

The reason her artificial limbs were imperfect was because the scientific level of her country, the magical kingdom of Folsaria, was low. Thanks to the existence of magic, the scientific technology that should have been developed had fallen behind. Since there was a limit on human assets, with the advent of magic it was only inevitable for scientific development to be delayed. When it came to creating artificial limbs, pure scientific knowledge was required. The reason being that an academic approach was required to understand how joints were structured and how muscles moved. Without that, all that could be done was simply creating parts that were shaped like human limbs, making natural movement was all but impossible. The movement became unnatural, like that of a puppets. So with that in mind, even if Nana was moving like an old lady, it was still amazing that it was still so human-like. That was made possible thanks to Nana's extraordinary efforts.

“Nice to meet you everyone. My name is Nana”

It was a voice that clearly belonged to an adult woman, but gave off a very cute impression. Not many years had passed since Nana aged past 20. Hearing a voice like that come from someone who moved like an old woman with a cane confused Koutarou and the others a little.

“Yurika-chan is always in your care”

”Nana-san is my savior and teacher. Please get along well with her”

Yurika supported Nana's body from the side. Appearance wise it looked like a grandmother and her granddaughter.

No wonder Yurika is so desperate... to think she is just past her twenties. I feel so sorry for her...

Looking at the two together, Koutarou finally understood why Yurika who had been so timid chose to fight as a magical girl. It wasn't simply because Nana was her savior. It was because she had been deprived of her duty as a magical girl and her happiness as a woman that even the Yurika from back then chose to fight.

We definitely have to do something about this... both for Nana-san's and Yurika's sake...

Koutarou's desire to help Nana strengthened further. He didn't know what he could do, but he wanted to do anything he could. When Koutarou turned his eyes back from Yurika to Nana, he found her staring straight into his eyes.

“So it really was you”

“Eh?”

Not understanding the meaning behind Nana's words, Koutarou was bewildered. Nana smiled as she used her right hand to grab at her let down hair. With many fingers of her hand being prosthetic it was a very awkward movement. But she finally managed to form a pigtail on one side of her head.

“Maybe you can't tell because more than ten years have passed?”

“Ah...”

Seeing pigtails on side of Nana's head, Koutarou recalled the mysterious girl he had met 11 years in the past. She had matured and her face had changed quite a lot, but she still had resemblance of her old self.

“You are... the girl I met in the mountains...?”

”So you do remember. Nice to see you again, good necromancer”

Happy that Koutarou remembered her, Nana smiled. To her, their meeting that night had been a special one, and she had never once forgotten it all these years. But since she didn't know if the same was true for Koutarou, she was happy that he still remembered.

“So you were Nana-san”

They had met on a mountain in the night, and she had helped when Kii, when Kiriha, had been kidnapped. Koutarou properly remembered her as well. He wasn't ungrateful, and since he had travelled through time it had just been a couple of months for him.

“Huh? Satomi-san, are you and Nana-san acquainted?”

“I wouldn't call us acquaintances, but... she helped me out eleven years in the past when I was on my way back home. When Kii-chan, I mean Kiriha-san, had been kidnapped”

When Koutarou said those words, Kiriha showed a surprised look. She rushed up to Koutarou and Nana and hurriedly asked a question.

“When you're talking about my kidnapping... do you mean she was the person who helped you in the back alley, Onii-chan!?”

Since this wasn't something Kiriha could overlook, she was very shaken up. As proof of that, the nickname of 'Onii-chan' which she never used in front of others was mentioned.

“Yeah. She took over for me and dealt with the people controlled by Maya, letting me go on ahead. That's why she's our savior”

”Oh I see... Ah, no, ahem. So that's what happened. I'll have to extend my thanks to you as well”

”Could you be the girl from that time?”

Listening in on Koutarou and Kiriha, Nana realized who Kiriha was. When she did, she smiled even more happily.

“Yes. Thank you very much for saving me on that occasion”

Kiriha smiled in return and bowed deeply. She hadn't directly met with Nana before but she had heard about her helping from Koutarou. She couldn't be rude to her.

“It's fine. That was my mission after all”

The person she had saved was living happily even now. To Nana, there was nothing that could make her happier. Even though she had lost her power, Nana was still a magical girl at heart.

“That's right, Sanae-chan. Nana-san is Kanae-san's friend”

“Mama's friend!? Now that I think about it, you and Mama know each other too. What relationship do you have?”

“Yes. Kanae-san fought with Nana-san against bad people”

”Just like us?”

“That's right, that's right”

Having received important information from Yurika, Sanae rushed up to Nana. And unusually enough, she very politely bowed.

“I'm Higashihongan Sanae. Thank you for taking care of mother”

”My... Sanae-san, you've gotten energetic”

Having realized who Sanae was, Nana rejoiced for her recovery. To Nana, Kanae was her best friend and older sister sort of mixed into one, and learning that Kanae's daughter had become healthy she felt truly happy for her. Even more so because Nana hadn't been able to save Sanae on her own.

“Yeah. Yurika and everyone helped me”

“Is that so”

Sanae only spoke in a polite tone for her greetings. Ever since Nana began smiling she had acted like her usual self. Since Sanae gave off a more energetic impression like that, Nana prefered her that way.

“You're Mama's and Yurika's friend right?”

“Yes. They are both my precious friends”

”Then you and I are friends too. Let Miracle Sanae know whenever you're in trouble. I'll do something”

”Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to it”

”Yes! Leave it to me!”

Sanae's simple and frank emotional display was easy for Nana to accept. With her also being Kanae's daughter, they were already friendly with one another. Finally, Sanae and Nana shook hands and once that was done, Sanae ran up to Koutarou.

“Koutarou! Koutarou!”

“What now, all of a sudden?”

“Hurry up and help Nana”

”Weren't you going to do that yourself?”

”That's why I'm using my authority to make you do it”

”...That's one way to go about it. But still, I feel the same way”

Higashihongan Sanae, the purple housework helper of the Satomi band of knights. With her overwhelming authority and influence, she was in full control of the treatment of Nana.

“But Koutarou”

”Hm?”

“Looking at it like this, there is absolutely no reason for us not to help Nana”

Theia who had silently been watching over them until now concluded thusly.

Koutarou, Kiriha and Sanae had all been saved by Nana, and Yurika was Nana's apprentice. While Theia and Ruth had no direct connection with Nana, they had been helped out by her apprentice. The same could be said for Maki, Shizuka and Harumi.

She had already saved many lives, and they were greatly indebted to her. There were no reasons not to treat her. If anything they had to give it their all to help her. This wasn't someone they could dismiss using excuses of secret technology.

“Yeah, you're exactly right, Theia”

“We can't have her laughing at us for being so ungrateful”

“Absolutely... Nana-san”

”Yes”

”Because of that, could you let us cure your body?”

The residents of room 106 were all in agreement. They would create the best possible artificial limbs for Nana and give her back a healthy life. At the very least they would let her live the life of a woman in her later twenties. If they couldn't give her a life like the ones they lived themselves, the residents of room 106 couldn't be happy either. This wasn't just for Nana's sake, but for all of them.

“...I would very much like to accept that. Thank you, everyone”

After thinking for a moment, Nana quietly nodded, probably because she understood that.

Part 2

Roughly half of Nana's body had been remade with magic. The reason her body had turned out that way was because she had poured her magical power into the magic focus point within her body before allowing to explode. She had resolved herself to death when she unleashed that attack, but through some strange twist of fate, she had evaded the grim reaper and was still alive to this day. However, having lost lost half of her body and her magic focus point she could no longer work as a magical girl. So she left Rainbow Heart and was now living a quiet life.

Nana was currently onboard the Blue Knight, receiving an examination in order to create a new body for her. She had changed into a hospital gown and was lying down on a large bed. Around her were all kinds of machines and devices, examining the condition of her body.

“Her spine seems to be curved. Maybe it's because of her mismatched artificial limbs. I believe we will need to take this into account when designing her new limbs”

“Pardomshiha, let's take complete three-dimensional data of Nana-san while we're at it. We can counteract her distorted frame by comparing the data to the average woman in her twenties”

“Certainly, Clan-sama”

Clan and Ruth were in charge of the scientific analysis of Nana's body. This was because they would be using Forthorthe's artificial limbs as the basic parts for Nana's body. Using Forthorthe's advanced science they should be able to create limbs that would allow Nana to move more naturally than she can with her current limbs made from magic.

“Kiriha, Nana's spiritual energy flow is a mess”

“That's not good. That would be a hindrance in her life and she won't be able to properly feel the surrounding hallowed grounds”

The spiritual energy experts Kiriha and Sanae were in charge of the spiritual energy related work. Normally the two were frivolous or playing around, but right now they were taking work seriously. That's just how much they wanted to help Nana.

“Karama, Korama, can you correct the flow using spiritual circuits?”

“We should be able to Ho”

“But Ane-san, it will cost a lot of money Ho-!”

”Money is not a problem. Take as much as you want from my personal assets”

”How generous Ho-!”

“As expected of Ane-san Ho-!”

“Sanae, can you bring the disordered spiritual energy flow into view? At least the parts that Karama and Korama can't pick up with their sensors”

“Okay, leave it to me. I'll give it a shot”

It wouldn't be all that hard to create a natural body using Forthorthe's science. However with just pure science, they would simply end up with a mechanical body. In order for Nana to properly feel the gentle breeze of the wind, the warmth of sunshine or the smell of the forest they needed the People of the Earth's spiritual energy technology. Moreover, they probably also needed the support of magic. Erasing the sound of the machinery operating and changing appearances was something magic was great for.

In other words, the girls were trying to create a substitute for the living body by combining the technology of Forthorthe and the underworld, and the magic of Folsaria. They didn't want Nana to become a cyborg, but to return her to normal a woman. That was the common wish of all the girls that had gathered here.

“Since we're at it... I'd like to work on the externals as well. Maki, is it possible to keep skin cells healthy through magic?”

”It's possible. You cast healing magic on the body, but if it's just the skin it won't take that much magical power. I believe it's possible with the magical power you can get out of the spiritual energy converter”

”Then let's spread skin cells over the surface. It would be such a bore if the artificial parts peeped through. Help me out, Maki”

”Yes, Your Highness”

Theia and Maki were planning on how to make the artificial limbs look more human. For the sake, it would be best if artificial parts couldn't be seen. This was just a problem of feelings, but it should greatly affect Nana's psychic health. This too was a very feminine consideration. In this kind of field, magic had a chance to shine alongside science.

The remaining three girls, Yurika, Harumi and Shizuka, were handling a similar problem to that of Theia and Maki.

“My outfit originally belonged to Nana-san, but I have touched up on it, so Nana-san can't wear it anymore”

”Then let's prepare a new one. We'll base it on Yurika's outfit but give a more adult arrangement”

“Nana-san is over 20 now, so she doesn't have that magical girl feel anymore after all”

The three were working on a new outfit for Nana. She currently wore clothes that were easy to move in due to her handicap. So it was only obvious that she would want to wear something more fashionable as a woman.

As the girls were all working hard on their own things, there was one person who wasn't working on Nana's body. It was the only man in the room, Koutarou. Instead he was wearing an apron and preparing dinner on his own.

”Blue Knight, why are you not joining the others in their work?”

Alunaya who found that strange spoke to Koutarou through the crest on the back of his right hand. Koutarou stopped working on the food and looked at his crest like one would look at their wrist watch.

“Alunaya-dono, though it might be mechanical, that is still a woman's body. Don't you think it would be rude of me as a man to join in?”

”I see. This is that thing isn't it? Tact. My niece always gets angry at me over that”

The impression of Alunaya cheerfully laughing was conveyed through the crest. When conversing through the crest, words were not needed. Koutarou was only speaking because he was unused to having a conversation in his head.

“Yes, that's right. We're intending to create a real body for Nana-san after all”

”Tact and obstinacy, huh? So that's why you're on dinner making duty”

”This is important work that someone has to do”

”That apron suits you well, surprisingly”

“Ahaha, thank you, Alunaya-dono”

Taking part in Nana's medical checkup and creating her artificial limbs could be considered seeing her naked. With that in mind, she probably wouldn't want a man around, and so Koutarou voluntarily offered to work on chores. Moreover, Koutarou was sadly just a high school student. Unlike the girls, there wasn't much he could do for her.

“Okay, I'm going back to work now”

”Yes, I'm sorry for interrupting”

After their discussion ended, Koutarou adjusted the position of his apron and got back to work. Alunaya looked at him work through Shizuka's eyes. He then muttered to himself so that Koutarou couldn't hear.

”He's as overly serious as always”

That voice reached Shizuka whom he was living inside of. In response, Shizuka laughed partly for fun and partly out of amazement.

“You think so too, Uncle?”

”Yes”

“Girls don't mind if someone as considerate as that sees their body”

”Because he has tact, huh”

“Yeah. But Satomi-kun, stubbornly doesn't accept that. He goes on about rules or morality, he's so thickheaded...”

Shizuka smiled wryly and dropped her shoulders. There was hardly any difference between letting a doctor see your body and letting someone considerate see it. Yet Koutarou refused. There was a limit to how far you had to go to uphold the rules and going beyond that would only cause him to lose out. Shizuka was a little irritated at Koutarou who was just too awkward.

”He isn't unaccepting because it would break rules or morals”

“Eh?”

”He can't accept the very reality that the girl called Nana can't live a normal life. That's why he won't join in. The Blue Knight wants to believe that you girls are creating a real body”

Thanks to the crest were even feelings were transmitted, Alunaya had realized Koutarou's true intentions. Koutarou wasn't actually too hung up on rules and morale, he simply couldn't accept that Nana was misfortunate. That's why the artificial limbs that the girls were creating had to be real. Koutarou had to treat it like a woman's body. He believed that these artificial limbs would be able to give Nana a happy life.

“Why do boys live like that I wonder...”

Shizuka found herself instinctively sighing from Koutarou simply being too awkward and straight.

”Even though you say that, you seem happy, Shizuka”

”Well, I'm happy after all”

However, after sighing, Shizuka was smiling as she reaffirmed how happy she was to have fallen for Koutarou. He was so awkward and could only walk straight forward, and Shizuka loved him for it.

“If I were to guess... is it because you wish to breed?”

“I have no intentions of that as of now!!”

However, because Alunaya's following words were far too tactless, Shizuka's bright emotions were swept away somewhere.

Part 3

While Koutarou's cooking couldn't compare to Kiriha's or Ruth's, everyone was grateful to be able to eat directly after finishing work. Because the recipes Koutarou had learned in the past Forthorthe were to be eaten during travel, much of the food was easy to eat during break periods.

Afterwards, Koutarou was mostly in charge of other chores so that the girls could work more easily. Since he didn't have any useful skills or womanly sensibilities, he believed it was better this way and he held dissatisfaction over his role. Moreover since this was something Ruth and the others normally did, he understood the meaning of it well.

However, there was one matter were Koutarou's opinion was requested.

“Koutarou, come over here”

”What?”

When Theia called Koutarou over her put down his broom and quickly walked up to the girls.

“Are you hungry again? Or would you like some coffee?”

“No, it's not like that”

Koutarou was sure this was another chore to do, but Theia shook her head. Instead, she pointed to the hologram floating in the air.

“We want your opinion on the combat system”

Theia and the others had called for Koutarou because they wanted his opinion on the design of the systems that moved the body.

Whenever there was battle, the girls all fought using their own power. However, Koutarou used science, spiritual energy and magic all at once. As a result, Nana would likely move similar to Koutarou once her body was complete. That's why his opinion on this matter was necessary.

“She won't need a combat system, right?”

While what Theia was saying was justifiable, Koutarou shook his head. Nana had fought enough, so expecting her to fight even more was cruel. Koutarou believed that a combat system was unnecessary for Nana's new body.

“I think so too, but Darkness Rainbow might not see it that way”

Theia looked down with a sad expression. She felt the same way Koutarou did, that Nana should only need to chase after happiness. However, if Darkness Rainbow learns that Nana has recovered, there was a high chance they might attack. They would inevitably believe that she would have the power to fight. The circumstances would change from now, where she was visibly handicapped.

“...So they won't leave her be...”

”Satomi-kun, this might sound strange coming from me, but... defeating Darkness Rainbow is the fastest way to keep Nana, no, Nana-san from fighting. But until then, I believe she needs a means to protect herself”

Maki, the former Dark Navy, backed up Theia's opinion. Having been a leader of Darkness Rainbow, her words were convincing. As a result, Koutarou reluctantly accepted their opinion.

“Okay, so what do you want to know?”

“First off all, since her body will be strengthened by spiritual energy, in the case that she moves faster than the maneuver suit―”

Koutarou joined in with the girls and began discussing about Nana's body. If possible he wanted to stay out of talking about a woman's body, but since this was regarding combat ,and on the software side of things, he didn't feel that much resistance to it.

Part 4

When Koutarou joined in, some others stepped out. They were Nana herself and Yurika. With Nana's medical checkup and data collection over, Yurika wanted to bring her to a different room. Yurika wanted Nana to get some rest since she had been getting a medical check up since morning, but Koutarou and the others were in the middle of a discussion in this room, so she decided on going to a different room.

“Nana-san, let's go!”

”Yurika-chan, it's dangerous to go that fast”

“It's okay!”

Yurika pushed the movable bed that Nana was lying on and ran towards the Blue Knight's hallway. Yurika was weak, but the bed was floating on the air thanks to the Blue Knight's power, so it was possible for her to run at full speed despite pushing.

“Last time I tried with luggage it stopped on its own before hitting a wall”

”So you've already crashed. Fufufu”

“I didn't crash. It stopped on its own after all”

”Fufufu, you're right”

It would have been normal for a handicapped person to feel fear when being treated this carelessly, but former magical girl of Rainbow Heart, Nana show no signs of such fear as she happily smiled.

“Take that! High speed cornering!”

“Kya Kya!!”

The two were making quite a fuss as Yurika ran, but they safely reached their destination, the cabin. By the way, the reason why Yurika didn't hesitate or got lost wasn't because she knew the layout of the Blue Knight, but rather because there was lights on the floor guiding her.

“This is Nana-san's room”

“It's awfully big”

Yurika had taken Nana to one of the guest cabins reserved for visitors. Since this was for special visitors, it was very big room with a substantial amount of furniture.

“Theia-chan is rich after all”

”...I don't think this is on the level of rich...”

Nana could tell at first glance that this was an abnormally luxurious room and was quite surprised by that, but Yurika on the other hand showed no signs of being intimidated by the luxurious Forthorthe-style furniture and boldly entered the room as she pushed Nana. Meanwhile Nana felt like her heart would stop every time Yurika almost ran into the expensive looking furniture.

Does Yurika-chan really get it...?

Nana wondered if Yurika was being so bold because she was so close to Theia or if it was because their culture was so different that she didn't understand the value of the items. Though Nana feared that it was the latter.

“Okay, let's move over to this bed, Nana-san”

”...Okay...”

Yurika brought Nana all the way to the bed in the back of the room and urged her to switch over with a smile. Nana wondered just how much that bed was worth as she slowly moved over from bed to bed. The movable bed automatically adjusted its height to the bed in the room, making it easier for Nana to move.

“Good work, Nana-san”

Yurika smiled as Nana laid down and pulled a blanket over her.

Nana-san was still small...

Having met for the first time in a while, Nana looked very small to Yurika. It was less because of her size and more because of her weak impression caused by her dull movements. The moment she noticed that, Yurika's smiled turned sadder.

“...You can take the rest of the day easy. It looks like there will be more analyzing and measuring, but they're scheduled for tomorrow onwards...”

However, Yurika didn't want Nana to notice that and tried to retain her normal smile. Her efforts paid off as she remained sad for a few days.

“Yurika-chan, there's no need for you to be sad”

However, Nana had known Yurika for long. She didn't overlook the sad smile that had shown on Yurika's face for mere moments.

“Nana-san...”

Yurika's eyes shot wide open in surprise. However, she soon recalled that she had never been good at hiding secrets from Nana. She was her master and her precious best friend. If Nana had been healthy, Yurika would have picked her during last year's scavenger hunt.

“...But... Nana-san, because of me, you...”

Yurika bit her lip.

That was something that happened over a year ago. Yurika was captured by Darkness Rainbow and used as a hostage against Nana. With Yurika as a hostage, Nana was in great danger as she couldn't put up any resistance. In order to escape from that situation, Nana caused the magical power inside of her to run rampant to blow herself up. Darkness Rainbow didn't expect Nana going so far for Yurika's sake and took the brunt of the attack.

Fortunately, Nana and Yurika were able to return alive, but the price to pay was far too big. Nana lost several parts of her body, and even with those parts replaced with magical limbs, she still lived an uncomfortable life. On top of that, she lost her ability to accumulate magical power and use magic. In order to save Yurika's life, Nana had given up her ability to fight and her ability to use magic.

“That wasn't because of you. It's Darkness Rainbow's fault for using a hostage. It's nothing for you to worry about”

Even though she had lost her ability to freely move her body and use magic, Nana was still a magical girl at heart, and there was nothing more important to her than the life of her friend. That's why Nana didn't regret anything and had no intention of blaming Yurika.

“Nana-san is right, Yurika”

That was when someone who supported Nana entered the room.

“If anything, Nana-san should be blaming me”

“Maki-chan...”

Maki entered the room. She wanted to speak with Nana, and since it was something difficult to talk about in front of Koutarou and the girls of room 106, she had been waiting for her chance.

“Yurika, it was us Darkness Rainbow that captured you. We were the ones that used you to corner Nana-san. That's why I'm the one that should be sad and apologizing”

When Nana blew herself up, Maki had been there as a member of Darkness Rainbow. Since she had been some distance away from Nana the explosion hadn't caused that much damage to her, but even then she hadn't suffered light wounds. Taking her injured companions with her to escape was the best she could do.

“Nana-san”

Maki stood next to Yurika and looked at Nana lying down. Deep sadness and regret filled her eyes. It was as if Yurika's feelings from moments ago moved over to Maki.

“I'm sorry for doing such terrible things. Darkness Rainbow was... no, the me back then didn't know what I wanted. That's why I eliminated everything I didn't like as a paradoxically attempt to obtain everything I wanted”

What Maki truly wanted was love, but she was unaware of that herself and used the power of magic to manipulate minds in an attempt to forcibly make lies and betrayal useless. If she eliminated everything she found displeasing, she should be able to reach her desired outcome. Having lost sight of what she truly wanted, Maki let her feelings run amok and devoted herself to her short sighted idea.

“I got you two involved because of my own self-centered feelings”

That had been the reason as to why Maki had been misusing magic, and the other six leaders of Darkness Rainbow should more or less have similar feelings running amok. As a result, that lead to violence, causing them to become hostile towards Nana and Rainbow Heart. Which in the end caused Nana to receive a wound that wouldn't heal.

“I know this isn't something that could be forgiven just by apologizing, but I wanted to properly say I'm sorry. I am so very sorry, Nana-san”

Meeting with Koutarou and the others, Maki realized that she sought after love. That had been why she used magic to eliminate lies and betrayal. However, that would only ever breed fear and rejection. The current Maki understood that, which was why she knew that she had to treasure the love that appeared in front of her. Thanks to that, Maki understood her own mistakes and sin, and was able to confront it. One could say that the handicapped Nana was the very symbol of Maki's sin. Maki was currently facing that straight on.

“Navy... no, Maki-san. I forgive you”

Nana forgave Maki. Without making a single grudgeful remark, in fact she seemed truly happy as she smiled.

“Nana-san...”

Maki was dumbfounded by Nana's smile. Since Nana had become handicapped because of her and the others of Darkness Rainbow, Maki suspected that Nana must at least have some negative feelings towards her, but Nana was smiling and Maki couldn't understand why.

“I was the magician of love and courage. While I might hate the sin, I won't hate the person. Love forgives all... I consider myself Rainbow Nana even now”

Nana took pride in having been an arc wizard of Rainbow Heart and what she had done. Even now that she had retired from duty, her feelings hadn't changed whatsoever. Nana didn't regret having become handicapped in the slightest, because it had been necessary for Rainbow Nana.

“That's right, Maki-chan. You being here is proof that Nana-san was right”

”Yurika...”

The end result of that was that Yurika was brought to Koutarou and Maki was saved from Darkness Rainbow, or possibly from loneliness itself. Looking at just that point, Nana was convinced that her decision was correct like Yurika had said. Nana was still Rainbow Nana even now. Her body didn't move like she wanted but love and courage was still within her.

“...Nana-san”

“Yes?”

”I feel like I finally understand the reason why I could never beat you or Yurika”

”Now that you do, I'm sure you could win against me or Yurika-chan”

“...That might be true...”

Maki wiped at the corner of her eyes and finally showed a smile. Yurika and Nana watching over her, showed smiles as well. They all knew that Nana had been right. Anger and hate was unnecessary for them. Even more so now that Nana's body was being healed.

“Nana-san, Yurika... thank you, for forgiving me...”

Maki had walked down the wrong path in life, but she had safely been able to change ways.

Part 5

As the atmosphere in the room grew more quiet, one more visitor appeared.

“Nana-chan!”

The person who appeared was Sanae's mother, Kanae. She jumped into the room and ran up to the bed. Since Kanae was Nana's old friend, tears filled her eyes when she saw her lying on the bed.

“Kanae-san!? Why are you here!?”

Nana who had always been smiling up until now, showed a shocked expression. She hadn't imagined that Kanae would show up here.

“I heard from my daughter that you were here and came running!”

Kanae seemingly thrust the others aside as she came up to the bedside, grabbing a hold of Nana's small hand. Kanae hadn't spent that much time together with Nana, but to her, Nana was not only a friend, but also like a sister or daughter to her. Having met Nana for the first time in a long while, Kanae was more excited than usual and that was the reason for the normally strict on manners mother had thrust aside Yurika and the others.

“What's with you, if you got hurt and had to retired you should have said so! You made me worry so much for nothing!”

The biggest problem Kanae had was that ever since Nana had vanished, she had never heard anything more from Nana. As a result, Kanae was worried that Nana might have died in battle.

“T-That's because if I carelessly contacted you then Darkness Rainbow would―”

Nana's previous confident attitude seemed like a dream as she was incoherent. Just like Kanae treasured Nana; Nana also treasured Kanae. Kanae had the power to return Nana to a normal girl. That was just how strong their bond was.

“Quiet you! What are you so scared of Darkness Rainbow for!”

“But, it's dange―”

“I'm much more worried if you are okay or not! You really are stupid!”

Kanae pulled on Nana's hand to draw her closer before hugging her. That was the kind of person Nana was to Kanae. Even though more than ten years had passed, those feelings remained the same.

“Kanae-san...”

“You have something to say don't you?”

”I-I'm sorry”

”Wrong”

“Ah... uhm, I-I'm back...”

After thinking for a moment, Nana whispered with reservation. At the same time she hugged Kanae back with her real right hand. As if responding to that, Kanae strengthened her embrace on Nana.

“...Welcome back, Nana-chan. I'm so glad you're okay...”

While they had only been together for a short time, Nana was someone special to Kanae and they had shared joys and sorrows. Now that she had returned, Kanae was unable to keep her tears from overflowing.

Part 6

“Yurika-chan, you didn't tell Kanae-san that I was okay?”

“I did tell her. That you had been seriously injured and that I took over your role”

“If you put it like that it makes it sound like she's died or is on the verge of death!!”

Nana, Yurika and Kanae continued chatting on for a while. Maki watched over them for a while before realizing that she was better off not being here. While she had been forgiven, she had once been their enemy. There was certainly things they couldn't talk about in front of Maki. That's why she slowly distanced herself from the bed without letting the others realize it and headed towards the exit of the cabin.

“Kanae-san you worry too much”

”At least explain it properly before you tell me that!”

“Now, now, Kanae-san, calm down...”

Fortunately, none of the three noticed Maki leaving the cabin as they cheerfully continued talking. Maki took one last look at their happy smiles before quietly leaving the room.

After entering the passage, Maki leaned against the wall and lost herself in thought.

Old friends, huh...

Darkness Rainbow was an organization that lacked bonds, instead they use each other. Because of that, there was nothing like friendship between the members. However, there was one person that Maki could call a friend.

I wonder if Crimson is worrying about me...

That was Dark Crimson. She was the simplest of the members in Darkness Rainbow, and being strong was her only desire. Her simplistic way of thinking and desire matched well with Maki's hate for lies and betrayal and the two respected one another. Not even Maki knew if that was even to call her a friend. However, she vaguely hoped that she could. At the same time, she felt sorry if she was making Crimson worry.

No... I might be having thinking about this too conveniently...

Crimson was a member of Darkness Rainbow. She wouldn't give up her way of life like Maki.

There's no friends that would worry about―

And just as Maki was muttering something sad to herself―

“Ei!”

―she was suddenly attacked by someone.

“Haryah!?”

Her arm was grabbed and twisted upwards, a simple joint lock. Maki was a trained soldier, so normally she would notice it before she was approached. She was an indigo magician that could manipulate minds. However, the person that had performed the joint lock had so little hostility within them that they had easily slipped through Maki's caution.

“How about it, do you give up!?”

”K-Kasagi-san!?”

Upon hearing that voice, Maki realized it belonged to Shizuka. She also realized that she hadn't noticed Shizuka not just because there was no hostility within her, but because she was also a martial arts expert. If a master without hostility killed their presence and closed in, there was nothing she could do.

“What's with that dark expression~ take that, and that~”

“Ow, ow ow ow”

Shizuka seemed strangely happy as she twisted Maki. However, since she had no intention of actually hurting Maki, she restrained herself so that Maki only felt some pain.

“W-What are you doing!?”

”I can't try out some moves without a reason?”

“N-Not normally, no!”

“Then it's probably because we're not normal”

“Ah...”

Not normal. Hearing those words, Maki understood what Shizuka was doing. Shizuka had worried for Maki and come to take a look at her. She had noticed Maki leaving the group with a brooding expression. There was only reason why Maki would do that, which was why Shizuka could easily find her and put her in joint lock.

“Cheer up, Aika-san! No matter what you're worrying about, we're with you!”

”Kasagi-san... no, I'm fine now”

“...Really?”

“Yes. How should I say this... when I'm like this, I feel embarrassed over my short-sightedness”

There were no friends that would worry about her. That was how Maki thought as she only thought about her past in Darkness Rainbow. But the truth was different. Maki had many friends, and in fact, Shizuka had come here, worried for her. There was no need for her to feel envious of Yurika and the others.

“Then that's good... Eii!”

“Ow ow ow, w-why!? A-Aren't you done!?”

”This is more about a martial artist's curiosity now. I was wondering how you will escape this, Aika-san”

”Then let me live up to your expectations!”

A smile returned to Maki's face as she counter attacked Shizuka. Having received a lot of training as a soldier, she had several ways to break free from a joint lock. As she attempted her counter attack on Shizuka, she thought to herself.

I think might have liked being able to do this kind of thing with Crimson

Maki thought of former ally who was now far away. If fate had let them travel down a different path, she might have been able to smile together with her like this. When she thought of it like that, Maki felt just a little sadder.

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