As if replaying the previous day's events, Senji sat down beside Amane.
"So, I heard you consulted Yuunagi about magic? How did it go?"
Senji started with a casual topic, deliberately avoiding the main issue for now. Amane let out a small, wry smile before she began to respond.
"Well, how do I put this… If you ask me how it went, all I can say is, 'Wow, Yuunagi is amazing,' I guess. But, he just says things like, 'I somehow got it' or 'Just focus on the magic within your body' or 'If you chant the name, it'll work'… Like, yeah, it's not that easy! If I could do that, I wouldn't be struggling!"
Amane imitated Yuunagi's tone, and it made Senji chuckle. It seemed Yuunagi wasn't the best at explaining things.
(Well, to be fair, I've been using my 'Disguise' skill on instinct, so I'm in the same boat.)
"That sounds rough."
"Totally! I mean, I can't blame him for taking the time to help me, but… That's what I'm struggling with! That's why I asked for help!"
"I get it. By the way, how does your healing ability show up in your status? Is it part of your job or a skill?"
In Senji's case, his job abilities included a -1000 modifier to his ethics, while his primary skill was 'Disguise.'
Amane hesitated for a moment before explaining her status.
---
**'Blessed Maiden'**: Magic cost for healing is reduced by 90%, with a +400 boost to magic power.
Skill: 'Blessing' – Able to use all healing magic.
---
"Apparently, magic requires 'aptitude,' and without it, no matter how much you chant or pour magic into it, the spell won't activate. My skill increases my aptitude for healing magic, which means… I *can* use it, but… well, not really. It's like, 'I can, but I actually can't!' Ugh, it's so frustrating!"
"You're pretty emotional, huh?"
"Of course I am! A hopeless healer like me is supposed to go into a dungeon in a week! But, I guess it's pointless to say that to someone who's not going, huh?"
Amane gave him a sarcastic side-eye, and Senji laughed it off.
Arguing in response would only worsen the mood, which wasn't something Senji wanted. His interest in Amane stemmed from her ability—an ability he planned to recruit for his own benefit.
He wasn't about to drive her away.
"Yeah, I don't care if you can use healing magic or not. Just vent if you want. If it helps relieve some of your stress, I'm all for it."
Senji spoke gently, his tone soft and supportive. Amane realized she might've been too harsh and showed a sheepish expression.
"…Sorry."
"I meant what I said, though."
"That makes it even worse… But, I really am scared. What am I supposed to do if a useless healer like me goes into the dungeon?"
Amane took a deep breath and glanced around to ensure no one was nearby before continuing.
"Can I say something awful?"
"Go ahead."
"Promise you won't tell anyone?"
"I won't."
After Senji's swift reassurance, Amane's eyes darkened, something he had never seen back when they were still in Japan. Her voice was strained as she forced the words out.
"…I don't want to go into the dungeon. I'm not afraid of failing to heal someone and getting them killed. That's not it. It's just… I don't trust anyone… not my friends, not the knights, no one. I *want* to trust them, but I can't bring myself to. Because… because I don't have any way to protect myself…"
"…"
Senji stayed silent, encouraging her to continue.
"If I go into the dungeon, and the person in front of me runs away, I'll die. If they get hurt and I can't heal them, I'll die. When it comes down to it, I have no choice but to rely on others. But the people around me, whether they're from school or people I met here, are all just 'strangers.' I have no idea if they'd risk their lives to protect me. Those kinds of thoughts keep swirling around in my head, and it's driving me insane…"
Senji silently listened to Amane as she poured out her feelings. On the outside, his expression was serious, but inside…
(Man, this girl's thoughts are a mess. Well, let's just keep nodding and pretend to care.)
He nodded along as she continued, giving empty responses like "I see," and "Go on," while letting her unload all her worries. Sometimes, simply verbalizing pent-up emotions could help relieve some of the pressure.
Once Amane had said everything, Senji posed a simple question that had crossed his mind.
"Hey, Amane… Have you been sleeping well?"
"Huh? Oh… Not really. I just keep thinking about everything, so I've been waking up every couple of hours."
Her confused look turned to realization as Senji held up one finger and offered her some advice.
"There's a saying: 'Don't think about things late at night because it'll always lead you to a bad conclusion.'"
"Is that true?"
"Yeah. You might feel like you're focusing more at night, but it never leads to a good solution. If you're feeling overwhelmed, just… you know, *take care of yourself* before bed."
"Take care of… huh?"
Senji continued, trying to act like he hadn't noticed her glare.
"By the way, Rinyu says she does it."
"WHAT!?"
"Yeah, apparently her race doesn't need sleep, so when she's bored at night, she has nothing else to do."
"You're the worst!"
"It's not my fault! She's the one who said it! I'm just piecing together the facts."
"What kind of conversations do you have with Rinyu!? Wait, are you always thinking about stuff like that?"
"Well, I think about other things too, but yeah, mostly."
"You're such an idiot."
Amane pouted and looked away.
"Yeah, probably. But that's my point—you need to take it easy. Relax a bit, and you'll start seeing things differently."
"Pfft, like that'll change anything—"
"You know Yuunagi's voice goes a bit higher when he's casting magic, right?"
"…Huh?"
Amane gave him a confused look as Senji shifted his gaze toward Yuunagi, who was currently sparring with Rinyu under the blazing sun.
Yuunagi looked every bit the part of a serious mage… until he shouted, "*Flame Ball!*" in a high-pitched voice that echoed across the field.
"See? I think it's because he gets really into it. He probably doesn't even realize it. What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing!"
Amane quickly covered her mouth and looked away, her shoulders trembling. In the distance, Yuunagi's voice rang out again, "*Flame Spear!*" and Amane finally cracked.
"Pffft, h-hehehe! Why… why is this… s-so funny?!"
Yuunagi's next spell, "*Flame Sword!*" pushed her over the edge.
"Hahaha! S-Stop! I c-can't—hehehe!"
"Maybe that's the secret to using magic. Why don't you try it out?"
"W-What?! No way! That… that can't be it!"
Tears gathered at the corners of Amane's eyes as she clutched her stomach, laughing.
After a while, once she had finished laughing and caught her breath, she lightly poked Senji's side, teasing him.
"You… you jerk! My stomach hurts now!"
"How is this my fault?"
"It's totally your fault, Senji-kun! Ugh, seriously!"
"But you feel more relaxed now, don't you?"
"…Yeah."
Though she pouted, Amane nodded slightly.
"What I was trying to say earlier is that it's not bad to think about things, but it's also important to have enough room in your head for silly stuff like this. Also, make sure you get a good night's sleep."
"But… it's not like I can just make myself sleep, you know?"
Amane sulked like a child, and Senji couldn't help but smile.
"Want me to come by and sing you a lullaby?"
"Ew, no thanks!"
"Well then, either think about Yuunagi's voice or… well, you know what to do. Just focus on something funny and let yourself relax."
"I have some issues with those options, but… fine. I'll try not to think too much at night."
"Good. And if you ever need to talk things out, just let me know. I'll help you find a solution. Don't hold back."
"Right… Thanks, you perv."
Amane gave him a half-hearted, grumpy smile, her face still flushed with embarrassment. Then, as if curious, she leaned closer to Senji and whispered in his ear.
"By the way… Senji-kun, how do *you*… you know, handle it?"
"Whoa, didn't expect this conversation to take this turn."
"I-I mean, it caught me off guard earlier, but… well, I don't mind this kind of talk. So, how do you deal with it?"
Surprised by her unexpected shift in attitude, Senji shrugged
. It was probably just teenage curiosity.
"Well, I usually just… handle it at night."
"But we're all in borrowed rooms."
"If you care about that, you're just going to lose. Just make it more fun by imagining you're messing with the butler who has to clean up."
"Haha, you're gross. But maybe I'll use that as a reference."
"Ouch, harsh."
"I told you, I'm not holding back anymore. Did that bother you?"
Amane alternated between playful insults and genuine concern.
"Nah, if anything, I like that it's easier to talk to you now."
"Wait, was that a confession?"
"Who knows? Anyway, I better get back to training."
With that, Senji left Amane with a parting wave and returned to the other lower-ranked heroes.
---
"Looks like you were having fun."
"Oh, were you watching?"
Waiting for him was Setsuna, pouting with puffed cheeks.
"Not really watching, more like… I could see you. You seemed like you were having a lot of fun."
"Yeah, I guess it was fun."
"…Well, whatever. Not like it matters."
(You're the one who asked though…)
Senji kept that thought to himself as he reached for Setsuna's hand just as she turned to leave.
"Huh? What is it?"
She looked back at him, and Senji silently observed her—the way she avoided his gaze, the sweat on her brow, the rhythm of her breathing. Then, when she exhaled deeply, Senji spoke.
"How about we go out next time we have a break?"
Setsuna blinked, momentarily stunned.
"…What?"
Her voice and expression were laced with an almost hopeful curiosity.
Senji, always the calculating type, read between the lines. Her feelings weren't romantic, just a deep attachment she'd developed after being alone for so long.
(*Perfect. She'll be even more dependent on me soon enough.*)
Smiling warmly, Senji crafted his response carefully, layering it with just the right amount of awkward charm.
"Uh, it's like… asking you on a date, I guess? Or is that a no?"
Rubbing the back of his neck and turning slightly away as if embarrassed, Senji played the part of a shy, hesitant boy. Normally, this wasn't his style, but for Setsuna, it was the ideal approach.
He was basing it on none other than *Yuunagi Taka*, the ultimate play to win over someone like Setsuna.
Completely unaware of Senji's manipulation, Setsuna's face turned crimson as she shyly nodded her acceptance.
"No… It's not a no. I'll… keep my schedule open. I'm looking forward to it."
Blushing, Setsuna hurriedly turned and rushed off, leaving Senji behind.
(*Now, on to the next step in the capital preparations. Geez, so much to do…*)
Stretching, Senji returned to his training.