The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 362: For a friend

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

Mille-feuille and Chocolat exchanged glances.

"It seems like there's only one answer, right?" Their eyes seemed to be confirming this.

"We'll agree if Chiffon wishes it," they said in unison.

Iris, receiving their answer, pondered for a moment, furrowed her brow, and asked again.

"What exactly do you mean by that? I don’t quite understand, so could you please explain it in more detail?"

"It's not that complicated, really."

"It's simple. If Chiffon wants to dream, then we want that too. That's all."

"So, in other words... is it because Chiffon is the hero and the leader of the party, and therefore has the final say, that you’re following her lead?"

"Not quite."

"It’s not like we have to do what Chiffon does, or that there's any rule or obligation to do so."

"We just want to fulfill Chiffon's wishes. That's why we support her desire to dream."

Hearing their explanation, Iris's expression grew more troubled, as if she had been asked to solve an incredibly difficult problem.

She couldn’t understand them. But for now, she decided to hear them out a little more.

"So, basically... because Chiffon wants to dream, you two agree with her. Is that what you're saying?"

"That's right... see? It’s a simple answer, isn’t it?"

"I see... but why would you do that? It seems like you’re lacking any independent thought..."

"That’s not true. We always act with Chiffon’s best interests in mind. What Chiffon wants... is what we want."

"Why would you come to that conclusion...?"

"Because..."

Mille-feuille and Chocolat looked at each other.

They nodded slightly...

And spoke in unison.

"Because we’re friends."

"......"

"Chiffon is a dear friend, even before being a comrade. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we're bonded by our souls as best friends."

"We want to do something for such a friend. If she wants something, we want to accept it too. It’s only natural to feel that way."

"You, who were once called a demon, might not understand... But humans have that trait, you know? Acting on emotions, without any concern for gain or loss."

"Chiffon has been hurt so many times. She’s cried so much. So she deserves a break. No one has the right to criticize her for it."

I see... Iris finally understood their argument.

If it were her former self—freshly released from her seal—she would have laughed it off as nonsense.

Acting on emotions? How foolish.

Not being able to act logically? That could only be described as stupidity.

...Back then, she would have reached that conclusion.

But Iris was different now.

She had learned that humans sometimes act based on emotions...

That they can act irrationally at times...

She had learned about human emotions, love, friendship... and the compassion

She had learned this through her encounter with Rain.

However.

Let me be blunt.

"Are you stupid?"

"What!?"

Mille-feuille and Chocolat's faces stiffened as their argument was cut down in one stroke.

In contrast, Iris remained calm... though she showed a slight hint of irritation.

"For the sake of your comrades? For the sake of your friends? Are you really accepting dreams as a reason for that? How should I put this... it's simply idiotic."

"Are you picking a fight?"

Chocolat glared at Iris, her anger barely contained.

Iris's words were a denial of their feelings.

It was as if she were saying that their friendship was fake.

That was something they could not tolerate.

Chocolat, who usually had a laid-back demeanor, was now radiating a fierce anger, glaring at Iris with intensity.

"What do you mean by calling us stupid? Could you explain that in detail? Depending on your answer... I won't forgive you."

Mille-feuille also showed strong anger, a force that rivaled that of a bird of prey, as if ready to tear out someone's throat at the first opportunity.

But despite their anger, Iris remained unfazed, still wearing a look of exasperation...

However, she seemed willing to continue the conversation, like a teacher calmly advising a poor student, speaking slowly and with patience.

"I didn't intend to call your friendship stupid. Well, perhaps my choice of words was poor, and for that, I apologize."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I was saying that you yourselves are the ones being stupid."

"So you are picking a fight, then?"

Even as they wore threatening expressions, Iris maintained her stance of exasperation.

"Doing something for a friend, for a friend's happiness—those are fine things, and I think they're wonderful. But aren't you just abandoning your own ability to think? You stop thinking at the point where you decide it's for a friend and go no further. What if continuing to dream brings about serious problems?"

"That is..."

"Isn't it important to hold onto your own thoughts until the very end, rather than abandoning them?"

Something in Iris's words struck a chord, causing Mille-feuille and Chocolat to waver slightly.

However, they quickly regained their resolve and spoke with more strength.

"Even so, I want to grant Chiffon's wish!"

"Then let me ask you... If we set aside Chiffon’s wishes for a moment, what do you yourself think about this situation?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking whether you, Mille-feuille, and you, Chocolat, are personally in favor of dreaming, or against it?"

"Well, Chiffon..."

"Please, forget about Chiffon for a moment. This is a hypothetical question. If Chiffon weren’t in the picture, what would you think about dreaming?"

"...I think it’s not a good thing."

After a brief hesitation, Mille-feuille spoke out against dreaming.

Chocolat nodded in agreement.

"Dreaming is happiness, but in the end, it’s just an escape from reality. I don’t think it’s good."

"But you don’t know how much Chiffon has been hurt... Isn’t it a friend’s duty to heal that kind of pain?"

"Isn't it precisely because you’re friends that you have to stop her from making mistakes?"

"!?..."

Iris's words pierced deeply into their hearts.

"You both believe that dreaming isn’t good, right? Then you should stop Chiffon. Even if Chiffon wants to dream, even if she cries and screams about it, you absolutely must stop her."

"That can’t be..."

"No, but..."

Unable to strongly refute Iris's words, Mille-feuille and Chocolat looked confused.

Seeing this, Iris pressed further with her argument.

Speaking from her own experiences, from the emotions she had gained.

She expressed her own thoughts.

"It’s not just about indulging someone. Sometimes, you need to be strict with them. Even if it means becoming enemies, even if it means fighting them, if you care about them, you should confront them with your beliefs... with what you believe is right. Isn’t that what truly caring about someone means?"

Iris placed a hand on her chest, recalling her past as she spoke.

Yes... Rain had always thought of her.

With a warm smile, he had melted her frozen heart.

And when she made mistakes, he had stopped her with all his might.

Even if it meant becoming enemies.

Even if it meant fighting.

Isn’t that what it means to truly care about someone?

Just as Rain had done for her...

Because she had come to think this way, Iris couldn’t agree with Mille-feuille and Chocolat’s sentiment.

She had to absolutely reject their way of thinking.

"I’ve learned this. Rain taught me. That’s why I’ll act according to my own beliefs. But what about you two? Without following your own beliefs, you’re just indulging Chiffon. Can you truly say that’s the right thing to do?"

Mille-feuille and Chocolat couldn’t say anything.

Their hearts were shaken deeply, leaving them unsure of what to do.

Seeing them like this, Iris spoke quietly.

"Mille-feuille and Chocolat, what is it that you truly should be doing right now? Please, think about it once more. If, after that, you still wish to fight me, I will face you with all my strength."

TL Note- Naruto-talk no jitsu......

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