The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
After making various arrangements.
After handling all the aftermath.
Finally, the hectic time came to an end.
"……"
Alone, I moved to a park near the inn and gazed up at the night sky.
I was the only one here.
Everyone else was asleep.
Lately, so much had happened… so much had truly happened, and everyone was exhausted.
I couldn't feel anything but gratitude.
For lending me their strength up to this point.
For following me, even as things escalated this far.
No matter how many times I thanked them, it would never be enough.
"Well, not that they’d want me to say it."
Even if I expressed my gratitude, they wouldn't think much of it.
They’d just say it was something they wanted to do.
But still, that wasn’t enough for me.
If possible, I wanted to find a way to repay them.
But how?
It was quite the challenge.
At least, I had time.
From now on, I would think it through carefully.
"And… are you waiting for the right moment to startle me?"
"Oh my."
A playful voice rang out, and a silhouette appeared.
Bathed in the moonlight, it was—Iris.
"I was hoping to surprise you, but just like last time, you saw right through me. Do you have eyes in the back of your head, Rain-sama?"
"Not at all. But I think you should be more aware of the sheer amount of magic you possess, Iris."
"Hmph. So being a Celestial has worked against me this time, huh?"
Iris puffed out her cheeks, looking slightly sulky.
Even so, she stepped up beside me.
"Are you sure you should be up?"
"Yes. Fighting is out of the question, of course, but a nighttime stroll should be fine."
"I see… That’s good. But are you really okay? You’ve been bedridden all this time—your strength hasn’t returned yet, right? Maybe you should still be resting."
"Are you my mother now, Rain-sama?"
Iris gave me a look of exasperation.
"Your mother, huh… Well, I’d be honored, in a way."
"Are you really proud of that…?"
Her sigh deepened—
Then, she chuckled softly.
"Hehe… Rain-sama, you really are an amusing person."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Of course not. That was a compliment."
"Doesn’t feel like one…"
Our conversation carried on, light and meaningless.
Just an ordinary, everyday chat.
But this moment was so precious.
So overwhelmingly joyful.
Being able to talk with Iris again like this…
It made me truly, deeply happy.
"…I'm so glad."
"Fwah!?"
Before I knew it, I was overcome with emotion and pulled Iris into a hug.
She stiffened, letting out a surprised noise.
"Eh? W-Wait, Rain-sama!?"
"I'm just… really glad…"
"S-Suddenly hugging a lady like this… What do you think you're—"
"Sorry. It just hit me all at once… That I really, truly managed to save you…"
"…Honestly."
Iris had been flustered at first, but her voice softened.
Then, gently, she wrapped her arms around my back.
She hugged me in return.
"Rain-sama, you’re like a child."
"Haha… It’s pathetic, isn’t it?"
"Not at all. It’s very endearing."
Iris tightened her embrace.
"……"
"……"
Neither of us spoke.
Without words, we simply held each other.
I felt Iris’s warmth.
I could hear the beating of her heart.
She was alive.
"Thank you."
"Huh? Why is Rain-sama the one saying thank you?"
"I just felt like it. Thank you for being alive."
"……"
Gently, Iris pulled away from me.
But the distance between us was still close.
If either of us moved even slightly, our faces would touch.
At such a close distance, Iris gazed at me.
She kept looking, and looking…
And then, she smiled softly.
"I should be the one thanking you. This is the second time you’ve saved me, Rain-sama."
"The second time?"
I couldn’t recall the first.
Noticing my confusion from my expression, Iris continued.
"You saved me from a world where all I knew was revenge… a world of darkness where no light could reach. That was the first time."
She gently placed a hand on my cheek.
"And the second time… you saved me when I was on the brink of death. You didn’t just bring the Phoenix Clan to me—you called out to me when I had already given up on life. You tethered my heart to this world once more."
She placed her other hand on my other cheek.
"No matter how many times I say thank you, it will never be enough. No matter what I do, I can never truly repay this debt."
"You don’t have to worry about that. I just did what I wanted to do."
"Honestly… do you really think I can just accept that? To receive so much and not feel anything? I’m not that shameless, you know."
"Well… I suppose."
I understood how she felt, but I truly wasn’t expecting anything in return.
Even if she wanted to do something for me, I wouldn’t know what to ask for.
"That’s why—I will make a vow."
Iris leaned in closer…
"I will become your sword, your shield. This body, this heart, this soul… I offer them all to you. I vow to stand by your side for eternity."
And then…
She quietly pressed her lips against mine.
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