Chapter 6

Reis and Maro were about to be warned, but it was too late.

The black mist that overflowed from the ceiling instantly enveloped the surroundings. The moment it touched me, the strength drained from my body.

My head quickly became hazy, and my consciousness was slowly pulled into the darkness.

My vision turned completely black, and then a cold, emotionless voice echoed from somewhere.

――I don’t like such a woman. Rather, I hate her. I really hate her.

...Ah, this is what a nightmare is, I thought, still retaining a bit of my sanity.

It wasn’t a gentle memory like during the festival. Only the painful and sad emotions resurfaced vividly, gnawing at my heart.

The scene from that day replayed as if floating in the mist.

Reis, who still had the appearance of a young boy, was looking at me with a gaze like a blade, rejecting me. Even though I understood that this was a dream shown by the demon’s mist, I couldn’t resist the pain of distant memories.

The scene changed again, and Wal, who was sleeping as if dead, started to fade away from his tail.

Even though I tried to call out Wal’s name, no sound came out of my throat.

Ah, I don’t want this.

I don’t want important beings to drift away anymore.

“Reis... Wal...”

The words that finally came out were hoarse and weak.

But by managing to make a sound, the fog in my head began to clear a little. I heard someone calling me “Sue” as if I were a child, sobbing.

Was that Wal?

Is Wal calling me from somewhere in this cave?

...It’s been a long time since I heard his voice like this, just like when we first met, and a smile escaped my lips despite the dire situation.

After parting ways with Reis, I spent days with a gaping hole in my heart, always hearing a voice that worried about me.

“Hey, did something sad happen? Cheer up!”

“Itai, itai, fly away! You won’t be lonely, I’ll be with you!”

“I’m over here! I’m right here!”

When I realized it was a spirit and called out, I finally met Wal face-to-face.

I baked a strawberry pie as a token of our acquaintance, but since I wasn’t used to making it, it burned. However, Wal enjoyed it and finished it all.

I remember being surprised that spirits could eat human sweets.

“Hey... Was it Wal? Can you eat sweets and chat with me like this again? ...Will you suddenly hate me and disappear from in front of me like that guy?”

In response to my probing question, Wal, without hesitation, answered “Of course!” while munching on the burnt pie.

“I’m a newly born spirit, so Sue is the first person I’ve become friends with! I like you, Sue! I want to play a lot and become even better friends!”

“Thank you... I also want to become better friends with Wal.”

“Wow, that’s what ‘liking’ means! Great! Then let’s always be together, Sue!”

“Okay.”

I naturally smiled and nodded at the generous and straightforward affection.

My heart, which had been rough, felt saved by Wal’s innocence.

That’s right... We promised to always be together back then.

Even after Reis left, I was able to recover and not fall into despair because Wal was always there for me. He supported me.

This time, I have to go and get Wal.

Now that Reis has finally returned to me, we have to go and get Wal together――

“――Sue!”

The blackness burst, and my vision suddenly opened up.

Reis, who was not in his childhood form but was by my side now, ran over with a worried expression on his sharp, handsome face. The mist around us had completely cleared, and instead, countless soap bubbles, shimmering with light, floated in the air.

Reis knelt in front of me, who was sitting on the cold ground, and checked my condition.

When he realized I was fine, he let out a deep sigh of relief and suddenly wrapped his arms around me. I jumped in surprise.

“Reis...?”

“It’s my fault for being careless... I’m sorry.”

“...If so many emergencies happen one after another, anyone would have a hard time dealing with them.”

I patted his broad back to convey that it was okay. I was already grateful enough for being protected from the falling rocks.

And... just the fact that Reis didn’t leave like in that nightmare was a relief to me.

“More importantly, are you okay? The mist showed me unpleasant memories... These soap bubbles must be Maro’s ability, right?”

I couldn’t see Maro’s figure among the soap bubbles, but he must be using his ability somewhere to clear the mist. These soap bubbles seem to have a purifying effect.

I was worried if Reis had seen some kind of nightmare like me, but... for some reason, his arms tightened around me.

His black hair swayed softly close to me.

“I’m fine. Didn’t I say I have resistance to the demon’s influence? ...I’ve seen the dream of killing you hundreds of times.”

“Reis...”

Despite his words, Reis’s arms only tightened, and he didn’t let go.

Our heartbeats and body heat intertwined.

Even while pretending to be calm, he seemed to be desperately confirming my presence.

I whispered in his ear, “I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry. Didn’t I say before? I’m not that weak to be killed by you. I won’t die easily.”

“...That’s right.”

Reis raised his face and smiled lovingly, though slightly weakened, with his red eyes softening. His arms finally released me, and he gently lifted my disheveled bangs with his long fingers.

The gentle and somewhat seductive gesture made my cheeks gradually heat up.

This is...

Reis’s ‘extreme pampering mode’...!

When he gets into this state, his natural charm intensifies, and his sweetness towards me doubles.

It’s heart-stopping. The power is immense!

Reis’s fingers gently slid from my hair to my cheek.

Even though I felt ticklish, I stood still with a red face, and then I heard a weak voice calling my name.

I quickly broke free from Reis’s sweet embrace and stood up.

That was Wal.

He’s nearby!