My vision was bogged down because I was crying.

But running on a familiar path is not an obstacle.

Run, run, run.

That's how we got there was the tower we were used to going through.

Think of it, I always come here when it's hard.

It's always here that comes to mind when you're frustrated with more painful thoughts than you can have yourself.

I run up the stairs and aim for the heavenly side.

Highest... I can see everything in the city. When I got there, I immediately searched for him.

But he... Louis wasn't there.

Will it ever show up so conveniently... and when I'm about to get into the spot?

"Were you here too, Mel? Long time no see."

Moments, I look back.

"Louis......"

He looked at my face and had a slightly surprised look on his face.

"What's wrong, Mel?

I don't answer that question.

No, I couldn't answer.

He approached Yotayota and him, and cried out in tears, trying to cling to him.

He just held me in silence without asking me any more.

... Then how long have you cried?

I even cried, cried, cried... I was tired of crying, and the tears stopped.

Black Moya Moya, such as pain and anger, also seemed to shed with tears, and now I am much more calm.

... but now my heart was bothering me in a different way.

In that reality, that I'm leaving it to my emotions and holding on to Louis.

I'm ashamed, I can't look up.

"... have you calmed down?

More and more embarrassment solicits in his sober voice.

"Oh... sorry, all of a sudden...!

"... never mind. More than that, are you okay?

"Ugh, yeah... when I cried, I was a little refreshed..."

Saying so in panic, he pounded and gently slapped me on the back.

"Well, calm down. So, can I ask you what happened?

"... it's..."

When I cloud the words, he laughs bitterly.

"I don't want to tell you, you don't have to."

"... yeah"

Then I told Louis.

that he was aiming to join the National Army.

And that they stuck it out as impossible.

My words, which I leave to my emotions from time to time, were messed up in chronological order and everything, which would have been hard to hear.

But he listened quietly without breaking his hip until the end.

"... you're straight."

That's how I smashed everything I wanted to say and it was those words that he whined to me when I was silent for a while.

"Straight?"

"Yes. You're going in a straight line on this and the path you've decided to take," he said. I respect your attitude and hard work. "

"Ugh... oh, thank you"

Just a compliment, I'm stuck with words.

"That's what I thought on my own.... You've derailed the story. So you can't join the National Army...? If you just give up the man's words, that means it was a wish to that extent."

In a painful ear word, I glanced at him reflexively.

He laughs bitterly at my expression like that.

"You have a number of options."

"... that simply means give up the National Army?

"It's not. I mean change the way you see it. For example... Right. In the first place, why did you want to join the National Army? What are you polishing your martial arts for? Is it to honor the armed forces or protect the people?"

"It's..."

To his doubts, this time I looked down as I thought.

"First, think about it from there. Isn't it a good opportunity to look back on yourself from a broader perspective? Was it a purpose to join the National Army, or was it a means"

To his inquiry, I cannot answer.

"If the former, now you should cry as much as you want. If the latter, why do I need to cry? If it was a means, think again about what you're after. Goal, maybe we could call it. What is the approach to that goal?"

"... it's hard."

"Let's say, for example, that you wanted to join the National Army by making use of the sword moves your goal had built up so far."

"Yeah."

"Is the only way to take advantage of sword moves is to join the National Army?... wouldn't it? You can also join a knight with a recommendation, and deal with swords if you're a mercenary."

"... Indeed"

"Well, that's just an example. One at a time, you just have to think about it. Firstly, a goal shall be set. From there, I'll figure out a few ways to get there. As a result, if you thought it was best to join the National Army..."

"... then?

"You can shift to those who think about how you can get into the National Army"

"But he said he couldn't join the National Army..."

"... oh yeah. No woman has ever been a woman and joined the National Army. But why not?

"It's... it's"

He laughed at me for jamming words.

"What? You don't get it, do you? Stick to the reason, crush the problem one by one... and let me admit it, you should be the first soldier in the national army."

I felt as if the scales had fallen from my eyes.

At the same time, sure, and I laugh.

Now I have no idea why the hell women can't join the National Army.

Is that because you're weak?

Or simply, is that what the law stipulates?

I guess it's because I don't know, I felt like I was being denied myself unilaterally and I wasn't convinced.

"Yeah...... right. I'll think about it. I don't know why I wanted to join the National Army, properly again. Think about it, think about it. Still, if you think it's all I have, then... I'll give you a scratch."

To my words, Louis grinned with a dazzling narrowing of his eyes.