I have a little something I can do. I thought so, and I felt like I could still work on it.

I'm still afraid to use magic, but I'm fortunate to have something to do.

When I pressed Mr Ceres' arm back, I looked up at Mr Ceres' tall face.

"Thank you, Mr. Ceres. I'm feeling a little cheerful."

"Good."

"Yes, the two of us will return Maria to her former world."

Turning a smile, Mr. Ceres laughed at me too.

But when you can pull that smile in, you turn a serious eye to me.

"You know, Lucia, you said earlier that you were afraid to use" chavon. "

…………

A weak sound that I accidentally leaked.

I wasn't going to tell anyone, but when I saw Mr. Ceres' face, I was relieved.

And I was ashamed, and nagging again; but when I rinsed, I was smothered, and turned upwards.

My blue straight eyes show my anxious face.

Mr. Ceres is also visible in my eyes looking at it. He had quietly scowled his eyes enough to see that.

"You don't have to use it."

"Huh?"

Without losing sight, Mr Ceres said so.

You don't have to use it. It took a little while for that meaning to penetrate into me.

"If you're scared, you don't have to. I'll protect you, so you don't have to force me to use magic. It's only natural to be afraid. Because you had nothing to do with the fight. I'll fight. If you're scared, I'll protect you. You don't have to work on your own anymore."

"Ceres, …"

"So I want you to remain you. There are people who can be saved by you being you. Me or something."

Oh.

I understand Maria's feelings.

I was desperate to protect him then, and I didn't know, but the hand I was reached out to when I was thinking of it, the heart that leaned on me, it was really, really warm.

"This is -- you're gonna cry."

"Eh?"

Remembering Maria, who cried to collapse, I smiled. If I don't force myself to laugh, I'm going to raise my voice and cry.

Hey, Maria.

I am the same. I'm so happy that I want to cry.

You can be so relieved to have someone to protect you.

I had forgotten this feeling because for a long time now I had no one to protect me on the side of protecting someone.

Like when your mother was fine, you didn't have to work hard, 'cause I was so happy that you wanted to cry when someone told me I'd protect you.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Ceres. I was so happy. I'm scared. He's gone."

With that said, Mr. Ceres laughed with great pleasure.

Looking at that smile, something like cold, heavy clay that was around my chest went off somewhere.

It felt warm and fluffy to be stuffed instead.

I think I like it. This, this guy who gives me kindness.

I think it's a love that won't come true. I know they say we're not going to make it.

But I can't seem to stop what I like.

You are free to think. So you're allowed to be as sneaky as you like to be, right?

At the end of his journey, Mr. Ceres will surely become famous not only as a "dragon killer hero” but also as a "savior hero”.

That could make it harder to exchange words, either because you can't reach them anymore. Like before, eating lunch together and talking about it can be an unfulfilled dream.

But for as long as you're traveling, you're allowed to speak intimately... aren't you?

At least I want to be on my side, at least during this journey.

'Cause it's the first time I've liked it.

Don't worry about it, forget it. Even if you spend time trying to forget it, if this is how your feelings shake quickly, you can't do anything you didn't see anymore.

Then what do you want to be on your side and add a little more memories to?

My neighbor's sister used to tell me that my first love didn't come true. Even more memorable because it doesn't work.

If it's to be remembered, I'd prefer Mr. Ceres with a smile. Stay on your side, talk, take care of each of them, and say goodbye with a smile on your face.

"Mr. Ceres."

"Yeah?"

Love it.

Swallow that unspeakable word, and I took the lamp that Mr. Ceres had in his hand.

"Let's just go. If you don't get some sleep soon, it'll be early tomorrow."