Shi ni Modori, Subete wo Sukuu Tame ni Saikyou He to Itaru

- Tina side -

Today is the day Eric's father, Mr. Dean and the others, return from the king's capital.

And he came back earlier and bought me the tools and stuff that everyone in the village was waiting for.

I also had Mr. Dean buy me the knife I asked for.

The previous knife tried to cut something a little stiff and the blade was missing and I couldn't use it anymore.

But I can finally cook with the knife you bought me this time.

Now I can cook for Eric......!

I want Eric to eat fast!

I want to make dinner at Eric's house soon, and I look around trying to talk to Eric.

"That... isn't there?

I should have been behind you earlier, but I can't see Eric.

"What about Eric, Mr. Dean?

Talk to Mr. Dean, who is still handing out what he has bought to everyone in the village.

"Hmm? Eric said he'd talk to the guy I brought in. We're back home."

"Who brought you here?

"Oh, he seems to be from the Knights of the King's Capital. I need to talk to you about the last demon raid."

Knights man......?

I'm not sure, but Mr. Dean was also questioned about the situation by the Knights, and when I told him about Eric at that time, he followed me to this village.

"That's right..."

They're talking at Eric's house now, so I decide to go, too.

It could get in the way, so I guess I'll just take a look inside through the window and then decide if I want to come in.

You're in trouble if they interrupt you when you're talking about something important.

Yeah, I never ask because I care, because I shouldn't disturb you.

That's what I thought, and everyone in the village is still getting stuff from Mr. Dean and getting out of the thriving place and heading to Eric's house.

We get to Eric's house, we don't go in there, we go to the back yard.

There's a living room window when I get there, so I can see what's going on inside.

If you go sneaky enough not to make footsteps, you'll hear voices from inside the living room.

Sometimes I hear Eric, but I've never heard anyone Eric is talking to.

Maybe that opponent is from the Knights.

Get close to the window and take a peek so you don't find out what's going on inside.

Eric is sitting at the table in the living room, and a man is sitting opposite him, and two men are standing on that side.

The guy sitting there...... his face is faceless and some kind of scary image.

And - I can hear that person.

"I'd like you to join the Knights of the Kingdom of Begonia."

... Huh?

All of a sudden I get upset when I hear those words.

Join the group, want...? You mean to Eric?

Eric seemed surprised by the word, too, and the person... I was asking someone named Yele.

Mr. Yelle said he wants talent...

Yeah, I don't know much about the Knights, but I guess it's like a profession to protect the kingdom......

So you want good people, I know.

I know the best thing about inviting Eric is that he's strong and good.

I've been with you for years, and I know the most about Eric.

So I'm as happy as I am about myself that Eric can be admitted...

Looks like we're done talking about thinking that, and Mr. Yelle and the two people behind him are going somewhere.

Eric also goes outside to drop it off.

While I hide in my backyard too, I turn to the front door so I don't find out.

Eric drops off the Yelles at the front door... thinking outside for a while.

And when I turned around trying to get inside the house...... I saw Eric's face chilling.

The face was - a face determined to do something.

I know I've been with you the whole time.

What a response Eric made to his earlier invitation.

Eric - I guess he'll be joining the Knights.

I already... Whatever Mr. Dean or Serena says, Eric joins the Knights.

Oh well... Eric is joining the Knights...

I guess joining the Knights means Eric is going to King's Capital......

Then... I don't see him much...

"... Huh?

When I thought that far, I noticed something telling my cheeks.

Put your hands on your cheeks...... that was a tear.

I was weeping before I realized it.

The moment I realized that - my heart was filled with only sorrow.

"No... no...! Eric and I don't want to leave...!

When I say so, tears overflow all at once.

Eric......!

We've been together forever. Ever since I was a kid.

Sometimes he tried to be next door consciously, and sometimes he stayed next to me, even though he wasn't conscious.

Before this, I thought Eric was dying and the tears had dried up...

Why are you crying so much again?

... maybe because I already know that Eric is definitely going to King's Capital.

I've been crying on the spot for a while... but I thought Eric might find out if I was here, and I'm out of the backyard.

And I walked into the woods so no one could see me crying.