The next morning, after breakfast, Brandish glanced at Rain and Erza. A playful look immediately appeared on her face.
"So," she said lazily, resting her chin on one hand, "when are you two leaving?"
Although it sounded like a casual question, anyone could tell—Brandish was clearly trying to chase them off.
She knew these two were from Ishgar, not members of the Alvarez Empire at all. Sooner or later, they were bound to leave.
And once they did…
Wouldn't Dimaria leave with them?
Thinking of that possibility, Brandish couldn't help but smile inwardly—though the feeling in her chest was anything but relaxed.
"When are you leaving?" she repeated.
Rain laughed softly when he heard her. "What, do you really want us gone that badly?"
"Yes. Yes, I do."
Brandish nodded without the slightest hesitation and admitted it outright.
She really was worried. If Rain stayed any longer, Dimaria might actually follow him when he left.
That was absolutely not allowed.
"I'm sorry," Rain said with a calm smile, "but I don't plan on leaving just yet."
"What?!"
Brandish's eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief.
At that moment—
"Um… Brandish, there's something I need to say."
Dimaria spoke up quietly from the side, her gaze shifting toward her.
"What is it?" Brandish tilted her head.
For some reason, a very bad premonition suddenly formed in her heart.
"Brandish… if Rain leaves, I want to go with him."
Dimaria's voice was steady, serious.
"Huh—?! Wait—what?!"
Brandish froze for a second before finally reacting.
"Mari, wait a second—are you serious right now?"
There was a trace of anxiety in her eyes as she looked at Dimaria.
This wasn't some joke.
"I'm serious, Brandish."
Dimaria met her gaze head-on, her expression unwavering.
After everything that had happened, it was impossible for her to leave Rain behind.
"..."
Seeing that look, how could Brandish not understand?
Dimaria wasn't wavering at all.
"What is this supposed to be… what's going on here…?"
Brandish slapped a hand against her forehead, completely helpless.
After a moment of chaotic thoughts, she finally steadied herself and looked back at Dimaria.
"Mari… you understand what this choice means, right?"
"I do."
Dimaria nodded without hesitation.
She knew exactly what she was choosing.
But truthfully, she didn't feel much attachment to this place anymore. Leaving the empire with Rain felt… right.
"Then you also understand what you'll face once you leave the Alvarez Empire?"
"I know."
Dimaria nodded again.
As a member of the empire, she understood its purpose, its ambitions, and what it meant to walk away from all of that.
But none of it mattered.
Rain was the only one she cared about.
"...?"
"What's going on? Why do I feel like I don't understand anything they're talking about?"
"I don't get it either."
Erza and Rain exchanged confused looks.
Whatever these two were discussing sounded far too serious—and far too vague.
"Well… if this is your decision, then I won't say anything more."
Brandish let out a slow breath.
If Dimaria was truly set on this, then the only thing she could do was support her.
"Thank you, Brandish."
Dimaria smiled softly, gratitude evident in her eyes.
"Seriously… we're good friends, aren't we?" Brandish replied, rubbing the back of her head. "Of course I'd support you."
Still, as she looked at the way Dimaria smiled at Rain—so openly happy—Brandish felt something sour twist in her chest.
She had been treated that way before… but being treated like that by a man?
That was a first.
And this guy was acting like nothing had happened?
Wasn't that a little too much?
What Brandish didn't notice, however, was that Rain's gaze lingered on her for a moment—quietly strange.
"So… when are you leaving?" she asked, adjusting her mood.
"We're planning to leave later today," Rain replied.
"So soon…"
Brandish fell silent, saying nothing more.
Unlike Dimaria, she didn't yet have a reason to abandon the empire so easily.
Even if Rain invited her…
She probably couldn't accept it just like that.
"Here, Brandish. Milk."
Dimaria suddenly placed a bottle beside her hand.
"Ah—thanks, Mari."
Without thinking much of it, Brandish picked it up and drank.
Gulp.
In one go, she finished the entire bottle.
"…Keep an eye on her." ×3
What Brandish didn't notice was that Rain, Dimaria, and Erza were all staring at her—expressions instantly turning strange.
"Huh?"
Only after setting the bottle down did Brandish realize something was off.
Why were they looking at her like that?
Before she could think any further—
Bang!
Her forehead slammed straight onto the table.
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