Twilight painted Orario's sky in crimson gold. Syr and Ryuu stood at the side of the street, quietly waiting for Bell to return.
"Thanks for pretending to be his lover," Syr said softly.
"I didn't do anything."
After Airmid's confession earlier, Ryuu's embarrassment had eased a little.
"As long as we got through it, that's what matters. I'll be counting on you again next time, okay?"
Syr gave a gentle smile, tossing the troublesome task back to her friend.
"Next time…"
Ryuu frowned without noticing.
"You know we can't turn back now," Syr explained.
The lie had already taken shape—Hestia now believed Ryuu was Bell's lover. To keep it from falling apart, they could only stack more lies on top of it.
In a sense, Ryuu had already stepped onto a path she couldn't leave. For her friend's happiness, there was no retreat.
"Syr… are you really alright with this?"
Ryuu realized she could speak more honestly when the boy wasn't around.
"Of course it bothers me. Just like with Airmid."
Syr lifted her hand toward the sky, as if trying to catch the tail end of the setting sun.
"To me, Bell is like the sun. If I hide him away and keep him all to myself, he'd just become another Magic Stone lamp. His light can shine only when he's free under the open sky."
"..."
Ryuu only half understood her words, but she knew Syr had thought it through carefully before compromising. Syr's feelings for the boy had grown far too deep to abandon.
A breeze brushed past. Feeling her friend's resolve, Ryuu made a silent vow.
Next time she acted as his lover, she wouldn't make a single mistake.
...
Airmid felt the warmth lingering in her palm. In the nightmare she'd had days earlier, the boy's warmth had been just as comforting.
She slowly opened her eyes. The person she had longed for day and night was right before her.
"Airmid-san, you're awake."
Bell looked at the Dea Saint lying on the bed and spoke gently.
"I… I'm sorry. It was such an important moment, and I…"
Airmid had fainted before she could even hear his reply to her confession.
"Your familia members said the alchemy room's light was on all night. Airmid-san… you didn't sleep at all, did you? You kept using healing magic, right?"
Magic Potion recovery wasn't limitless. The more someone drank in a short time, the more resistance they built. Airmid had worked nonstop, using magic without rest until her spirit finally collapsed. The fact she held out this long was already a miracle.
"I'm just a little tired. Nothing serious."
Airmid forced herself to answer.
"Please rest properly. I know you were pushing yourself because you wanted to finish the curse-breaking potion sooner."
Bell reached out and gently brushed aside her silver hair.
Looking into her gem-like violet eyes, he continued, "I heard it all. During alchemy… you even used your own body as the target of the cursed blade."
Airmid shook her head. It wasn't supposed to be like this. She had only followed her heart, offering her strength to the boy. She should have confessed with a smile and received his reply.
Now it felt as if she was begging for pity with her own misery.
Why couldn't she have held on just a little longer?
"I… I don't want it to be like this…" Airmid blurted out.
If his love came from sympathy—
If it was bound by obligation or kindness—
Airmid would rather not have an answer at all.
Because that would be… far too sad.
"Please lie down. The doctor said you need proper rest."
Bell stopped her from sitting up, speaking softly, as if reading her heart.
"Airmid-san, I like you. Very much."
"..."
The scent of potions drifted through the room. What had always been a bitter smell now felt faintly sweet.
Airmid froze, stunned by the sudden confession. He had seen right through her. That was why he hadn't replied earlier—he wanted to speak his own feelings first.
In her violet eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, countless emotions churned and surged.
Bell didn't wait for a response, instead continuing his own monologue:
"I love Airmid-san's earnestness, so earnest it borders on clumsiness."
"I love how completely focused you become when you talk about your patients."
"I love the graceful beauty of your form when you chant Magic."
"I love your silver hair, your gem-like eyes…"
In the quiet room, Bell's voice was soft, yet every word sank deeply into Airmid's heart.
"Airmid-san, I like you. Will you go out with me?"
"Mm…"
For the first time, Airmid felt such an intense flutter in her chest. Unable to hold it back, she began to sob, the countless emotions in her heart condensed into a single "Mm."
Bell gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
The two of them poured all their feelings into that silent moment.
After a long time, Airmid whispered,
"Someone else is waiting for you. Please go back first."
Airmid knew the boy's dreams and understood his relationship with Syr. She didn't ask for anything more; as long as this love could blossom, that alone was enough to make her happy.
Bell could tell her words came from the heart. "Then rest well. I'll come back later…"
Just as he was about to rise, Airmid kissed him.
Unlike Syr's, the Dea Saint's kiss was deeper, fiercer. Their tongues intertwined, as if she were trying to make up for the concession she'd just made.
Airmid reluctantly pulled back, murmuring, "Adventurer, you mustn't say unlucky things like that."
"True enough. Then I…"
Bell let out a bitter laugh, feeling that no matter what he promised, it would become a taboo for an adventurer.
Airmid blinked, a faint smile softening her delicate features. "Just spend two hours with me each day… no, considering the numbers have increased, one hour… but even that…"
Bell gently stroked her head and pulled the blanket over her. "If you rest properly, I can stay with you all night."
"…Th-that kind of thing… is still way too early!"
Airmid flushed and ducked under the covers.
Bell chuckled. Who was the one who suddenly pressed her lips to his just moments ago?
"Please leave! Right now I don't want to… no, I don't dare see you again…"
Airmid thought back to her impulsive action, the lingering taste of the kiss still on her lips.
"Mm."
Neither Bell nor Airmid said goodbye. They both knew their next meeting wouldn't be as rushed or accidental as today's.
...
Dusk deepened as night approached.
Bell arrived at the meeting place and joined the two waiting for him.
"That took forever…"
Syr didn't ask about his conversation with the Dea Saint—she had already expected the outcome.
"This date is still going on…" Ryuu couldn't help complaining.
After everything that had happened, she was exhausted—more worn out than after swinging a sword all day.
Looking at the boy, who somehow looked even more energetic, Ryuu asked,
"Cranel-san, did you drink something? Why do you seem even more lively now?"