“But we can’t rest easy yet. Neries definitely took a step forward, but… There’s a chance some little thing could spoil it.”
“W-why do you think that?”
“People’s hearts are unstable. Even if you think you’re facing forward, a small thing might make you face down again. There might be a darkness you haven’t expelled from your heart yet. It doesn’t seem like a problem that can be solved by talking about it once.”
Ryuuga’s real feelings were also in those words.
His association with Yuugo and the others made him start to face forward, but learning Raiha’s secret trapped his heart in revenge again… Something could cast a shadow on Neries’ heart once more.
Raiha understood what he meant, and felt a little guilty as she asked a question.
“So what can be done? What should we do for Neries?”
“I want to say don’t ask me questions, but… Being called short-tempered annoyed me. It has nothing to do with you, but I’ll answer.”
As before with Setsuna, Ryuuga’s attitude was a little cold with the combat miko.
But he was also working on it in his own way, and despite having mixed feelings towards Raiha, he kept them in check.
Before, he would have said his phrase and brushed aside her question, but he accepted it, even if there were some thorns in his tone, and stated his opinion.
“As I said, isolation breeds negative feelings. It’s fine when she’s with Yuugo and the others, but once she’s alone in her room again, there’s a chance her heart will return to darkness with isolation.”
“So someone should be with her?”
“That’s it. It would be nice to have a roommate she could talk to, but sadly, she doesn’t have that. That’s the problem.”
“Then can’t a friend stay with her? There’s an empty bed…”
“No. Considering that girl Peewee’s personality, she’ll be too concerned about her once they’re alone. Neries needs a splint for her broken heart to recover. If you take care of her too much, it would be like poking around a wounded area. It could have a negative effect.”
“So if you warn Peewee about that…”
“That’s no good either. Neries knows how Peewee is very well. She’s not an idiot, she’ll know right away her friend is being considerate of her. And that will make her feel bad.”
“T-this is quite difficult…!”
“Yes, it is. It’s an emotional issue.”
Ryuuga said that was no good, this was no good, and Sakura groaned with her face twitching.
He agreed with her, shrugged, and Yuugo stumbled his way towards them after his punishment.
“Ryuuga~…! You could’ve stopped An a little~…! You caused it, right~?”
“Sorry. But we’re talking about something important.”
“Eh? What? What are you talking about?”
Ryuuga did a good job deflecting the issue, and explained to Yuugo what they were talking about.
Yes yes, said Yuugo while nodding, and he responded with a serious expression.
“I see… I was also concerned about her not having a roommate. It’s a big deal that she doesn’t have someone to vent to when she needs to, so I wanted someone to be with Neries…”
“But Ryuuga said it would be difficult to pick that someone. What should we do?”
“Can’t it be… someone here? Excluding the boys and the grade schoolers.”
“…It’s tricky. Melt’s personality is too bright, An and the combat miko have too different departments and positions, so Neries would feel alienated and pressured. Yuugo is an abnormality to begin with, I doubt Neries would open up to someone else upon first meeting her.”
Said Ryuuga to Yuugo.
Setsuna and the others heard his answer, and began listing the conditions for Neries’ roommate.
“A personality that’s neither too close or too detached, and someone who will support Neries when needed but won’t be forceful with her…”
“It has to be an acquaintance that would not trouble her if they suddenly became roommates, correct?”
“And obviously, this is a girl’s dormitory, so it has to be a girl… It’s tricky.”
“And it would be nice if she had something in common with Neries. It would make it easier for her to open her heart.”
“It gets harder the more I hear… Is there someone who would fulfill these conditions?”
Listing off the conditions made it clear this was difficult.
Yui thought about any student that would fit, and as Yuugo listened, someone came to mind.
“Hn? Hnn? Hn~…?”
Hearing that made him think of someone.
It seemed there was someone who matched them perfectly… He thought, and clapped his hands.
“Ah! There’s her!!”
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