Interlude:
Two Girls in School Uniforms
MEANWHILE, outside the Remote Magic Tower…
Two girls in a certain classroom garnered attention from the rest of their classmates. One of them—Kurosaki Rei—sat in the row nearest to the window. Her beauty made many fall in love at first sight, but she carried an unapproachable and solitary air about her, as if she were a rare flower at the top of a mountain. No one dared speak to her, and she seemed to prefer it that way.
Except the second girl, who did dare. She shattered the silence around Rei without hesitation.
“Thanks for inviting me out last time, Rei-chan!” Yui bubbled.
Kasai Yui was cute enough to earn her fair share of crushes, but unlike Rei, she was open and kind to everyone. All of her classmates, regardless of gender, really liked her.
“…You’re welcome,” Rei replied.
In the past, the two girls had no reason to interact with each other. Something was different, and now, the curious ears of their classmates listened in to their conversation with keen interest. The boys were especially curious, which was to be expected given the popular girls in question.
“Hey, Kasai-san and Kurosaki-san are talking!” a boy whispered.
“What do you think they’re saying?” another asked.
“I’m dying to know…!”
Whether they noticed the boys watching or not, Yui and Rei talked as if they didn’t.
“I keep thinking about how amazing you are, Rei-chan. I had no idea I was the only one of us that day without a unique skill. What does it take to be unique, anyway?”
Yui’s shoulders slumped. Rei thought for a moment, then answered.
“No need to be upset. Rin said so before, remember? He said you have an abundance of talent as a healer. You don’t need a unique skill for that.”
“You mean it?! Huh. Rin-senpai had such nice things to say…tee hee. I’m kinda flattered.”
“Grrr…!”
Rei tilted her head at Yui, then pinched her cheeks and stretched them.
“Whadd’re you doin’, Rei-hyan?” Yui asked. “Why my wheeeeeeks…?”
Rei released her without comment. It wasn’t jealousy, that was for sure!
Suddenly, somewhere around them, someone said something about cute girls getting physical. Then a crash sounded, as if someone had fallen off their chair. Rei pretended she imagined the fuss.
Meanwhile, Yui reminisced like nothing had happened. “Thinking back, my senior guildmate said I’m a talented healer too. Maybe I should believe her.”
“Senior guildmate?”
“Yeah! We’re only two years apart but she’s so strong, cool, and kind that you wouldn’t believe it! She’s gorgeous too!”
“It sounds like things are proceeding well with your guild. That’s great.”
“He he he, thanks, Rei-chan! With your party disbanded, are you going to keep soloing? What do you think about joining a new guild or party?”
“…I’ve considered it. Going solo is challenging. The fact that Rin can do it is rather unusual.”
“Well, Rin-senpai is in a league of his own!” Yui declared.
“That’s definitely true.”
The girls continued their gossip about Rin and began to giggle. Yui then sat up abruptly, as if a thought had donked her on the head.
“Hey, Rei-chan! If you’re debating where to plant your roots, I have a suggestion…”
Yui’s eyes sparkled as she explained her idea to Rei. Rei listened intently, leaning forward as her interest grew.