The morning of the Survival Event had arrived.

“Don’t go… sniff, Ken, please don’t go…”

After finishing breakfast and getting ready to leave, Raphne, as expected, was clinging to me, trying to stop me from leaving. She had her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, refusing to let go.

“R-Raphne, I swear I’ll come back. I promise,” I said, trying to reassure her.

“But… but…” came her muffled voice as she pressed her face against my back.

She had seemed resigned to the situation during breakfast, even though she was a bit gloomy. But now, she couldn’t hold back her …