**Episode 042: From Regret (Yuna’s Perspective)**

He was stabbed and collapsed right before my eyes.
Ah… It’s because we didn’t realize the extent of their desires.
While we were paralyzed by the poison, unable to move, he was made to experience this because we were brought to a place like this.
How foolish I am.
I should have been more cautious.
I should have been more careful.
I should have gathered more information.
Various regrets cross my mind.

But beyond my own foolishness, there is something I absolutely cannot forgive. It’s the man standing before the one who stabbed him. We will kill him even if it means sacrificing ourselves.

That’s what I thought, but my hands are still tied, and I can’t move.

“I won’t forgive!!”
In my place, Kana narrowed her teary eyes and glared at the man.

“Hey, hey, there’s no more hero here, you know? Hehehe.”
The man effortlessly deflects our gaze, mocking us.

It seems like he believes we can’t defeat them.

“Kana!!”
“Yeah!!”
Understanding my intention, Kana quickly picks up the sword Kotaro used and confronts him. The sword has a color I’ve never seen before, and I realize it’s much more powerful than the equipment we use.

“Hmm, that looks like a good weapon. I’ll take that!!”
“If you can, why don’t you try?”

I thought so, but Kana’s voice trembled slightly in response to the man’s intimidation.
It seems the fear from earlier hasn’t completely faded. I understand because I feel the same. However, I’m not confronting them directly, so I don’t feel the fear as intensely.

It was really scary at that time. I thought it was all over. Our precious things were taken by those disgusting guys in front of us, and in the end, even our human dignity was taken away.

I thought so.

Until he defeated all of them and removed the cloth from our mouths, I didn’t feel like I was alive.

But we were saved. He saved us.

I felt relieved, and my tension was released.

“I’ll make you regret that attitude later, so be prepared.”
“I don’t need your blabbering.”
“Hahaha. That’s the spirit! Let’s go!!”

The man rushes towards Kana barehanded.

I know Kana is pretending. If we continue like this, we’ll be prey for these guys this time.

Someone, please… Someone help…

I could only cling to that thought and pray.

“Tei!!”
“Gubo!?”

However, the next moment, the man collapsed on the floor. It’s because he was struck down by him, who was supposed to have been stabbed and fallen.

“Huh? Why are you still alive?”
“Well, that’s because I am alive. But, you know, I didn’t expect to be attacked so suddenly, so I was surprised and fell down.”

I was bewildered, and he, standing in front of me, explained to Kana, who couldn’t understand the situation. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“No, I don’t mean that. Why didn’t you get up right away when you were stabbed?”
“Well, I thought I was done for at first, but it didn’t hurt at all. So, when I looked at my side and saw there was no stab wound, I finally understood I wasn’t stabbed. Then, I gave him a chop as payback. I couldn’t completely nullify the damage, though. Hahaha. I guess the bodysuit is really strong.”

“It’s simply because Kotaro is weird.”

It’s like a comedy show to think that he thought he was stabbed until he confirmed it himself.
While laughing, he praises his own bodysuit. Kana, realizing that the conversation is not going well, rephrases her question.

“Well, there might be a level difference, so that might be the case.”

Being answered seriously, Kana, who was also serious, shrugs her shoulders.

“Sigh… Don’t worry us like that.”
“Sorry, sorry. Forgive me.”

Kana sighs in exasperation, and he awkwardly chuckles, scratching his head.

“I won’t forgive… What if I say that?”
“Well, let me see. How about I grant one wish for each of you within my capabilities?”

Responding honestly to Kana’s joking remark, he shrugs his shoulders.

Even that part is honestly charming.

“Sure, I’ll forgive you for that.”

Kana probably didn’t expect to receive such an answer, but unable to dismiss an unexpected harvest, she seemed to have agreed with it. I wonder what Kana is going to wish for. Could it be that she’ll go for it alone!?

I suddenly feel anxious.

“Thank you. So, what’s your wish?”

Although I want to interrupt him, as I didn’t anticipate an outrageous wish, it’s not the right time to disrupt the conversation. I can only watch.

“Being caught by these men like this, and getting rescued again, we might not have the right to say something like this. But we want you to make us stronger. And from now on, we want to stay with Kotaro.”

Huh? That’s unexpectedly modest?

I never thought she would express a wish for me too, and my eyes widened unintentionally.

“I see…”

He folds his arms, appearing to be deep in thought.

“Is that not okay?”

“No, training is not a problem. However, being together means forming a party with me, right? In that case, it would be better if you lived nearby, but our place is far away, and there’s no other house nearby. Still, it’s not practical for us to live together in one house. I’ve been thinking about what to do.”

Kana’s latter request seems to be falling on deaf ears!!

I didn’t think he was so insensitive!!

This seems like it could be a formidable enemy.

“In that case, we’ll live together.”

However, Kana intends to accept the condition of living together.

Under the same roof as him. A romantic life awaits them.

“No, no, that’s not good. I’m still a healthy high school boy, and besides me, there are two other guys. Living under the same roof with the opposite sex is not a good idea, and I can’t take the two of you, who were just attacked, to a place where there are only guys.”

But Kana persists, planning to live together. It seems like a lovey-dovey life is waiting for them.

“But…”

Unexpectedly, he shows concern for our safety, sincerely worried about Kana’s choice, and tries to find another option.

“That’s fine.”

“Huh?”

But Kana insists. Perhaps she didn’t expect this response, as my voice came out stupidly.

“I’m telling you it’s okay.”

“No, I mean…”

“I am saying that we are okay with it.”

After correcting herself, she prepares to press on, seemingly ready to stop him again.

For a while, the two stare at each other.

“Sigh… Fine, let’s do that.”

“Thank you.”

And so, we decided to go with him.