“I just don’t like you. I don’t want to do this.”

Luss was stunned by Stion’s blunt words.

Being hated by Starchis’ family hurt her more than she imagined.

Aide’s party members watched Luss in a light-hearted mood, but when Stion got serious, they followed suit, shifting the atmosphere to a serious one.

It was rare for Stion to create such a serious mood, happening only a few times a year.

Luss thought about why Stion would hate her.

He had repeatedly said the incident involving the B-rank request was okay.

He understood it was an unavoidable accident.

So, it couldn’t be that reason.

Then, what remained was...

Luss clenched her already tight fist even harder.

She hoped it wasn’t true.

“....Did Starchis say he was struggling?”

“So you knew he was having a hard time?”

“....”

Luss did know.

But she thought since Starchis hadn’t mentioned it, it wasn’t unbearable.

She believed that if she just put in a little more effort to win him over, all problems would be solved.

But Starchis had been pushed to the edge, consulting with his brother.

She had no room to breathe.

In the end, it was the arrogance of thinking Starchis would confide in her if he had any worries.

“...I expected it, but he didn’t tell me-”

“-How could he tell you?”

“What..? ...Because I’m his best friend-”

“-You’re also part of the problem, how could he tell you?”

Luss’ eyes twitched.

‘...Me too?’

No.

Luss shook her head.

She thought she might have been a burden, but she believed she was better off.

“No..! Just yesterday, Starchis said he felt comfortable being with me...”

Under Stion’s piercing gaze, Luss’ confidence and voice faltered.

Her anxiety grew.

She didn’t want to hear the uncomfortable truth.

“Maybe recently, but until a few days ago, you didn’t even give Starchis time to rest. Did he still feel comfortable meeting you then?”

Luss stood dazed, recalling the past.

Regardless, Stion delivered painful truths to her.

“Even meeting family can be bothersome when they’re busy. Do you think it would be different with you? What gives you that confidence?”

She recalled Starchis’ awkward smile when he greeted her.

Now, looking back, it seemed slightly strained. Starchis had been hiding his pain behind that smile.

“Do you think Starchis is some kind of god? If you provoke him, he’ll get angry. If you pressure him, he’ll struggle. He wasn’t okay.”

Hearing that she had only made things harder for Starchis, rather than helping him, made Luss feel like her heart was sinking.

Luss had always thought that while she might not have been helpful in achieving Starchis’ dreams, at least she wasn’t a hindrance. Now, even that belief was starting to waver.

“Starchis was having a really hard time. He sighed so many times in front of me.”

Luss recalled Starchis’ weary sighs. Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck her. Her body stiffened.

“...Does Starchis hate me?”

That was the scariest thought for Luss.

Had Starchis started to hate her at some point?

Did he secretly wish Luss would just disappear?

She knew Starchis was an honest person, but fear clouded her judgment.

“....No.”

Starchis wasn’t the type to hate anyone by nature.

Even Stion found it frustrating. Luss, who had been tense, felt the strength leave her body and let out a heavy breath.

“Haa...haa...”

“Seriously?”

No matter how Luss reacted, Stion showed no mercy. He didn’t display even a hint of sympathy. He simply didn’t like Luss.

“After doing everything to deserve being hated, you react like this now?”

“...What?”

“You knew he was struggling.”

“I didn’t know it was that bad-”

“Enough. I’ve made up my mind. Go back. Improve your skills on your own.”

Stion didn’t want to hear Luss’ excuses. No matter the reason, the fact that she had made his brother suffer remained unchanged.

If it had only been making him suffer, Stion wouldn’t have interfered. But since his brother might have suffered permanent damage, Stion couldn’t take it anymore.

He didn’t want to talk to Luss any longer. He was ready to leave even before the car arrived.

Luss hurriedly stopped him.

“P-please, just once more. I don’t want to experience losing Starchis ever again.”

“Neither do I.”

Stion stared at Luss with steely eyes.

“But, what does me teaching you have to do with my brother being safe?”

“N-next time, I’ll protect Starchis.”

“It doesn’t have to be you.”

-Thump

Once again, Luss’ heart sank.

“It doesn’t have to be you who stays by Starchis’ side to protect him.”

“I... I...”

“While we’re at it, how about you leave the party?”

“...What..?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if someone more considerate of Starchis joined?”

‘Leave the party?’

That meant she was being told to stay away from Starchis.

Stion’s words were like daggers that kept piercing Luss’ heart.

If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have cared as much, but coming from Starchis’ brother and the leader of an A-rank party, it hit hard.

As a tear rolled down one of Luss’ cheeks, a voice interrupted Stion.

“Stion, that’s enough. This isn’t your concern.”

A man broke the icy atmosphere. He was bald.

“Parties need to grow naturally. The more you interfere, the more harm it could do to Starchis. You know that, right?”

Stion couldn’t deny it. Gathering work required more than just combat skills.

Trust, morale, confidence, and camaraderie among party members were crucial, as lives were on the line.

Forcibly removing and adding members unnaturally wouldn’t have a positive impact on the party.

Stion pondered the words of the bald man, ‘Boyle,’ and quickly recognized the truth in them.

He realized he had lost his temper.

“...You’re right. Forget what I just said, Luss. I got too worked up.”

Stion shrugged his shoulders in a gesture of apology and calmed himself. He reclined back into his chair.

At that moment, Seira returned.

“Alright, who wants tea... huh?”

She noticed Luss crying and looked at Stion.

Quickly understanding the situation, she distributed the tea she had brought.

She went over to Luss and gently patted her shoulder.

“Stion, calm down a bit. This kid must have made a lot of decisions to come here.”

Stion relaxed his eyes, which he hadn’t realized were glaring. He nodded slightly.

“...You’re right.”

Stion acknowledged it.

“...Yeah. I don’t like you, Luss, but I do appreciate that you’re seeking change. And I like that the reason is my brother.”

Slurping his tea, Stion pointed at Luss and said,

“But it’s hard to understand your reasons. If you wanted to improve your skills, you could have just practiced alone.”

“...That’s not enough.”

“Exactly. Why isn’t it enough? As I keep saying, my brother’s injury was an accident. From what we’re hearing now, those sword monkeys might even be classified as A-rank monsters. You can just take your time and improve from your current level.”

There were many reasons Luss wanted to learn from an A-rank party.

The biggest reason among them was,

“...I can’t help Starchis achieve his dream if I don’t.”

Starchis had thanked Luss for helping him achieve his dream.

She didn’t want to feel ashamed hearing those words.

Aide’s party members all looked at Stion.

Stion smirked.

“You keep saying it’s for my brother. How do I know you won’t just ditch Starchis after learning from me? My brother seems to trust you, but he’s still young. He hasn’t been betrayed by many people yet, so he trusts easily.”

“I would never..!”

“A friend can only go so far for another friend. Without a personal reason, people don’t go to such lengths. I told you to be honest.”

Stion warned.

“Even I’m getting confused hearing you. So, speak honestly.”

He subtly tested Luss.

“Do you like my brother?”

Luss had anticipated this moment since Stion had demanded to understand her reasons.

During that time, she had mulled over many thoughts and finally made a decision.

She had already decided to win him over.

She had already decided to be honest in this conversation.

Even if everything got back to Starchis through Stion, she was prepared to accept it.

After wiping her tear-streaked face, she looked at Stion with moist eyes.

A sharp-looking woman beside her commented,

“Pretty.”

Luss spoke.

She was tired of hiding.

“I love Starchis.”

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