32 32. 10:00 a.m. at a clothing store (2/2)

Aria also knows that the person who is targeting Iris is very powerful. She knew it was dangerous, but she came with me and Iris.

That's how much she cares about Iris.

”Do you care about Iris?

”I do, yes. As a knight, I'm going to protect Iris.

No, not really.

As a mentor at .......

No, not really.

...... Both have been denied.

It's not as a knight and it's not as a teacher.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

”I'm protecting you because you're Iris. That's probably where you differ from your teacher.

...... I see, that's what you mean.

I understood what Aria was trying to say.

In the first place, you and I have fundamentally different ideas.

It is true that I am in a position to protect Iris as a knight. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you want to protect Iris, do it.

Protect Iris because she's your daughter?

Yes. She wants to protect me, her teacher, and everything in between. That's why I'm worried about her. That's why I felt I had to protect her. But you've already fought to protect Iris twice, right?　Then you can do the same for me. You're stronger than Iris, and you're stronger than me.

Aria said, and then left.

I've never seen Aria speak so clearly. She usually doesn't seem to talk much, but I guess she can talk when it's for Iris.

The reason Aria took the trouble to tell me this was probably because she was thinking of Iris in her own way. She seems to be acting as usual, but secretly she might be worried about Iris a lot.

(If you're going to protect Iris, you'd better brace yourself, I guess. It's true that the destination is just a point I've decided. The enemy could come at any time.

I'm not unguarded either.

I'm confident that I can protect Iris alone if necessary.

That is to say, I do not include Aria in my protection.

Aria's words included the meaning of the words, ”Be sure to protect Iris.

She is a student, but she is thinking about Iris that much.

(......) Maybe I should learn a little from her. ( I should learn a little something from you, because just being strong doesn't mean anything.

”Hey, where's Aria?

She went to return the clothes you picked out.

Iris comes back after paying the bill.

I take the paper bag in my hand.

Thank you for the clothes. How much was it?

”Oh, it's okay.

No, you can't. I'm your teacher, I can't take advantage of my students.

I'm a big saver when it comes to money, but I do have a certain amount of pride.

...... Well, it can be tempting to say that you can help me with various tasks.

I'll give you the money first and then we'll talk.

Where should we go next?

If you haven't eaten breakfast, go to a restaurant and aim for your destination. How about ......?

”Yes. I haven't eaten, so if you haven't eaten either, that's fine. I think it would be a good time.

Well, I'll go tell Aria.

Yeah, I'll go with you. I'll go with you. Let's stay here as long as we can.

It's true that we're in the middle of a mission.

As if remembering, Iris said.

He seemed to be having a good time when he was picking out his clothes.

I was confident that I could protect Iris, not only in the store but also at a certain distance, and I believe that Iris is capable of protecting herself.

But if I'm going to protect Iris, at least I have to be close by--this is how I would respond to Aria's words.

(It's a student's request, so I'm going to listen to it. ...... It may or may not sound like a teacher. ......)

”Oh, and sir. Can I have a few minutes of your time after breakfast?

”Of course you can, sir.

Thank you very much.

It seems that Iris has something to say to me.

If she doesn't want to talk about it here, then she doesn't want others to hear it.

So we finished our shopping at the clothing store and headed for breakfast.

We seemed to be looking around and before we knew it, we were heading straight for our destination.