“Sakura-chan, aren’t you going to buy a swimsuit?”
“I shall be fine using my own! But what about you, Raiha? Do you truly not need one?”
“I... I intend to use the Luminous Academy swimsuit, so...”
“Is that so? But since this is a rare opportunity, you really should have picked out something cute...”
Outside the shop, Sakura, Raiha, and Yui sat together, chatting amicably. Unlike the group still inside, they were enjoying a peaceful moment. Answering the question, Raiha looked toward Setsuna through the shop window and spoke with a small smile.
“Setsuna-chan looks like she’s having a lot of fun. I’m so glad she came here.”
“Indeed. In addition to good friends, she has even found herself a future groom candidate. I had my doubts at first, but she has found so many irreplaceable things.”
Setsuna, who usually appeared cool and detached, was now putting her heart and soul into choosing a swimsuit. Raiha felt that meeting Yugo was part of the reason, but the presence of Melt and the others—who were both rivals for his affection and good friends—had helped liberate Setsuna in a positive way.
“The same goes for us... or rather, for my brother. By meeting Yugo-san and accepting the past, my brother has finally been able to start walking forward again...”
“Yui-san...”
Raiha didn't know how to respond to Yui’s words, which echoed her own thoughts. As the person who had derailed the lives of both Yui and Ryuga, Raiha felt she had no right to lightheartedly agree that things were "good." Even though Ryuga had forgiven her, she was still in the midst of atoning for her sins. That weight made her hesitate to speak.
Sakura, who often seemed flighty but was actually quite perceptive, spoke to the wavering Raiha.
“You have changed too, have you not, Raiha? You faced your own sins and began to walk forward... that fact remains unchanged.”
“Sakura-chan...”
“...I have been by your side all this time, watching you suffer for your sins. Telling Lord Ryuga everything and being forgiven brought about a great change. I am truly happy for you.”
“......”
To be honest, Raiha was aware of the change within herself. She no longer just looked down in shame; she had found a way to make amends and believed that acting upon it would be her redemption to Ryuga and Yui.
She remembered how her heart had been stirred when he told her to live and show him her atonement—forgiving the version of her that thought confessing her sins and dying at Ryuga's hand as her father's nemesis was the only way to pay for her crimes. His hatred hadn't vanished, and he hadn't completely forgiven everything, but Ryuga had still risked his life, fighting until he was covered in wounds to defeat Zaraki and save her.
From the moment he chose to answer the trust of his friend even if it meant discarding his revenge against Koumaru, his frozen time had begun to move again. At the same time, Raiha’s own life, which was supposed to have ended, began to move as well. Her life now possessed a certain value because it had been saved by him and her other friends. She had a reason to live, and things she wanted to accomplish.
Deeply grateful to Ryuga for the person she had become, Raiha had also begun to harbor other emotions.
(But, I...)
As she organized her feelings and looked back at the past, Raiha clutched her chest tightly. These feelings were surely unforgivable. They were not something she should be allowed to hold. She had to suppress them.
Raiha tried to maintain her composure, telling herself this... but then, a direct question from Yui rang in her ears.
“...Raiha-san, what do you think of my brother? Do you... have feelings for him?”
“Eh...!?”
Her heart gave a violent thud. An accidental gasp escaped her lips, and she felt the surreal sensation of her heart nearly leaping out of her mouth. As Raiha stood speechless at Yui’s overly direct question, Sakura spoke up in her stead.
“You love him, do you not? There is no need to hide it.”
“Sa-Sakura-chan!? What are you—!?”
“I have been by your side as a friend for years. I can tell immediately that the way you look at Lord Ryuga has changed. Before, your eyes were filled with guilt when you looked at him... but now, they are much warmer and softer.”
“...!?”
Breathlessness overcame her embarrassment. Was that really how she appeared to those around her? As Raiha grew anxious that Ryuga himself might have noticed, Yui posed another question.
“You don't need to feel a debt toward me. I have no intention of telling my brother about this. I just... want to know. I want to know how you feel about him, Raiha-san...”
“I... am...”
The words wouldn't come. She couldn't even judge whether she should answer or not. As Raiha groaned, unsure of what to do—especially since she was being looked after by a girl much younger than her, who had lost her sight because of her—the sudden sound of a loud clap echoed through the air.
“Alright, that’s enough! This isn't the kind of talk you have out in public!”
“Exactly. A girl's secret talk should happen in a place suited for it.”
“Ah...!”
Startled by the sound, Raiha looked up and saw Setsuna and the others, who had finished their shopping and come out of the store. She panicked, realizing they might have overheard the conversation, but Setsuna spoke to calm her down.
“I've been your friend for years, so I can at least understand your feelings. Things are complicated, aren't they?”
“......”
“In times like these, it's best to let it all out! Since the boys aren't around, it's the perfect chance for a girls' night!”
“Why not? Consider it a thank-you for always listening to us. Today, we'll be the ones giving you advice.”
“Wow! A girls' night! I’ve always wanted to participate in one!”
“Alright! Then let’s head to En’s shop for a girls' night and have some romance talk! It’s decided!!”
Everything was settled in rapid succession, and the girls began walking away with their shopping bags. As Raiha stood there flustered, unable to keep up with the situation, Setsuna spoke to her in a gentle tone.
“Melt, Ann, Sakura, Yui-chan, and of course me too... we all care about you. If something is bothering you, we’d be happy to help. We’re friends, aren't we?”
“...!”
Her eyes widened at her friend's warm words, and Raiha nodded silently. Grateful for the friends who looked out for her, Raiha ran to catch up with them.