◇ ◇ ◇
Rain sat perched on the edge of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky main building's roof, her gaze fixed on the moon above.
"So this is where you've been hiding."
A woman approached—Selma—and called out to her.
"……Yeah. I was just watching the moon."
Hearing Rain’s soft reply, Selma looked up as well.
There, shining in solitary splendor amidst the darkness, the full moon adorned the night sky.
"I haven't looked up at the moon much lately, but seeing it like this... it really is beautiful."
"It is."
The two of them stood in silence for a while, lost in the celestial glow.
"So, you have some business with me, don't you? Is it a lecture? Or maybe a complaint about how I'm dragging down everyone's morale?"
Rain turned a hollow, weary expression toward Selma.
Ever since the day Orun announced his withdrawal from the clan, Rain had been a shadow of her former self. Though she continued to participate in the units traveling to various regions to subjugate the Magic Beasts appearing on the surface, she was far from her usual self—a change that left the other Explorers deeply unsettled.
"There's no way I could be angry at you when you’re making a face like that. I’m actually grateful you’re still helping with the subjugations despite how much you're hurting. I shouldn't say this too loudly, but even a Rain who isn't at her best is taking down more Magic Beasts than anyone else in the clan."
"I see. I know in my head that I have to snap out of it. It’s just... my heart hasn't been able to keep up. Anyway, I'm sorry for being such a burden."
Watching Rain apologize with that fragile smile, Selma’s expression softened into one of painful helplessness.
"Hey, Rain. Won't you talk to me? I kept quiet all this time thinking you needed space to process things on your own, but you aren't getting better. If anything, you look like you're in more pain every day. I... I can't stand to watch you like this anymore..."
"I'm really sorry. But, I'm the older sister, after all."
At those words, Selma’s eyes sharpened with reproach.
"……And what is that supposed to mean? That you can't show weakness to those you've mentored? You’re so obviously suffering, and yet...!"
"Ahaha... I can't really argue with that. But, well, that's just how it is. An older sister is supposed to shoulder everything herself."
Selma’s shoulders trembled.
"Is that really what you think a sister is? If so, then you're dead wrong! I’ve shown my weak side to my younger sister plenty of times! I’ve been embarrassing, and I’ve done things that made her look at me with utter exasperation! Even so, Sophia accepts me for who I am. If you’re sisters, aren't you supposed to share the good and the bad alike!?"
"…………"
"I think of you as a precious comrade, Rain! I rely on you like a sister! You’ve always been the one saving me. I just want to be there for you for once...!"
Selma’s words poured out in an emotional torrent.
Perhaps the desperation in her voice finally reached her, for tears began to spill from Rain’s eyes, tracing silver paths down her cheeks.
"...Is it... really okay? For someone like me to lean on others...? I don't deserve to be saved. Not after what I've done..."
Selma gave a firm, resolute nod.
"Of course it's okay!"
Choking back a sob, Rain whispered a small, "Thank you..."
◇
Once she had regained her composure, Rain began to recount her past, the words falling from her lips in fitful starts.
She spoke of her childhood, when she was a pampered prodigy hailed as a Singular Mage.
One day, she was approached by a man wearing an eyepatch over his right eye. He asked her to teleport a group of people he was leading to the Village of Dawn. Believing his claim that it was a mission of mercy to help people, Rain granted his request.
It was only a few days later that her biological sister, Teruche, told her the truth.
The man's objective had been the exact opposite of helping people—he had come to destroy the village.
Teruche warned her that because she was indirectly involved, she would eventually be targeted for execution if she stayed. After being shown the horrific, smoldering remains of what used to be a home, Rain was given the bare minimum of supplies and told to flee the country. She had no choice but to obey.
"The Village of Dawn...? I’ve never heard of that place."
Selma murmured as she listened.
"……Yeah. Because it doesn't exist anymore. …………A-And then, you see..."
Though she had committed to telling the truth, Rain faltered as she reached the heart of the story. She was terrified of how Selma would look at her once she knew.
(I decided to tell her. Even if Selma is disappointed in me, even if she hates me... I'm the one at fault. I have to accept it.)
Rain took several deep breaths, steeled her resolve, and spoke.
"The thing is... that Village of Dawn... it was Orun-kun's hometown."
"…………Eh?"
The revelation was so sudden that Selma could only let out a stunned, hollow sound.
"He was in the village that day. Orun-kun was lucky enough to survive, but his parents... and almost everyone else there... they were murdered."
"…………"
"So, it's effectively my fault that Orun-kun's parents are dead. I suspect his memory loss was a result of the trauma from that day. ...And even though I took everything from him, I spent all this time acting like his big sister. ...See? I’m not the kind of person who deserves kindness, am I?"
Rain wore a twisted, self-mocking smile.
Selma lowered her head. In the shadows of the night, Rain couldn't read her face.
Only a few seconds of silence passed, but to Rain, who felt like she was standing on the gallows awaiting a sentence, it felt like an eternity.
"……So that's what happened."
Selma finally spoke. Rain gasped and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Thank you for telling me. If you’ve been carrying that burden all alone, it must have been agonizing."
Gently, Selma pulled Rain into an embrace.
Expecting to be cast out or condemned, Rain could only blink in stunned confusion.
"……Why? Why aren't you blaming me? I destroyed the family of the person you love, Selma...!"
"Why are you so determined to blame yourself? You didn't do it, Rain. You only wanted to help people. Besides, Orun said it himself that day, didn't he? 'Rain isn't at fault.' 'The ones to blame are the people who used her.' After hearing your story, I agree with him. The only villain here is that eyepatched man who preyed on your kindness to butcher a village."
"But, if I hadn't helped him..."
"Maybe it could have been prevented. Or maybe that man would have just found another way to attack. We’ll never know. I’m not saying you have to stop caring entirely, but you shouldn't let a manufactured guilt consume your life."
"……Thank you, Selma. I feel like the weight on my chest has lifted, if only a little. I’m glad I told you."
As the burden eased, Rain showed the most genuine, clear smile she had worn in weeks.
"I'm just glad I could help. If anything else is bothering you, don't you dare keep it to yourself. Wil and Lucre have been worried sick, too. They said they've always relied on you, so they want to be strong enough to support you now. They've been training themselves to exhaustion every day after finishing their subjugation duties. They’ve been coming back covered in bruises lately."
"Is that... so? I didn't even notice. Ahaha... I really was blind to everything around me, wasn't I? I’ve made them worry far too much..."
"If you show them the smile you’re wearing now, I’m sure they’ll be able to breathe again."
"Yeah, you're right. Have they come back yet?"
"They’ve been staying out late, but they should be home any minute now."
"Then I think I'll go down to meet them."
Rain stood up and began walking toward the roof door, her steps steady and sure.
Selma watched her back with an expression of profound relief, but then she suddenly started, as if remembering something vital.
"Wait, Rain! I have to correct one thing!"
"……?"
"I-It’s not like I'm in love with Orun, okay?! I mean, I respect him and like him as a person, but I don't see him as a man like that!"
Rain stared blankly for a moment before letting out a melodic, rolling laugh.
"Oh, Selma... that’s a bit of a stretch. You only ever have that soft, gentle look on your face when you’re looking at Orun-kun."
Rain’s laughter echoed through the quiet night.
The guilt within her hadn't vanished entirely. She still carried the weight of her past, but for the first time in a long time, she was able to smile through the pain.
Bathed in the soft moonlight, her expression shone with a quiet, renewed light.