(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation)

After viewing the retreating figure of Camilla who left because of a job, Soma lied on his back on the spot.

He wasn't tired.

If anything, it was because of disappointment.

On the last moment when she was about to receive the blow, his mind lost focus.

It was a moment of negligence. To tell the truth, Soma would originally had no problem, but… the current Soma was far from perfect condition.

In the first place, Soma wasn't use to swing a sword by using this body.

He could actually handle the match if it was with simple and light swings. But it was the first time for him to swing it until that extent earlier.

He finally got used to that level little by little while doing swings. However, even though he was in such a state, he was careless, and he lost the match because of that. It was something out of question for him.

"Although I can say many kind of excuses, it is meaningless if I do such a thing. I'm still too early — don't you think so?" (Soma)

"…!?" (??)

The moment he said that, the trees behind him slightly shook.

The shook immediately settled down, but… oh well, it went without saying that was also meaningless.

Since there was no reaction after waiting for a while, he thought that there was a meaning from 'that side', but…

"As I have said before, you have been found out. It's meaningless to keep hiding, you know?" (Soma)

"…H-how do you know…?" (??)

The one who showed the face from behind the tree while saying such a thing, was a girl familiar to him.

A girl with red hair and red eyes.

She was about the same age as Soma, and she had a figure which could be said as a figure of a child.

From the face with slanted eyes, he received a strong impression, but it seemed that there was no way for her to conceal anxiety. However, the feeling gradually became dim.

The reason why she had an anxious expression was probably because he opened mouth just now.

The person herself somehow didn't realize that she had been perceived.

However…

"Hmmm… even if I tell you why, it's troublesome to say it. I can't say anything other than 'if I notice it, it means I notice it'." (Soma)

"But… the other person earlier seemed didn't notice me." (Girl)

"Well, Sensei… Camilla apparently thought that no one else would come here. And she probably didn't pay much attention to the surroundings." (Soma)

"…Does that mean that the difference is because you know that I will come?" (Girl)

"Yes, of course." (Soma)

As she nodded, she showed an expression that still couldn't accept the reason, but since that was the truth, it couldn't be helped then.

However, the truth about this situation was like what Soma said, he just knew it.

Well, practically, it was a coincidence that Soma noticed her.

At the last moment when he lost concentration during the match with Camilla, the reason was actually because he noticed her.

However, he was able to notice it because he knew her existence.

Even if Soma didn't know her, n.o.body could tell whether Soma would notice her or not.

Anyhow, since Soma was keep talking while facing up, he got up, turned around and he greeted her again.

"In any case, it's been a long time. Is this the first time in a week?" (Soma)

"Y-yes… long time no see." (Girl)

"Hmmm. Although it may be late, thank you for helping me at that time." (Soma)

In a week before, Soma was helped at that time.

As it could be seen from these conversations, it meant that Soma knew the girl… or perhaps it should be said that the encounter was a week ago when he collapsed.

Without being able to think of anything in that moment and became unable to move, Soma, then, was rescued.

To be exact, the girl lent her shoulders and thanks to that, he somehow managed to return to the backyard.

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation)

"It-it's fine. For such a grat.i.tude… I just did what I wanted to do." (Girl)

"No. I feel indebted. No matter how it objectively looked, you still saved me. It doesn't really matter much with what were you thinking. Therefore, I am obliged to say thanks to you, and you have the privilege to accept it. Well, since it is your right to accept my grat.i.tude, of course, you can throw it away." (Soma)

"…Although you thanked me, why does it sound that you are so proud about it? Oh well… if that's really the case, I'll accept it." (Girl)

"Hmm, that's a G.o.dsend." (Soma)

"…I still can't really accept it though." (Girl)

She looked at Soma with a dissatisfied expression, but Soma just shrugged his shoulders.

He was aware that his behavior looked so proud, but there was no way for him to change that.

So, she got no choice, but to give up.

"That's the truth, you know… Hmm? Leaving that aside, I haven't heard of your name." (Soma)

"Well, this is not the situation to give my name… and there is no need for me to do so." (Girl)

"It is necessary, so tell me your name. Aah, by the way, my name is Soma. You can call me the way you like." (Soma)

"…Somehow I am still not satisfied, but… well, whatever. But name… name huh." (Girl)

"Hmm? If it is not convenient for you, you can use an alias." (Soma)

"Alias… hmmm…" (Girl)

This time she put up a surprised look, so Soma was wondering about it.

It wasn't a joke, in fact he was serious.

No matter how one thought about this, it was obvious that she had circ.u.mstances. Hence, the name for calling was necessary to identify individuals.

As for an alias, if the person herself accepted his suggestion, it was all good for Soma.

"…Hah, it's fine. That time is that time, anyway. I am Aina. You can call me that." (Aina) (TLN: The name in raw is アイナ)

"Hmm… alright Aina." (Soma)

"And you suddenly address me without honorific!?" (Aina)

"Hmm? What is so bad about it? If that's the case, changing it is…" (Soma)

"I-I didn't say anything wrong with it. It-it's just, I am… a bit… surprised…" (Aina)

"If there is no problem, I will call you Aina then." (Soma)

"Y-yeah… that's fine. In exchange, I will also call you Soma?" (Aina)

"Hmm, I don't really have problem with that." (Soma)

"…Why are you so calm about this?" (Aina)

"Hmm? Did you say something?" (Soma)

"It-it's nothing!" (Aina)

Soma tilted his head again because of the appearance of a young girl shouting with her cheek slightly reddened.

As for Soma, she had a very low boiling point. Or perhaps he should say that he didn't understand why she was angry. Was it because of something he said, but anyway, he just kept silent.

Occasionally, for Soma, there were times when he arrived at such a judgment.

"Anyway, Aina." (Soma)

"Wh-what is it?" (Aina)

"Hmm…? Somehow your cheeks are red. Are you possibly having a cold? If that's the case, you should go home and sleep. It is crucial when you are starting to have a cold." (Soma)

"Don't worry about it. Just get to the main point!" (Aina)

"Hmmm… Why are you so angry this time? I don't understand…" (Soma)

On the other hands, sometimes he just didn’t get it.

Anyhow…

"Well, there's one thing, but if something troubling you, you can tell me." (Soma)

"…I don't know what are you talking about, and I completely don't understand you." (Aina)

"Yes? What so difficult about it? It's simple. I want to say that I will return the favor the help I received." (Soma)

"Please say that from the beginning… Anyway, I did it arbitrarily, and there is no need to return the favor." (Aina)

"Hmm, I think that I will also return the favor arbitrarily. When that time come, I will help you on my own accord. So, there is nothing to worry, right?" (Soma)

"…What is with that?" (Aina)

A smile unintentionally formed from the girl's lips.

That was caused by her amazement, but a smile was a smile.

For Soma, it was the first time for him to see the girl — Aina smiling.

"Hmm…" (Soma)

"Wh-what is it?" (Aina)

"No, I mean, I thought from the first time I saw you, but… your smile looks really nice." (Soma)

"…Yes?" (Aina)

"If I have to say it simply, your smile is cute." (Soma)

"You don't have to expressly correct yourself! What do you mean by cute!?" (Aina)

"Hmm… you're asking the meaning of cute? It is difficult to explain it easily…" (Soma)

"That's not what I meant!" (Aina)

The redness on her face was not at the degree as earlier. Hence, Soma tilted his head three times because of Aina's fl.u.s.tered and panic appearance.

Since Soma said what he really thought, he didn't know why she was so fl.u.s.tered.

"Wh-what are you plotting… such flatter, there's not good about it, not even one, you know?" (Aina)

"Flatter, is it? I am saying the truth because I don't feel like saying something other than flattering…" (Soma)

"I got it! And since I understand, we don't have to talk about this any longer!" (Aina)

"Hmmm… I don't really understand what you mean, but oh well." (Soma)

However, as the boy nodded while saying such thing even though he didn't understand why, the girl with a reddened face repeatedly breathed while her shoulders went up and down.

When looking from the aside, Soma made another nod as  he wanted to say something while looking at the scene.

"If something happens, I will help you if you tell me. Even if you don't tell me, I will just help you, and I want you to remember that. Well, as what you expected, the things that I am able to do is limited." (Soma)

The girl understood the figure who told such a thing with the usual proudness, and she slightly loosen her mouth again.

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation)