Chapter-07 · EP-107

Episode 107: Reconciliation

Ah, I messed up. I made Yuno angry. …I don't understand girls' hearts.

It was partly my fault for making her misunderstand about archery practice, but does Yuno's party even need an archer? For long-range attacks, there's Maika's Water Magic. With Iori for close combat, Maika for long-range, and Yuno as healer, the balance is already there. I think they should just focus on developing their respective strengths.

Besides, from what I've seen of her archery in class, Yuno doesn't seem to have much talent for it. So even if she worked hard, she wouldn't improve overnight.

Ah, what should I do? How can I make Yuno understand?

Even if I apologize, what should I say?

Why is Yuno angry? Was it the way I said it?

Was she embarrassed because she mistakenly brought a bow when we were supposed to practice Healing Magic?

No, that's probably not it.

Then, as I thought, she's angry because I wouldn't go along with archery practice.

But even if we were to practice archery, we're only allowed to explore the first floor of the academy dungeon.

If you're going to use a bow against slimes, you'd be better off shooting at targets in the archery hall.

Various thoughts swirled in my head.

Something's off…

Maybe I was forcing my own ideas too much.

I wasn't considering her feelings.

What did Yuno want?

Yuno had said from the start, "I want to get better at archery."

It was wrong of me to dismiss that outright.

I was finally starting to understand.

It wasn't about efficiency.

Yuno wanted to join the fight, to fight alongside everyone.

But I pushed her away, saying, "Just stick to healing."

No wonder she was frustrated.

…I mean, if someone told me, "You're an idiot, so just do the grunt work," I'd get angry too.

I see. Yuno must have felt the same way.

It's not just about developing your strengths. What you want to do and what you're good at don't always match.

Even if Yuno isn't good at archery now, someday it might prove useful.

She was trying to work hard, believing that, and I crushed that hope.

…Ah, I feel sick.

I said something terrible to Yuno.

I need to apologize.

When I came to, I realized I'd been standing at the dungeon entrance ever since Yuno left.

In my mind, her face from that moment kept appearing and disappearing.

…Alright, let's go find Yuno.

I left the dungeon entrance and started walking in the direction Yuno had run.

She must be somewhere on the school grounds. In the classroom? Or…

"Ah…"

I turned a corner and stopped.

There were Yuno and Maika.

Both had slightly red eyes. Had they been crying?

"Shirou…"

Yuno saw me and faltered.

Maika stepped back a little, as if to watch over us.

"…Um, I'm sorry."

Yuno and I spoke at the same time.

"Huh?" We looked at each other.

"I should be the one apologizing. I got angry on my own…"

"No, I was wrong. I said thoughtless things without considering your feelings."

Our apologies overlapped again.

Maika laughed softly.

"Can you two take turns talking?"

At Maika's words, we nodded.

"Can I go first?"

Yuno nodded slightly.

"I thought about it properly. Why you got angry."

Yuno looked at me intently.

"You wanted to get better at archery. You wanted to fight alongside everyone. But I essentially said, 'Just stick to healing.'"

"…Yeah."

"I was wrong. It wasn't about efficiency or talent. What you wanted to do was the most important thing."

Yuno's eyes became moist again.

"I'm sorry. I'll help you with archery practice. Let's go to the Shinjuku Dungeon on the weekend. You can practice archery there."

"Shirou…"

Yuno wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry too. You were thinking about me, and I got angry on my own."

"No, I also…"

"But you know."

Yuno interrupted me.

"What you said, Shirou, I think it's right too. I'll work harder at Healing Magic. I'll also work hard at archery. I'll work hard at both."

Yuno looked straight at me.

"So, please teach me how to level up Healing Magic too."

"Yeah, of course."

I nodded.

"On the weekend, let's practice both at the Shinjuku Dungeon. Archery and Healing Magic."

"Okay!"

Yuno smiled.

Maika clapped happily.

"I'm glad. You two made up."

At Maika's words, Yuno and I smiled, a bit embarrassed.

"Well then, shall we head home for today?"

I said, but Yuno shook her head.

"Sorry, Shirou. If you don't mind, can you teach me Healing Magic practice now?"

Seeing Yuno's determined face, I, of course, agreed.