“Let’s go see Romina then,” I said. We left Itsuki and the others who needed a level boost with L’Arc, and the rest of us headed to Romina’s studio. Glass came with us. When we got there, I noticed that a mysterious dojo had now appeared next to Romina’s studio. It definitely hadn’t been there before.

“Yomogi and Tsugumi are based out of that dojo,” Raphtalia explained. “They are assisting Kizuna.” I made a noise to show I was impressed. I definitely remembered those two. Yomogi had started out siding with Kyo, but she was honest and serious and just a lovable dummy, really. She had been pretty vocal about Kyo’s plans and constantly questioned him, which had led to Kyo tricking her into attacking us on what basically amounted to a suicide mission. Once she realized Kyo had tricked her, she had turned on him and joined us in a position of something like slave to Kizuna.

Tsugumi had been part of Trash #2’s retinue. Trash #2 had wanted the katana vassal weapon and had attacked in order to kill Raphtalia and take it. She had turned the tables on him, though, cutting him deep with the katana and then warning him—multiple times—that he would split in two if he moved. He had still chosen to move and fell apart into pieces.

In order to avenge this, Tsugumi had joined Kyo’s forces. After being physically modified, she had been sent to attack us on what was basically her second reckless suicide mission—this time with other members of Kyo’s harem backing her up. But Kizuna had saved her. After that, she’d been pretty amenable. Her romance-fevered brain had finally cooled.

“Okay. So where are Yomogi and Tsugumi now?” I asked.

“They are off working to calm the waves in each region. They are very close with Kizuna now, so they’re working hard to keep this place safe for her,” Glass explained. As we stood around chatting, Romina came out from her studio and narrowed her eyes.

“Can you stop gossiping in front of my place of business?” she asked.

“Thanks for coming out to greet us,” I said.

“Once Raphtalia showed up, I thought you’d be along sooner rather than later,” she replied, taking my witty remark in stride.

“Glad you know what’s up,” I said.

“This might be the moment to celebrate our reunion, but I guess you want to get down to business first,” Romina said. I felt a bit sorry about my attitude too. I did tend to consider things from a transactional perspective first. Then Romina gave a smile. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I was just thinking things were starting to feel more like when Kizuna was here.”

“Really?” I replied.