Responsibility

Bell Cranel.

The protagonist of DanMachi, he possessed the accelerated-growth skill known as One True Heart.

At that moment, he was secretly watching Ais.

"Bell really does look up to Ais, but I seem to remember seeing a comment before saying that the two of them eventually went their separate ways."

Although Shirou had never read the original light novels, he had always liked DanMachi fanfiction.

Once, while searching for fanfiction, he came across the original DanMachi light novel. In the comments below, he saw something like this.

"But regardless of how things go in the original, I can't hand Ais over to Bell. Bell may be a true hero, but his luck with women is just too good."

"As her big brother, I'll definitely take good care of Ais and the others."

After thinking about it in a flight of fancy, Shirou Emiya no longer had the energy to worry about anyone else. After all, he was quite a popular figure in the familia at that moment.

The number of people who came to drink with him was practically countless.

Whether they admired his strength or coveted his body, they all kept pouring drinks down him.

Before long, Shirou Emiya was drunk and slumped over the table.

"Hah! I knew this would happen!"

Having anticipated this situation before coming, Shirou Emiya drowsily lay across the table and soon fell asleep.

Half-asleep, he seemed to hear the sound of an argument.

But he was already in no condition to care about it.

I'll sleep first!

"So Bete got drunk and started acting up, then argued with Ais, and that's why Ais ended up like this today?"

Standing on the balcony with Tiona, Lefia, and the others, Shirou Emiya looked down at Ais sitting alone in the courtyard and helplessly rubbed his forehead.

"Why can't that guy just go to sleep obediently like I do after getting drunk?"

"He has terrible behavior when he drinks!"

"Forget his drinking habits. I think his character is terrible too!"

Tiona, who had always had complaints about Bete, openly criticized his character before saying to Shirou Emiya, "It's up to you now. Aren't you Ais's big brother?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Shirou Emiya, who had been barged in on and forcibly woken by Tiona, yawned and said groggily, "Wait a moment. Someone's already gone over."

Standing up high, the group clearly saw Riveria walking toward Ais.

"As expected, you have to rely on Mama Riveria at times like this!"

"Indeed. As expected of Mama Riveria!"

"I want Mama Riveria's love too!"

Hearing their joking, Shirou Emiya said with a laugh, "If Riveria hears you, she'll definitely teach you a lesson!"

"Hehe!"

Only after Riveria left did Shirou Emiya approach and sit down in the chair beside Ais.

"What's wrong? I heard you haven't been feeling well today."

Seeing that it was her big brother, Ais did not hide anything from him. After all, she had already told Riveria about it.

"I see. So the person Bete made fun of was also at The Hostess of Fertility?"

Shirou Emiya pretended to realize it just then. He had already known all of this beforehand.

In the dungeon earlier, Ais had saved Bell at the last possible moment. But out of embarrassment or surprise, he had fled the scene with monster blood splattered all over his face.

Bete had seen the entire thing.

So, at yesterday's banquet, Bete got drunk and brought it up as a joke.

He had even said something extremely provocative.

"Someone without strength has no right to stand beside Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein."

Those words were practically a fatal blow to Bell, who looked up to Ais. Provoked by Bete, he fled the tavern.

Ais felt terribly guilty about it. She believed that the boy had been dragged into it because of her.

But Shirou Emiya felt there was more to it than that.

"Besides that? I don't think simple guilt would have made you like this!"

That was what Shirou Emiya really wanted to ask.

At his question, Ais paused and thought for a while before answering, "I saw my childhood self in him!"

"I see. Empathy?"

In that case, Bete's words yesterday had not only provoked Bell. They had also made Ais see the self she had been when she was weak.

No wonder.

Shirou Emiya knew how deeply Ais's childhood experiences had affected her.

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to apologize to him."

"And then make it up to him?"

"Yes!"

"Then leave it to me!"

"Huh?"

Ais tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Shirou Emiya's serious expression.

"As her big brother, isn't it only natural for me to share my little sister's burdens?"

"..."

At Shirou Emiya's declaration, Ais's eyes grew moist.

Although she had called Shirou Emiya "big brother" before, it had merely been a form of address. After all, in her eyes, every member of the familia was family.

Finn and Riveria in particular cared for her almost like parents.

But Shirou Emiya's words today moved her beyond measure.

It was an entirely different kind of feeling.

"Yes!"

Ais lowered her head slightly, not daring to let Shirou Emiya see her expression.

Shirou Emiya merely reached out and gently stroked her hair. That was enough.

The two of them quietly savored the warmth of the moment in that gentle atmosphere.

They savored this brief moment of warmth.

"Did you catch Ais sneaking into the dungeon alone again? Looks like she's recovered quite a bit."

"Compared to that, I'd rather she get some proper rest."

In the Underground Library, Shirou Emiya held a magic book as he discussed Ais with Riveria.

Of the Three Greats of the Loki Familia, Shirou Emiya had the best relationship with Riveria.

Because of their high positions, the three of them were often busy and rarely had a chance to speak privately.

They had only truly become familiar with one another during the expedition.

After all, Shirou Emiya had only joined the Loki Familia about three months ago, and he usually spent his time working to improve himself.

But with Riveria, he had become familiar with her because he had previously learned the technique of Parallel Chanting from her.

After the expedition into the dungeon, Riveria had seen the power of Shirou Emiya's magic as well as his lack of knowledge regarding various magical techniques, so she had him come to the Underground Library every day to study magical knowledge.

This had turned their relationship into one between both teacher and friend.

"Huh? Why haven't I seen Lefia today?"

"Today is the Monster Festival. Lefia seems to have gone out with Tiona and Tione. Even Ais was called away by Loki. What, didn't you know?"

"Now that you mention it, I remember. Lefia told me about it a few days ago, but when I thought about going with the four of them, I declined. What would it look like for me to intrude on a gathering of girls? Rather, Riveria, weren't you invited by anyone?"

"Loki invited me as well, but I declined."

As an elf, she truly did not like such boisterous places.

"Is that so? The Monster Festival, huh? I've never experienced a festival in Orario. Now that you've reminded me, I'm starting to feel like going."

Shirou Emiya lightly stroked his chin. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly said to Riveria, "Why don't we go together?"

"What?"

"The Monster Festival! Let's go together, Riveria!"