Chapter Seventeen: I'm Not Needed Here, Am I? / Chapter Eighteen: It's Normal for an Ordinary JK to Know a Little Morse Code, Right? Mizushima Tsutomu Did It Too ...

"More or less the same as before, but now support is stronger."

"Then that works perfectly. We already have a bit of an oversaturation of ranged damage dealers. You two, stay beside Lisa and Ijichi-kun in the middle of the formation and focus on support, while also guarding our rear. Adapt to the situation in emergencies."

"Then it's settled." Sayo nodded. The reliability of this formation had already been proven in practice, beyond doubt. The others agreed as well.

Except for one person.

"Uh... what about me?" Shiko pointed at herself.

Yukina had already made arrangements. She looked at Shiko expressionlessly. "You'll stay behind on the airship."

Chapter Seventeen: I'm Not Needed Here, Am I?

"You'll stay behind on the airship."

The moment Yukina said this, she noticed Shiko's expression change. It was as if something had been pulled out of her. Her body swayed and trembled with her shifting center of gravity, as though she might collapse the next moment.

Shiko slowly lowered her hand.

"...Wu-san?"

Self-mockery surfaced on Shiko's face. "I see. I'm not needed here anymore?"

"Huh?" Yukina hadn't expected her words to cause such a misunderstanding. Before she could respond, Shiko silently stood up. Without taking a torch, she turned and left. Before entering the corridor, she looked back and left them with one final sentence: "You all go ahead. I'll stay here properly."

Her voice sounded as though she might burst into tears the next second.

Shiko left. Her lonely footsteps were magnified by the enclosed corridor, stabbing into the listeners' hearts.

"Shiko!" Ichiri stood up and chased after her. Seeing that, Kita hurried after them as well. Nijika didn't follow. Shiko's abrupt behavior had caught her off guard, while also giving her a few suspicions. Yukina sought Lisa's help with her eyes, but the