A Wyvern flew over from the direction of Kami-Ota Shrine. Amid the howling gale, it sped toward a certain destination.
"Hold on tight. Don't get thrown off."
Luo Zhen knelt on one knee atop the Wyvern's back and called out to the two girls behind him.
There, the two girls clung tightly to each other, their faces deathly pale.
"Y-you absolutely mustn't let go, Yuri!"
Yukina spoke in a trembling voice, as if she were about to cry.
"I... I won't let go! Yukina!"
Yuri could only hold Yukina tightly, looking equally close to tears.
The difference was that Yukina had become like this because of her fear of heights, while Yuri had simply been frightened by the Wyvern's sudden appearance.
After all, the girl had never expected that once they decided to set out, Luo Zhen would suddenly summon a dragon, toss both of them onto its back, and have it carry them off.
During their earlier discussion, Yuri and Shio had decided that Yuri would travel with Luo Zhen and Yukina, while Shio would remain at Kami-Ota Shrine to stay in contact with the Lion King Organization and look after Nagisa and Aurora.
The reason for this choice was simple: Yuri and Yukina were closer, while Shio and Yukina's relationship was relatively ordinary.
The two girls could not exactly be called mere acquaintances, but they had not interacted very deeply either.
At least, that was what Yukina said.
"Although we're in different grades, Sayaka and I share a dorm room, and Sayaka and Shio are both candidates for Maihime, so we've had some interaction."
According to Yukina, Sayaka and Shio often argued while attending Takagami Shrine.
Since Sayaka and Shio had both been candidates for Maihime at school, and both had strong personalities, they were always competing whenever