"Instructor Minamiya, thank you for coming!"
While Elysia comforted Asagi Aiba, Asagi's father greeted Natsuki Minamiya first. The two were fairly acquainted.
Only then did he look at the fairy lady beside his daughter, his gaze thoughtful.
"I am Kensei Aiba. And you are?"
Seeing Elysia look his way, Kensei Aiba hurriedly introduced himself before politely asking.
However, he had already guessed who this fairy was. After all, the Management Corporation's attitude toward her had been rather ambiguous. They considered her dangerous, yet feared her strength and did not dare act against her.
Now, it seemed she had a close relationship with his daughter!
"Elysia. Asagi's friend."
Elysia felt no dislike toward the middle-aged man before her. His attitude was good... he was neither aggressive nor deliberately putting on the airs of a superior. Instead, he was exceedingly polite.
And since he was Asagi Aiba's father, she had a somewhat favorable impression of him.
"Miss Elysia is friends with my Asagi? I've never heard her mention you. This child..."
"Hmph."
Asagi Aiba clung tightly to Elysia. Hearing her father's words irritated her somewhat. He was always so busy with work and was rarely by her side—when was she supposed to tell him?
Kensei Aiba understood that as well, so he merely smiled awkwardly.
"How is her condition now?"
Natsuki Minamiya set down the fruit and carnations she had casually bought on the way, then looked toward the woman lying in the hospital bed. Her illness was so severe that the patient's complexion was dreadful.
Yet even her pallid face could not conceal her beauty. It was clear that Asagi Aiba's mother must have been greatly admired in her youth.
"Thank you."
Looking at the things Natsuki Minamiya had put down, Asagi's mother thanked her in a voice filled with weakness.