Your Specialness

The Larkspur gave an answer that, in her understanding, was tantamount to evasion.

Surprisingly, Ink Lotus didn't seem to show any emotional reaction after hearing the answer.

"So that's how it is."

She simply spoke calmly to herself, her back slightly leaning back, completely reclining in the driver's seat:

"That's why I felt there was no need to say it... because I had a feeling the captain probably wouldn't agree today."

"Feel sorry."

Larkspur repeated, "I am very grateful that you value me so much."

"No, it's not the captain's fault, it's my fault."

Ink Lotus He stared straight at the road ahead, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused. "My performance today was truly awful. I kept causing trouble, and I even made you pay for the captain's dinner. With a performance like this, anyone trying to recruit me will probably think I'm unreliable."

After leaving the restaurant, aside from talking about her team and ideals, Ink Lotus mostly appeared rather depressed, because in her opinion, she had completely ruined today's schedule.

Not only did she fail to demonstrate her reliability, but she also kept asking questions that upset the captain, and she was constantly causing trouble and breaking things. Undoubtedly, she failed to create a positive impression on the captain and her team.

"This is my failure," Ink Lotus judged herself.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with your performance. My decision has nothing to do with your performance."

However, Larkspur denied Ink Lotus's opinion:

"I'm not indifferent to your ideals, but I already have a lot on my plate, and I'm not sure if I have the energy to make any more promises to others."

"Therefore, I need to think about it more."

Larkspur summarized her thoughts this way. "Perhaps you could describe your plans more, or talk about your 'friends,' so I could have more to consider."

"Let's talk about 'friends'... is that right?"

Ink Lotus to himself, slightly easing off the accelerator and slowing the car down. "Captain, are you willing to listen to what I have to say?"

"Yes, I'm actually very curious."

The Larkspur no longer concealed her purpose and stated it bluntly. "I want to know about your experiences over the years, what kind of friends you've had, and what you've done."

"Is this considered questioning me by the Inspector the Investigation Institute?" Ink Lotus turned her gaze to Larkspur.

"Right now, it's just curiosity between old teammates. Because you seem to know a lot about me over the years, but I know nothing about you now."

Larkspur met her gaze. "If I were questioning you as Inspector, perhaps I should say, 'Hey, you dare to set up your own faction behind the backs of the Kingdom? Quickly reveal your stronghold in the Material Realm and all your team members.'"

She was deliberately imitating the tone of the sheriff she had encountered in the Mana-Free District earlier that day. Although she still lacked the intonation, it was enough for Ink Lotus to recognize who she was imitating.

These words made even the dejected Ink Lotus He couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth into a smile.

"But the captain didn't ask."

She belatedly realized and said, "I was the only one talking the whole time, but no one interrupted me."

"Because it's unnecessary."

The Larkspur spoke calmly, as if discussing something unrelated to them. "If I were to ask you now, would you be willing to answer?"

Ink Lotus was taken aback.

"As for the captain, actually..."

She opened her mouth, wanting to say that she didn't actually need to hide anything, but considering the nature of her team and organization, the words unexpectedly stuck in her throat.

The car had slowed down to a very, very slow speed, and there was no longer any noise to disrupt their conversation and thoughts. However, Ink Lotus's thoughts were more chaotic than ever before.

"... If the captain is willing to join us then, I can say so."

After a long pause, she said stiffly, with difficulty, as if each word weighed a ton, "But now, perhaps, I can't..."

"You can't say that, because it might betray your comrades."

Larkspur then spoke earnestly on Ink Lotus's behalf, "What you've done, although from your description it seems to be in a gray area, will certainly not be allowed if the Kingdom finds out. This is not something that can be discussed openly."

"For example, I think you should also know about the organization 'Claw Mark'. They betrayed the Kingdom and are considered wanted criminals by the entire Kingdom and the Material Realm."

Larkspur continued, bringing up things that Ink Lotus might have considered but didn't say, or perhaps hadn't considered at all. "Does your team have a name similar to Claw Mark? Or... do you have any connection with them?"

In Larkspur's mind, the "home" described by Ink Lotus was undoubtedly not something Claw Mark had done. However, if there really was a group of magical girls trying to build their own base in the Wasteland of the Material Realm, from Claw Mark's point of view, there was no reason not to contact Ink Lotus.

Therefore, even if Ink Lotus really wasn't on the same path as the magical girls like Claw Mark, it's impossible for them to have absolutely no connection with Claw Mark.

The silence of Ink Lotus confirmed Larkspur's idea.

Their silence spoke volumes.

"... I think I understand now what the captain was thinking about earlier."

Her next sentence came much later, but clearly, her inner thoughts had never stopped. "I really wanted to tell you everything, and I really wanted to know your opinion of me... but, it turns out, this kind of thing is so difficult."

I have no intention of doubting you.

Larkspur leaned back in her seat, gazing at the scenery outside the car window. "A magical girl shouldn't trust anyone easily, but she should also never doubt her companions. Therefore, I don't need the answers to these questions."

"...Yes, that's how it is." Ink Lotus sighed as if she understood everything.

"To the captain, I am still special."

For some reason, she said this conclusion with such certainty, even a sense of relief. "But at the same time, I'm no longer as special to the captain as I used to be."

"Because I've changed."

Larkspur stopped looking out the window and instead gazed ahead with Ink Lotus: "Now, you should believe this."

Ink Lotus stared intently ahead of the car, remaining silent for a long while.

After a while, her expression returned to calm, and when she spoke, she no longer talked about the previous topic, but about her own trivial matters over the years.

She mentioned that she had wanted to open a prop shop after the war, and what kind of work she wanted to do to earn money back then.

She recounted how she searched for a home after leaving her Kingdom, and the difficulties she encountered along the way.

She explained that she ended up at a school in the Material Realm due to some unexpected circumstances, because she needed to learn and acquire more knowledge to develop the barren land she had chosen. Relying solely on magical items was simply not enough to resolve everything.

She said many, many more things...

These things were still being discussed even after they drove away from the Mana-Free District, and even through the Emerald Zone, back to the Rainbow Cloud Wetlands.

But when the car stopped, they knew it was time to end it.

Today, Rainbow Cloud Wetlands is just like any other day, with its dense grassland, quietly flowing springs, and warm, gentle air that is truly enchanting.

"Happy birthday, Captain."

As she got off the bus, Ink Lotus suddenly said this.

"This isn't something I found out. If you remember, it was something you told me when we were still each other's special someone."

She bent slightly, reached out and locked the car door, then looked up, her amber pupils reflecting the Blue Moon in the sky.

"Perhaps, in your heart, I am no longer such a special person. But please believe that this is a special blessing for me."

She removed her hands from the car, straightened her cardigan, bowed to the Larkspur, and then turned away.

Her bouncing ponytail swayed behind her head like a tail, the ribbons at the base of the braid standing up like ears. Ink Lotus walked away with seemingly casual yet nimble and elegant steps. Her black clothes seemed to blend into the wetlands at night, and her light footsteps made no noise, disappearing into the night like a Black Cat.

Goodnight, Captain.

Her sudden turn back to greet the Larkspur, just as she was about to walk away, was as unpredictable as a cat.