"Sorry. When I'm thinking, I often make certain movements without realizing it. I offended you."
After Larkspur pointed it out, Tudingui belatedly lowered her hand, looking apologetic. "I do this with my younger sister a lot at home, so I just..."
"Mm, it's fine."
Since Tudingui was willing to stop, Larkspur had no intention of pursuing the matter further. She gave a brief response to let it pass, then continued forward.
The three-person team continued silently exploring the maze.
The maze was not very bright—in fact, it was somewhat dim. However, the three of them were all fairly capable magical girls, so simple changes in light and darkness no longer affected their vision. Moving forward in the dark was not a problem. Still, that conclusion apparently only applied from Larkspur's perspective, because after they had walked a short distance, she felt the surroundings suddenly brighten.
Turning her head, she saw Tudingui raise a hand and cast a Spell Formula for supplementary illumination.
"There are stairs ahead. Watch your step."
Perhaps because her earlier unconscious act of touching Larkspur's head had left Tudingui feeling awkward and apologetic, she deliberately kept several steps away from Larkspur and merely sent the Spell Formula over beside her.
Seeing this, Foxtail Grass silently withdrew the hand she had already extended.
Larkspur looked at the glowing orb beside her, then at the stairs not far away. She wanted to say something, yet did not know what to say.
She wanted to say this was excessive concern, but then she remembered that "Gentian" really did look like a child to others. There was no reason for her to reject their goodwill so strongly. Explaining so much would be worse than saying nothing, so in the end, she merely said, "Thank you," and went down the stairs with