Opposition

Hesta was just about to speak when Silei raised a hand first. "Answer me one question first. Did Chiba send you here to persuade me?"

Hesta frowned. "...What?"

"Didn't she?" Silei studied Hesta's expression intently. "If Chiba sent you to talk me into something, you can leave now. I won't change my mind."

"I know Miss Chiba came to see you some time ago. She told me about it," Hesta replied. "But aside from combat assignments, Miss Chiba rarely... almost never involved me in anything else."

"Is that so?" Silei smiled. She stepped forward and gave Hesta's arm a firm squeeze. "You've changed so much. You look far more spirited than last time."

"What do you mean, persuade you?" Hesta pressed. "What did she come to convince you of?"

"Since Chiba didn't tell you—"

"But you already brought it up," Hesta said curiously. "You've only said half of it. Finish it—don't leave me hanging!"

"Has no one come to talk to you lately? Or gathered information from you?"

"No," Hesta replied. "What kind of information?"

Silei fell silent for a moment. "...It's still about the Ascending Bright. Chiba wanted me to withdraw my report on the Ascending Bright, or delete the parts concerning Anna."

Hesta's expression shifted slightly.

Silei caught the change in Hesta's face at once. "Do you know what Chiba's relationship with Anna actually is?"

"Didn't they say Anna used to be Miss Chiba's teacher?" Hesta pretended to search her memory. "They must have known each other for a long time."

"They're very good friends, I suppose," Silei said.

"Probably...?" Hesta shook her head. "I don't know."

Silei lowered her gaze. "Let's not talk about that. Come on—tell me about how you've been lately."

The two walked through the hospital corridor. Patient rooms lined one side, windows the