Under Irene's guidance, the group wound through several turns and entered a dark alley. Frowning, Aiki opened the sewer entrance Irene had pointed out, and a pungent, sour stench wafted up.
"Big brother, why don't you wait here? I'll bring my little brothers and sisters out!" Irene said, feeling a little ashamed. Even at her young age, she knew how filthy their home was, and she feared the older boys and girls who had followed her would be disgusted.
"Silly child, we promised to go with you. How could we break our word? Don't worry! We won't look down on you!" Aiki gently stroked the little girl's bowed head.
"Let's go!" Aiki jumped down without hesitation, and the members of the Holy Light Cleric Squad followed one after another.
Watching them, Irene's heart filled with a gratitude she could not put into words.
"Irene, come on down. I'll catch you!"
"Okay, big sister! Here I come!" Irene, who had been standing in a daze, hurriedly answered when she heard Elsa's gentle voice.
Her tiny figure lay flat against the concrete around the sewer entrance as she slowly lowered her short legs into the opening. When she felt a pair of large hands catch her dangling legs, Irene relaxed. She quickly pushed herself up, and Elsa caught her securely.
"Well done, Irene!" Elsa praised her, stroking her little head. Although the sewer was not deep for an adult, it was quite a challenge for a seven-year-old girl. Looking at the pile of assorted junk beside them, stacked just high enough for the little girl to reach the concrete rim of the entrance, Elsa's heart ached.
"There used to be an iron ladder here, but then it disappeared. I don't know why!" Irene explained shyly. No one had ever praised her like