Watching in secret from a distance, Meli and Ria both looked relieved.
"It looks like Mina had to make the first move after all!" Ria said, exasperated.
"You can't really blame Axel for that! He's devoted almost all his attention to the great cause of the Holy Light. That's why he's so dense when it comes to romance!" Meli said calmly. She had watched Axel and the others grow up, so she understood very well what was on their minds.
"Hmph, that's no excuse for not responding to someone's feelings!" Ria said, still a little stubborn.
"All right, aren't they happily together now? You must be pleased as his big sister!" Meli rubbed Ria's hair with an amused smile.
"I just hope he won't have such a hard life. There are plenty of wonderful things in life. Even as you work hard to move forward, you shouldn't forget the people behind you who trust you and are trying to catch up!" Ria gazed pensively at the two figures walking away hand in hand.
Meli followed Ria's gaze. "Yes, he really has had a hard time."
"Come on, Ria. Let's go home! Today should be a happy day. Let's go home and make a feast!"
"Yes! We'll have another member of the family now!" Ria replied happily.
In Konoha's Hokage Building, the Third looked at Jiraiya, his prized student, and said, "Recently, a cult called the Holy Light Church has appeared in several of the small countries around us. I want you to take your team and gather intelligence on this organization!"
"Old man, I've heard of this cult too. They haven't performed any cruel cult rituals. All they preach is some idea about building an earthly paradise by believing in the Holy Light. Other than that, they don't seem to